Le Vallon du Prariond
A medium length walk through gorges leading towards a col at 2,957m
Escape into the realm of ibex, chamois and marmots where the peace and tranquility will leave you wanting to stay the night at the nearby refuge.
The route starts near the bridge at the first hairpin of the col de l'Iseran, after Val d'Isère.
It begins with a steep climb on a well laid out path overlooking an impressive gorge. Climbing a few hundred metres, the valley opens and you are greeted with a green lake, high mountains and tame marmots. You will soon arrive at the Refuge du Prariond where you can stop for a coffee or lunch.
You can return to the car at this point or continue on towards the col de la Lose with a 400m climb on a winding path up to a plateau, a little over 2,700m, where ibex graze in the summer months. The path then forks, with the right fork heading towards col de la Lose (2,957m) and col de la Galise (2,987m). You can climb to either in similar time then once at the top you can look far into the Italian Valley de Cenesole. After taking in the view you follow the same path back to the car.
Always pay close attention the the weather as route finding can be difficult if the cloud comes in quickly.
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What to bring
The route can found on IGN 3633ET Tignes - Val d'Isère.
What to see
Sights in Val d'Isere
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Musee Val d’Histoire
Opened in December 2017 and located in the heart of Val d'Isère, the renovated Maison de Val hosts a museum dedicated to the history of the area.
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La Maison de Val
Community space with libraries, cinema, free WiFi and exhibitions about local history.
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Vanoise National Park
The Vanoise National Park is one of the highlights of the Tarentaise region.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Val d’Isere
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La Fruitière Restaurant
Located at the top of the Daille bubble, within the celebrated La Folie Douce après-ski and gourmet hotspot, La Fruitière serves delicious modern dishes based on traditional flavours.
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La Petite Cuisine Restaurant
La Petite Cuisine is La Folie Douce's gourmet-quality, canteen-style restaurant. They serve a perfect mix of high-class local cuisine in a friendly, family atmosphere.
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La Cucùcina Restaurant
Located at the top of the Daille bubble, within the celebrated La Folie Douce hotspot, enjoy gourmet Italian cuisine prepared by a renowned chef and his Italian team.
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La Grande Ourse Restaurant
This restaurant has been feeding hungry skiers in Val d'Isère since 1936. They serve organic, local produce and have their own patisserie master.
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La Rotisserie Restaurant
The five star luxury Hotel Les Balmes de l'Ours invites you to enjoy a delicious meal in their farmhouse style rotisserie restaurant.
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Arctic Juice & Café
Organic coffee, cold-pressed juices and healthy meals are all this cafe is about. The place to recharge before venturing out into the mountains.
What to do
Things To Do in Val d’Isere
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EMTB on snow
Try something new this winter with a guided e-bike session on snow (from eight years old). Join a sunrise ride above Val d’Isère or hire an electric bike in the afternoon and head off on your own adventure.
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Dog Sledding
Sledding tours and adventures in the Tarentaise.
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Paragliding Flights
See the village and mountains from a different perspective and fly with the eagles.
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Guided snowshoe hikes
Discover the charm of snowshoeing and venture to parts of the mountains even skiers don't go.
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Wilderness Evening & Fondue Dinner
An evening adventure in the woods of Les Boisses, Tignes
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Technic Tennis Academy
Tennis school at the Manchet Parc des Sports offering private coaching, equipment hire and group lessons.
