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The mountain pastures of the Vallon de Chavière - 2-day itinerant hike
Description
A lovely 2-day family itinerary through the mountain pastures among the marmots.
Take the whole family to explore the mountain pastures:
Park at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, in the hamlet of Les Prioux, nestling in the heart of the Chavière valley.
Take the opportunity to visit this pretty dry-stone village, drink a coffee on one of the terraces of the two restaurants and read the explanatory panels on how Beaufort cheese is made.
Off you go!
Take the path on the other side of the road and start to climb up into the cirque des Nants (a stream in local dialect). The shrubs will gradually give way to meadows.
At the Chalet des Nants, take the path on the right that leads to the Lac des Tétards (Chalet Clou lake), an ideal spot for a picnic facing the Petit Mont-Blanc, with your feet in the water!
After this well-deserved break, continue on to the Halles de Montaimont, a testimony to ancestral farming practices. Before the advent of electric farms, the Halles de Montaimont were used for milking cattle, sheltered from the elements. With a little discretion, admire the marmots that live here...
The Roc de la Pêche refuge is in sight. Guardians will welcome you in comfort for a memorable evening in the heart of the mountains.
After a restorative night's sleep and a good breakfast, it's off for a great day of immersion in the Chavière Valley. A typical mountain atmosphere will accompany you along this pastoral route: the whistling of marmots, the clarines and bells of the dairy cows (of the Tarine and Abondance breeds, the only ones "authorised" to make Beaufort).
Watch the cheese being made and taste its subtle, fruity flavour - it's a concentrate of summer scents!
Retrace your steps to the Roc de la Pêche refuge, where the more curious can visit the Motte chapel, restored in 1994 and decorated with sculptures by Michel Chanoz.
Continue along the wide path to the junction with the path that climbs up towards the Col du Mône. This takes you back down to the village of Les Prioux along the Sécheron path through the forest.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Date and time
- From 15/06/2026 to 15/09/2026
- From 15/06/2027 to 15/09/2027
Additional information
Open period
From 15/06 to 15/09 daily.
This route is accessible outside the snow season and subject to favourable weather conditions. It is advisable to book huts in advance. Refuges manned at this time of year.
Updated by
Office de Tourisme de Pralognan-la-Vanoise - 16/03/2026
www.pralognan.com/
Report a problem
Environments
Mountain view
Contact
Phone : 04 79 08 79 08
Email : info@pralognan.com
Website : https://www.pralognan.com/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pralognan/
Type of land
Stone
Ground
Hard coating (tar, cement, flooring)
Location complements
From Albertville, take the RN90 to Moûtiers, then follow signs for Bozel, then Pralognan-la-Vanoise. From the village, take the road towards the Chavière valley as far as the Prioux car park.
There is a free shuttle bus from the village centre to the car park in July and August.
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
Downloadable from:www.pralognan.com/
Map references :
Topo 25 IGN3534 OT Les 3 Vallées
Reception complements
Public toilet and water points at the start of the hike in the Prioux car park.
Water points at the refuge du Roc de la Pêche and at the alpage de Ritord.
Pastoralism and behaviour :
The presence of flocks is fundamental. They help to maintain the pastures and keep the mountains alive.
- Use the paths
- Walk along the meadows, respecting the fences
- Collect your waste
- Picnic at the edge of the meadow or on a rock
These herds are guarded by guard dogs. If you come across one, keep calm, go around the herd.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Start: Les Prioux car park 1700m 1/ DAY 1: From the Prioux paking to the Roc de la Peche hut/ Duration: 3h/ Ascent: + 492m and - 292m/ From the pretty village of Les Prioux, cross the road and follow the path towards the Chalet des Nants (red path). At the chalet, follow the path on the right towards Lac des Têtards, then the Plan des Bôs mountain pasture and descend towards Halles de Montaimont. Cross the footbridge below and climb back up to the Roc de la Pêche refuge. 2/ DAY 2: From the Roc de la Pêche hut to the Prioux car park/ Time: 2h/ Ascent: +161 and - 340m/ From the Roc de la Pêche hut, take the GR 55 through the mountain pastures among the marmots (green path). Continue on to the Ritord mountain pasture where Beaufort cheese is made (Beaufort can be bought and tasted). Retrace your steps to the junction that climbs to the Col du Mône, take this path and return down to the village of Les Prioux via the Séchon path and the Anciens footbridge. D+: 161m D-: 340m Walking time: 2h
Animals
No
