Terraced path of Turra in Loza

At around 2,000 m in altitude, in the valley of Villeneuve, a straight-lined construction indicates the presence of an underground tunnel 16.8 km in length which pipes the waters of the Doron de Termignon from Entre-Deux-Eaux and along the way captures all the torrents of the southern slope of the Vanoise massif to discharge them into the Plan d´Aval dam in the neighbouring town of Aussois. Commissioned in August 1941, the water intake of the Doron de Termignon is one of the thousands that EDF has installed in the Alps.

"The winter heath (Erica carnea) takes its name from its early blooming red or pink, ""flesh coloured” flowers (May-June). It is a protected plant in the Rhône-Alpes region and, although very rare throughout the rest of France, is common in Maurienne. On the Loza route, it reaches record altitudes in the last moors right under la Croix. In early summer, as soon as it has freshly snowed, your walk will take you through a real-life impressionist painting."

The dry forests occupy an important place within the National Park, especially in the Maurienne valley, where the southern slopes of the Vanoise (adrets) are located. The species found within these forests are the Scots pine, spruce and mountain pine.

The valley of Villeneuve is a wild environment dominated by big rock bars upstream and funnel-shaped forms downstream. The vegetation, consisting of scrawny mountain pines, is evidence of the pressure exerted by avalanches.

The Croix de La Loza culminates at 2,377 m in altitude at the summit of a perfectly rounded grassy dome. From there the hiker can enjoy a wide panorama since from this east-oriented prow, he will face the Upper Valley of Maurienne where there is a view of the valley line, from Lanslebourg to Bonneval-sur-Arc, bordered by impressive peaks. But the most majestic sight is towards the north-west. He can then see every detail of the south face of the Dent Parrachée (3,697 m) nearby. Next to the harmonious rock forms and colours, you will feel so small.

It is a herd of sheep from the village of Sollières which has its summer quarters on the alpine pasture of the Loza. Since the return of the wolf, a wooden chalet has been built providing shelter for the shepherd who stays there on a daily basis to ensure the safety of his flock. The Alpage de la Loza benefits from a contract between the farmer, the Chamber of Agriculture and the Park to lead agro-environmental measures conciliating pastoralism and the protection of species.

"It is not uncommon to see golden eagles on this route. The ingredients essential to the presence of this predator are all provided there. Good hunting grounds rich in prey and good lift for an excellent flight. The marmot unfortunately pays a heavy price given that it constitutes 80% of the eagle’s diet in summer. Chestnut brown in colour, with a 2.25 m wingspan, the golden eagle makes use of the slightest gusts of hot air and can often glide along on a single wingbeat for kilometres. In flight, its wingtips are well raised and its tail is fanned. To hunt it will accelerate near the relief and catch its prey by surprise at the turn of a natural obstacle. The bird of prey’s nest (often referred to as an ""eyrie"") is often located on the other side of the valley in a rocky bar at an altitude lower than the hunting ground so that the prey is easy to carry back by gravity."

"Half way between Loza and Turra is the Roc des Corneilles, a characteristic sharp-edged cargneule rock located 200 m above the GR5. It is unique in the fact that it is crossed by a large crescent-shaped breccia giving it the nickname ""hollow moon"". From there, you have a beautiful view of the Rateau d´Aussois. If you feel ready, you can get to it by leaving the GR and following the grassy rump north of the 2,456 m point on the IGN map. The famous Crows could very well be in fact groups of alpine choughs, a bird typical of the high reliefs, gregarious in nature and acrobatic in flight."

"After a century of absence in the Alps, the bearded vulture is once again a familiar figure in our landscape. This is thanks to a long and heavy programme of reintroducing zoo and aviary-reared birds in to favourable sites throughout the Alpine arc. Today, couples have formed and Vanoise has four. Our route includes areas of frequent passage for this bone-eating vulture. In search of carcasses, it will fly over areas where wild and domestic animals inhabit, covering the skies with its 2.80 m wingspan. Its light orange body in contrast with its dark wings with downward pointing tips give it a characteristic ""bell-shaped"" silhouette. Its tail is long and diamond shaped."

The trail on the GR 5 leads along a balcony dominated by large straight grassy slopes. From a fair distance, you can see the sheep and herds of chamois. These animals look like little dark spots on the almost vertical slopes but can be seen in much more detail with your binoculars: their heads are black around the eyes and white on the cheeks, thin black horns with hooked ends. The chamois is a cousin of the goat and the ibex. The kids are born at the end of May, beginning of June and it is not uncommon to see them in little groups having fun slipping and jumping on the last nevés.

Along the smooth limestone cliffs of the Turra runs a bird unique in its kind: the wallcreeper. This half-mouse, half-butterfly like bird seeks its food by means of its long curved beak in the holes and faults of the rock. Watch out spiders and other micro-invertebrates! It moves by climbing over the rock and making small flying jumps flashing its pink coloured wings. It is the very rounded form of the wings which gives it its butterfly-like flight. The wallcreeper is present year-round in our region and sometimes likes to look for its prey on building walls and even in the villages. It often nests close to the water, in a cavity at the edge of torrents.

On the path descending from Turra, towards Aussois, keep your eyes open for this large purple-blue bell flower with bent hairy head, atop an inversely minuscule stem. It flowers in July - August. It is a campanula which likes the schistous and limestone screes. It is a rare and protected species in France.

From the Turra d´Aussois, the descent to the forest and the Source de Fournette follows a path that takes a gentler and wider slope. This is a military track. This road built in the 1890s was to serve as a strategic observation point to react to possible Italian attacks.

The European silver fir (Abies alba) is quite rare in the forests of the southern slope (known as the adret) of Haute-Maurienne. The fir tree, however, finds the conditions are favourable for its growth in the small, fresh and damp valley that you cross. The rest of the forest around the Monolith is almost entirely composed of pines and spruces. The fir can be identified by its needles, which seem to grow flat along the branch. If you turn them over you will see two white marks. The bark is a smooth, silver grey. The fir cones grow upwards, unlike those of its cousin, the spruce.

Sardières is one of the four hamlets of the municipality of Sollières-Sardières. It is located on a pretty plateau at 1,500 m in altitude with a clear and panoramic view of the valley of Maurienne. The old part of the village is full of character with alleys and traditional houses. The church is part of the Baroque religious heritage (open from 1st July to 4th September to visitors on Monday, Thursday and Saturday from 4 pm to 6 pm – free of charge).