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.
Le Vallon du Prariond
A medium length walk through gorges leading towards a col at 2,957m
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.
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
Museum of history of the Val d'Isère region
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
Cultural centre in Val d'Isere
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
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 Cucùcina Restaurant
Italian cuisine at the famous La Folie Douce mountain après-ski hotspot
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 Petite Cuisine Restaurant
Canteen-style restaurant in the famous La Folie Douce mountain après-ski hotspot
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 Fruitière Restaurant
Contemporary cuisine in a trendy setting at the famous La Folie Douce
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 Rotisserie Restaurant
A stylish gourmet rotisserie restaurant in five-star Val d'Isère luxury hotel
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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L'Etincelle Restaurant
Piste-side restaurant with a varied menu located at the foot of the old Solaise lift
Enjoy lunch on the large terrace on sunny days, or in the evening settle into the welcoming and stylish dining area and enjoy the laid-back ambiance. You can expect a varied menu of sharing platters, salads, grilled meats, generous pizzas, and home-made patisseries and desserts. A children's menu is also available. If you're just stopping in for a quick bite, there's also the snack bar for lighter meals.
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La Grande Ourse Restaurant
Authentic Savoyard skiers restaurant at the bottom of the slopes in a beautiful old chalet
This restaurant has been feeding hungry skiers in Val d'Isère since 1936. They serve organic, local produce and have their own patisserie master.
What to do
Things To Do in Val d’Isere
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Wilderness Evening & Fondue Dinner
3hr30 Wilderness Evening with Sledging & Fondue Dinner
An evening adventure in the woods of Les Boisses, Tignes
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Guided snowshoe hikes
Half-day and full-day guided snowshoe walks through the mountains
Discover the charm of snowshoeing and venture to parts of the mountains even skiers don't go.
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Paragliding Flights
35min tandem paragliding flights over Val d'Isere
See the village and mountains from a different perspective and fly with the eagles.
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Dog Sledding
20-min dog-sledding tours around the Tarentaise mountains
Sledding tours and adventures in the Tarentaise.
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Swimming pool and sports centre
Located in the centre of the resort
The swimming pool and sports centre in Val d'Isère offers swimming, climbing, gym/fitness, squash, indoor football, volleyball, a bar for refreshments for you to enjoy and a children's play area.
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Ski Guides
Independent ski guides specialising in off-piste with English speaking instructors
This school was formed in 2012 by a small group of experienced and dedicated ski guides who wanted to re-kindle the 'club' atmosphere of teaching snowsports.
