Hard
Vanoise National Park · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Distance
- 20.5 km / 12.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 451 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 7 min
Boucle du Lac Blanc
EasyVanoise National Park · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France
- Distance
- 6.2 km (3.9 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 137 m (449 ft)
- Typical time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About Boucle du Lac Blanc
Boucle du Lac Blanc is a 6.2 km hiking route in Vanoise National Park. It climbs roughly 137 m (449 ft) along the way. Most people take around 1 hr 30 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. It is an easy walk that most reasonably fit visitors can finish without training.
The lakeshore section is the natural place to stop, eat and swim if the season allows.
The circuit closes on itself, which makes logistics simple: one car park, one round of 3.9 mi. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
It walks well across three seasons, with spring and autumn offering the best combination of light, temperature and quiet paths. The route is maintained by Parc National de la Vanoise.
In short, Boucle du Lac Blanc suits families, first-time visitors and anyone looking for a half day outdoors. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Easy6.2 km137 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The gradient is spread evenly, so there is no single section that dictates your pace. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Inside Vanoise National Park
- Lake
- Circular route, no backtracking
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Follow park rules
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 62/100
- Adventure
- 21/100
- Difficulty
- 18/100
- Accessibility
- 69/100
- Family
- 74/100
- Dogs
- 70/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Calm mornings give mirror reflections on the water, so it is worth being there early.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in France are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Trails near Boucle du Lac Blanc
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Expert
Vanoise National Park · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Distance
- 56.1 km / 34.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,233 m
- Typical duration
- 14 hr
- Waymarked route
- Long-distance path
Moderate
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France
- Distance
- 7.0 km / 4.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 155 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 42 min
Easy
Vanoise National Park · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Distance
- 1.1 km / 0.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 24 m
- Typical duration
- 16 min
- Lake
Hard
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France
- Distance
- 19.7 km / 12.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 434 m
- Typical duration
- 4 hr 54 min
Moderate
Vanoise National Park · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Distance
- 15.1 km / 9.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 331 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 38 min