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Col de la Vanoise

  • Author: TrailExplorer

Col de la Vanoise

This beautiful walk in the Vanoise National Park will introduce you to the high mountains and has a rich history. The route goes over the Route du Sel, an old mule path, to the Lac des Assiettes. At the refuge du Col de la Vanoise you can enjoy the view of the Grande Casse and the glacier des Grands Couleurs. Via a detour to the Lac Rond you walk back along the Lac Long and descend the moraine from the glacier du Grande Casse to the Lac des Vaches. You cross the lac des Vaches via stepping stones to walk back to the refuge des Barmettes.

Distance: 15 km.

Time: 5h00.

Grade: Difficult.

Type: Circular.

Gps Track: Yes.

Route description: Yes.

Wheelchair: Not suitable.

Dog: Not allowed.

Height gain: 877 meters.

Trail: 100% unpaved.

Marking: GR55 and sign posts.

Hiking shoes recommended.

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Old Salt Route.

From Les Fontanettes you walk on the route of the GR55 through the forest of La Glière to the refuge des Barmettes. Here you cross the bridge of La Glière and you follow a part of the Route du Sel. This old mule trail between La Tarantaise, La Maurienne and Turin has a rich history. Cheese, honey, minerals and salt were transported along this pass. The path is delimited with stone walls that were restored in 2004. Just before the Chalets de la Glière you leave the GR55 and walk further to the ruins of the chalet of Arcelin. Here you walk in the direction of the col de la Vanoise and pass the Lac des Assiettes, which has been completely dry since 1995. A little bit further you reach the refuge du Col de la Vanoise, several buildings. Here you can take a break and enjoy the view of the Gande Casse, with its 3855 meters the highest mountain of the Vanoise and the glacier des Grand Couleurs. You can make a small detour from the refuge to the beautiful Lac Rond. From the lake you walk back to the refuge and follow the GR55 again. You go along the Lac Long and begin the descent along the moraine of the glacier du Grande Casse, from the small ice age of 1550 to 1850, to the Lac des Vaches. You cross the Lac des Vaches via stepping stones. You cross the bridge of Chanton and you reach the route from the way there.

Col de la Vanoise

Download PDF for route description.

Period: From mid-June to October in the absence of snow..

Map & Poi's.