La Plagne: La Grande Rochette and Roc du Bécoin loop from Belle Plagne

The summits immediately south of la Plagne Villages are actually peaks on a long ridge starting from Roc du Diable in the east stretching to Mont Jovet (and beyond) in the west.

Starting from the upper part of Belle Plagne (2080 m), the easternmost of the villages, we ascended south along the main service road, then forked right after about 470 m now heading southwest along another dirt track. We walked under the Colosses chairlift and took a shortcut under its upper station. We reached a ski run and climbed south as far as to the ridge. We climbed further, heading west, to la Grande Rochette (2508 m) with a gondola lift upper station and a restaurant.

Leaving Belle Plagne

Near Colosses chairlift

Ascending to la Grande Rochette

Crête de la Grande Forcle

La Plagne Villages from la Grande Rochette

We headed southeast, descending rapidly to Col de la Petite Forcle (2408 m). The following ascent was to Roc des Verdons (summit 2502 m) with antennas but also a viewing platform with information.

After a break we descended to Col de la Lovatière (2417 m) where we had the narrow eastern ridge of Roc du Bécoin (2594 m) in front of us. The ascent was steep in places and certain surefootedness was needed. We crossed a few antecimes before the narrow summit. The 360° panorama was spectacular.

La Grande Rochette in background

Vanoise peaks seen from Roc des Verdons

Courchevel seen from Roc des Verdons

Roc des Verdons signpost

Nearing Roc du Bécoin summit

Summit of Roc du Bécoin

One hour to Belle Plagne

From the summit, we descended towards la Plagne Villages (signposts) then at 2393 m headed east, taking some shortcuts when possible. We reached the Verdons Nord chairlift station and headed east. At this point, Belle Plagne was signposted, still 1h 10 to go! The trail Circled above Plagne 1800 and Plagne Soleil. At le Dou du Praz (2125 m) we came to a restaurant where we had an excellent blueberry pie and coffee before the final stretch back to our starting point.

Climb: 790 m

Distance: 13 km

Duration: 6h 15

Map: 3532 ET les Arcs/la Plagne