Cross the Alps meeting people and mountains... The Grande Traversée des Alpes (GTA) between Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean is a long-distance hike. The opportunity to take a long break and put daily life aside.
This itinerary runs along the Swiss and Italian borders while crossing five counties and some of the most famous mountain ranges in the Alps.
2nd section: Mont-Blanc, Beaufortain, Vanoise
This section leads from the giant glaciers of the Mont-Blanc massif to those equally imposing of the Domes de la Vanoise. On our way, collections of milk cans remind us of the authenticity of farming life in the Beaufortain pastures and then on the Vanoise the first National Park in France, created in 1963, land of ibex and marmots.
One of the benefits of being with a guide is the opportunity to discover some beautiful variants and mountain passes stress-free! The chance to feel alone in the world, in the vast preserved Beaufortain and Vanoise areas.
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Link up the differents sections of the GTA with a free night stay in a hotel on a B&B basis between 2 sections (based on a 2 or 3 person bedroom).
The price includes:
The price does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
Personalised tour available
Contact us !Meet at 9:30am at Bellevue cable car in Les Houches.
LES HOUCHES - LES CONTAMINES
Take the cable car and depart on foot from 1800m. Crossing to the foot of the Bionnassay Glacier before climbing to the Tricot pass. Descend to the Miage chalets and on to Les Contamines.
Night in a small dormitory in a village gîte.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +650m -1300m
COL DE LA CROIX DU BONHOMME - CORMET DE ROSELEND
Climb via the Roman road to the famous mountain pass, Col du Bonhomme. Descend via the Crête des Gittes and the vast Beaufortain pastures to arrive at Plan de la Lai. Night in a dormitory above Lake Roselend.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1350m ; -750m
FROM THE FOOT OF PIERRA MENTA TO PORTE DE ROSUEL
Balcony trail overlooking Lake Roselend and climb to the Bresson pass (2469m) at the foot of the Pierra Menta mountain. Descend through the Ormette valley and alongside small water channels in the hamlets to reach Valezan, part of the Tarentaise valley. Taxi transfer to Peisey Nancroix and La Porte de Rosuel.
Night in a dormitory in a refuge.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1050m -1650m
COL DU PLAN SERY - CHAMPAGNY LE HAUT
Enter into the Vanoise National Park at the foot of Mont Pourri and Dôme de la Sache. After the lake of La Plagne, the ascent of the Plan Séry pass leads into the Vallaisonnay valley and its amazing geology. A final descent along the Py waterfall to the various hamlets of the Champagny valley.
Night in a lodge in Champagny-le-haut, with luggage.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1050m -1150m
TOUR DU MERLE - REFUGE DU GRAND BEC
The hike starts in a large spruce forest, the path rises to pass through all levels of vegetation until it reaches the Grand Bec refuge. Set on its promontory, it enjoys a large view of the glaciers above and the Pralognan valley below. Possibility to go through the very alpine col des Galinettes (2750m) depending on the conditions.
Night in a dormitory in the refuge without luggage and without showers.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1250m -300m
Add +/-100m by the col des Galinettes
COL DE LESCHAUX - LES PRIOUX
After leaving the refuge begins a wild traverse to the Col de Leschaux. From there the path goes on a balcony with the Vanoise glaciers and the Grande Casse (3855 m) in sight. The path is impressive but well marked and chained to the famous Lac des Vaches. A final descent takes you to the village of Pralognan. From the Col de Leschaux a second route allows you to avoid the balcony path in case of bad weather.
Night in a dormitory in refuge.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1000m -1800m
CHAVIÈRE PASS - MAURIENNE VALLEY
Climb Chavière valley dominated by the Domes de la Vanoise in a lunar landscape punctuated by cairn forests (piles of stones). The Aiguilles de Péclet-Polset indicate the nearby Chavière Pass. Descend into the Maurienne Valley through the pastures. Short transfer to Modane from Porte de l'Orgère.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1150m -950m
End point around 4:00pm at Modane train station.
Elevation: + 950m -1100m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: mountain route on trails with some well equipped aerial sections.
Group from 6 to 14 people supervised by a guide.
CLASSIC: 5 nights in refuges, gîtes, 1 night in a hotel.
All accommodation offers hot showers.
For the night without your baggage at the accommodation (you will get it back the night after), here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your guide and include a variety of healthy salads and local products.
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.
To be able to easily walk 15km (on flat trails) in 3 hours maximum.
If this is not the case, at least 3 weeks before departure, 2 to 3 times a week, we advise you to undertake some prior fitness training: 4 to 5km of jogging or 3 to 4 hours hiking or cycling. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
IGN Top25 3531 ET St-Gervais ;
IGN Top25 3532 OT Beaufortain ;
IGN Top25 3532 ET Les Arcs ;
IGN Top25 3633 ET Tignes ;
IGN Top25 3534 OT Trois Vallées.
From mid-June to mid-September.
Meeting point at 9:30am at the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches. Regular buses across the village.
BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) - St-Gervais-le Fayet by TGV, then to Les Houches on the Mont Blanc Express.
Return: Modane - Chamonix via Chambery.
www.oui.sncf
BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway direction Chamonix, exit 21 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains.
Free parking near the train station. Then train to Les Houches on the Mont Blanc Express.
Return: Modane - Saint-Gervais-le-Fayet via Chambery on train www.oui.sncf
In option: return transfer from Modane to Les Houches. Book on registration: 50€ per person.
CAR-SHARING Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations: www.blablacar.fr www.covoiturage-libre.fr www.laroueverte.com www.roulezmalin.com
CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA)
1 hour by car to Chamonix.
Bus and minibus services direct to your accommodation (25-35€ pp each way)
Lyon (LYS)
2.15 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4.15 hour journey (40-45€ pp return)
Paris (PAR)
7 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix / 5-6 hour journey (80-120€ pp return)
End point around 4:00pm at Modane train station. Do not hesitate to visit the museums in Modane whilst waiting for the train.
Saint-Gervais
www.saintgervais.com
Chamonix
www.chamonix.com
Modane
www.terramodana.com
In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. In no case can we be responsible for your own Personal Liability. If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.
Our insurance can only be sold to European citizens speaking French.
Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.
If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Clothing
Other Equipment
Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.
Your baggage will be transported daily (except Day 5) between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 10kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!
If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.