Via Alpina Red R124

The Via Alpina Red R124 is a roughly 21-km point-to-point stage in the Vanoise Alps of Savoie, France, linking Termignon-la-Vanoise with Modane and gaining around 900 m of elevation across a single full hiking day. Rated moderate, it threads high pastures and forest balconies above the Arc valley, sampling one of the Red Trail's most scenic French sections.

About the Via Alpina Red R124

The Via Alpina is a network of five colour-coded long-distance trails created in 2000 by public and private partners from the eight Alpine countries: Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco. The Red Trail is the backbone of the system — 161 stages running from Muggia near Trieste, Italy, all the way to the Place du Palais in Monaco. It is one of the world's most significant hiking routes, part of the International Walking Network (IWN).

Stage R124 sits deep in the French Alps, carrying the Red Trail from Termignon-la-Vanoise down the Maurienne valley to Modane. The stage operates inside and alongside the Vanoise National Park, France's first national park, established in 1963 and covering some 530 km² of protected high mountain terrain. Managed under the via-alpina.org coordination (the international secretariat moved to CIPRA in Liechtenstein in January 2014), R124 is signposted as one continuous day's walk of approximately 21 km that most hikers complete in 6 to 7 hours.

Because R124 is a transfer stage between two valley towns, it blends genuine alpine scenery with easy logistics — both endpoints sit on the railway line and road network of the Maurienne, making it a practical entry point for hikers sampling the Via Alpina without committing to the full multi-week traverse. Distances and timings on this page are drawn from the official Via Alpina stage data and Vanoise National Park figures; treat the ~21 km as the planning baseline rather than a surveyed exact length.

The wider Vanoise section of the Red Trail is widely regarded as one of the scenic high points of the entire 161-stage route. Here the path runs in the shadow of the Grande Casse (3,855 m), the highest summit in the massif, and shares ground with the long-distance GR5 and GR55, France's most travelled alpine trails. R124 itself stays lower than the glacier-fringed cols further north, which is exactly what makes it accessible: you get the wildlife, the larch forests and the panoramic balconies of the Vanoise without needing crampons or glacier skills. For many walkers it functions as a perfect single-day taster — a way to feel the rhythm of the Via Alpina, test your kit and your legs, and decide whether to come back for the full Trieste-to-Monaco adventure.

Route Overview & Stages

R124 is a single official stage, but it breaks naturally into three walking segments. The table below outlines the day so you can pace water stops, lunch and the final descent into Modane.

Total: approximately 21 km with around 900 m of ascent and a similar amount of descent, since Modane (1,057 m) sits a little lower than Termignon (1,300 m). The waymarking follows the standard Via Alpina red-and-white logo, frequently shared with the GR® network and Vanoise park signage.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Termignon-la-Vanoise (1,300 m) — a historic Maurienne village and one of the main gateways into the Vanoise National Park, with a Baroque church and traditional Savoyard chalets.
• Vanoise National Park boundary — France's first national park (1963), home to one of the largest ibex (bouquetin) populations in the Alps, plus chamois, marmots and golden eagles.
• Dent Parrachée (3,697 m) — the dominant summit on the skyline north of the route, a classic Vanoise peak that frames the high-pasture views.
• Monolithe de Sardières — a striking 93-m limestone pinnacle rising from the larch forest near Sardières, a magnet for rock climbers and an unmistakable landmark.
• Sollières-Sardières larch balcony — sunlit forest terraces above the Arc, brilliant gold in autumn and shaded for summer walking.
• Fort du Replaton — a 19th-century Séré de Rivières fortification guarding the approach to Modane, a reminder of the valley's strategic frontier history.
• Arc valley (Maurienne) — the deep glacial trench the stage follows, one of the longest intra-Alpine valleys in France.
• Modane (1,057 m) — the stage terminus, a railway town at the French mouth of the Fréjus rail and road tunnels to Italy.

Wildlife is a constant companion on this stage. The Vanoise was created specifically to protect the Alpine ibex, which had nearly vanished from the French Alps in the early 20th century; today the park shelters well over 2,000 of them, and the rocky pasture edges along R124 are among the better places to spot them at dawn. Marmots whistle from the meadows all summer, and patient hikers may glimpse chamois on the steeper slopes or a golden eagle riding the thermals above the Arc. The flora is equally rewarding — gentians, alpine asters and edelweiss dot the higher grassland in July, while the larch and Arolla pine woods lower down shelter bilberry and rhododendron.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R124

The reliable hiking window for R124 runs from mid-June to early October, when the higher pastures are clear of snow and the Vanoise mountain refuges are staffed. July brings long daylight, wildflower meadows and the highest chance of ibex sightings on the park-boundary slopes, though afternoon thunderstorms are common — start early and aim to be off exposed ground by 14:00.

The single best month is September. As of 2026, early-autumn weather in the Maurienne is typically the most stable of the year: settled high pressure, daytime valley temperatures around 16–20 °C, fewer crowds than the August peak, and the larch forests near Sardières just beginning to turn gold. Snow can return to the high cols by mid-October, and many refuges close their staffed season around the end of September, so confirm dates before relying on hut meals. In a cold spring, patchy snow can linger on north-facing pasture into late June.

For current park rules and seasonal closures, check the official Vanoise National Park website before you set out.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Because R124 is a one-day stage between two valley towns, most hikers sleep in Termignon the night before and Modane the night after, rather than in a mountain hut on the route itself.

• Gîtes d'étape & guesthouses in Termignon and Modane typically charge €25–€45 per person for a dormitory bed, often with breakfast; half-board runs roughly €50–€70.
• Hotels in Modane (a rail town) start around €60–€90 for a double room, useful for early or late train connections.
• Vanoise National Park refuges on adjacent higher routes (for those extending the trip) charge about €20–€25 for a bunk and €20–€25 for the evening meal; reservation is essential in July and August.
• Camping — official campsites operate near Termignon and at Sollières-Sardières with pitches from about €10–€18. Wild camping (bivouac) inside the Vanoise National Park core zone is restricted to between 19:00 and 09:00 and only near refuges, so plan around park rules.

Getting There & Back

Modane is on the SNCF Maurienne railway line, with direct or one-change services from Chambéry (around 1 hour 15 minutes) and connections onward to Lyon Part-Dieu (about 2.5–3 hours) and the international line toward Turin, Italy. The nearest major airports are Lyon–Saint-Exupéry (roughly 2.5–3 hours by combined rail/road) and Geneva (around 3 hours). From Modane, regular regional buses run up the valley to Termignon (about 25–30 minutes), making it easy to start the stage by bus and finish back at Modane station. Check timetables with SNCF Connect for current schedules and fares.

Permits & Fees

No permit or entry fee is required to hike the Via Alpina Red R124 or to walk through the Vanoise National Park — France's national parks are free to enter on foot. You must, however, follow the park's core-zone regulations: dogs are not allowed (even on a leash), drones and fires are prohibited, plants and wildlife are protected, and bivouac is limited to the hours and locations noted above. Refuge and campsite stays are paid directly to the operator.

Gear & Packing List

R124 is a single alpine day, but the Vanoise's altitude means weather can swing from sun to hail within an hour. Carry full rain protection, a warm layer, 2 litres of water (refill at refuges and fountains), sun protection for the exposed balcony sections, and food for the day — there are few shops between the two valley towns. Trekking poles ease the ~900 m descent into Modane on tired knees.

A comfortable 30–40 litre daypack is ideal for the single stage. The Atmos AG 50 suits hikers carrying camping kit, while the lighter Abisko Hike 35 is plenty for a day with hut sleeps. If you are stringing several Via Alpina stages together and want to go ultralight, the 2400 Windrider keeps base weight low without sacrificing durability. For longer self-supported variants, the Arc Haul Ultra 60L adds capacity for tent and food. If you are choosing a pack from scratch, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested models. For day food planning on an alpine stage like this, see how many calories you need hiking a full day.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If R124 whets your appetite for the French Alps and long-distance walking, these routes make natural next steps — from the iconic high circuit of Mont Blanc to Corsica's rugged spine and the gentler highlands of the Massif Central. Hikers who enjoy alpine valley-to-valley stages with strong heritage often pair the Via Alpina with the cross-border Theth to Valbona trail in Albania for a contrasting Balkan experience.

• Tour du Mont Blanc - Itinéraire principal — the classic 170-km circuit around western Europe's highest massif.
• GR 20 Principale — Corsica's demanding north–south traverse, often called France's toughest trail.
• Chemin de Stevenson - Liaison 1 — a literary long-distance route through the Cévennes.
• GR 105 — a quieter French long-distance path for valley and forest walking.
• Sulle strade dei valdesi: GRV Glorioso Rimpatrio dei Valdesi — a 325-km historical route tracing the Waldensian return.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R124?
The trail is best from mid-June to early October. September is the single best month: settled weather, valley temperatures around 16–20 °C, fewer crowds than August, and the first golden larches near Sardières. July offers wildflowers and long days but more afternoon thunderstorms, so start early.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Red R124?
R124 is rated moderate. It covers about 21 km with roughly 900 m of ascent and a similar descent over 6 to 7 hours of walking. The path is well waymarked and never technical, but the sustained climb out of Termignon and the long drop into Modane make basic mountain fitness and trekking poles worthwhile.

How long does it take, and what is the daily distance?
R124 is a single official Via Alpina stage of approximately 21 km, designed to be walked in one day of 6 to 7 hours. Most hikers do not split it. If you chain it with neighbouring stages such as R123 or R126, expect comparable daily distances of 18 to 25 km.

Where can I stay along the route?
Most walkers sleep in Termignon-la-Vanoise the night before and Modane afterwards, using gîtes d'étape (€25–€45 per bed) or hotels in Modane (from €60–€90 a double). Campsites near Termignon and Sollières-Sardières charge €10–€18 a pitch. Vanoise refuges on adjacent routes cost about €20–€25 per bunk.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee?
No permit or entry fee is needed to walk R124 or to cross the Vanoise National Park — entry on foot is free. You must follow park rules in the core zone: no dogs, no drones, no fires, and bivouac only between 19:00 and 09:00 near refuges. You pay refuges and campsites directly to the operator.