Lac des Vaches

The lac des Vaches, above Pralognan-la-Vanoise, is crossed on a line of stone slabs that makes one of the best-known images of the Vanoise National Park. The official 'Lac des Vaches – Col de la Vanoise' itinerary leaves from the Les Fontanettes car park: 8 km round trip, about 3h30, +680 m, blue-moderate level, via trails n°13 and n°14 then the GR 55 — the old salt-and-pedlars road, marmots frequent.

From the Barmettes refuge, count about 1h of walking to the lake, then 45 minutes more to the col de la Vanoise refuge. The Genépi chairlift can cut walking time by about 1h30.

On the season, Pralognan's two official fiches diverge: the lake fiche says 1 January to 31 December, 'accessible depending on snow conditions, with appropriate equipment'; the itinerary fiche 1 June to 16 October, 'subject to favourable snow and weather conditions'. We give both.

1 June to 16 October per the itinerary fiche — beyond that, the lake fiche demands 'appropriate equipment' depending on snow. The marmots are out in summer.