C’est tout simplement l’une des plus belles randonnées de Savoie. Après avoir longé les longs murs de pierre qui étaient autrefois la route des colporteurs du sel, vous traversez le lac des vaches comme par magie. Oui, vous marchez bien sur l’eau ! Et vous voilà au milieu d’un environnement en tout point exceptionnel. Admirez ce grand aileron minéral sur votre droite : c’est l’aiguille de la Vanoise, dont l’ascension est réservée aux meilleurs grimpeurs. En arrivant au refuge récemment réhabilité, vous êtes au pied de la Grande Casse, le plus haut sommet de Savoie, frôlant les 4000 m, avec sa longue langue glacière. Vous êtes bien en haute montagne ! Un petit encas s’impose au refuge, où il n'est pas rare de croiser des alpinistes qui préparent leur matériel pour la course du lendemain, pendant que des enfants jouent dehors en attendant le prochain repas. Tout comme vous ?
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
People have traveled along this path since forever. Beaufort cheese, honey, minerals, livestock, and salt passed through here on their way to Italy’s Piedmont region. Starting in 1860, the year Grand Casse Peak was first climbed, the pass and then the hut became the starting point for guides and their clients to climb the surrounding summits. Today, on the well-known GR 55 trail, embark on a fantastic hike to explore the environment and mountainous terrain of Vanoise National Park. From the Les Fontanettes Parking Lot, the trail winds through the forest along the edge of the ski runs all the way to the Les Barmettes hut. Continue along the path (trail no. 14) lined with low stone walls and then hike up a grassy knoll until you reach the flat area formed by Lac des Vaches (Cow Lake). Located at the base of Aiguille de la Vanoise Spire, well placed stepping stones take you through the middle of the lake. Further along, the trail climbs Grande Casse Glacier’s terminal moraine, a remnant of the Little Ice Age (1550-1850). After following along the shores of Lac Long (Long Lake), the trail then leads you straight to the hut, which will only appear right as you arrive.
ALTERNATIVES for the ascent Trail no. 21 (then 24) From the Les Fontanettes parking lot, follow signs to Arcelin (trail no. 21). Once in the glacial cirque, head right onto the Les Arollets trail (no. 24). This alternative for the ascent is highly recommended for strong hikers. Combine it with a descent via Lac des Vaches (Cow Lake) and the Les Barmettes Hut for a truly amazing loop if there ever was one.
Trail no. 13 (then 14, 15, 16, and 24) From the Les Fontanettes parking lot, start hiking on trails no. 13 and 14 until you reach Chalets de la Glière. From there, head right (trail no. 15) to cross over Pas du Moriond (Moriond Notch). A short descent (trail no. 16) takes you into the quaint Arollets Valley where the Arcelin Chalet ruins and trail no. 24 are located.
Trail no. 12 (then 14) From the center of the village, take the Mt. Bochor aerial tram. At the top of the tram, take trail no. 12 towards the Les Barmettes Hut where you will meet up with the GR 55 trail and trail no. 14 that will take you to Lac des Vaches (Cow Lake) and then to Col de la Vanoise Pass.
Ouverture
From 01/06 to 16/10.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Tarifs
Free access.
Contact et accès Parking des Fontanettes 73710 Pralognan-la-Vanoise Savoie (73)
