V. Lottenberg
3 walks to discover the exceptional landscapes of La Vallée des Belleville
11-08-2025 in NatureSummer brings out all the beauty of the rocky landscapes and plant life in the mountains. Far from all the hustle and bustle, La Vallée des Belleville is an invitation to contemplation, silence and escape.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Check out this selection of three walks in La Vallée des Belleville, that have been carefully chosen for their diversity, progressive accessibility and spectacular settings. Those hikes are in order of increasing difficulty. Each offers a different mountain experience: from the tranquillity of an unspoilt valley, and the moderate effort of a panoramic ascent, to a more demanding immersion in the mineral landscapes of the summits.
Lac du Lou: a gentle stroll along the water's edge
From the Plan de l'Eau car park, near the Bruyères district, an easy path follows the course of the River Doron in a quiet valley. The route winds its way between mountain pastures and wetlands, amidst the varied flora and discreet fauna. Walkers are accompanied by the sound of water as they approach the lake.
V. Lottenberg
V. Lottenberg
At an altitude of 2,035 metres, the Lac du Lou is a haven of peace and tranquillity. Its natural banks invite visitors to take a break – or even enjoy a picnic – against the gentle backdrop of the surrounding peaks. Overlooking the lake, the Lac du Lou mountain refuge extends a warm welcome to hikers in search of simple pleasures: food, accommodation or a cold drink, depending on the time of day. A peaceful stage and an ideal introduction to high-altitude hiking.
Practical information
- Starting point: Plan de l'Eau car park
- Peak altitude: 2,035 metres
- Distance (round trip): approximately 5.2 km
- Elevation gain: 276 m
- Estimated duration: 2 hr 15 min round trip
Le Cochet: panoramic ascent above Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Le Cochet, with its slender silhouette, towers proudly above the hamlets of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. From La Loy or Le Châtelard, the path climbs steadily through flower-filled mountain pastures and sparse pine forests. As the path rises, the views open up to take in the villages below and the neighbouring peaks. This clearly marked route requires a little more physical effort, but is still accessible to intermediate-level hikers.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
The views upon reaching the 2,026-metre summit are breathtaking. On a clear day, the view extends as far as the Vanoise glaciers, the Mont-Blanc massif and the peaks of the Lauzière mountain range. The summit of Le Cochet forms a panoramic natural balcony. After the effort expended on the ascent, the return journey to Saint-Martin-de-Belleville provides the ideal transition and an opportunity to rediscover the charms of the village, with its sunny bar and restaurant terraces to round off the day in warmer surroundings.
Practical information
- Starting point: La Loy or Le Châtelard
- Peak altitude: 2,026 metres
- Distance (round trip): approximately 10.5 km
- Elevation gain: 700 m
- Estimated duration: 4 hr 30 min round trip
Le Grand Perron des Encombres: an alpine adventure for experienced walkers
From the hamlet of Gittamelon, accessible via a trail above Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, the path leads into La Vallée des Encombres. Still little travelled, this route reveals an unspoilt mountain landscape: summer cottages, open mountain pastures, clear streams and absolute quiet. Very quickly, the landscape becomes rockier and the lines more jagged.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
The route climbs steadily to the summit of Grand Perron at an altitude of 2,824 metres, where the views are breathtaking, from the Vanoise massif to the Écrins, with the Maurienne glaciers as a backdrop. On the way, marmots, bearded vultures, golden eagles and the occasional ibex on the summit enliven the slopes and ridges.
On the way up or when heading back down, take a break at the Gittamelon mountain refuge to prolong the day's pleasures in a simple, welcoming atmosphere. A wild, panoramic and immensely rejuvenating route for experienced walkers.
Practical information
- Starting point: car park below Caseblanche, accessible from Le Châtelard via La Vallée des Encombres and Gittamelon mountain refuge
- Peak altitude: 2,824 m
- Distance (round trip): approximately 11 km
- Elevation gain: 990m
- Estimated duration: 5-hour walk
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
V. Lottenberg
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Take your time to explore
These three walks are an invitation to slow down, contemplate and breathe in the pure mountain air. They reveal the abundance and variety of landscapes that make La Vallée des Belleville so special, from high-altitude lakes to natural balconies and wild summits.
To plan your route, you can find all the signposted trails on our hiking map, or ask the team at the Saint-Martin-de-Belleville tourist office for advice.
