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Cascade de la Fraîche
From Place du Barioz, a waymarked loop of about 1h30 — 1.5 km, 100 m of climb, blue level — leads to the Fraîche waterfall at the gates of the Vanoise.
At a glance
Type
Waterfall
Access
Free
Best season
15 May – 30 October
Animals
Allowed
Town
Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Winter access
closed
What is Cascade de la Fraîche
The Cascade de la Fraîche is reached from the centre of Pralognan-la-Vanoise by a waymarked loop from Place du Barioz: follow the chemin des Bieux up to a hairpin where the signed trail begins. The tourist office gives 1h30 on average, 1.5 km, 100 m of climb, blue level — a family outing, free, where dogs are allowed.
One tourist-office tip deserves repeating verbatim: don't leave too early, because in the early morning the waterfall sits in shade. The route is announced open from 15 May to 30 October.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Start
Place du Barioz, 73710 Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Loop
≈1h30 · 1.5 km · +100 m · blue level
Season
15 May to 30 October
Dogs
Allowed on this loop
When to visit
When to visit
15 May to 30 October. Avoid early morning: the waterfall is in shade — the advice comes from the tourist office itself.
Winter
Winter season
Winter access window
Closed (road shut in winter) — Live status: savoie-route.fr
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
Snow panorama
Not specified
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
Nearby
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the walk difficult?
No: the tourist office rates it blue (moderate), with 1.5 km and 100 m of climb for about 1h30 as a loop.
Where does it start?
From Place du Barioz in the centre of Pralognan-la-Vanoise. Follow the chemin des Bieux to a hairpin where the waymarked trail begins.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, the tourist office states it explicitly for this loop. Note however that the nearby core of the Parc national de la Vanoise forbids them.
What time should you go?
Not too early: the tourist office notes the waterfall is in shade in the early morning.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
Nearby
Nearby
Other places to explore in the area and in the same category
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Mont-Bochor Cable Car
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Cable car from Pralognan to the Mont Bochor promontory and its orientation table at 2,023 m. Closed 12:45–13:30; in June it runs three days a week.
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Saulire Cable Car
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Bottom station 2,077 m, top station 2,710 m. Rebuilt by POMA, reopened 6 December 2024. Summer 2026: 4 July – 30 August, 9:30am–4:30pm. Operated by Société des 3 Vallées.
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Champagny Gondola
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Gondola at Champagny-en-Vanoise, at the gates of the Vanoise. Summer 2026: 5 July – 28 August, closed Saturdays, break 12:45–14:00. Ascent €9.
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Cascade de Saint-Benoît
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A 90 m fall on the Esseillon forts tourist road, by the Saint-Benoît chapel. Free; road closed in winter, one-way uphill in summer, very limited parking.
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Cascade du Morel
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Grande cascade de la Doria
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A 60 m fall above Chambéry: a 1-hour loop from the Chaffardon car park, with a corniche section and a cabled passage. Free, 1 May to 31 October, not advised in wet weather.