Published on : 06/07/2022

Hiking in Champagny-en-Vanoise : 3 must-do itineraries

So many hiking itineraries in Champagny! As the gatekeeper of the Vanoise National Park, the small resort offers hikers a playground as vast as it is majestic. Discover 3 of our favourite itineraries!

Easy hike in the Vallon de Champagny-le-Haut
At the foot of the famous summits of the Grande Casse (3 855 m) and the Grande Motte (3 653 m), go up one of the most beautiful valleys of the Vanoise, a natural site classified since 1992.
Duration: 1h15 one way | Distance: 5 km | Difference in altitude: 127 m
Starting from the small Couaz dam (1,445 m), you will gently walk along the Doron, observing, with a little luck, marmots and ibexes on the southern slope. You will discover the peaceful hamlets of the valley: la Chiserette, le Bois, Friburge, up to the Laisonnay d’en Haut which marks the entrance to the Vanoise National Park.

Medium level hike in Champagny: the Glière Refuge
Meet at the end of the world to enjoy a good slice of blueberry pie and other local specialities, right in the heart of the Vanoise National Park (dogs not allowed).
Duration: 1h30 one way | Distance: 4,2 km | Difference in altitude: 450 m
From the Laisonnay d’en Bas car park (1,560 m), take the tarmac road for 300 m then a dirt track. Amidst the whistling of the marmots, it will lead you to the guarded Glière refuge (2,010m). Ten minutes from the refuge, a track climbs to the Notre Dame des Bergers chapel and the dry Glière lake (2,036 m).

Difficult hike in Champagny: the Tour de la Vallaisonnay
This loop is reserved for sportsmen and women and offers exceptional landscapes. Possible over 2 days for families (booking essential for overnight stays in the refuge).
Duration: 10 hours | Distance: 21.3 km | Difference in altitude 1,600 m
Departure from the Laisonnay d’en Bas car park (1,560 m). After starting the hike on a steep path parallel to the Cascade du Py, you will reach the Plaisance refuge (2,160 m) in less than 2 hours. You will then pass the Plan Séry pass (2 609 m), then head for the Palet pass (2 652 m), on a path overlooking the Plagne lake. At the Plan de la Grassaz, you will follow the GR5 for 350 m, to then reach the Col de la Grassaz (2,637 m), on the outskirts of Lake Verdet.
Then the descent begins, which will take you past the chalet of the Park rangers (2,430 m), the Plan du Sel alpine chalet (2,250 m) and the Glière refuge (2010 m).

Small resort, big spaces… Over 5 or 20 km, your hikes in Champagny-en-Vanoise will not fail to dazzle you and give you a change of scene, whatever your level!