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.

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.