Some hikes are beautiful but never give children anything concrete to aim for. This one offers two rewards: a first stop at the Refuge du Roc, then a delicious finish at the Ritord alpine farm.
Starting from Les Prioux, just above Pralognan-la-Vanoise, we found a route that is accessible, varied and just remote enough to give the whole family the feeling of a real little mountain adventure. The trail crosses the Chavière valley, follows the streams, passes a small chapel and ends with a tasting of alpine farm produce.
We deliberately took our time: stopping to take in the views, looking for marmots, visiting the chapel, having a picnic and tasting cheese at the farm. If you are looking for a family hike in the Vanoise that combines nature, heritage and a proper introduction to Beaufort cheese, this outing is well worth considering.
Family profile: Discovery
| Season: Summer
| Trailhead: Les Prioux car park, Pralognan-la-Vanoise
| Difficulty: Easy
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The route at a glance
| Start | Les Prioux car park, Pralognan-la-Vanoise |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 7.8 km |
| Walking time | About 2 hr 50 min |
| Total time including breaks | About 4 hours |
| Ascent | About 250 m |
| Difficulty | Easy, with a gradual climb |
| Route type | Family loop |
| Best period | Mid-June to mid-September, depending on snow cover and weather |
| Pushchair | A standard pushchair is not recommended; a hiking child carrier is a better choice |
Distances and times reflect our own family outing and are rounded. They vary with the variant you take, the children’s pace, the breaks and GPS accuracy. The family route published by the tourist office for the Chavière valley, for example, gives 7.74 km for about 2 hr 30 min of walking.
Why this hike works well with children
What we liked is how the day builds up. The children are not simply walking towards a distant point: several small stages give the route its rhythm.
First comes the start at Les Prioux, then the first views over the valley, the alpine farm buildings, the stream, the chapel and the Refuge du Roc. After that, the Ritord farm becomes a second goal, with the promise of a drink, sandwiches out of the bag and a taste of produce made on site.
The trail climbs gradually and presents no major technical difficulty in good summer conditions. It remains a mountain hike nonetheless: children need to be used to walking for several hours, even at an easy pace.
The tourist office gives a minimum age of five for the family route through the Chavière valley. Treat that as a guide only: a child’s experience, the weather, their kit and how often you stop matter far more than an exact age.
Where to park at Les Prioux
We set off from the Les Prioux car park, at the entrance to the hamlet. Capacity is limited, so it is best to arrive fairly early on fine summer days.
In 2026, parking at the high-altitude Les Prioux and Les Fontanettes car parks is chargeable from 6 June to 13 September. The first two hours are free, the third hour costs 3 euros and a full day 10 euros for a car. These rates can change, so always check the official Les Prioux car park page before you leave.
There is a useful alternative in high season: the free summer shuttle to Les Prioux leaves from the centre of Pralognan-la-Vanoise. In 2026 it runs from 27 June to 30 August and the journey takes about fifteen minutes. It is a good way to avoid hunting for a space and to reduce traffic towards the trailheads.
From Les Prioux to the Refuge du Roc: a gradual climb
The first part of the hike takes you from Les Prioux up to the Refuge du Roc. At our family pace we took about 35 to 40 minutes, walking gently and stopping to look at the scenery.
The path rises steadily. The views open up quickly onto the mountains and the Chavière valley. We particularly enjoyed the small details that keep children busy: the flowers, the water running down the slopes, the insects, the rocks and the sound of the stream.
We also looked out for marmots. They are present in the area, but sighting them is of course never guaranteed. The best advice is to walk quietly, listen and avoid shouting.
💡 Respect the wildlife. Signs in the national park remind visitors not to feed the marmots: human food makes them ill. Watch them from a distance, without trying to get close.
A few sections are rockier and more uneven. We would therefore not recommend this loop with a standard pushchair. For a child who cannot yet walk far enough, a proper hiking child carrier makes far more sense.
The Refuge du Roc and its little chapel
Reaching the Refuge du Roc is the first real reward. The building sits in a spectacular setting, at the foot of the Vanoise mountains and glaciers.
The refuge, formerly known as the Refuge du Roc de la Pêche, was built on the ruins of a former monastic site. Nearby stands a small chapel dating from the 12th century. Restored in the 1990s, it is worth a few minutes of your time for its architecture, its carved woodwork and the very particular atmosphere of the place.
We stopped for about ten to fifteen minutes at the refuge to drink, get some energy back and visit the chapel. The Refuge du Roc has a bar, food service and accommodation. Check the official Refuge du Roc website for opening dates and the services available when you visit.
For a family, the refuge also makes an excellent intermediate goal. If some of you are starting to tire, you can enjoy the spot and then head back down to Les Prioux without continuing to Ritord.
From the Refuge du Roc to the Ritord alpine farm
After the break we carried on towards the Ritord alpine farm. The refuge website mentions a link of about twenty minutes, but with children, breaks and wildlife watching we took more like 35 to 40 minutes.
This section crosses wide open ground. The landscape becomes more pastoral and you get a much better sense of the link between the mountain, the herds and the making of Beaufort cheese. We moved along without chasing performance, letting everyone find their own pace.
Along the way, children can hit a small patch of tiredness. In our family, a few minutes of chatting, a sip of water or something to look at is usually enough to get everyone walking again.
The Ritord alpine farm: the tasty reward
Arriving at the Ritord alpine farm was one of the best moments of the day. The welcome was genuinely warm and we were able to settle down quietly and get our sandwiches out.
We bought drinks and a piece of mountain-pasture Beaufort to share. We also tried a fresh sérac, a soft whey cheese. It could be eaten savoury, with walnut oil, salt and pepper, or sweet with a home-made blueberry jam.
After the walk, that break takes on a particular flavour. It also shows children that alpine pastures are not just fine scenery: they are working places where livestock farming, milk processing and cheese ageing carry on all summer long.
The Ritord alpine farm produces Beaufort AOP “chalet d’alpage”, raclette, cow’s tomme and blue cheese, among others. Direct sales are offered during the alpine grazing season, subject to conditions and availability.
We stayed for about an hour. The farm’s little dogs kept the children thoroughly entertained, though of course their presence on the day of our visit is not a permanent attraction.
ℹ️ Please note: the tourist office states that visitors’ dogs are not allowed at the Ritord alpine farm. It is best to check the rules for the area before setting off with a pet. Prices and opening periods should also be checked before you leave.
Heading back to the Les Prioux car park
For the return from Ritord to the car park, our watch recorded about 3.92 km and 1 hr 35 min of walking. We kept a relaxed pace, without trying to cut the day short.
The descent still requires some attention, especially once children start to tire. Keep some water and a small snack for this last section rather than finishing everything at the farm.
All in all, we would suggest allowing about four hours to enjoy this outing properly, and more if you want a long lunch, a visit to the refuge or time watching wildlife.
Our tips for a successful family outing
Set off early enough
You will stand a better chance of finding a parking space, walking before the heat of the day and enjoying the various stops in peace.
Bring proper walking shoes
Even though the hike is easy, the ground has loose stones and a few uneven sections. Shoes that hold the foot properly are preferable to ordinary trainers.
Allow slack in your timings
With children, the time given on a route description is rarely the real duration of the outing. Add the breaks, the wildlife watching, the refuge, the picnic and the cheese tasting.
Pack the basics
Bring water, a small snack, sun protection, a cap, a warm layer and a rain jacket. In the mountains the weather can change quickly, even in summer.
Respect the alpine pastures
Stay on the paths, do not disturb the herds, close gates behind you and take your litter home. Watch marmots and other animals from a distance and never feed them.
Our verdict on the Refuge du Roc – Ritord hike
This outing is exactly what we look for in a family day out: reasonable difficulty, fine scenery, several goals along the way and a genuine encounter with local heritage.
The Refuge du Roc brings the historical, mountaineering dimension. The Ritord alpine farm adds the meeting with the farming world and the tasty break. So the children do not just remember that they walked: they remember a chapel, a refuge, the farm dogs and cheese tasted high in the mountains.
If you only want to do part of it, the Refuge du Roc is already a fine destination in itself. If the whole family still has energy, carrying on to Ritord turns the walk into a far richer experience.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Refuge du Roc hike suitable for children?
Yes, in good summer conditions and for children used to walking. The route is gradual and has no major technical difficulty, but you should allow around three hours of actual walking.
How much time should we allow?
We walked for about 2 hr 50 min. With the chapel visit, the break at the refuge and roughly an hour at the Ritord alpine farm, allow at least four hours.
Can this hike be done with a pushchair?
We do not recommend it with a standard pushchair because of the stony, uneven sections. For younger children, a hiking child carrier is a better option.
Do you have to pay to park at Les Prioux?
Yes, for part of the summer season. In 2026 a full day costs 10 euros for a car, with the first two hours free. Check the rates and dates in force before you come.
Can you buy cheese at the Ritord alpine farm?
Yes, direct sales run during the alpine grazing season, subject to conditions and availability. Beaufort AOP “chalet d’alpage” and other cheeses are among the produce on offer.
Are dogs allowed?
The tourist office states that visitors’ dogs are not allowed at the Ritord alpine farm. Also check the rules for the protected areas you cross before setting off.
More ways to explore the Vanoise
This hike pairs well with our other family outing ideas around Pralognan, Bozel and the Vanoise National Park. In particular:
- our easy hikes with children around Bozel and the Vanoise;
- our tips for watching marmots and mountain wildlife without disturbing them;
- the Croix de la Porcière loop above Tincave, another panoramic family option;
- the Bozel lake, for a day with no climbing at all when legs need a rest;
- our ideas for things to do in Bozel in summer.
🎥 To see this adventure in pictures, watch the full video on YouTube, then subscribe to Ma Passion Montagne to follow our next family outings.
Staying near Bozel and Courchevel?
The Chavière valley, the Refuge du Roc and the Vanoise alpine pastures are all within a day trip of our valley. Discover our chalet as a base camp for your family hikes.
Sources and details to check before you go
- Les Prioux car park — Pralognan tourist office
- Summer shuttle to Les Prioux — Pralognan tourist office
- Getting to the Refuge du Roc
- Ritord alpine farm — Pralognan tourist office
- Official route through the Chavière valley
Practical information last checked: July 2026. Prices, timetables and opening periods should be checked before every outing.
Ma Passion Montagne · Tincave, Bozel · Savoie