What to do in autumn at Val Cenis

The Val Cenis trails offer exceptional scenery and wilderness in autumn. In the mountain pastures, you won't meet a soul. The larch forests are transformed into paintings of gold, red and brown. Walks to enjoy:

• Family walks along the Arc by le chemin du petit bonheur or on the Vanoise National Park side to the Bellecombe parking lot (free in autumn).

• Hike to the wild Ambin valley to admire the first snowflakes on the peaks, or to Petit Mont Cenis to spend a timeless night at the Hannibal refuge, a totally unusual site on the Italian border.

• Multi-day itinerant hikes: Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise from Val Cenis or Tour de Méan Martin. At the beginning of September, the refuges are still manned, then in autumn they generally offer unmanned areas accessible to hikers.

Autumn is a great time to observe mountain animals.

• Until the end of September, marmots are stocking up for the winter. You'll come across them on the Mont Cenis side or at Bellecombe.

• Chamois and ibex are easier to spot at higher altitudes. You may be lucky enough to spot ibex in the rocky bars on the Vanoise National Park side.

• Autumn is the time of the stag's bellow. From the end of September to mid-October, you could hear its deep rattle from Sardières or Bramans. Thrills guaranteed!

Outings with mountain guides are available to experience these unique moments in complete safety. In any case, if you come across animals, please be careful and discreet so as not to disturb them.

After a day in the great outdoors, it's time for local specialties. Autumn is the season for comfort food and local flavours:

• AOP cheeses (Beaufort, Bleu de Bonneval-sur-Arc) to discover at the Coop de Haute Maurienne Vanoise or directly from the alpagistes. Also worth discovering: the rare Bleu de Termignon, whose producers can now be counted on the fingers of one hand.

• Traditional charcuterie.

• Mountain recipes to share with family and friends at the resort's restaurants.

Take advantage of the traditional Termignon Fair, on the 1st Sunday in October, to find these products.

In autumn, Val Cenis is a huge playground for nature lovers.

• Via ferrata: discover the Ambin via ferrata, above Val Cenis, or the Col de la Madeleine via ferrata, accessible independently for equipped climbers or accompanied by guides for greater safety.

• White water: try rafting or hydrospeed on the Arc, an invigorating experience in the heart of autumn landscapes.

• Mountain biking: pedal along the Val Cenis singles or take advantage of the Haute Maurienne Vanoise mountain bike stadium at Chantelouve, ideal for training and improving your skills.

And to make the most of it, check out the fall activities in Haute Maurienne Vanoise : accrobranche and giant zip lines in Avrieux, tobogganing on rails in La Norma and even cross-country skiing in Bessans from November.

Best-of autumn activities in Haute Maurienne Vanoise