Vanoise National Park Day Hike from Courchevel
The boundary of Vanoise National Park — France's oldest — sits less than 10 km from Courchevel 1850, and in summer the high trails above the resort deliver encounters with chamois, marmots and Alpine ibex against a backdrop of permanent glaciers. This is the Alps as they were before ski lifts.
The Col de la Loze Trail
One of the most rewarding routes from Courchevel climbs to the Col de la Loze (2,304 m), a grassy saddle on the ridge between Courchevel and Méribel. The path begins near the Belvédère lift station above Courchevel 1850 and gains roughly 500 m of elevation over 5 km of well-marked trail. Allow 2.5 hours up and 2 hours down.
The col itself is carpeted with Alpine wildflowers in July and August — purple martagon lilies, yellow arnica, and the tiny white stars of edelweiss tucked into limestone crevices. Marmots whistle from the boulder fields on both sides of the ridge, and if you sit quietly for ten minutes you will almost certainly spot one.
Entering the National Park
Push beyond the col along the GR55 long-distance trail and within 30 minutes you cross into the core zone of Vanoise National Park, where dogs must be kept on leads, camping is restricted and the silence is profound. The path descends towards the Lac de la Patinoire, a glacial tarn that mirrors the surrounding peaks on still mornings.
Ibex are most commonly seen on the steep rocky faces above the tarn in the early morning and late afternoon. These prehistoric-looking animals with their curved ridged horns are completely unafraid of walkers at this distance, making for extraordinary wildlife photography. Return the same way or loop back via the Altiport path to Courchevel 1850.
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