The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: around +/- 600m to 1200m per day.
Walking time: 5 to 6h30 per day.
Type of trek: mountain itinerary on marked trails. An easy cabled passage on day 4, in a crossing, can be avoided with a little more ascent.

You need to be in good physical condition and mentally fit for long efforts. Regularly practice an endurance sport such as walking, running or cycling, for 3 to 4 hours a week. Your physical preparation will make your trek easier and more enjoyable. Click here for a description of the different levels: hiking level.

The route in general is well indicated, and the Roadbook provided sufficiently complete to allow you to hike in complete safety. However, it is essential to be able to read an 1:25,000 map and to be sufficiently autonomous in the mountains to be able to tackle the itinerary with confidence, whatever the weather (fog, snow, etc.). Guiding is not included in the self-guided package.
You will be crossing areas with no telephone network. For your own safety, you may wish to bring along a radio or the latest generation telephone with a satellite connection.

ROAD BOOK

One month prior to departure, we will send you your travel documents. We offer two roadbook versions:
The "paper" version we send by post:
- 2 IGN TOP 25 maps with route layout
- 1 road book with all the necessary information for the hike
- 1 card holder
- The list of accommodations.
The "digital" version is an application to download on your smartphone, accessible to each of the participants of the file. The information for downloading and using it is sent by e-mail.

TRAIL MARKERS

In France, the Grande Randonnée trails are signposted in red and white (in both directions). It is essential to be able to read a 1:25,000 scale IGN map.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

Two options:
Without luggage transfer : you carry all your luggage.
With luggage transfer : your luggage is delivered to your accommodation each day, except on days 1, 4, 6, 11 and 12.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC
12 nights in a dormitory, in refuge or gite.
1 night in a 2 to 3-person bedroom, in hotel.                       
COMFORT
12 nights in a 2 or 3-person bedroom in refuge, gite or hotel.
1 night in dormitory, in refuge.
Accommodation on the GTA is often small mountain hotels and rustic gites. This ‘comfort’ option consists above all in being able to sleep in a private space, rather than in a dormitory.

CURRENCY

Please bring cash for your personal expenses, some accommodations don't accept credit card.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accommodation in the evening. 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

Depart from Thollon-les-Mémises tourist Office.

BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) TGV Paris/Bellegarde/Evian.
There are regular buses from Evian to Thollon Les Mémises : https://www.evad.fr/line/navette-thollon/
Return : TGV line Chamonix/Paris or depart Modane/Paris
Please check timetable on www.oui.sncf

BY CAR     
The most comfortable :
Getting there: A40 freeway, Annemasse exit, free parking, or Bellegarde exit, parking next to the station, paying and bookable in advance.
Then train or bus to Evian and bus to Thollon-les-Mémises.
Return from Chamonix to Annemasse by train and bus from Annemasse to Evian. See the SAT website.
Or
Transfer by cab before or after your hike. Thollon free parking. Annemasse free parking. Chamonix free parking.

CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA) - Lyon (LYS) - Paris (PAR)

End of the tour around 5pm at Modane train station. Feel free to visit the town's museums while waiting for the train.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Thollon Les Mémises
Evian-les-Bains: www.evian-tourisme.com
Chamonix Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24 www.chamonix.com
If you book a night in the Chamonix valley, you can ask to your hotel reception a bus/ train pass so you can use public transports for free in the Chamonix valley.

TO CONTACT US

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

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Lightweight jacket
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• 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.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your luggage will be transported daily, except on days 1, 4, 6, 11 and 12, and the access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHTS WITHOUT LUGGAGE TRANSFER

On nights 1, 4, 6, 11 and 12, your luggage won't be delivered at your accommodation. Here are the things to bring with you in your backpack (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.