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

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/