Tour de la Grande Casse - 5-day walking tour

The Tour de la Grande Casse is an emblematic hike in the Vanoise, offering magnificent views and scenery ! Please note, departure is from the Laisonnay-d'en-Bas car park located in Champagny-en-Vanoise!

Stage 1: Laisonnay-d’en-Bas car park (1560 m) - Col du Palet refuge (2587 m) Distance: 14.12 km Ascent: +1191 m Descent: -170 m Total duration of the route 5h30 excluding break time Points of interest: the largest alder grove in France between the summits of Grand Bec and Epena, golden eagle, baroque church of St Sigismond (Champagny), hamlet of Champagny-le-Haut, pastoral life in La Plagne (production of alpine Beaufort cheese), panorama. -- Stage 2: Col du Palet refuge (2587 m) - Leisse refuge (2487 ​​m) Distance: 15.15 km Ascent: +727 m Descent: -814 m Total duration of the route 5h10 excluding break time Points of interest: chamois on the right bank of the Leisse torrent, ptarmigan, high-altitude flowers, mineral landscape (cargneules, gypsum). -- Stage 3: Leisse refuge (2487 m) - Refuge des Barmettes (2012 m) Distance: 14.67km Ascent: +484m Descent: -954m Total duration of the route 4h30 excluding break time Points of interest: marmot, pastoral life in Entre-Deux-Eaux (production of Bleu de Termignon). At the Col de la Vanoise, lakes and view of the Grande Casse glacier (highest peak in Savoie, 3855 m). -- Stage 4: Refuge des Barmettes (2012 m) - Refuge du Grand Bec (2405 m) Distance: 6.68km Ascent: +723m Descent: -333m Total duration of the route 4h excluding break time Points of interest: chamois, ibex, view of the Vanoise glaciers, moraines. -- Stage 5: Refuge du Grand Bec (2405 m) - Laisonnay car park (1560 m) Distance: 14.12 km Ascent: +696 m Descent: -1520 m Total duration of the route 4h30 excluding break time Points of interest: spruce forest, hamlet and Champagny-le-Haut nature trail. Book accommodation online at: www.refuges-vanoise.com