Via Alpina Red R122

The Via Alpina Red R122 is an approximately 13-km point-to-point alpine stage in France, running from Lac de Tignes to the Refuge de la Leisse through the Vanoise National Park. It gains roughly 700 m of elevation over a single hiking day. Rated moderate, it crosses the high Leisse valley beneath the Grande Casse, the highest peak of the Vanoise massif.

About the Via Alpina Red R122

The Via Alpina is a network of long-distance hiking routes that links all eight Alpine countries: Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco. It was created in 2000 by a coalition of public and private organisations and received European Union funding between 2001 and 2008. Today the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps (CIPRA) hosts its secretariat, and the route is recognised as one of the world's most significant hiking networks within the International Walking Network (IWN).

The Red Trail is the longest of the Via Alpina's five colour-coded routes. It runs across the entire arc of the Alps from Muggia, near Trieste in Italy, all the way to the Palais Princier in Monaco, divided into 161 numbered stages from R1 to R161. Stage R122 sits deep in the French Alps, in the heart of the Vanoise. According to the OpenStreetMap description, R122 connects Le Lac de Tignes with the Refuge de La Leisse, threading through one of the most protected high-mountain landscapes in France.

This stage is part of a cluster of Vanoise stages (R121 to R124) that carry the Red Trail from the Tignes basin southward toward Termignon-la-Vanoise and Modane. Walkers follow well-marked paths shared with the GR 5 and the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise, so the trail is both signposted and regularly maintained. R122 is short by Via Alpina standards, which makes it a manageable day for hikers acclimatising to altitude or carrying a multi-day pack between refuges.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below breaks the R122 stage into its main segments and places it alongside the neighbouring Vanoise stages so you can see how it fits into a longer Via Alpina itinerary. Distances and elevation figures are approximate and reflect typical GR 5 / Via Alpina signage in the area.

Total moving time for R122 alone is around 4 to 5 hours for a hiker of average fitness, which leaves room to start late, take photographs and reach the refuge in time for the evening meal.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Lac de Tignes (2,100 m) — The turquoise reservoir that opens the stage, framed by the Tignes ski domain and the looming Grande Motte glacier above Val Claret.
• Col de la Leisse (~2,758 m) — The high point of the day, a broad pass between rocky shoulders that delivers the first sweeping view into the wild Leisse valley.
• Glacier de la Grande Motte — Visible during the climb, this glacier feeds the meltwater streams you follow and marks the boundary of the high Vanoise icefields.
• Plan de la Leisse — A wide glacial plateau where marmots whistle and alpine ibex (bouquetin) and chamois are routinely spotted in the early morning and at dusk.
• Grande Casse (3,855 m) — The highest summit of the Vanoise massif dominates the skyline to the west throughout the descent toward the refuge.
• Vanoise National Park — Created in 1963 as France's first national park, it protects more than 500 km² of high terrain and one of Europe's strongest ibex populations.
• Refuge de la Leisse (~2,487 m) — The stage end, a staffed mountain hut in a remote valley with no road access, lit by candle and headtorch after dark.
• Lac des Nettes & Plan des Nettes — Small tarns and wetland pools near the pass that mirror the surrounding peaks on still mornings.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R122

The R122 is a genuine high-mountain stage, with its high point at roughly 2,758 m, so the practical hiking season is short. Snow lingers on the Col de la Leisse and across the Plan de la Leisse well into early summer, and the Refuge de la Leisse only staffs and opens for a limited window each year.

The single best month is August. By then the pass is reliably clear of snow, alpine wildflowers carpet the Plan de la Leisse, daytime temperatures at 2,500 m sit comfortably around 12–18 °C, and the refuge is fully staffed and serving evening meals. July is a strong second choice but can still hold old snow on north-facing slopes after a heavy winter. As of 2026, refuges in the Vanoise typically open from mid-June to mid-September, with the most stable weather window falling between mid-July and the end of August.

September brings crisp air, fewer hikers and golden light, but the first autumn storms and overnight frosts arrive quickly and refuge staffing winds down. Outside roughly mid-June to late September the route should be treated as an alpine mountaineering objective requiring winter equipment, not a hiking trail. Always check the live weather and avalanche bulletin before committing to the Col de la Leisse.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The stage ends at the staffed Refuge de la Leisse (~2,487 m), where a dormitory bed costs roughly €25–30 per night and a half-board package (dinner, bed and breakfast) typically runs €55–70 in 2026. Booking ahead is essential in July and August because the hut is small and fills quickly. At the start, Tignes and Val Claret offer the full range of resort lodging — hostels and gîtes from about €30–45 per night, and hotels from €80 upward. Wild camping is prohibited inside the Vanoise National Park, but bivouacking (a single overnight pitched after 7 p.m. and struck before 7 a.m.) is tolerated near certain refuges; confirm current rules with the park before relying on it.

Getting There & Back

The nearest mainline railway station is Bourg-Saint-Maurice, served by TGV trains from Paris (around 4.5–5 hours) and by seasonal Eurostar services. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice, regional buses climb to Tignes-le-Lac and Val Claret in about 45–60 minutes. The closest international airports are Geneva (roughly 2.5–3 hours by road) and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (about 2.5 hours). At the far end of the Vanoise crossing, Modane and Termignon connect back to the rail network via the Maurienne valley line, making a multi-stage point-to-point itinerary straightforward to close out by public transport.

Permits & Fees

No permit or entrance fee is required to walk the R122 — the Vanoise National Park is free to enter on foot. However, park regulations are strictly enforced: dogs are banned (even on a lead), drones are prohibited, fires are forbidden, and all rubbish must be carried out. Picking flowers and disturbing wildlife are offences. Your only real costs are refuge nights, meals and transport. For the official stage description and current trail status, consult the route authority below.

For authoritative planning detail, see the official Via Alpina R122 stage page and the regulations published by the Vanoise National Park authority.

Gear & Packing List

Because R122 tops out near 2,758 m and ends at a road-free refuge, your kit needs to cover sudden weather swings even in midsummer. Carry a warm insulating layer, a waterproof shell, sun protection for the exposed pass, and at least 1.5 litres of water capacity since reliable springs are limited above Val Claret. Trekking poles ease the descent of the Plan de la Leisse, and a headtorch is non-negotiable for refuge life.

A pack in the 35–55 litre range suits a multi-day refuge-to-refuge crossing. Reliable options include the 2400 Windrider for ultralight hikers travelling hut-to-hut, the slightly larger 3400 Windrider when you carry more food and layers, and the comfort-focused Abisko Hike 35 for day-stage walkers basing out of Tignes. If you are weighing up which pack to buy, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested models head to head.

Plan your food carefully: refuge half-board covers dinner and breakfast, but you will want trail snacks for the climb. A sustained 700 m ascent at altitude burns serious energy, so read how many calories you need hiking a full day before packing your lunch and emergency rations.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high Vanoise scenery of R122 appeals, France offers several iconic long-distance routes in similar terrain. The classics range from glaciated alpine circuits to rugged island traverses and quiet pilgrim paths.

• Tour du Mont Blanc - Itinéraire principal — The most famous alpine circuit in the world, looping around the Mont Blanc massif through three countries.
• GR 20 Principale — Corsica's demanding mountain traverse, often called the toughest GR route in Europe.
• Sulle strade dei valdesi: GRV Glorioso Rimpatrio dei Valdesi — A 325-km historical route tracing the Waldensian return across the Alps.
• Chemin de Stevenson - Liaison 1 — A gentler, literary walking route through the Cévennes following Robert Louis Stevenson's journey.
• GR 105 — A long-distance French GR route for hikers seeking quieter, less-trodden paths.

For something further afield with the same high-mountain spirit, see our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R122?
August is the best month. By then the Col de la Leisse is clear of snow, wildflowers fill the Plan de la Leisse, and the Refuge de la Leisse is fully staffed. July works in low-snow years, and September offers quiet trails but colder nights. The practical season runs roughly mid-June to late September.

How difficult is the R122 stage?
R122 is rated moderate. Over about 13 km it gains roughly 700 m to a high point near 2,758 m at the Col de la Leisse, then descends to the refuge. The paths are well marked and shared with the GR 5, but the altitude, exposure at the pass and remote setting demand sound footing and proper alpine equipment.

How long does the trail take per day?
R122 is a single stage of about 13 km that most hikers complete in 4 to 5 hours of walking, making it a relaxed half-day to full-day outing. As part of a longer Via Alpina crossing, neighbouring Vanoise stages such as R123 run 15–16 km with significant descent, so daily times vary from 4 to 7 hours.

Where can I stay along the route?
The stage ends at the staffed Refuge de la Leisse (~2,487 m), where a dormitory bed costs around €25–30 and half-board €55–70 in 2026; book ahead in summer. At the start, Tignes and Val Claret provide gîtes, hostels and hotels from about €30 upward. Wild camping is banned inside the national park.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee?
No permit or entry fee is required to hike the R122 — the Vanoise National Park is free to enter on foot. You only pay for refuge nights, meals and transport. Park rules are strict, though: no dogs, no drones, no fires, no flower picking, and all waste must be carried out with you.