Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise in 3 Days Self-Guided Trail Running - Adventure Base
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Trail Running

Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise in 3 Days Self-Guided Trail Running

Take on the 3 Day Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise, a fast-paced trail running journey through the heart of France’s oldest national park. This compact alpine circuit links high mountain passes, remote valleys, and glacier-lined landscapes into three rewarding days of running. Designed for beginner trail runners the route covers the full Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise at a stronger pace, with the most runnable trails in the alps.
Duration
3 Days
Start location
Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Date(s)
July - September
Difficulty
Intermediate
Book Now €265,00 Make an enquiry
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LA VANOISE NATIONAL PARK / 2 NIGHTS / 3 DAYS

The Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise — 3 Days of Alpine Trail Running

Experience the essence of the French Alps in a fast, focused 3-day trail running adventure through the heart of Vanoise National Park — France’s oldest national park and one of its most untouched mountain regions. This condensed circuit captures the full spirit of the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise, blending big mountain terrain, glacier views, and remote alpine trails into a powerful short-format challenge.

This region is still defined by its glaciers — including the Grande Casse and Gébroulaz massifs — which feed streams and carve dramatic terrain beneath your feet. The result is a run that feels raw, high, and alive with mountain energy. The trails are highly runnable, with long flowing sections that make it easy to keep a steady rhythm even in big alpine terrain.

Each evening, recover in traditional mountain refuges, sharing simple food and quiet moments after big days on the trail. Designed for beginner runners, this 3-day version keeps the best of the full circuit while sharpening the pace, effort, and reward into a compact alpine expedition.

Not sure whether you're ready? No problem. Take our Trail Running 'Readiness' test.

Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise Trail Running 'Readiness' test

TAKE THE TEST

Learn more. Download our guide here.

YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE

WHO IS THIS FOR?

The Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise is perfect for trail runners looking to cover more ground each day. The route follows classic trail through rolling and hilly terrain. You can expect to do between 1000-1500m ascent and descent per day with 20-25kms. It’s a rewarding challenge for those ready to move efficiently through the mountains.

This 3-day trail running version compresses the full loop into a faster, more dynamic format, ideal for experienced runners or those short on time looking for a bigger daily effort. The trails have gradual ascents and descents that are steady and runnable rather than steep like other alpine hikes such as the Tour du Mont Blanc or the Haute Route.

Discover a lesser-known but equally stunning alternative to the Tour du Mont Blanc. This route offers a mix of landscapes that change at every turn - from alpine meadows and glaciers to rugged mountain passes.

You’ll hike through France’s oldest national park, alive with diverse wildlife and plant life, and get the sense of truly circling the glaciers of the Vanoise range - though many are sadly shrinking fast. It’s a shorter trip than some of the classics, but still a full, rewarding loop around a mountain range - there’s something special about finishing where you began.

You’ll stay in a couple of welcoming mountain refuges that perfectly capture the spirit of the Vanoise. Each has its own charm - from alpine refuges surrounded by glaciers and rugged peaks to cozy huts nestled among meadows and larch forests. Comfort levels vary, but all provide warm hospitality, hearty meals and stunning views.

It might seem like a lot to take in so if you're not sure if you're ready.. No problem. Take our Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise Trail Running 'Readiness' test.

TAKE THE TEST

Adventure Overview

Duration
3 Days
Start location
Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Date(s)
July - September
Ability
Intermediate
Price
From €265,00
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See real footage of previous expeditions

  • Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise

    02:35

    Adventure Base's Mia tackles the Tour de la Vanoise.

  • What We Do

    00:51

    Because life's better when you spend time in the mountains!

  • Meet The Team

    01:48

    Introducing our crack squad of mountain lovers and adventure junkies. We spend most of our days plotting, planning and building some of the very best trips out there for you all to enjoy.

  • What is the Food Like in Alpine Huts?

    3:03

    Charlie and Olly share what to expect from meals in Alpine huts and refuges, from breakfast and communal dinners to dietary requirements and snacks.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP

Please note: Luggage transfers aren’t available on this trip, so you’ll need to carry your kit with you throughout the route.

For the full downloadable Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise Trek kit list please click here.

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Trail Running Shoes

Black Diamond Distance folding trekking poles

Trail Running Z Poles

Foldable pole in three parts. Something like; Black Diamond Distance FLZ poles
dynafit-trail-pro-sunglasses-photochromic-s1-3-lunettes-de-running

Trail Running Glasses

FLOYEN_0555-e1618488539471-scaled

Softshell Jacket

Light technical jacket, ideally with a hood.
Jøttnar Hemming lightweight fleece in navy

Lightweight fleece

Something light and thin.
Orindi_Black-e1618488750601-scaled

Thermal Tops

Keep them light and thin.
Ove_8784-e1618488621122-scaled

Tech T-Shirts

Highly breathable, lightweight synthetic technical t-shirt.

FULL KIT LIST

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More info

Click the link in the text above to find the full kit list

Brilliant experience from start to finish.

Adventure Base handled the coordination, accommodations, meals, transfers, and execution of the guided trek exceptionally well. A special thank you to our guide, Rosella C., who added real value throughout the journey and dealt with any issues quickly and professionally. Tristan at Adventure Base was excellent with all of the pre-trip planning and logistics, and kudos as well to Madi for reaching out after the trip to gather feedback. Adventure Base took away much of the administrative work and worry, allowing me to simply enjoy the experience. The entire trip felt seamless and extremely well organized. The Dolomites certainly did not disappoint, and sharing the journey with a great group of fellow trekkers made it even better. Highly recommend Adventure Base.

Mike Herzog

4 Incredible Trips with Adventure Base

I've done four trips with these guys and its been incredible, I've climbed Mont Blanc, Hiked the Tour Du Mont Blanc, did four days on the Alta Via 1 and climbed Toubkal in North Africa - all with Adventure Base. Charlie and the team are professional, courteous and just overall great people to book trips through. Theres never been an issue Adventure Base can't fix, they make you feel like there are no silly questions and they've always done everything they can to ensure I've had a great trip. And I always have - every trip I've been on has been incredible, I regularly recommend them to friends, colleagues and family. If I could give them more then five stars I would.

Dave Mac

We didn't want to stop walking!

Haute Route with Adventure Base - we didn't want to stop walking! Iconic trek made special by Adventure Base with lots of trusted support, excellent accommodation and thoughtful additions. Would recommend to anyone who wants to challenge themselves slightly up from the TMB. The clever mapping app showed profiles of each day to help us prep and we felt guided and safe even though we walked alone. Thoroughly enjoyed stays in both refuges and spa hotels to relax! Met lots of people on and off along the route which was very easy to follow. We were lucky with stunning weather but the SUCH varied scenery of each section was breath-taking. If you want to feel guided with help prepping, questions answered and someone always on hand if you need it, trust Adventure Base!

Louise Addis

Incredible Experience!

Just got back from the self-guided Bernese Oberland Traverse in Switzerland and we were blown away! My wife and I have lots of prior hiking experience, but having the logistics of where we were staying and the route mapped out for us saved us a lot of time before the trip! The app they send you with your trip details and the route for every day is easy to navigate, has great offline capabilities, and has everything you need for each day of your trek (including any side adventures). For anything we needed, the team was easily accessible by phone or WhatsApp. All of the accommodations they chose were a 10 out of 10. We made so many memories on this trip without all the headache of managing your own logistics and its all thanks to the great team at Adventure Base!

Bryan Terschan

I was blown away by Adventures Base

I was blown away by Adventures Base attention to detail. Incredible guides and an incredible experience. My 2nd trip and will be booking my next soon. They have some of the best guides ive experienced. Brilliant customer service from beginning to end. A+++++

Pete

They exceeded my expectations!

The 11-day TMB experience was perfect. Our guide, Rob, was incredibly attentive from the very first minute. He was meticulous about every detail and every participant, highly attuned to the group's needs, and possessed a great sense of humor and deep knowledge of the terrain. He ensured an excellent experience. All logistics, mountain huts, and hotels were perfect; I wouldn't change a thing. They exceeded my expectations, and we were even blessed with perfect weather. I couldn't have made a better choice for my TMB trip.

Cacilda Amaral

Rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 300+ reviews on

Trustpilot

FINER DETAILS

YOUR ADVENTURE PACKAGE 

The trek begins in Pralognan-la-Vanoise in the La Vanoise National Park between Savoie and Auvergne Rhone Alpes. We recommend to arrive the night before and overnight in Pralognan-la-Vanoise. If you would like us to book your accommodation for the first night please ask in advance.

What's included?

  • 2 Nights accommodation
  • 2 Breakfasts
  • 2 Dinners
  • Planning and reservations
  • Navigational App
  • 24/7 Support communication with our Alps based team

Optional extras

Enhance your adventure with these additional services.

Please get in touch with our team to discuss optional extras. Get in touch

What's not included?

  • Flights and airport transfers
  • In-resort travel (bus / lifts / trains)
  • Lunches, snacks and drinks
  • Luggage transfers (not available on this trip)
  • Additional nights before, during and after trip (can be added on request)
  • Travel insurance (required)

Adventure like a local

The Adventure Base Difference

Excellent 4.8 From 300+ reviews

  • Born & Bred in the Alps

    With an office at the foot of Mont Blanc in Chamonix, we help you Adventure like a local.

  • Customer Focused

    We don't just want you for one trip, we want you for lots! We work extremely hard to earn that right.

  • Don't take our word for it

    Our clients do the talking. Check out their latest reviews and see what makes their trips so special.

  • Guaranteed Departures

    If you can book it, we'll run it even if it's just for you. You shouldn't have to wait to get excited for your trip.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE ACCOMMODATION

We know the importance of having comfortable accommodation on this trip. After a long day in the mountains it's vital to have a comfortable bed and good food to enjoy in a scenic location. We've handpicked refuges and other mountain accommodation along the way that we're sure you're going to love.

Hiker approaching stone refuges on the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise

ON THE TREK

The majority of the accommodation on the trip will be in dormitories and / or small shared rooms. You can upgrade in some of the accommodation options if requested in advance and based on availability.

  • Duration

    2 Nights

  • Wifi

    Not included

  • Beds

    Shared Rooming

  • Food

    Half Board

Immerse yourself in Glaciers

Adventure Itinerary

Here you'll find the full itinerary including distances (KM) ascents and descents each day and a rough estimate of how long it will take.

Start & End point: Pralognan-la-Vanoise

Length: 3 days

Whilst we aim to stick to the itinerary below, accommodation in some of the locations may not always be available. In this instance you will be booked into a suitable alternative accommodation.

Keep in mind: The moving times shown don’t account for breaks. Add 1–2 hours each day for a more accurate total trail time.

Please note: This route has optional shortcut options using local buses, and gondolas, providing flexibility to shorten stages. Early or late season departures may be impacted by reduced bus and cable car operating schedules, so the availability of these transport options may vary.

GETTING TO THE ADVENTURE START POINT

Getting to your destination can be half the adventure, but probably not the type of Adventure you want. If you have any worries or questions then just get in touch.

Recommended

GENEVA AIRPORT

GVA

The closest airport. Take the train via Chambéry to Moûtiers, then the bus or a taxi up to Pralognan, or book a direct taxi transfer from the airport.

Approx. 2 hr 30 min by direct transfer (around 3 hr by train and bus) to Pralognan-la-Vanoise, the adventure start point.

Frequently asked questions about this adventure

TDGV: WHAT IS IT?

The Tour de la Vanoise is a multi-day hiking route through the stunning Vanoise National Park in the French Alps. It offers breathtaking mountain views, glaciers, and alpine wildlife along well-marked trails, making it perfect for those starting out with multi-day hikes or trying a longer trek for the first time. 80kms / 4000m+ Elevation / Highest Point 2796m.

TDGV: How long is the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise?

The Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise is around 80km, with more than 4,000m of ascent. The highest point is 2,796m.

TDGV: HOW DO I GET THERE?

From Geneva: Geneva Airport (GVA) is the most common international gateway. From here, you can reach Pralognan-la-Vanoise via taxi or train. From Geneva Center, take a train to Chambéry (1h), then transfer to Moutiers (1h), and finally a taxi (€120, 1-4 people) or bus to Pralognan-la-Vanoise (40mins).

Direct taxi transfer: €460 each way 1-4 people (2.5 hours).

Rental car: 2.5 hour drive from Geneva – depending on your pre and post trek plans this could be a better option.

Recommended: Consider staying a night in Pralognan-la-Vanoise if arriving the same day as your first day trekking.

For more information: see here

TDGV: How will I navigate on my own?

  • It’s important you study the route before you set off, preferably the evening before each day of hiking, so that you have an idea of what your next day will entail. Take into consideration distance, elevation gain and loss, and exposure to elements (will you be up high in terrain exposed to the elements, or lower down in perhaps more sheltered terrain) when studying these.
  • Phone signal is not always available on the trails and battery life on your mobile device can quickly be drained when using the itinerary app, as well as by colder temperatures (such as in cold winds). It is a good idea to carry an external battery charger as a backup so that you can charge on the go if necessary. Putting your phone in airplane mode will help preserve its battery life.
  • Trails are well sign posted but they often present various options. Often there are variation routes that get you to the same place. For example, there might be a high pass or a low pass. Deciding which one to take will depend on weather conditions and/or your preference on the day. Each sign will also provide a rough estimate of the time it takes to get to the next stop.
  • Our advice is to check your device whenever you get to a junction to ensure that you are taking the correct trail to lead you to your destination. Taking these few minutes to confirm you’re going in the right direction will save you time in the long run, as a wrong turn can be costly time-wise but also energy-wise.

TDGV: Can I have my luggage transferred?

There are no luggage transfers available on this trek, so you’ll carry everything you need for the trip.

TDGV: What do I do in an emergency?

For urgent issues:

Phone: +33 7497 767 71 (French Office)

For non urgent issues:

Phone: +44 20 3813 4779 (UK Office)

Email: hello@adventurebase.com (we aim to respond rapidly).

If critical, dial 112 (the European emergency number).

Whilst we have done our utmost to ensure that your trip will go according to plan, there are certain elements that are beyond our control. We recommend that you carefully read and understand the following section in case you find yourself in need of assistance.

The mountains, if not treated with complete respect, can be a dangerous place. Weather can change quickly, and terrain can quickly become treacherous. Making good safe decisions based on the weather forecast and your energy levels when on a self-guided trip is paramount to making sure you have a successful trip.

We have two numbers you can call if there is an emergency but if the situation is critical and requires immediate support then please call 112. This is a European emergency number and will connect you to the appropriate mountain rescue services who can then redirect you to the local service you need. You can also find your exact location using the SOS function on the itinerary app whilst you’re offline.

TDGV: FAQs

If you are interested and would like to see all the FAQ’s and information on this adventure please click here

 

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Are you Ready?

This adventure is rated Intermediate on our difficulty scale and is best suited to for those with some prior experience. We recommend choosing an adventure that matches your fitness, experience and comfort level.

  • You have some previous experience in the outdoors, whether that’s hiking, skiing or climbing, and are keen to build on that
  • You will either be starting to venture into more technical terrain or slightly more challenging environments
  • Some basic skills
  • Moderate fitness

This trip is at this level

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Are you ready to run hut to hut beneath the glaciers?

We hope you've found all the information you need above, but if not don't hesitate to get in touch. If you're ready to book, follow the link below.

Book Now €265,00 Make an enquiry