Planay stretches along the Doron de Pralognan from Villard du Planay to Pont de Pierra CrĂŞpa. The mountain area ranges from 870 metres to the 3,398-metre Grand Bec, where there is a staffed mountain refuge. Visitors planning a stay will find a range of highlights here: hiking trails and viewpoints, mountain villages with historic chapels, and high-alpine climbing routes.
Mountain Landscape and National Park
The elevations give Planay a distinctive mountain character. At the same time, areas within Vanoise National Park are assigned to different zones: 296 hectares of the commune lie in the core zone, and a further 2,017 hectares in the optimal membership zone. This distinction is useful for orientation, as these are two different designations and areas. At Grand Bec, there is also the staffed mountain refuge and climbing routes for alpinists; check the conditions before climbing.
Trails and Waterfall
The Circuit de Ballandaz is considered suitable for families and has benches and picnic areas along the route. A closure notice for 2026 may affect access; check whether the trail is accessible before your visit. The marked out-and-back Tour du Merle is rated differently: it is 3.5 kilometres long and considered difficult. Access to the summit of Tour du Merle is reserved for experienced climbers. There is a temporary closure warning for this route, which you should take into account when planning.
Another destination is the Cascade de la Vuzelle, which has been protected since 1935 and is considered a remarkable feature of the valley landscape. A path from Chambéranger leads to a viewpoint overlooking the waterfall, which is about 100 metres high. Weather and temporary local closures may affect access. The excursions therefore differ not only in their destinations, but also in the conditions and requirements mentioned.
High-Alpine Climbing Routes
Les Galinettes is a high-alpine rock-climbing route near Grand Bec. The approach starts at Plan Fournier, at an elevation of 1,700 metres, and leads via La Cave towards Fontaine Froide. The route is described as a loop returning to the base of the wall and takes one day; access depends on snow conditions. By comparison, the Tour du Merle, with its stated distance of 3.5 kilometres, is a different undertaking in terms of scale, but is also rated as difficult. Experienced climbers are required for access to its summit.
Mountain Villages and Chapels
Chambéranger is a traditional mountain village with steep lanes and rows of houses clinging to the hillside. The Chapel of Saint-Barthélémy was built in 1505 and is the oldest chapel in the parish of Planay. In La Novaz, a well-preserved and carefully maintained hamlet ensemble provides another cultural highlight. The Chapel of Notre-Dame des Neiges there, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, dates from 1633. These dates give the historical context for these two distinct chapel sites.
Notre-Dame de la Salette comprises a chapel and 14 stations. Pleasant paths lead there from Chambéranger or the centre of Planay; the associated circular route is currently closed. A mass is celebrated at the chapel every year on 19 September. If you would like to plan a trip around this date, confirm arrangements for the year in question in advance.
Hydropower and Local Products
The Galerie Hydraulica presents hydropower and its history in the Bozel Valley. In summer 2026, the interpretation centre was temporarily closed; check its current visitor status before visiting. For a taste of local cuisine, visit the Cave de Ritord: Beaufort cheese from the Ritord alpine pasture, Tommes, Raclette and other local products are traditionally made and sold directly there.
This makes it easy to tailor a stay to your interests: information about the trails and waterfall helps you choose excursions, while the chapels, village layout and history of hydropower provide cultural themes. For high-alpine activities, the stated requirements, snow conditions and closure notices are especially important.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean-d'Arves, Grésy-Sur-Aix, Saint-Bon-Tarentaise, Méribel-Mottaret, Valloire, La Bâthie, Saint-Etienne-De-Cuines, Apremont.
For the wider travel overview: Savoie.
