Tête de Vautisse

La Tête de Vautisse is a day trip. To start, allow 45 minutes by car on a dirt road from the bottom of the valley to reach the parking lot at the Cabane l’Alp, the trailhead for the hike. The hike begins with a gradual but long climb through a small valley blanketed with vast meadows. At the next level, you’re greeted by boulders scattered throughout the landscape. The torrent winds quietly through the chaos of these mountain fragments. All around us, the peaks point skyward; you already feel high up. Little by little, the landscape becomes more rocky, and the bare summit draws ever closer. At an altitude of 2,700 meters, the ascent suddenly becomes serious and exposed, with a steep slope through a scree field over which majestic birds of prey soar. After a short but sustained effort, we’re there! The panoramic view will satisfy all your dreams of heights! In spring and fall, conditions are changeable; even without snow, the trail can be icy. Therefore, when hiking in the mountains, the rule of thumb is to “go out well-equipped.” In my backpack, I slip in or clip on: crampons and trekking poles. In winter, the essentials are: snowshoes, poles, gloves, a hat, sunscreen, and… a survival blanket! Experience is key, and knowing when to turn back is sometimes better than taking risks. And for those new to the mountains, we recommend hiring a professional! Before heading out, I check the Météo France Montagnes weather reports and the BERA (avalanche and risk alerts).