Cross-country : Les Barrages

Access

Starting from :

Latitude :

6.752381

Longitude :

45.231575

Map ref. :

A wonderful trail including a balcony path, a visit to the Vanoise National Park with views over Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval lakes, and an amusing descent to finish!

A long, fairly steady climb with some short steep sections, first on a track which quickly dwindles to a singletrack path that rises to 2250 metres. You'll then follow a magnificent singletrack mountainside path, a real must-do with its superb views over the valley and the Vanoise mountains. Pure bliss! You then enter the valley and find yourself looking down at the dams. Stop for a breather at a refuge, choosing between Plan Sec and Plan de la Fournache. Your descent begins on very pleasant tracks along the lakes of Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval, then on an amusing singletrack path which plunges down to Aussois (Evita Carnéa Enduro trail). If you're fit enough, this must-do trail is one of the best in the area.

Built between 1945 and 1956, these two reservoirs are an integral part of Haute-Maurienne's hydroelectric complex. They contribute to the water supply of Mont-Cenis dam lake, even though the latter is located on the other side of the valley.