Walking in Val Thorens

Here there are details of walking routes in Val Thorens in Winter, and the lifts which are open to pedestrians.

Val Thorens probably isn't the very best resort for walkers, but in the last few years the tourist office and the lift company have made an effort to create paths for walkers.

Read about walking in Val Thorens here.

Walking in Val Thorens: Walkers' Map

This is a Val Thorens walkers' map. It shows the walks that you can do in Val Thorens in Winter, and the main lifts open to pedestrians.

There's also a map showing the lifts open to pedestrians in the 3 Valleys.

Walking in Val Thorens: Winter Walking Routes

1) Marine Path

The Marine path (number 1 on the map) starts from the top of Cascades chairlift, and is downhill only.

(You can see the prices of pedestrian passes via our Val Thorens ski pass prices page and on the walkers' map).

Turn left from the top of the chair, and the path curves round to the left then passes back under the lift. It then goes to the Chalet de la Marine.

Here, you cross the Dalles piste, and take the path which follows the left fork of the piste, past the Tete Ronde lake to the Chalets du Thorens.

The Combe de Thorens takes you back to the Toboggan chalet.

2) Montagnettes Path

This popular path (number 2 on the map) goes from the back of the Balcons, or from the back of Altineige, and shadows the Traversée de Montaulever and Boulevard des Echauds pistes.

It arrives at Les Montagnettes in Les Menuires. Return to Val Thorens on the same path.

3) Moutière Path

The Moutière path (number 3 on the map) starts from the Toboggan chalet and initially takes you on the 2 Lacs path.

Then it branches off to the right, and skirts round the left hand side of one of the two lakes. It comes out onto the Traversée des 2 Lacs piste near the 2 Lacs restaurant.

From here it goes up on the right hand side of the piste, past the top of the Moutière chair, then down to the Moutière plateau. On the plateau there is an airfield for light aircraft, a reservoir, and a mountain restaurant.

Return to the Toboggan chalet by the same route.

4) 2 Lacs Path

The 2 Lacs path (route number 4 on the map) starts near the Toboggan chalet and runs parallel to the Espace Junior, on the right of it.

It reaches the 2 Lacs restaurant.

Initially, there's a slightly different way back, to make a small loop. Then you rejoin the same path as on the way up.

This makes the path the shape of a lasso on the map.

Walking in Val Thorens: Lifts Open to Pedestrians

Cime de Caron

You can go up to the top of the Cime de Caron (3200m) as a pedestrian from the resort of Val Thorens.

Take the Cairn bubble, then the Caron bubble, then the Caron cable car.

There are two viewpoints at the top. New in 2024/25 is the Caron 3200 complex, with restaurant, wine bar, shop and rooftop bar with panoramic views.

Funitel Peclet

Funitel Péclet

The Funitel Peclet is open to pedestrians, and goes up to 3000m.

It's not quite as spectacular as the Cime de Caron, but quicker and easier as it's just a single lift. The Aiguilles de Peclet restaurant is directly at the top of the Funitel. 

Maurienne Valley

Orelle bubble

A trip to the Maurienne Valley is via:

• going up: Cairn and Caron bubbles, Cime de Caron
• going down: Orelle-Caron bubble, Orelle bubble

The Orelle bubble takes you right down to the village of Francoz (altitude about 900m), near Orelle, in the Maurienne Valley. This is quite a trip!

Cascades Chairlift

The Cascades chairlift is open to pedestrians (up only), and you take this lift in order to do the Marine path (see above).

Cairn Bubble and Moutière Chairlift

The Cairn bubble and Moutière chairlift can be used to reach the top of the Bee Zipwire (see activities).

I believe pedestrians can also use the 2 Lac gondola to get to the top of the Bee.

Walking in Val Thorens: Pedestrian Passes in Val Thorens

There's information on pedestrian passes in the notes to the prices on our Val Thorens ski passes page.

Some of the main rates (Winter 2024/25) are:

• one day Val Thorens Orelle - €40
• one day 3 Valleys (excluding Cime de Caron and Orelle) - €29.50
• 6 days 3 Valleys - €89.50
• season 3 Valleys - €268
• Funitel Péclet there and back - €17.70
• one-way Cascades chair - €11.80
• one-way Moutière chair - €11.80

Walking in Val Thorens: Lifts Open to Pedestrians

The lifts open to pedestrians in Val Thorens Orelle are:

• the magic carpets (Campagnols, Musaraigne and Castor & Pollux)
• Cairn bubble
• Caron bubble
• Cime de Caron cable car
• Funitel Péclet
• Cascades chair
• Moutière chair
• Orelle-Caron bubble
• Orelle bubble
• 2 Lacs gondola (TBC)

Enjoy walking in Val Thorens.