The Best Hiking and Trail Routes around Val d'Isère

Located between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, at the gates of the Vanoise National Park and on the border with Italy, Val d’Isère offers extraordinary mountain adventures. As you explore its pristine spaces, you will likely encounter marmots, faithful inhabitants of the mountains known for their piercing whistles, as well as ibex and chamois, which are more elusive. By looking up, you can observe numerous birds in flight, such as the golden eagle or the bearded vulture, a mountain bird and emblem of Val d’Isère. To admire the bearded vulture, you will need to approach the high rocky cliffs that make the region famous, along with its still snow-covered glaciers. These glaciers have occupied the area for hundreds of thousands of years. If you enjoy mountain lakes, you will also have the pleasure of admiring them by gaining a little altitude. You will also see emblematic flowers of the region, such as the Edelweiss, Génépi, and Gentian, clinging to rocky cliffs. We have put together a selection of hiking and trail routes for you to explore, depending on your preferences and fitness level.

The Tour of Lac de l’Ouillette and the Cascade du Fornet:

Two easy routes

During summer, the Solaise gondola located in Val d’Isère is free and takes you straight to the hike’s starting point. Once at the top, you can enjoy a short walk of nearly two kilometres with only 40 meters of vertical drop around the lake while admiring the Bellevarde rock, the Rocher du Mont Roup, and the Roche des Fours. To see the Cascade du Fornet, you must reach the hamlet of Le Fornet, located in the Val-d’Isère ski area. You can take a two-and-a-half kilometre loop hike with a vertical drop of 154 meters. Both of these routes will take less than an hour, making them perfect options for a family outing with children.

The Vallon des Fours and its Refuge: 

A moderate difficulty route

While mountain refuges bear witness to the conquest of the peaks, they are also known for their beauty and preserved natural environment. The starting point of this four-and-a-half kilometre hike is at the bottom of the Manchet Valley. To reach it, you can take a free shuttle or park at the “Manchet Express” chairlift parking lot. To access the refuge, you will need to climb 537 meters in height while surrounded by magnificent peaks reaching 3,000 meters altitude. You will likely spot sheep accompanied by their four-legged guardians, the famous “patous.” When you see chalets with pointed roofs, you will be close to the Refuge du Fond des Fours, where you can find something to eat and/or drink. Plan for approximately 3 hours to complete this route.

The ascent of the Grande Sassière Glacier: 

A difficult route

Access to the Grande Sassière is very difficult due to the high altitude of the summit, the persistent snow, the damp and icy conditions along the glacier and the need to grip the walls on certain sections. We recommend this route to experienced mountaineers and people in good physical condition. When you reach the foot of a rocky bar, we advise you not to take the tracks on your right to avoid the vertiginous and tricky sections on the edge of the ridge, but to take the path on the edge of the Grande Sassière glacier to continue your ascent in complete safety. The final sections of the ascent, sometimes approaching 40%, will allow you to admire the French and Italian Alps, including Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso. You can take the same route back down.

After these mountain getaways, don’t hesitate to come to relax, dine, and rest at Hotel Avancher. Our wellness area with a sauna, overlooking the Olympic face of Bellevarde and the Val d’Isère resort, will be the perfect ally for optimal recovery. As for dining, Chef Olivier Nuret and his team will welcome you to taste delicious traditional dishes made with fresh ingredients. You can also enjoy a stay in an apartment or a room in the heart of Val d’Isère by choosing from our package options.