Hiking in the Vanoise and Tarentaise regions
Hiking in the mountains: a must-do during your summer vacation in Savoie!
You know the drill: the best way to walk is to put one foot in front of the other… and keep going! That’s how time passes, peacefully, when you’re hiking the trails in Savoie. One step leads to another; a view of the glaciers in Vanoise National Park follows a detour to a mountain lake, which in turn gives way to an idyllic moment amid flower-filled alpine meadows…
Hiking in the mountains? A meditative escape for some, a physical challenge for others, or even a moment of camaraderie spent chatting and snacking.
An ultralight trail runner’s backpack, or a veritable “home” packed with an elaborate picnic. Heavy, high-top hiking boots, or lightweight trail running shoes with lugged soles. A smartwatch on your wrist… or tucked away at the bottom of your pack. To each their own way of exploring this vast garden surrounding the mountain villages!
We’re all hikers, but are we all different? Really? Not so sure… Because if there’s one thing families out for a stroll and athletes seeking peak performance have in common, it’s that same powerful emotion felt in the midst of the mountains: the one that reminds us just how small we really are in the face of these venerable peaks that took shape millions of years ago.
Hikers walk, marmots whistle, and the bells of the herds ring out. Happiness is in the alpine pastures!
Filter hiking trails by village and difficulty level
Looking for a map of hiking trails in Savoie? Download the hiking trail map of La Plagne and its villages.
Never hiked in the mountains before? Don't worry, go for it!
Hiking in the mountains can seem intimidating at first: fear of moving away from "civilization", fear of getting lost, fear of not being in the physical condition required to hike at altitude... Rest assured: you don't have to be a top-level sportsman (or have a GPS for a brain) to get started!
As with any sporting activity, all you need to do is start gently, with a short stroll in the mountains- an hour or two, for example - on a hiking trail with little difference in altitude (in other words, no major ascents or descents).
To help you choose your introductory hiking itinerary, take a look at the hiking map for La Plagne(Versant Nord), Aime and its villages(Versant du Soleil) and Champagny-en-Vanoise. What interests you? The easy green hiking trails, suitable even for children. By looking at the legend, you'll find out everything you need to know about each trail: the distance to cover, the gradient to expect, and even an estimated duration of the walk. Handy for beginners!
All hiking trails are marked with yellow signs that point you in the right direction. You'll never have to go off-trail in the grass: just follow the same dirt path as the thousands of walkers who have gone before you. A good practice that reduces the likelihood of getting lost to zero (and helps protect the natural areas around you, which are susceptible to erosion).
Make sure you've got the right footwear before you set off on Savoie's hiking trails. No flip-flops or slick city sneakers here! Mountain boots (high-top or low-top hiking boots, trail sneakers...) are essential to avoid slipping, and to protect your feet and ankles from the rocks and roots you'll encounter along the way (yes, the trails are groomed but unsealed; no asphalt to speak of!).
Mountain Hiking: Loop Trails and Out-and-Back Hikes
There are several types of mountain hikes:
- Loop hikes: As the name suggests, these hikes follow a loop route, starting and ending at the same point. For example: the Sentier Nature (blue-level loop / easy, starting from Montchavin) ; or the Gorges de la Pontille (also rated blue, starting from Champagny-en-Vanoise). What’s the advantage? You get to discover different landscapes throughout your mountain hike since you never walk the same trail twice.
- Out-and-back hikes: Unlike loop trails, out-and-back routes take you along the same trail twice. Does that sound less exciting? Think again! You’ll often forget you’re on the same trail, since the views are so different on the way there and back! Another perk of this type of route? You can simply turn back whenever you want. This is handy when hiking with kids, who sometimes get tired faster than you expected… Take, for example, the Chemin de la Pierra, starting from Montchavin—a very easy hike perfect for toddlers.
- Multi-day backpacking trips: This type of hike is ideal for active hikers who want to set off on a multi-day adventure along a hiking trail in the Alps (for example, the GR5). And at night? Hikers can choose between: sleeping in a mountain hut, camping in the great outdoors (only at authorized sites; regulations vary by country), or treating themselves to a really good night’s sleep in a cozy bed if the chosen route passes through a village. A little “luxury” that’s always welcome after several days of hiking with a heavy backpack on your back… (sleeping bag, stove, food supplies, etc.).
Multi-day hiking is similar to trekking: in both cases, it involves walking for several days. Trekking has a wilder, sometimes even hostile, side to it. The trails are often harder to access, more physically demanding, and more exposed. A trek requires much more preparation than a simple 2- or 3-day backpacking trip and is generally undertaken with an expert guide who specializes in this type of wilderness adventure.
Did you know? Hiking can also be done on a pony or a donkey!
Follow the guide! All the benefits of organized hiking in Vanoise
Walking—everyone knows how to do that. However, spotting a chamois on a scree slope, a protected flower (like edelweiss), or traces of an old farm is much more complicated! That’s wheremid-mountain guides (also known as AMMs) come in.
These nature lovers with encyclopedic knowledge will tell you everything about the landscapes around you, the flora and fauna, the traditional architectural heritage of Savoie, and farming techniques past and present…
Mountain guides are excellent at helping you find THE hike that will amaze you the most: whether it’s a half-day or full-day hike, just a stone’s throw from your lodging or a bit further away, with children or seasoned hikers… Trust them and let them guide you!
Another idea: you can check the list of themed hikes organized by the Champagny-en-Vanoise tourist office in the spring and fall, or ask the mountain guides for their schedule for the coming week (themed hikes focusing on marmots, mountain medicinal plants, wildlife tracks, gourmet hikes, night hikes…).
Do I have to pay to use the hiking trails in the Vanoise National Park?
Not at all! Access to the hiking trails in Vanoise National Park is completely free, no matter the season (spring, summer, fall—and winter, of course, for backcountry skiers).
The only thing you might have to pay for? A “special hiker” lift pass, in case you’d like to take a chairlift or gondola to reach certain high-altitude viewpoints more quickly (and with less effort). Like La Roche de Mio, for example, or La Grande Rochette.
Note that using the ski lifts to reach these viewpoints is entirely optional. You can certainly choose to hike there along the trails if you’re feeling up to it.
How do I prepare for a mountain hike?
Before setting off on a mountain hike, take three precautions:
Choose an itinerary suited to the physical condition of all those taking part in the hike. Everyone should return from your mountain walk with a smile on their face... and a desire to go back!
Looking for a map of hiking trails in Savoie? Download trail maps for the Versant Nord (La Plagne and its villages), Versant du Soleil (Granier...) and Champagny-en-Vanoise.
- Make sure everyone is well-shod (high or low-top hiking boots, trail sneakers, etc.). No flip-flops, sandals, city sneakers with smooth soles, etc.). The integrity of your ankles and knees depends on it...
- Keep an eye on the weather. The weather changes fast in the mountains! Be particularly vigilant if thunderstorms are forecast: they may arrive faster than the weather report indicates... Know when to give up, or opt for a shorter hike to make sure you're back before the thunder starts rumbling...
What should I pack in my hiking backpack?
Hiking rucksack essentials: water (too much rather than too little, especially on hot days), snacks if you're going to be out for several hours, SPF 50 sun cream (the sun beats down hard at altitude!), a charged telephone, a mini first-aid kit (blister plasters, etc.), a hiking trail map, and a cap if you don't already have one on your head. And don't forget your garbage bag.
Hiking with the family? Bear in mind that your little ones can't carry a bag as heavy as yours, so you'll need to pack some of your own hiking essentials in your own bag. Read on to find out how to prepare your children's hiking bag.
Depending on the weather and your interests, you can add to your bag: a windbreaker (often useful at altitude, even when it's hot "down below"), a pair of binoculars, a small book for recognizing flowers and/or animal tracks...
Vanoise hiking, Tarentaise hiking... What's the difference?
When we talk about hiking in the Vanoise, we're talking about hiking in the Vanoise massif, a massif in the French Alps located in Savoie and bordering other massifs you may know: the Beaufortain massif, the Belledonne massif, the Mont Blanc massif...
The Tarentaise, for its part, is a valley that stretches from Albertville to Val d'Isère, passing through La Plagne and Champagny-en-Vanoise.
So when you're hiking in La Plagne or Champagny-en-Vanoise, you're hiking in both the Tarentaise and Vanoise regions! You can even hike in the Parc national de la Vanoise if you take a trail in this 530 km² protected natural park straddling the Vanoise massif and the Alpes Grées.
Our tips for hiking with your dog on the trails around La Plagne and Champagne-en-Vanoise
Does your pet need to stretch its legs… a little? A lot? Like crazy? Treat yourpet to a walk in the great outdoors so it can explore—nose in the air— the hiking trails around La Plagne! Here are three helpful tips for a peaceful walk:
Tip #1: Take a look at the hiking trail maps and identify the trails where dogs are allowed (in other words: trails without the “dog” icon surrounded by a red circle; i.e., routes that do not pass through the Vanoise National Park). You can also simply use the “dogs allowed” filter in the complete list of hiking trails around La Plagne and Champagny-en-Vanoise.
On the North Slope (La Plagne, Montchavin, Les Coches…), about fifteen trails are accessible to dogs. On the Sun Slope (Granier…), all trails are accessible to dogs. In the Champagny-en-Vanoise area, there are another fifteen or so hiking trails where your faithful companion is welcome.
Tip #2: Bring a leash with you. This is essential if your hike takes you near a herd (watch out for patous—these very intimidating livestock guard dogs…), or simply if you encounter other hikers, children or adults, who are afraid of dogs.
Tip #3: Of course, be mindful of your pet’s well-being. Choose a hike suited to your dog’s fitness level, and bring water and a food bowl, etc.
When is the best time to go hiking in the Vanoise?
Hiking trails in the Vanoise National Park are splendid in all seasons.
In spring, explore the low-altitude trails while you wait for the snow to melt at higher altitudes.
In summer, the flower-filled mountain pastures are a must for mountain hikers, unless you'd prefer to take on high mountain trailswith their more mineral atmosphere? Or take shelter from the sun in the forest on hot days?
In autumn, the wild grasses turn yellow, the blueberry bushes turn red and the larches blaze in spectacular orange hues, before shedding their thorns as winter sets in.
Pasto Kézako?
Would you like to find out more about people and their herds? Or find out how to share mountain space? Want to find out more about herd protection dogs and understand predation? Or are you looking for tools to raise awareness...
👀 Read the article Hiking in mountain pastures: everything you need to know about herding dogs
All this information is now available on Pasto kezakothe information and awareness-raising site on pastoralism in the mountains.
