This book is a guide to a 10-12 day circuit of one of the finest of all mountain areas in France - the Vanoise Alps. Easily accessible by train or bus from Chambery and Grenoble, the Vanoise National Park neighbours that of the Gran Paradiso in Italy, with Mont Blanc to the north and the Ecrins to the south. The Tour of the Vanoise explores the very best of this scenically spectacular region of 3000m peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and flowering meadows, and provides plenty of opportunities to study marmots, chamois and ibex along the way. Covering a distance of more than 154km (95miles) the route encounters some dramatically wild landscapes, is demanding in places and, with several passes to tackle in excess of 2500 metres (8200ft), ensures there's plenty of height gain and loss; the total amount of ascent being some 7031metres (23,068ft). With numerous manned huts strategically placed throughout the National Park, lightly-laden trekkers can stay in simple comfort each night without having to resort to carrying tents, food or cooking equipment.