Hike from the Barmettes refuge to the Col de la Vanoise refuge
7 août 2021
Sublime hike from the Barmettes refuge to the Col de la Vanoise refuge with Georgina, Craig and Freya. Returned via the path along the Ruisseau de l’Arcelin. Freya passed the round of Aiguille de la Vanoise at the age of 7. 507m vertical drop on the way up and 877m downhill on steep and uneven terrain. Freya, I am extremely proud of you.
Hike from the Barmettes refuge to the Col de la Vanoise refuge
Practical Information:
Map: IGN TOP25R 3534 OTR – Les 3 Vallées Modane – Vanoise National Park
Departure altitude: 2010m
Arrival altitude: 2517m
Elevation gain: 507m
Vertical drop: 877m
Schedule: 2 hours on the way up and 2 hours 50 minutes on the way down.
Description of the route:
Immediately after the Barmettes refuge, you take a path, bordered by two walls … it is in fact the old “salt road”, between Termignon and Pralognan; mules transported the salt from the salt works of Moutiers.
We will then reach Lac des Vaches, which we ford because there is very little water. Since the time I dreamed of walking on water … it’s done!
The Grande Casse is open to us, we feel very small in front of this “monument” of 3855m, the highest point of the Vanoise massif, and Savoy. Its first ascent dates from August 08, 1860 …
Before reaching the pass, we will discover Lac Long. Very pretty lake at the foot of the Grande Casse and the Grands Couloirs glacier.
We then arrive at the pass and the Col de la Vanoise refuge.
