The Aiguilles d'Arves sit between the Savoie and the Hautes-Alpes, alone between the Vanoise and the Ecrins. There is no official GR route around them and few refuges have been built to accommodate hikers. There are therefore wide open spaces lost between glaciers, mountain pastures and lunar valleys. This circuit offers an unusual tour of the Aiguilles d'Arves with, on the programme, long panoramic ridges, authentic villages, wild lakes facing the Ecrins and high passes.
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The price includes:
The price does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
Personalised tour available
Contact us !Meeting point in Valloire at 8h30, bus transfert to Bonnenuit.
COL DU GOLEON – REFUGE DU GOLEON
Departure from the Valloirette valley and ascent of the col du Goléon (2873m) by a small path. The view opens up on the north faces of the Meije, the Râteau and the Girose glacier. Descent in a steep slope but with a good path to the Goléon lake and its refuge.
Night at the refuge, in a dormitory without luggage.
5h30 walk / Elevation : +1150m -450m 10km
LE SIGNAL DE LA GRAVE – LE CHAZELET
After a short passage in the Goléon valley and the old Carreau refuge, climb to the Cruq des Aiguilles and its view of the Aiguilles d'Arves. The path continues through the mountain pastures to the Signal de la Grave. Descent to Le Chazelet, one of the hamlets of the village of La Grave, classified among the most beautiful in France.
Night in the lodge, in a room with luggage.
5h00 walk / Elevation : +350 -1050m 10km
PLATEAU D’EMPARIS – REFUGE DU PIC DU MAS DE LA GRAVE
A short climb reachs the Emparis plateau, a large steppe with a Mongolian feel, with a panorama of the Meije and its glaciers. The path joins Lac Lérié and then Lac Noir for a contemplative break. Arrival at the end of the day at the comfortable Refuge du Pic du mas de la Grave.
Night at the refuge, in a dormitory without luggage.
7 hours walk / Elevation : +950m -800m 18km
COL DE MARTIGNARE – PLATEAU DE MONTROND
Superb wild day! Early departure for the Buffe ridge which reachs the Martignare pass and then the Savoie. The whole day is spent off-piste or on small paths. Descent in the Valfroide valley facing the Aiguilles d'Arves and ascent to the Basse du Gerbier, at the foot of the peaks. It's time to find the path that descends quietly to the Chalet d'la Croë and its unusual domes.
Night in one of the domes with the luggage.
7h30 walk / Elevation : +1450m -1350m 15km
COL D’EMY - ALBANNE
The day begins with a short descent through the Montrond pastures. Climb up to the Emy pass and the possibility to climb the nearby Emy peak. Descent to Albanne, a typical Maurienne village.
Night in the lodge with luggage.
6h30 walk / Elevation : +1000m -1450m 14km
+1 hour walk / Elevation : +/- 100m for the Emy peak
ALBANNETTE – PAIN DE SUCRE – VALLOIRE
After a passage to the Pis waterfall and the old Albanne mills, we arrive at the hamlet of Albannette, its pedestrian streets and its chapel. Climb up to the big 600 year old larch tree, a contemporary of the Hundred Year's War! The path joins the Pain de Sucre and its viewpoint before descending to Valloire.
4h30 walk / Elevation : +650m -850m 9km
End of the tour around 3:00PM in Valloire.
The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, unknown factors and situations beyond our control can affect this itinerary and may change the route, timings etc.
Elevation: from 600m to 1400m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Mountain paths, few screes and few days off-trail in mountain pastures.
You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 3 to 4 hours a week.
Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: levels of difficulty
Number in a group between 6 -12 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader.
It is usual to tip your guide at the end of the trek, according to your satisfaction. It is not mandatory but, it is very appreciated.
6 nights in dormitory
All accommodation has hot showers.
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your mountain leader, comprising a variety of a healthy salads and local products.
Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking.
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.
IGN Top 25 - 3435 ET - VALLOIRE
Meeting point at 8.00 am in Valloire, at the carpark located at the foot of Crêt-de-la-Brive cable car.
BY TRAIN / BUS
Inbound: departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 12:45pm (or 12:11pm) arrival in Chamonix at 7:48pm (6:48pm).
Night bus: departure from Paris Bercy Gare at 11:20pm, arrive at Lyon Perrache at 5:15am, connection at 6:00am, arrival in Chamonix at 9:35am.
www.oui.sncf
There are regular buses throughout the whole Chamonix valley - with an hourly bus service between Les Houches and Montroc-le-Planet.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
Return night train: in progress...
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or on the SNCF website.
BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix, follow the main road towards Argentière and Switzerland to the village of Montroc (1km after Argentière) or exit at Les Houches, Bellevue/Prarion.
There is ample parking at the meeting point in Montroc-le-Planet or in the village of Le Tour 1km away.
If you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact:
Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week).
The easiest option for your return is to leave your car at the end point of the tour at the Prarion gondola in the village of Les Houches and take the bus to the meeting point in Montroc-le-Planet.
CAR-SHARING
Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations: www.blablacar.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)
2h15 by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4h15 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 Saturday at 4:00pm at the bottom of the Prarion gondola in Les Houches.
At the end of the tour the way back to the departure point in Montroc-le-Planet is easy via bus.
By request we can book a bedroom for you before and/or after your tour.
Les Houches :Hôtel St Antoine: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 10 www.hotelsaintantoine.com Hôtel les Campanules: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 71 www.hotel-campanules.com
Hôtel les Mélèzes: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 09 www.hotellesmelezes.com
Le Tour : Chalet Alpin: +33 (0)4 50 54 04 16
Chamonix Tourist Office : +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24 www.chamonix.com
If you book a night in the Chamonix valley, ask the hotel reception for a bus/train pass to use public transport for free in the Chamonix valley. www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible: +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.
You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported daily, except days 1 and 3, between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs!
On nights 1 and 3, your luggage won't be dropped off at your accommodation (you will get it back the day after). Here are the things to bring with you (about 2 kilos are enough!):