Go hiking in an organised group
Hiking is beloved by hikers for the physical benefits, revitalisation and relaxation it brings.
As well as letting you discover magnificent natural sites, this oxygenating activity can also become a great shared experience when done as part of a group.
Going on a great walk in a group is a sociable way to get together and share a common interest. Individual hikers teaming up together also clears up any worries about getting lost or having an accident while on your own.
That goes double for having a guide take care of preparing the itinerary and logistical aspects of your hike.
Kept safe and motivated by teamwork, hikers can simply relax and enjoy their hiking experience.
To find out which local service providers are offering walks and hikes, visit the local tourist offices.
Hiking with friends
Hiking with friends is an excellent opportunity to have a great time together in a group.
To keep everybody having fun and limit mishaps out in nature, you need to be properly organised from the start.
Identify potentially difficult sections ahead of time so that you can properly prepare for them (rivers to cross, gorges, steep slopes, ridges, cols, ...).
From the many hiking routes available, it's also vital to choose one that corresponds to each hiker's ability and to set your pace by the slowest member of the group.
Around Brides-les-Bains and further away in the high mountains you'll find a number of places where the unspoilt natural environment provides the perfect setting for walks and hikes with friends: trails in the Vanoise Nature Park, Les 3 Vallées footpaths, hiking routes on the La Lauzière or Les Bauges mountain ranges etc...
A trail guide and hiking guide, as well as online forums and websites such as altituderando.com or visorando.com will help you find the perfect hikes to go on with your friends... Or family!
Fantastic family hikes
- Follow the signposted routes for a little hike,
- Have fun in the Alpine pastures,
- Have a picnic in the heart of nature,
- Cross mid-altitude mountain ranges on the back of a donkey,
- Play with your reflection in the most beautiful lakes of the Vanoise Regional Nature Park,
- Cool off in the waterfalls after a fantastic hike,
- Forge unforgettable family memories between valleys and summits...
Hiking in Les 3 Vallées :
sublime landscapes between 600m and 3600m altitude, nature and wildlife of the Vanoise National Park
Difficulty levels
Before you set off on a hike, it’s important to check that your ability matches its difficulty level.
There are several things to consider in addition to the vertical climb and duration; from walks along signposted trails to mountain and even high-mountain hikes.
One of the best recognised systems rates each hike according to six categories, going from T1 “Easy hike” to T6 “Difficult Alpine hike”, and including “Challenging mountain hike”, etc…
To limit the issue of interpretation and avoid choosing unsuitable itineraries, the FFRandonnée and its partner IBP Index has developed a national system for categorising pedestrian hikes.
It uses 3 criteria ranked from 1 to 5: effort (physical difficulty), how technical it is (whether or not there are any major obstacles), and risk (how serious an injury might be in the event of a fall or slip).
These combined criteria add up to the real difficulty level of each hiking trail.
The FFRandonnée offers a category guide which can be downloaded on its website
Hiking itineraries from Brides-les-Bains
For a peaceful stroll along the trails, serenely soaking up the magnificent views, discovering mountain wildlife or a climb to the most stunning mountain backdrops…
From easy walks to major hikes, all you have to do is follow the signposts, from Brides-les-Bains or further afield:
Refuge de Plaisance (PNV)
Descriptive
This Vanoise National Park refuge, renovated in 2022, offers hiking and mountaineering at the entrance to the heart of the Park. Set in a verdant valley, the refuge faces the Grand Bec massif.
The Refuge de Plaisance consists of 2 chaloin-style cabins. One contains the wardens' dining room and kitchen, the other a 32-place dormitory and sanitary facilities.
- The dormitory is equipped with comforters and pillows, but for reasons of hygiene and comfort, please bring a "sac à viande" (sheet-bag) or comforter, and possibly a pillowcase.
- You'll find drinking water to fill your water bottles.
- Showers: cold showers are free, but as gas is delivered by helicopter and therefore available in limited quantities, hot showers are not free.
- If you prefer to be self-sufficient, the kitchen is available for €2 per person.
- Our electricity is produced solely by solar panels, and is precious and weather-dependent. The refuge does not allow cell phones to be recharged, so remember to activate the airplane mode and take an external battery if you feel the need. In addition, there is no telephone network or wifi at the refuge.
- Bivouacs are possible next to the refuge during the guarding period. The cost is €5 per person and includes access to the kitchen and sanitary facilities. Please book in advance, as the number of places is limited.
- The chalet-refectory is equipped with a wood-burning stove.
During the day, we offer food and beverage service at all hours. Omelettes, cheese and charcuterie slates, pastas, sweet tarts and cakes... Treat yourself to a well-deserved break!
In the evenings, we also welcome hikers on a half-board or bivouac basis. We offer half-board, with a balanced, hearty meal based on local, organic produce, which varies according to supply. If you'd like to take it easy on the trails, don't forget to book your picnic at the latest the day before your arrival.
Tips :
Refuge sur le tracé du GR5 à 1 h 45 de marche.
Randonnée à la journée : Lac de la Plagne à 2h - Col du Palet à 4h30 - Col de la Sachette à 4h 30 - Col de la Tourne à 4h - Golet de la Vallaisonnay à 2h - Col de Plan Séry à 1h30 e- Col de la Grassaz à 3he.
Randonnée itinérante : tour de la Vallaisonnay (4 jours - 2 jours pour les sportifs)
Alpinisme : Dôme des Pichères, voie normale (par le refuge de Plaisance) - Sommet de Bellecôte, voie normale par le glacier du Cul du Nant - Sommet de Bellecôte, Arête S (et traversées vers le Dôme des Pichères).
Sustainable tourism :
Au refuge de Plaisance, chaque geste compte pour préserver la montagne. L’eau et l’énergie sont utilisées avec sobriété. La gestion des déchets fait aussi partie des priorités du refuge. L'approvisionnement privilégie largement le vrac afin de réduire les emballages. Avec ces bonnes pratiques, chacun contribue à protéger cet environnement fragile.
Host portrait :
Au refuge de Plaisance, les gardiens Pascal & Julia, avec leur bébé et leur super équipe d'aides-gardiens, vous accueillent avec simplicité et passion. Amoureux de la montagne et du partage, ils veillent à votre confort après l’effort, proposent une cuisine chaleureuse et de saison, et partagent volontiers leurs conseils pour profiter pleinement des itinéraires et du cadre exceptionnel du site.
Tips :
Refuge sur le tracé du GR5 à 1 h 45 de marche.
Randonnée à la journée : Lac de la Plagne à 2h - Col du Palet à 4h30 - Col de la Sachette à 4h 30 - Col de la Tourne à 4h - Golet de la Vallaisonnay à 2h - Col de Plan Séry à 1h30 e- Col de la Grassaz à 3he.
Randonnée itinérante : tour de la Vallaisonnay (4 jours - 2 jours pour les sportifs)
Alpinisme : Dôme des Pichères, voie normale (par le refuge de Plaisance) - Sommet de Bellecôte, voie normale par le glacier du Cul du Nant - Sommet de Bellecôte, Arête S (et traversées vers le Dôme des Pichères).
Practical Information
Opening Times :
From 15/09/2025 to 09/06/2026 daily.From 10/06 to 13/09/2026, daily.
From 14/09/2026 to 10/06/2027 daily.
Languages spoken :
- English
- French
Services :
- Bivouac
- Breakfast
- Full-board
- Groceries/grocery stall
- Half-board
- Picnic hampers
Restaurant
Equipements :
Bar
TerraceConveniences :
- Fireplace / Wood burning stove
- Gas available
kitchen corner- Pay shower
- Shared WC
Shower- Wood available
Tariffs
Night : 12€ ()
Child rate per night : 5€ (Gratuit pour les -8 ans)
From 10/06/2026 to 13/09/2026 :
Night : 24€ (tarifs pour une nuitée sans demi-pension)
Child rate per night : 12€
Half board (pp) : 59€
Half-board (child) : from 25€ to 41€
From 14/09/2026 to 10/06/2027 :
Night : 12€ ()
Child rate per night : 5€ (Gratuit pour les -8 ans)
Tarifs réduits pour les enfants, jeunes jusqu'à 18 ans et étudiants (sur présentation d'un justificatif).
Bivouac, sur réservation : 6 €
Payment methods
Find a mountain refuge
If you're planning to go for a multi-day hike in the mountains, you'll need to plan where you'll be able to source refreshments and find overnight accommodation.
The Vanoise National Park offers a list of mountain refuges and bivouacs that can be reached within its grounds.
You are advised to book in advance and check that you comply with the bivouac camping regulations.
To widen your search, you can also look on the French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs website.
Practical guide: The right way to prepare for a hike
- Ahead of anything else, the right preparation for a hike requires one thing… realism !
Before you can appreciate “THE 360° panorama”, you need to be confident that you have the physical stamina and ability to adapt (tricky sections, bad weather, correct use of equipment etc…) to get there. - Mapping out a hiking itinerary is one of the key preparatory stages.
To do that, you’ll need to take a few details into consideration: are you going to go in a loop or end up somewhere else? Where does the hike start from?
What are the vertical climbs and drops, distances, altitudes, where are the tricky sections, refreshment or, if necessary, accommodation options? etc…
At this stage, you can make use of a guidebook map, an OS map or an interactive online map. It’s also important to decide if you’re able to get your bearings on your own using a map and compass, or if it’s a better idea for you to take GR trails and signposted routes - A good hike also requires proper anticipation of weather conditions. You’re better off not getting caught in a storm or being forced to make your way across an area that’s suddenly become difficult to cross due to bad weather!
- We obviously recommend that you bring practical, quality hiking equipment:
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- A good pair of comfortable shoes suitable for the terrain,
- Thin socks (preferably cotton or wool mixed with polyester) to fit snugly around the foot and release perspiration,
- Three layers of breathable, waterproof clothing: an underlayer, a thermal layer and a protective layer. On your lower half, wear shorts or trousers you feel comfortable in,
- A good rucksack: a 10 – 15 litre rucksack is fine for a simple walk, a 25 – 30 litre rucksack for a full-day hike etc…,
- Walking poles, preferably with rubber grips,
- A hiking GPS, as well as a map and a compass (useful if the network coverage drops out!),
- A whistle so you can be found if required,
- An Opinel©-style knife,
- A torch,
- A first aid kit including a survival blanket, plasters, disinfectant, painkillers, a pair of tweezers (for removing splinters or ticks), an Aspivenin pump for insect bites and arnica cream.
- Depending on weather conditions, a hat (or beanie), sunglasses, sun cream, lip balm.
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Useful tips:
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- We recommend that you pack heavier objects nearer your back to spread the load,
- Keep your orientation equipment and something to protect you from the rain on hand at all times.
—————————————————–*The amounts of food and water depend on the hiking itinerary and weather conditions.
For a full-day hike, the perfect meal includes energy-providing carbohydrates (wholemeal bread, rice or lentil salad…), protein (meat, hard-boiled egg, cheese…) and raw vegetables.
Dried fruit and cereal bars are useful to bring along as snacks (chocolate is best avoided in summer!).We hope you have a wonderful time hiking on the trails in and around Brides-les-Bains…