Col de la Bailletta from le Fornet
>>
Home
>
Walking hike
>
Col de la Bailletta from le Fornet
VAL D'ISERE

Col de la Bailletta from le Fornet

Fauna
Flora
Viewpoint
Embed this item to access it offline
A long-distance hike, all uphill, but with a rare landscape on arrival.
This path, which is well worth the hike, lets you visit the National Nature Reserve of Baillettaz. With a little luck and a keen sense of observation, the hiker will have the opportunity to approach (but not disturb) the king of the mountains, My Lord, the Alpine Ibex!

Description

From the Fornet cable car departure station, go back down the RD 902 for about 150 m. Take the only tarmac road that climbs steeply to the right. After passing the “tourne” (embankment followed by a ditch) follow the trail that gœs to the right. At each intersection, take the left junction until the Col de la Bailletta. The path has a flat-uphill profile after the crossing through the hamlet (about 1 km), the slope is accentuated between the entrance into the nature reserve (Rouvines stream) and the first plateau of Couart below (850 m). The trail winds up to the 2nd plateau of Couart above. Then cross a scree up to the Col de la Bailletta: follow the cairns in case of late snowfall. For a picnic, don’t hesitate to go down to the Bailletta lake as the pass is often windy...
  • Departure : Car park, hamlet of Fornet
  • Arrival : Car park, hamlet of Fornet
  • Towns crossed : VAL D'ISERE and TIGNES

Altimetric profile

Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.

Alpine ibex - winter

Impacted practices:
Aerial, Land, Vertical
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarDec
Contact:

Parc national de la Vanoise - Elodie Antoine - 
elodie.antoine@vanoise-parcnational.fr
04 79 06 03 15

Find out more

Recommandations

Remember to bring sufficient water for the day as no water sources are available. Take a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as it is extremely sunny in the summer months. If you want to get a better look at the large wildlife, the best times would be either early in the morning or late in the evening. Visitors to the nature reserve are kindly asked to respect the regulations.

Information desks

Tourist Information Office - Tignes

Maison de Tignes-le-lac BP 51, 73321 Tignes

http://www.tignes.net/information@tignes.net04 79 40 04 40

Vanoise Information Desk - Val d'Isère

Immeuble le Thovex, Office de tourisme, 73150 Val-d'Isère

https://www.vanoise-parcnational.fr04 79 06 06 60

Place Jacques Mouflier, 73150 Val-d'Isère

https://www.valdisere.cominfo@valdisere.com04 79 06 06 60

Transport

"Rail connection to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Information: www.voyages-sncf.com
Then transport by coach to the administrative centre of Val d´Isère. Information: www.transavoie.com
Free shuttle buses serve all the hamlets of Val d´Isère, including le Fornet."

Access and parking

Val d´Isère, continue on the RD 902 towards the Col de l´Iseran, then park in the hamlet of Fornet.

Parking :

Hamlet of le Fornet

10 points of interest

  • Architecture

    The tourne

    The historic Fornet is located on the left bank of the Isère which keeps it protected from avalanches and rock falls. The extension of the Fornet on the right bank, where you stand, was only allowed with the construction of this tourne (mound + ditch) against avalanches and rock falls. Also notice the absence of walls that face its slopes. In the eighteenth century, the Fornet d´Aval, between the Laisinant and the current Fornet, was completely destroyed by an avalanche. The ruins remain visible.
  • Flora

    Primula pedemontana

    The Primula pedemontana is recognisable in the spring by its beautiful pink flowers and edged leaves and small red glands, which distinguish it from its cousin, the Primula hirsuta. It is a species that lives on siliceous rocks, like quartzite (white-green rock) overhead. It is a protected species at the national level and, as such, cannot be picked. In the nature reserve, all vegetation is protected. Ÿou can touch it with your eyes and nose!
  • History

    The history of the Baillettaz Natural Reserve

    The Baillettaz National Nature Reserve was created in 2000, following the complete decommissioning of the Col de l´Iseran Nature Reserve (created in 1963), in order to reclassify the valley´s ski area. It covers an area of approximately 495 ha. Its natural heritage consists mainly of flora, large fauna (chamois and ibex), as well as birds of prey (golden eagle, bearded vulture and common kestrel).
  • Pastoralism

    Livestock and the wolf

    The return of the wolf and the lynx cause problems for livestock, particularly sheep. As a consequence, dogs and patous have been introduced into the flocks in order to protect them. If they approach and start barking, stay calm, don’t shout out or make any sudden movements. After observing you for a moment, they will leave you to continue on your way. If a puppy or a young wolf approaches you, do not pet it. “Belle and Sébastien” is make believe!
  • Pastoralism

    Agricultural practices

    Ÿou arrive at the level of the 1st plateau called “Couart dessous”. The dry-stone walled park was once used to pen the flock for the night. Until the end of the 1990s, there was a communal flock of sheep, containing around 800 animals owned by several Val d´Isère farmers. With the change of pastoral practices, this flock was replaced by a private herd from Aiton, part of which is still owned by Christophe Mattis, who resides in Fornet.
  • Flora

    The flora of the reserve

    The majority of the reserve’s natural habitats are either attached to alpine grasslands or to rocks and screes, as well as some rare wetlands. The heritage species, often protected, include the carex bicolor on the wetlands, the saxifraga diapensioides on the limestone cliffs, Saxifraga muscoides on the screes and damp calcschist cliffs. Kœlerie of Mont-Cenis (Kœleria cenisia) is a fine example of the flora that grows on the reserve’s dry, scorched limestone grasslands.
  • Know-how

    The ecological continuity of protected natural areas

    With the Grande Sassière Nature Reserve behind it, the Baillettaz Nature Reserve, together with the Vanoise National Park and the Italian Gran Paradiso, forms the largest protected area in Europe. In terms of environmental preservation, the proximity of these protected areas ensures the ecological continuity between different mountain massifs, which has resulted in the return of the alpine Ibex by natural recolonisation from the Gran Paradiso.
  • History

    The Vaudois passage

    The mountain pass before you is that of Iseran. The road was opened in 1937. Prior to this road, only a mule track existed. The passage of man can be traced to the Roman era, with coins and a statuette found in Val d´Isère. Some crossings have even left their mark on history. In 1689, the Vaudois (an austere Christian minority who took refuge in Switzerland) wanted to return to their asylum grounds (4 Italian valleys, adjoining the Queyras) and passed with weapons and baggage. No one intervened despite the orders given!
  • Viewpoint

    Panoramic view

    Before you, you can see from west to east: the Pointe Pers (3,327 m in altitude) and the Signal de l´Iseran (3,237 m in altitude) to the left of the Col de l´Iseran (2,764 m in altitude). The Pointe du Charbonnel and glacier (3,752 m in altitude) at the back of the pass, in Maurienne and the crest of Leissières (3,043 m in altitude) to the right of the pass. Then to the right of the Leissières crest, the Pointe de Méan Martin (3,330 m in altitude) and the Pointes du Châtelard (3,378 m in altitude) and respective glaciers.
  • History

    Val d'Isère village

    It all began back in 1888 when the first hotel opened in Val d'Isère. Skiing became fashionable from the 1930s, and Val d'Isère soon established itself as a leading destination (the ski school opened, its first ski lift opened and the Col de l'Iseran mountain pass road opened). Winter sports really took off after World War II and Val d’Isère became a world-class resort thanks to its unique ski area and the authentic charm of its village. In 1955 it launched the Criterium de la Première Neige, a mythical downhill ski race, followed by other renowned competitions. The traditional Savoyard architecture showcases local materials: stone, timber, metal and lauze slate. Although timber chalets are still the best-known mountain house, the architecture in Val d’Isère also features a range of other types. Most chalets in Val d'Isère have been built in keeping with the traditional style and the different hamlets across the resort (Le Joseray, Le Fornet, Le Crêt, etc.) all harbour architectural secrets that are well worth uncovering on outings.

    Guided tours of the resort are organised by the Tourist Office.