Top Hikes: Enjoy Summer in Tignes and Val D’Isere

Discover the lesser known side of this ski resort through its many summer hikes.

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Images

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Vue sur le Lac de la Bailletta Rando Vanoise

by BOUCHE Michel

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Looking back towards the starting point and car park.

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Col des Fours Rando Vanoise

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Le Col des Fours Rando Vanoise

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View from the Col Maurienne-Tourisme

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Col View Jean Claude VILLIEN

by Jean Claude VILLIEN

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Refuge de Fond des Fours Jean Claude VILLIEN

by Jean Claude VILLIEN

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Stream des Fours Jean Claude VILLIEN

by Jean Claude VILLIEN

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Tignes Dam IHA Holidays.com

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Le Monal Savoie-Mont-Blanc.com

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Mount Pourri UnTrekuneFille.fr

by Sandrine BAVEREL

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Le Lac du Grattaleu, le Col de la Tourne & la Pointe du Chardonnet Rando Vanoise

by TONNELIER Marie-Laure

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Col du Chardonnet South Olive Titus - Flickr

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La Corniche N. Bouchaud

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Balcony above Val d'Isere N. Bouchaud

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Col de la Baillette N. Bouchaud

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Lac de la Sassiere N. Bouchaud

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Passage de Picheru N. Bouchaud

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Lac de la Baillette N. Bouchaud

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Description

Tignes and Val d’Isere are mostly known for their winter identity as a powder paradise, but many people don’t know about their second persona as a summer destination. There are plenty of hiking trails here! Some are short and sweet while some are more arduous and link up to longer routes such as the Iserean Pass, Europe’s highest paved route, and the mammoth Via Alpina network.

These routes also promise a range in terms of scenery. The easy loop around the Pointe du Chardonnet offers a scenic combination of the Tignes Resort and the Vanoise National Park. Meanwhile, the route from Tignes Lake to Monal, a leg of the Via Alpina, showcases traditional alpine hamlets, beautiful views of Mount Pourri, and picturesque lakes.

You also have a variety of route options leaving from Val D’Isere. For example, starting from the Office du Tourisme in Val d’Isère, you can hop onto the strenuous but stunning round circuit through the Bailletaz Nature Reserve, passing by the glacial Lac de la Sassière.

One of the perks of having dual seasonal identities is that many chairlifts in the area also operate during the summer and are free! That means you can reach many more hikes that would otherwise be inaccessible. All you need to do is sign up for a wristband at the Tourist Information office.

Author: Emily Lennon

Sources:
https://www.seevaldisere.com/walking/routes/
http://rando.vanoise.com/data/api/fr/treks/4009/tour-de-la-pointe-du-chardonnet.pdf
http://valdiseretignes.edgemag.net/2015-07-01-summer-lovin/

Adventures

Le Vallon du Prariond

A medium length hike through gorges past grazing animals and leading towards a Col at 2957m.

Col des Fours from Manchet

This hike towards the Col and Lake Grand Fond in Vanoise National Park offers a superb view of the glaciers, the peaks, and a beautiful lake.

Tour of the Pointe du Chardonnet

A combination of the Tignes Resort and the heart of the national park. The contrast is amazing but telling of the history of the Vanoise.

L'Aiguille Percée

A hike to one of the best geological curiosities in Vanoise National Park: the "eye of the needle" and a spectacular high alpine ridgeline trail.