Refuge du Plan du Lac and the Chapelle Saint-Barthélemy from Bellecombe

From the Parking de Bellecombe, at about 2,307 m at the end of the road up from Termignon, a path crosses the open grassland of the plateau north to the Refuge du Plan du Lac, beside a small lake at about 2,364 m. Across the valley rise the Dent Parrachée and the glaciers of the Vanoise, and the Grande Casse stands at the head of the view. The path goes on gently down to the Chapelle Saint-Barthélemy, a small mountain chapel lower down the plateau. Return the same way.

It is 6 km there and back with 151 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: a broad, mostly gentle path over high pasture.

The walk is high and open, so cold wind and storms come quickly; carry warm clothes even in summer. It is in the core of the Parc national de la Vanoise: dogs are not allowed, even on a lead, and fires and picking plants are forbidden.

The car park is at the end of the road that climbs from Termignon to Bellecombe; the road is closed in winter, so check it is open before setting out.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.