At the foot of the Vanoise glaciers
VAL-CENIS
At the foot of the Vanoise glaciers
Difficult
Difficulty8h
Duration16,3km
Distance+728m
Positive Elevation-1442m
Negative ElevationCrossing
Course typeNetwork
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On the way up you will come across some old alpine chalets, while on the way down and in between, you’ll find a mineral world interspersed with some grasslands. Beyond the domestic herds, you may surprise some herds of ibex and chamois quietly settled at the foot of the glaciers or in the gorges that you overlook. This is also the territory of the bearded vulture, the largest nesting bird of prey in Vanoise. Several lakes are to be discovered near the route, testifying to the retreat of the glaciers.
7 points of interest
Pastoralism
The Alpage de “la Para”
"At the foot of La Leisse and La Rocheure valleys, the tarentaise and abondance dairy cows and the Thônes and Marthod sheep graze on the slopes, at first gentle and then very steep, of the “Para” pasturelands. The local alpine farmers transform the milk from the cows on the pastures into two types of cheese: the Termignon blue, a rare product which is thinly veined and crumbly, as well as the Beaufort, a pressed-cooked raw milk cheese. Originally from Beaufortain, from which it takes its name, the production of the ""prince of the Gruyères"" is now widespread in the valley of Maurienne. As for the sheep and their lambs, they follow the snowfall cycle from spring to autumn to enjoy the full benefits of the richness of the high-altitude pastures."
Archaeology
Cup-shaped stones
A little under the spot height 2,329 m, when you take the GR®5 Sentier Balcon (terraced path), you will discover an engraved stone dating from the Neolithic (3000 years BC). These were the first agropastoral communities that made these engravings by staking out erratic blocks or rock outcrops. The Maurienne valley conserves nearly a thousand highly diversified engraved rocks (engraved feet, battle or hunting scenes, abstract representations, roundels, names of shepherds, etc). They testify to the populations present in the high mountain in remote periods. The erosion and human induced degradations have weakened these stones over time. To testify to their history in the centuries to come, they deserve your attention.
Lake
The Lacs des Lozières
"The track merges between the natural lakes of Lozières. These depressions were originally formed by the hollowing of glaciers or moraine deposits, such as the ""glacial lakes"" of Roche Ferrran and Pelve which are located upstream. But as they are older and lower in altitude than their neighbours, the “grassy lakes” of Lozières vegetate. Ÿou will therefore find aquatic vegetation, such as the bur-reed, a flowering plant which forms long filaments on the surface of the water. Ÿou can also see curious pompoms on an erect stem, the Eriophorum scheuchzeri. This plant species dœs not tolerate competition, it colonises only the lake shores on siliceous ground."
Fauna
The alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex)
The alpine ibex almost disappeared in the 19th century. To protect the last animals present in Italy and the Vanoise massif, the national parks of Gran Paradiso and then Vanoise were created, and ibex hunting was prohibited throughout France. The Gorges du Doron and the cliffs bordering the glaciers of the domes are the favoured spot for birthing in early summer and conducive to the peace needed in this area. Ÿou might be surprised by the enormous and majestic profile of a male or a very young kid demonstrating its mountain-climbing skills.
Fauna
The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
With its 2.80m wingspan, you might be surprised by the enormous profile of the bearded vulture during your hike. It has made the Gorges du Doron its territory and a couple has reproduced there since 2003. This area, which was ill-treated by man, disappeared from the Alps in the early 20th century. The bearded vulture was falsely accused of stealing children and cattle. This vulture now feeds mainly on bones from carcasses. Thanks to a reintroduction programme carried out since 1986 in the European Alps, some breeding pairs naturally settled in Vanoise in the early 2000s. In adults, the contrast of its slate grey wings and orange head and belly and cuneiform tail ensure it won’t be confused with other vultures.
Glacier
The Dôme de Chasseforêt, the Pelve moraine
At this point you go along the lateral moraine of Mont Pelve. This mass of rocky debris was torn from the mountain by friction from the glacier and freezing/thawing. As it retreated, the glacier revealed this moraine which is evidence of the ancient glacial area. The glacial ice cap of the Vanoise domes extends over 13 km in length and covers an area of 32 km². In the 20th century, it retracted by 420 metres in 50 years. It continues today at a rate of one metre per year. A climb of up to 2,700 m in altitude is now required to reach the glacier.
Architecture
The Refuge de l'Arpont
Built in two sections by the National Park in the early 1970s, it was deemed to be a benchmark for integration in the site. With the systematic use of stone, implemented by Maurienne firm Molinaro, the architectural language assumes the fundamental elements of local traditional architecture while adapting them to the constraints of accommodating the public in volumes much more substantial than those of traditional alpine chalets. This firmly modern extension delivered in 2014 preserves the historic building and gives us an indication of the various modifying steps that shaped the aesthetics of this former sheepfold given to the Park in the mid-1960s.
The new building, in reference to Savoyard military architecture, is integrated into the extension of the moraine to provide protection against the blast of an avalanche that can fall from the pass located under the Chasseforêt rocks. Built on two levels, this extension is wedged below the existing buildings, at an altimetry in keeping with the natural slope of the morainic cord and forms a semi-buried base for the existing refuge. Take the time to stop at the shelter and enjoy a good “bière des guides” while relaxing in the large panoramic room.
Description
"From the bus stop at Entre-Deux-Eaux, Terminus, walk down the road to a footbridge upstream of the Gorges du Doron. The route leads up initially to a pastoral track near the mountain chalets of Para. The track very quickly turns back to a trail before going back to a terraced route of the GR®5 at an altitude of 2,329 m. At this crossing take the path that climbs gently towards the south, signposted ""Refuge de l´Arpont"". After two hour’s walking it runs along the Lacs de Lozières then bypasses a moraine, crosses screes and alpine pastures. It finally slips in between rocky bars upstream and downstream of the Gorges du Doron where it makes its downward journey. Once at the Refuge de l’Arpont, the trail descends to the Saint-Laurent chapel and old alpine chalets to reach the chalets du Mont. From there, at 2,080 m in altitude, the route leaves the GR®5 to follow a steep descent path that will take you through alpine pastures and then the spruce forest, to reach the valley at Pont du Chatelard. Follow the small south-facing road that leads to the village of Termignon. Walk for 7 hours from the Entre-Deux-Eaux bus stop."
- Departure : Shuttle bus stop of Entre-Deux-Eaux, Termignon
- Arrival : Pont du Chatelard, Termignon
- Towns crossed : VAL-CENIS
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
The starting point for this hike is also accessible, without shuttle, from Bellecombe. The road between Bellecombe and Entre-Deux-Eaux is closed to traffic except for authorised vehicles. (Offence laid down and punished under Article R 163-6 of the Forestry Act).
Is in the midst of the park
The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.
Information desks
Maison de la Vanoise<br>Place de la Vanoise<br>Termignon<br>73500 Val-Cenis,
http://www.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com/val-cenis
info@hautemaurienne.com
04 79 05 99 06 / 04 79 05 99 10
Vanoise Information Desk - Termignon
Place Vanoise, 73500 Termignon
http://termignon.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com/
04 79 20 51 67
Find out more
Transport
"
Rail connection to Modane. Information: www.voyages-sncf.com
Then transport by coach to the administrative centre of Termignon. Information: www.transavoie.com
Then shuttle bus Termignon-Bellecombe-Entre-Deux-Eaux, from July to August and the weekends from 15th June to 14th September.
Shuttle bus information: www.termignon.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com/pratique/se-deplacer-sans-voiture
Suggested hitchhiking organised in the Haute-Maurienne valley. Information: www.rezopouce.fr
"Access and parking
Shuttle bus departure at Termignon-Bellecombe-Entre-Deux-Eaux to Maison de la Vanoise, from July to August and the weekends from 15th June to 14th September.
Parking :
Termignon, then shuttle bus to Entre-Deux-Eaux
More information
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