• Alpine Discovery

• Vanoise a la carte

• Mid June to end of September

• Large choice of chalets and appartments for different sized groups and different budgets in the traditional alpine village - Pralognan la Vanoise

• grade explained

• A week long independent self catering Walking Holiday in the Vanoise region of France. A choice of walks and treks in this protected and unspoilt part of the French Alps. A number of other activities are also possible including mountain biking, via ferrata and ice skating
• Maps and walking notes included in the holiday.

• Large choice of exciting but accessible walking between amazing alpine peaks with pristine glaciers rising majestically above wild, remote valleys
• The Vanoise National Park has a rich fauna and flora including the largest population of Alpine Ibex (bouquetin) in France 
• A relatively quiet and unspoilt region of the French Alps
• Stunning limestone peaks, sculpted by ice creating a landscape of amazing natural beauty.
• Large choice of holiday rental properties in the traditional alpine village of Pralognan la Vanoise
• A variety of other activities in the same mountain resort

1. Self catering rental property for one week (excludes bed linen), walking maps and walking descriptions supplied to retain
2. Read more general information about our self catering independent holidays

1. Travel to Beaujolais, insurance, food (except welcome meal), any extra costs - entrance fees, guided walking, other activities

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Walking profile

This holiday is ideal for those with some mountain walking experience, with at least one person in the party who is comfortable following maps and walking notes in mountainous areas. The choice of walks are designed to allow you to discover the best of the Vanoise National Park. Many start directly from Pralognan, whilst others start from further afield so that you can get to see more of the region. The walking grades vary from moderate to challeging. An average walk could include ascents and descents of 900m and include about 6 hours walking. If you are keen on wildlife, you may wish to consider the idea of staying in a mountain hut for one night in order to be able to get up early in the next morning to see the alpine Ibex. We have included hut details and suggested treks.

The paths are generally good although they are mountainous in nature and often exposed. Some paths include difficult passages which involve steep or rocky terrain. Our suggested walks will be graded so that you can choose to avoid walks that include such paths.

Our holidays start in mid June, although at this period you may come across snow on paths above about 2400m. There is always a risk of snow remaining in certain pockets, although snow on paths is less common from July to mid September. A couple of examples of walking circuits are described below.

Other activities

There are a large number of other activities available at Pralognan la Vanoise including:

Ice skating: There is an olympic size ice skating rink with public ice skating sessions, ice hockey matches etc

Mountain biking routes

Swimming pool with games and pool for children

Plus fishing, photography courses, tennis, curling, ....

You can hire Mountain guides for a day to go climbing, do a via ferrata or walk on a glacier!

Walking tour examples

We have outlined a couple of examples of the type of walks that are included in our notes.

Tour of the Aiguille de la Vanoise

This is an ideal warm-up to the week and a great introduction to the Vanoise region. You can catch the cable car if you wish up to Mont Bocher (2023m) reducing your ascent by 600m. You then follow an ancient path that traverses the Vanoise formerly used down the centuries to transport salt. The trail then crosses the beautiful Lac Vache by a series of stepping stones before trekking around the base of the stunning rock spire Aiguille de la Vanoise sculpted and polished by ice. At the Col de la Vanoise (2517m), you’ll come face to face with the Grande Casse, a true giant of the French Alps, with its gleaming tongue of ice lapping at the crystal lake at its base. Your return walk passes beneath gleaming limestone cliffs decorated with amazing waterfalls before following a mountainous stream.

Petit Mont Blanc (2677m)

This walk leaves Pralognan on the opposite side of the valley to the walk described above and allows you to reach the summit of an alpine peak. The trail rises through rich alpine meadows before climbing onto the rounded summit of the Petit Mont Blanc, so called due to its white appearance due to the gypsum rocks that make up its summit. The views from the summit of the surrounding alpine peaks of the Vanoise are outstanding. The peak is a real geological lesson with curious sink-holes giving the impression of a lunar landscape.

Chalet Le Doron

1 bedroom appartment on ground floor of small chalet with garage in calm area 1km from centre of Pralognan

Les Alpages

Choice of 3 beautifully furnished appartments with 2 and 4 bedrooms in a residential building 800m from the village centre

La Ferme

Choice of 2 lovely appartments with 2 and 3 bedrooms in a residential block near the centre of Pralognan but surrounded by open space and beautiful mountains

Les Melezes

1 bedroom appartment with balcony in a recently built residency in the heart of Pralognan close to cable car and ski pistes.

Parc Isertan

3 charming wooden chalets situated within the grounds of a camp site 500m from the centre of the village with great views fo the surrounding Vanoise mountains.

Napremont

Choice of two self catering properies in this stand alone residential building 500m from the centre of Pralognan both with garages. A lovely two bedroom appartment and a spacious three bedroom duplex which can sleep 6

Les Glieres

Tastefully finished two bedroom duplex appartment located in the village centre

Le Petit Bouyic

Comfortable three bedroom chalet sleeping up to 8 in quiet and sunny location

Chalet La B'zeille

Large and tastefully furnished chalet with five bedrooms sleeping up to 12 in a quiet area of Pralognan