Hiking - Salt and Cheese Route: Historic Trail in Vanoise
A 27 km traverse between Tarentaise and Maurienne, tracing the footsteps of salt and cheese traders. Hikers follow an ancient trade route, bordered by picturesque dry stone walls.
A hike that ascends from alpine meadows to the glacial zone, crossing mythical sites such as Lac des Vaches or Pont de Croé Vie. Frequented since the Bronze Age, the Col de la Vanoise is an emblematic pass between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys. For five centuries, it bore witness to an extraordinary network between France and Italy, used to transport salt and cheese. At the heart of this vast high-mountain territory dominated by La Grande Casse (3,855 m), hikers have today replaced the ancient muleteer caravans. The beauty and diversity of the landscapes, however, remain unchanged.
From the Maison du Parc et du tourisme, ascend Avenue de Chasseforêt, then follow Rue de l'Elert. Exit the village. Follow the GR®55, passing through the hamlets of Les Bieux and Les Fontanettes, the Refuge des Barmettes, Lac des Vaches, and the Refuge du Col de la Vanoise. Cross the Col de la Vanoise and enter the Maurienne valley. Follow the GR®55 to Pont de Croé-Vie. After the bridge, turn right to follow the GR®5, reaching the Bellecombe car park, passing via the Refuge d'Entre-Deux-Eaux and the Refuge-Porte de Plan du Lac. At the entrance to the car park, follow the trail towards « Termignon 2h30 ». Cross the hamlet of Chavière, passing in front of the Chapelle Sainte-Marguerite. Cross RD 106 five times before reaching the Oratoire Saint-Antoine. Gain approximately 150 m in elevation. At a trail intersection with a second Oratoire Saint-Antoine, take the path to the right. From the hamlet of Le Villard, follow the RD 83 to the second bridge (Pont des Gouilles). Cross the bridge and follow the trail to the village of Termignon. From the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Visitation, take the bridge over the Doron de Chavière and go up the first street on the right for approximately 300 m. Alternatively, follow the RD 1006 towards the village center, to the Maison de la Vanoise.
Book your accommodation in advance. The itinerary can be split into 3 shorter stages: Stage 1: Refuge du Col de la Vanoise, Stage 2: Refuge de Plan du Lac, Stage 3: Termignon. To delve deeper, visit the exhibition « La route du sel » at the Maison du Parc et du tourisme in Pralognan-la-Vanoise and the exhibition « Entrez en Vanoise ! » at the Maison de la Vanoise, in Termignon.
A hike that ascends from alpine meadows to the glacial zone, crossing mythical sites such as Lac des Vaches or Pont de Croé Vie. Frequented since the Bronze Age, the Col de la Vanoise is an emblematic pass between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys. For five centuries, it bore witness to an extraordinary network between France and Italy, used to transport salt and cheese. At the heart of this vast high-mountain territory dominated by La Grande Casse (3,855 m), hikers have today replaced the ancient muleteer caravans. The beauty and diversity of the landscapes, however, remain unchanged.
From the Maison du Parc et du tourisme, ascend Avenue de Chasseforêt, then follow Rue de l'Elert. Exit the village. Follow the GR®55, passing through the hamlets of Les Bieux and Les Fontanettes, the Refuge des Barmettes, Lac des Vaches, and the Refuge du Col de la Vanoise. Cross the Col de la Vanoise and enter the Maurienne valley. Follow the GR®55 to Pont de Croé-Vie. After the bridge, turn right to follow the GR®5, reaching the Bellecombe car park, passing via the Refuge d'Entre-Deux-Eaux and the Refuge-Porte de Plan du Lac. At the entrance to the car park, follow the trail towards « Termignon 2h30 ». Cross the hamlet of Chavière, passing in front of the Chapelle Sainte-Marguerite. Cross RD 106 five times before reaching the Oratoire Saint-Antoine. Gain approximately 150 m in elevation. At a trail intersection with a second Oratoire Saint-Antoine, take the path to the right. From the hamlet of Le Villard, follow the RD 83 to the second bridge (Pont des Gouilles). Cross the bridge and follow the trail to the village of Termignon. From the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Visitation, take the bridge over the Doron de Chavière and go up the first street on the right for approximately 300 m. Alternatively, follow the RD 1006 towards the village center, to the Maison de la Vanoise.
Book your accommodation in advance. The itinerary can be split into 3 shorter stages: Stage 1: Refuge du Col de la Vanoise, Stage 2: Refuge de Plan du Lac, Stage 3: Termignon. To delve deeper, visit the exhibition « La route du sel » at the Maison du Parc et du tourisme in Pralognan-la-Vanoise and the exhibition « Entrez en Vanoise ! » at the Maison de la Vanoise, in Termignon.