The description of the mountains west of Val Thorens and Les Menuires as a “great, brawny orchestra” is a powerful and fitting metaphor. This arc of saw-toothed peaks is the dominant feature of the landscape, and for hikers on the Grand Tour de Tarentaise, getting to know this orchestra is central to the adventure.
The “conductor’s podium” could be considered any high pass, like the 2,461-metre Col du Bonnet du Prêtre. From this vantage point, the full might of the orchestra is on display. Each peak is an instrument, contributing its unique shape and character to the overall symphony of rock. The play of light and shadow across their flanks creates a constantly changing performance throughout the day.
The “music” of this orchestra is the sound of the mountains themselves—the rush of water in the deep valleys, the whistle of the wind over the ridges, and the occasional rumble of distant rockfall. It is a powerful, primeval sound that forms the soundtrack to the hike through valleys like Varlossière and Nant Brun.
Navigating this terrain requires respect for its “brawny” nature. The trails are challenging, the weather can be formidable, and the scale is humbling. To hike here is to have a front-row seat to one of nature’s most dramatic and enduring performances, a symphony that resonates long after you’ve left the mountains.