Hiking in the Beaufortain: 5 routes between lakes and peaks

The Lake Roselend loop, the family hike

The Lake Roselend loop is the most accessible hike in the Beaufortain. This 16.5-kilometre loop takes about five hours, with no significant ascent, starting from the Roselend dam. The trail runs alongside turquoise water at an altitude of 1,557 metres, facing the mountains.
This lake loop is easy to reach from our campsite in Savoie, starting from the Roselend dam.

The lake, held back by a dam 150 metres high and 804 metres long, reflects the peaks in clear weather. A rebuilt chapel recalls the hamlet that was flooded when the reservoir was filled. It is ideal for a first family outing!

The Rocher du Vent, the star hike of the Beaufortain

The Rocher du Vent is the most impressive hike in the Beaufortain. This rock formation perched at 2,300 metres overlooks Lake Roselend, for a 4 to 5-hour return walk of moderate difficulty. The effort has to be earned, but the panorama more than makes up for it.

The ascent goes through “the Tunnel”, a passage several hundred metres long dug into the rock: a head torch is a must. At the top, the view takes in Lac de la Gittaz, the Roselend dam and Mont Blanc. In fine weather, you can see as far as the glaciers.

Good to know: the best time for these trails is from June to September, when the snow has melted and the refuges are open. The Cormet de Roselend road closes in winter. Our team recommends an early start, as the high-altitude car parks fill up quickly in midsummer.

Lac de Presset, at the foot of the Pierra Menta

Lac de Presset rewards experienced walkers in the Beaufortain. Demanding level: from the Cormet de Roselend car park (1,968 metres), allow 7.6 kilometres and about 2 h 30 of climbing, i.e. 800 metres of ascent. The lake lies at over 2,500 metres, at the foot of the Pierra Menta (2,714 metres).

This monolith rises above the pastures, one of the most recognisable silhouettes in the Alps.

For this committing outing, pack the right essentials:

• Wear high-ankle walking boots suited to rocky sections.
• Take at least 1.5 litres of water and an energy snack per person.
• Pack a warm layer and a windproof jacket, as the weather changes quickly at altitude.

Roche Parstire, a panorama from the Col du Pré

Roche Parstire is the easy panoramic hike of the Beaufortain. Starting from the Col du Pré, allow about two hours return for a moderate ascent, within reach of occasional walkers. The summit opens up a bird's-eye view over several lakes at once.

From up there, Lake Roselend, Lac de Saint-Guérin and Mont Blanc line up in the same panorama. This short outing is easy to combine with a visit to the dam or a foodie stop in Beaufort. It is the ideal compromise between moderate effort and a grand spectacle.

The Tour du Beaufortain, the great multi-day trek

The Tour du Beaufortain is the great crossing of the massif, for hikers with stamina. This regional GR forms a loop of about 140 kilometres, to be completed in 6 to 8 days, with nearly 4,500 metres of ascent. It links the main lakes, passes and refuges of the Beaufortain.

The route strings together views of Mont Blanc, the Pierra Menta and the Cormet de Roselend, with nights in mountain refuges or hikers' lodges. The fittest complete it in 3 days as a trail run. Good physical preparation and booking the stages in advance are essential before setting off!

Preparing your hike in the Beaufortain

The best time to hike in the Beaufortain is from June to September. The trails are free of snow, the pastures turn green and the refuges open their doors. Outside this window, some passes remain snow-covered and the Cormet de Roselend road closes in winter.

Before you set off, a few essentials make all the difference in the mountains:

• Wear high-ankle walking boots suited to rocky trails.
• Take at least 1.5 litres of water and an energy snack per person.
• Pack a warm layer and a windproof jacket, as the weather changes quickly at altitude.
• Check that the refuges are open and book your night well in advance.

For long treks, the Tour du Beaufortain is a 140-kilometre regional GR that takes 6 to 8 days. Setting up base camp at the foot of the massif simplifies all the logistics. From our campsite in Landry, you reach the trailheads via Bourg-Saint-Maurice and come back to the heated indoor pool in the evening.

Fancy turning these routes into a holiday? Settle in at Camping L’Eden de la Vanoise, in Landry, and set off every day to discover the trails of the Beaufortain. Book your pitch or mobile home and hit the trails!