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Tour de la Vanoise

Tour de la Vanoise — the trail guide

The Tour de la Vanoise is a 56.1 km trek in France, typically walked in 1-3 days, with 3621 m of total ascent. It rates Hard on our published rubric (65 m of gain per km, topping out at 2791 m).

The Tour de la Vanoise circles through France's oldest national park, famous for its thriving ibex population and pristine alpine environment. The route passes crystal-clear mountain lakes, flower-filled meadows, and traditional Savoyard villages. Well-spaced refuges make this a comfortable multi-day trek, with excellent chances of wildlife encounters throughout the summer season.

Quick facts

Distance56.1 km
Total ascent3621 m
Typical duration1-3 days
Difficulty (computed)Hard
Steepness65 m gain per km
High point2791 m
CountryFrance
RegionFrance

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Hard" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 1064 m · high point 2791 m · 3621 m total ascent over 56.1 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1879 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan-2°-10°168 mm
Feb-8°109 mm
Mar-6°152 mm
Apr-4°97 mm
May160 mm
Jun15°139 mm
Jul19°113 mm
Aug18°112 mm
Sep14°103 mm
Oct10°105 mm
Nov-6°143 mm
Dec-8°190 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Tour de la Vanoise?

The Tour de la Vanoise is 56.1 km, and most hikers complete it in 1-3 days. Total elevation gain is 3621 m.

How difficult is the Tour de la Vanoise?

It rates Hard on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 65 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 2791 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the Tour de la Vanoise is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the Tour de la Vanoise?

In France. The route starts near 45.387, 6.744 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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