Hiking Le Lac Blanc and Refuge de Plan du Lac - extension to Entre deux Eaux

This family hike, in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, offers you a magnificent view of the ice cap of the Vanoise massif. The itinerary links the lakes and refuges of the Lac Blanc and the Plan du Lac.

Description

From the Coêtet parking lot in the hairpin bend, take the path on the outside of the bend towards the ruins. This takes you to Lac Blanc, in which the Dent Parrachée is reflected. Head east along the lake towards Praz Bouchet and the Refuge du Lac Blanc. A wide path then leads to the Bellecombe parking lot, past the Auberge de Bellecombe, a traditional alpine farm where you can watch the cows.
Continue north towards the Refuge de Plan du Lac. The path crosses the stream on the left bank before reaching the lake and then the refuge.

Return along the same path to the Bellecombe parking lot (shuttle bus possible). South of the parking lot, cross the footbridge, then turn right. The path gradually descends towards the valley, passing through the hamlet of La Chavière and then the chapel of Sainte-Marguerite. The path then crosses the road several times before reaching the parking lot.

Possible extension from Plan du Lac to the Entre deux Eaux mountain pasture and refuge.
Round trip time: 5h30
Distance: 16 km
Altitude gain: 830 m
Possibility of shuttle bus to return to Bellecombe parking lot.

Itinerary

• Distance 9.7km
• Type of route LOOP
• Elevation gain 420m
• Negative elevation gain 420m
• Daily duration 03h30
• Marked itinerary Yes
• Accuracy of markup GR5 (Red and White) + PR (Yellow)
• Maximum altitude 2384m

Opening period

From 01/06 to 31/10.

Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.

Additional opening

• Subject to favorable weather conditions

• Subject to snow conditions

Spoken languages

• French

Location

Park in the Coêtet parking lot. During the summer season, you can take the Termignon - Entre-deux-Eaux shuttle bus and get off at the Coêtet stop.

Animals

Animals accepted : No

Vanoise National Park

Topo/step by step

• From the Coêtet parking lot in the hairpin bend, take the path on the outside of the bend towards the ruins. This takes you to Lac Blanc, in which the Dent Parrachée is reflected. Head east along the lake towards Praz Bouchet and the Refuge du Lac Blanc. A wide path then leads to the Bellecombe parking lot, past the Auberge de Bellecombe, a traditional alpine farm where you can watch the cows. .
  Continue north towards the Refuge de Plan du Lac. The path crosses the left bank of the stream before reaching the lake and then the refuge.
  
  Return along the same path to the Bellecombe parking lot (shuttle bus possible). South of the parking lot, cross the footbridge and turn right. The path gradually descends towards the valley, passing through the hamlet of La Chavière and then the chapel of Sainte-Marguerite. The path then crosses the road several times before reaching the parking lot.
  
  Possible extension from Plan du Lac to the Entre deux Eaux mountain pasture and refuge.
  Shuttle bus service back to Bellecombe parking lot.