Travel across the Alps, meeting both the people and the 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.
1st section: Chablais, Haut Giffre, Aiguilles Rouges, Mont Blanc
This first section departs from the shores of Lake Geneva to Chamonix, the ice capital of the Alps. Discovering the Chablais mountains, UNESCO Global Geopark certified, with their characterful limestone relief and the green mountain pastures in Abondance ! The wild Dents Blanches massif opens the doors to the Faucigny region... a land of giant waterfalls, lapies, chasms and heavenly alpine plateaus. A few hours hike later and we are into the Aiguilles Rouges from where we will finally discover the Mont Blanc mountains with a spectaular display of glaciers and rocky spikes. To be continued…
You will like
Crossing mountain ranges with varied landscapes and geology
Rich ecosystems, abundant wildlife and valleys full of history
The beginning of a long-distance alpine trail which can be continued all the way to Nice in 4 weeks
Nights lulled to sleep by the sound of cow bells in alpine pasture chalets
Meet at 12:30pm in front of the Tourist Office in Thollon-les-Mémises or at 9:30am infront of Chamonix train station if you have chosen this option. A picnic lunch will be taken at the start of the walk.
PIC DES MEMISES - BALCON DU LEMAN
Take the cablecar and depart towards the balcony trail overlooking Lake Geneva. Picnic lunch and then cross the Mémises and the alpine pastures of Mottay before descending to the Novel valley. Night in a refuge in the pastures without luggage transfer. 3.5 hour walk / Elevation: +500m -550m / 8km
Day 2
BISE PASS - BISE VALLEY
From the refuge, climb to Lake Neuteu and the Bise pass. Short detour possible to the beautiful glacial Lake Darbon under the watchful eyes of the ibex! After having crossed the "Pas de la Bosse", long descent to reach Chapelle-d'Abondance. Nigth in an Auberge in the typical village of La Chapelle-d'Abondance. 6 hour walk / Elevation: +900 m -1400 m / 12km
Day 3
ABONDANCE - LAKE TAVANEUSE - LAC DE MONTRIOND
Short transfer. Climb to Lake Tavaneuse and to the mountain pass at 1997m. Descend through the pastures and the forest to Lake Montriond. Transfer to the Chardonnière refuge. Night in a dormitory. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +950 m -1050 m / 11km
Day 4
DENTS BLANCHES MASSIF - PAS AU TAUREAU
Climb to the Tête de Bostan facing the superb and wild Dents Blanches massif. Cross the Pas au Taureau (2555m) via a short cabled passage, then descend into the lunar-like valley of the Combe aux Puaires, an unusual area of lappiaz (eroded limestones). Night at the Vogealle refuge in a dormitory without luggage transfer. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +1300 m -750 m / 11km
Day 5
BOUT DU MONDE AND CIRQUE DU FER À CHEVAL
From the Vogealle refuge, a beautiful descent facing the Tenneverge cliffs and on to Bout du Monde, continuing to the amphitheatre at Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and its multiple waterfalls. Night in the village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. 6 hour walk / Elevation: +200 m -1250 m / 17km
Day 6
ANTERNE LAKE AND PASS
The day begins through the woods, alongside the Rouget, Pleureuse and Souffraz waterfalls. Climb to the Anterne pasture at the heart of the Sixt-Passy Nature Reserve, a wide high plateau where one of the most beautiful lakes in the area is nestled. Here is the kingdom of marmots and rare bearded vultures! Skimming stone contest followed by a short climb to the Anterne pass and descent to the Moëde-Anterne refuge. Night in dormitory without luggage transfer and without shower. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +1550 m -400 m /15km
Day 7
ENVERS DU BREVENT - CHAMONIX
Short descent towards the Arlevé bridge. Here the landscape changes, the Fiz limestones give way to the red rocks of the Aiguilles Rouges range. Climb up to the Brévent pass (2368m) then descend to Planpraz to take the gondola down to Chamonix. 5 hour walk / Elevation: +750 m -750 m / 10km
End point around 2:30pm in Chamonix.
The trip
LEVEL ***
Elevation: +/- 700m to 1300m per day. Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day. Type of trek: mountain trails with some well-equipped aerial sections.
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
Please note: some névés will be present on the paths until the end of June, particularly on the North slopes. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are essential. Be prepared!
GUIDING
Group from 6 to 14 people supervised by a qualified mountain leader. The mountain leader may adapt the programme to suit the level of the group and/or the natural conditions. As a last resort, he is the sole decision-maker.
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.
ACCOMMODATION
6 nights in refuges and gîtes.
MEALS
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are included and are carefully daily prepared by your guide, including a variety of 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.
MAPS
IGN Top 25 - 3528ET/ Morzine and Top 25 - 3530ET/ Samoëns (1/25 000).
Practical information
ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT
Meeting point at 12:30pm in front of Thollon-les-Mémises Tourist Office. A picnic lunch will be taken at the start of the walk.
If you wish, we can pick you up in Chamonix and transfer you to the departure point in Thollon-les-Mémises; optional service costing 50€ per person, to be booked on registration. Meet, with your baggage, at 8.45am at the Prarion cablecar carpark (in front of the bakery, free car park) or at 9:30am in front of Chamonix train station.
BY TRAIN Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) TGV Paris/Bellegarde/Evian There are regular buses from Evian to Thollon Les Mémises (40mins) www.thollonlesmemises.com Return train, the day after : depart Chamonix at 11:57am arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 5:42pm. Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on www.oui.sncf
BY CAR Take the A40 motorway to Annemasse, free parking and bus sat-leman ligne-141-evian-annemasse or train to Evian-les-Bains, then to Thollon-les-Mémises thollonlesmemises. Return: By train from Chamonix to Annemasse, then Thonon / Evian www.oui.sncf For your car: free parking in Thollon-les-Mémises, Chamonix and Annemasse. Chamonix, free parking at the Biolay car park opposite the Montenvers train station or if you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact: Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71.
Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
1 change of clothes for the evening
A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening
Other Equipment
Toilet bag
Quick drying towel
Sunglasses and sun cream
Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
Knife, fork and spoon
Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches (0.40L to 0.50L)
Plastic cup for coffee
Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
Survival blanket
Head torch or hand torch
Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
Identity card or passport
BACKPACK
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.
BAGGAGE TRANSPORT
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, 4 and 6, 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!
YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHTS WITHOUT LUGGAGE
On nights 1, 4 et 6, 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!):
small toiletries bag
sleeping bag liner sheet
change of clothes for the day after (bare necessities!) and comfortable for the evening.
7 Days
Guided / with a guide
With baggage transportation
Classic (dormitory)
Level *** 
From 920 €
Next departure on 27/07/25
