Beyond the Caron Peak

What if, for a day, you switched sides of the mountain? This hike takes you from Val Thorens to the summit of Cime Caron, then across to the other side, in the Maurienne valley, to discover Plan Bouchet. A complete change of scenery: from the wild, rocky atmosphere of the southern slope to the scree slopes and high-altitude lakes of the Maurienne side, this day trip offers a real change of pace just a few minutes by gondola from your usual starting point.

A route combining ski lifts and hiking

The Caron gondola and then cable car will take you to the summit, the turning point between the two sides. A break at the top of Cime Caron (either on the way up or down, depending on the day's conditions) allows you to enjoy the view before continuing towards the Maurienne side. The descent continues with the Orelle gondola to Plan Bouchet, the starting point of the loop hike. The return journey follows the same ski lift route.

The Itinerary

• Format: Full-day outing
• Lift Lift Route: Caron gondola + cable car, then Orelle gondola to Plan Bouchet (Maurienne side)
• Hike: Loop around Plan Bouchet
• Return: Via the same ski lift route
• Highlight: Panoramic break at the summit of Cime Caron
• Landscapes: High mountain rocky landscape, scree slopes, high-altitude lakes, wild and unspoiled atmosphere
• Special Feature: A change of slope (Maurienne and south-facing) with vegetation and an atmosphere quite different from those of the Belleville Valley.

Who is this hike for?

A day hike for lovers of wide open spaces and a change of scenery, curious to discover a lesser-known slope close to home. The loop around Plan Bouchet is suitable for regular hikers comfortable on high-mountain terrain (scree slopes, high-altitude trails).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this hike called "At our Maurienne neighbors' place"? Because it takes you from the Val Thorens/Belleville Valley side to the Maurienne side, on the other side of the Cime Caron, at Plan Bouchet (Orelle sector).
Can we enjoy the view from the summit of Cime Caron? Yes, a break is planned at the summit, either on the way up or down depending on the day's conditions, to enjoy the panorama.
Does the landscape really change between the two sides? Yes, the Maurienne side, facing south, has different vegetation and atmosphere than the Belleville side: that's the whole point of this hike.
How do we get back? Using the same ski lift route (Orelle gondola, cable car, and Caron gondola).
Is the gondola lift pass included in the price of the outing? The pass is included in all The Ascent Passes; otherwise, it's an additional cost.