Chloe, our ambassador, will take you on a tour of the Big Break. Friends hikers whether in early summer or in autumn this tour will allow you to discover the sumptuous landscapes of our beautiful Savoy.

Who said that we couldn't take advantage of the beautiful autumn days to go hiking?

The recipe: A nice weather window, one or more friends (the more the merrier), not forgetting a well-stocked backpack.

Once all the ingredients were there, we left with our friends to do the Tour de la grande Casse over 4 days.

The Big Break, located in the French Alps, in Savoie is the highest peak of the Vanoise massif. Culminating at 3855m, this emblematic summit is located between the communes of Pralognan-la-Vanoise to the west, Champagny-en-Vanoise to the north and Termignon to the south.

This tour is for hikers in good physical condition, due to the altitude difference each day (1000D+ on average), some tricky downhill sections and the weight of the bag (10 to 12kg).

On the Program :

Day 1 : Parking des Fontanettes in Pralognan-la-Vanoise ➔ Refuge de la Leisse

This first stage took us to the very heart of Parc de la Vanoise, with a passage through the magnificent Lac des Vaches and its backdrop of the Grande Casse Glacier and Pointe de la Grande Glière.

After reaching the highest point of the day (Refuge du col de la Vanoise at 2516m), we took a short break before heading towards Lac Rond and then down to the Pont de Croé-Vie where we had the chance to see some :D ibex.

It is then a long rolling path, in the Vallon de la Leisse that led us to the Refuge where we had a very warm welcome !!

Day 2 : Refuge de la Leisse ➔ Refuge du Col du Palet

After a first night in the Refuge, we started our 2th day towards the Refuge du Col du Palet. Between lunar landscapes and passages not far from the pastures, we took advantage of this beautiful panorama before our descent on Tignes to go up towards the Croix de Lognan where we could enjoy a breathtaking view of the Lake of Tignes and the Grande Sassière.

In the early afternoon we reached the Col du Palet and reached the refuge of the same name.

The end of the afternoon was very pleasant to discover the small paths around the refuge, before enjoying the terrace and the magnificent sunset.

Day 3: Col du Palet hut ➔ Refuge du Bois

Make room for a 3th a day's walk under the sign of the D-

Indeed, our route to the Refuge du Bois can be summed up as a long descent through the Champagny-le Haut valley.

During this day, we enjoyed a nice view of the North face of the Grande Casse, without forgetting the many marmots seen and our little selfie with daisy.

After a short break at the Laisonnay d'en Haut (time for a nap), we resumed our journey along the Doron de Champagny before reaching the Refuge du Bois in mid-afternoon.

Day 4: Refuge du Bois ➔ Parking des Fontanettes at Pralognan-la-Vanoise

"Last day" and not the least, since it's not less than 19.5km, 1400 D+ and 1200D- that were waiting for us ...

We left the Refuge du Bois at around 8am and then followed the Doron de Champagny river to the EDF dam before heading towards Enclos du Seil and Tour du Merle.

After a short descent on Plan Fournier, we started our ascent towards Mont Chevrier with a short stop at the Cascade de la Vuzelle ;)

(Passage also possible by the Refuge du Grand Bec but we preferred the easy way on this last day).

Arriving at the Mont Chevrier, our break was well deserved.

After a lunch break in the sun, we started a somewhat tricky descent on the Leschaux ravine before climbing back up to Mont Bochor which offered us a superb view of Pralognan- la-Vanoise. At this point, all we had to do was go back down following the paths that intersected the ski slopes before getting back to the car at the Parking des Fontanettes.

After 4 days in the mountains, 65Km, 3500D+/2500 D-, we came back with images in our heads, a little tired but above all happy to have been able to share this moment between friends in the heart of the Vanoise National Park. ☺