Well known to mountain lovers, the Maurienne is certainly the most popular valley in the Savoie department. Crossed and shaped by the curves of the Arc River, this 125 km long valley between the Hautes-Alpes and Italy is the largest of all the Alps.
What do the Grande Motte (3653 metres), the Aiguilles d'Arves (3514 metres), the pointe de Thorens (3266 metres), the Grande Aiguille Rousse (3482 metres), the Mont Pelve (3261 metres), the Grand Gabilier (3228 metres), the dômes de La Vanoise (3586 metres), the Iseran (2764 metres), the pont de Bellecombe (2755 metres), or even the Mont-Cenis (2081 metres)? Undeniably: the Maurienne. Located in the heart of this immaculate valley, these high peaks are extremely popular with ski enthusiasts and other thrill seekers. La Norma, Valfréjus, Saint-Jean d'Arves, Albiez-Montrond, Aussois, Sollières-Sardières, Val Cenis, Saint-François-Longchamp, Valloire, Bessans and Bonneval-sur-Arc are among the favourite ski resorts of families visiting the valley for mountain holidays.
Ski fans? Welcome to the paradise of sliding! La Maurienne and its many resorts will be the opportunity for you to discover or rediscover, with family or friends, the little pleasures of winter sports. On the agenda? Snowshoe rides in Valloire, ice climbing and snooc in Bessans, snowscoot in Val-Cenis, downhill skiing in Saint-François-Longchamp, but also nordic skiing, snowboarding, sledging, cross-country skiing, heliskiing in Valfréjus, snowmobiling in Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves, carriage driving in Albiez-Montrond, snake-gliss, ski touring, telemark and freeride will satisfy all your sliding needs.
The Vanoise National Park, located partly on the Maurienne Valley, is a wonderful escape area for lovers of the outdoors and nature. Considered one of the most beautiful jewels of Savoy, this breathtaking park is a paradise for ibexes, marmots, chamois and vultures who live peacefully on the sunny slopes of its mountains. In all, more than 400 kilometres of marked trails cross the park, offering just as many opportunities for walks at your own pace and according to your desires. The GR5 and the Via Alpina in particular, cover its area from north to south to allow you to contemplate all its faces.
What would the Maurienne be without its high altitude lakes? Each one more dazzling than the other, they are perfect edens for walkers looking for freshness on hot summer days. The most famous of these is Lake Mont Cenis: located near the Italian border, it is located at an altitude of 1974 metres. Grandiose by its preserved setting and the turquoise of its water, this lake is a pearl in the heart of the mountains. For an original view, we recommend that you try the ascent to the Fort de Malamot, built in 1889 at an altitude of 2850 metres to watch over the Col du Mont-Cenis. If you like challenges, you can also take a 5-hour walk around the area. A little further on, the Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval dams provide water for Lake Mont-Cenis: in the heart of thick forests, they are also perfect sites for hiking. Lac de la Grande Léchère on the heights of Montgellafrey (1680 metres), Lac du Loup in Saint-François-Longchamp and Lac des Cercles (2410 metres) are finally added to the list of the most beautiful lakes in the Maurienne.
Bicycle enthusiasts? Get in the saddle! The Maurienne valley is well known to climbing aficionados because it collects mythical passes: it is even nicknamed the "largest cycling area in the world". From the Col de la Croix de Fer to the Col du Glandon, via the Col du Grand Cucheron, the famous Col de la Madeleine, the Col du Mollard, the Col du Télégraphe, the Toussuire, the Col du Chaussy and the inevitable Cols du Galibier, du Mont-Cenis and de l'Iseran, in all, 11 passes, each more difficult than the last, await you if you are fans of the "Little Queen". The itinerary of the Forts de l'Esseillon from Modane, the small ascent from Plan d'Aval to Aussois, but also the Tour du Châtel by the lace of Montvernier and the Montée aux Aiguilles d'Avres in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne are particularly recommended for their breathtaking panoramas!
Finally, the Fort of Ronce, the Telegraph Fort, the Canopy of the Cîmes, the Albaron, the Parrachea Tooth, the Glacier de l'Étendard, the Hairstyles of Saint-François-Longchamp, the Pointe du Charbonnel, the Devil's Bridge, the Opinel Museum and Mount Tabor should be added to your list of sites not to be missed during your stay in Maurienne.
