Tour de la Grande Casse - 5-day hike

Savoie ()

K.Mandray

Description

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.