• Sport

Tour de la Grande Casse - 5-day hike

This itinerary is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of the Vanoise National Park. It takes you around the Grande Casse, Savoie's highest peak (3855 m), in an idyllic setting surrounded by marmots and ibex.

Sport Tour de la Grande Casse - 5-day hike Champagny-en-Vanoise

About

Departing from Champagny-en-Vanoise (73350)
Duration of the itinerary : 5 Days
Total elevation gain : 3305m
Vertical drop : 3305m
Signed walking trail
Animals not allowed

Stage 1: Laisonnay-d'en-Bas parking lot to Col du Palet refuge
Walking time: 5h30
Total ascent: 1348 m
Ascent: 317 m
Via Col de la Grassaz, Chalet des Aimes, Chalets de la Grassaz.
Points of interest: largest alder grove in France between the Grand Bec and Epéna peaks, golden eagle, St Sigismond baroque church (Champagny), Champagny-le-Haut hamlet, pastoral life at La Plagne (production of alpine Beaufort),
panorama.

Stage 2: Col du Palet refuge to La Leisse refuge
Walking time: 5h10
Ascent +: 653 m
Ascent: 756 m
Via Col du Palet, Chalet de Lognan, Tignes Val Claret (where you join the GR®55), Chalet de la Leisse, Col de la Leisse.
Points of interest: chamois on the right bank of the torrent de la Leisse, ptarmigan, high-altitude flowers, mineral landscape (cargneous rocks, gypsum).

Stage 3: from the Leisse refuge to the Barmettes refuge
Walking time: 4h30
Total ascent: 417 m
Difference in altitude -: 894 m
Via Pont de Croé-Vie, Col de la Vanoise.
Points of interest: marmot, pastoral life at Entre-Deux-Eaux (production of Termignon blue cheese). At the Col de la Vanoise, lakes and views of the Grande Casse glacier (highest summit in Savoie, 3855 m).

Stage 4: Barmettes hut to Grand Bec hut
Walking time: 4h00
Total ascent: 554 m
Difference in altitude -: 158 m
Via the balcony path towards Mont Bochor, then over the Col de Leschaux (an aerial passage that may be snow-covered at the start of the season).
Points of interest: chamois, ibex, views of the Vanoise glaciers, moraines.

Stage 5: Grand Bec refuge to Laisonnay parking lot
Walking time: 4h30
Total ascent: 333 m
Difference in altitude -: 1175 m
Via Plan Fournier, Tour du Merle, Enclos du Seil, Gorges de la Pointille and Notre Dame de la Compassion.
Points of interest: spruce forest, Champagny-le-Haut hamlet and nature trail.

Itinerary
Total elevation gain : 3305m
Vertical drop : 3305m

Difficult passages

Aerial passage over the Col de Leschaux on stage 4. Check snow conditions with the refuge wardens.

Map references

"The Vanoise National Park Map (1/60,000). For further information and/or online purchases, please visit the Park's online store: http://boutique.parcnational-vanoise.fr

Topoguides references

The GR®5-55 trails topo-guide (ref. 530) published by the FFRP.

Further informations

Stone, Ground

    1 2

    Prices

    Free access.

    Reception

    Animals not allowed
    Not adapted to strollers

    itinerary in the Vanoise National Park area

    Period of practice

    From 15/06 to 15/09.

    Subject to snow conditions.

    Access

    73350 Champagny-en-Vanoise
    Departing from : Champagny-en-Vanoise (73350)
    Latitude : 45.449921 - Longitude : 6.776845
    Information update on 10/12/2024 by Agence alpine des territoires