• Alpine Adventure: Chamonix to Briancon

• (Part 2 of a trek from Lake Geneva to Nice along the length of the French Alps)

• Everyday except Thursday (subject to availability) from 17 June to 17 September

• From £1280 per person
• From €1425 per person
• Option of booking extra night at Nevache or Briancon at end of walk (not in above price)

• From £985 per person
• From €1100 per person

• 7 nights, 7 days self-guided mountain walking moving between gites, auberges, hotels and refuges

• 2nd leg of a trek along the full length of the French Alps from Lake Geneva to Nice
• Superb panoramic views of Mont Blanc
• Getting up close to the immense glaciers coming down from Mont Blanc
• Discover the Vanoise National Park with its rugged summits

• You’ll be staying in private rooms for 2 in gites, auberges, hotels and refuges, except for one night where there is no choice but to stay in a shared dormiotory. You’ll be served wholesome local cuisine. All evening meals are included in your holiday price.

• 7 night’s half board accommodation in gites, auberges, hotels and refuges with private rooms (except one night in dormitories); taxi transfers on day 1, and 2 other small transfers; detailed walking notes and walking maps, 1 cable car trip, transport of luggage between accommodation.

• Travel to Chamonix at start of walking holiday and from Briancon at end of holiday; drinks with evening meals, lunches, travel insurance, anything else not listed above

• See other similar holidays:
• All other mountain walking holidays - Alpine Adventure Lake Geneva to Chamonix - Tour of Queyras - Tour of Vanoise - Marvels of Mercantour - Tour of Ubaye

Walking Profile

7 days self-guided walking between accommodation. Walking per day amounts to an average of 5 - 7hrs walking and 870m of ascent and descent. Maximum altitude gain: 1100m. The walk follows the GR5 for the most part, but there are variations proposed in order to avoid ski areas. The walks take place on paths, although they are mountainous and rocky in nature. You should have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable with walking on mountainous terrain with a good head for heights.

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival at Chamonix. Night in hotel

Day 2: Chamonix - Bionnassay (1350m)

Your self guided walking holiday starts by the southern balcony trail facing Mont Blanc and its famous jagged peaks (aiguilles). This takes you to Les Houches from where you'll take the Bellevue cable car. A path which follows the mountain side will then take you to the snout of the Bionnassay glacier. Night at Bionnassay above the Contamines Montjoie Valley. + 630 m ; - 1160 m; 15km; 5hr 30

Day 3: Bionnassay (1350m) - Nant Borrand (1430m)

After descending towards la Gruvaz your walking trail then climbs the Contamines Valley. We also offer a variation which goes via the Alpages (alpine meadows) of Miage (1559m), a wonderful spot at the foot of the Domes de Miage, as well as passing by the Plateau du Turc before descending to Les Contamines-Montjoie. Your day finishes in the Nature Reserve of Contamines-Montjoie where vehicules can only enter before 7am or after 7pm. Hence you will only get your bags at 7.30pm. + 970m ; - 830 m; 18km; 6hr 15

Day 4: Nant Borrand (1430m) - Plan de la Lai (1818m)

A truly alpine day with the ascension of two cols during the course of your walk. You'll discover the quiet alpine meadows of Balme before reaching Col du Bonhomme (2329m) as you enter Beaufortain, famous for its cheese. You'll then undertake a gentle traverse climbing gradually to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2479m). You'll then follow a spectacular ridge (Crete des gites) with great panoramic views, including views back to Mont Blanc, before descending to Plan de la Lai. Transfer to auberge at Cornet de Roselend. + 1020m ; -665 m; 12km; 5hr 30

Day 5: Plan de la Lai - Valezan (1186m) - Pralognan (1710m)

Your day starts by a balcony trail above the reservoir of Roselend through alpine pastures. After crossing the Treicol stream you'll climb to Col du Bresson (2469m) dominated by the spectacular summit of Pierra Menta. The descent to the Tarentaise Valley follows the Ormente mountain torrent and then the sunny side of the mountain. Transfer by taxi between Valezan and Pralognan la Vanoise. + 895m ; -1553m; 16km; 6hr 30

Day 6: Pralognan (1710m) - Orgere (1889m)

You'll climb the beautiful Chaviere Valley to climb past the refuge at Roc de la Peche. After an easy walk along this huge glaciated valley you'll start your climb towards the Col de Chaviere (2796m). On the way you can take a small detour to the beautiful Lac Blanc located in a wonderful setting below the Col du Souffre surrounding by peaks capped with glaciers. Your descent is dominated by the glacier de la Masse on your left. Descend past Lac de la Partie before heading through pasture to reach Orgere on the edge of the Vanoise National Park. + 1086m ; -910m; 15km; 6hr

Day 7: Val Frejus (1829m) - Vallee Etroite (1785m)

Transfer by taxi to Val Frejus on the other side of the Arc Valley. Your walking trail starts in forest, than passes old military installations before joining Combes de Roches. The Col de la Vallee Etroite takes you into the southern Alps where the vegetation and the light is no longer the same. In addition, this valley has a strong Italian influence. + 610m ; -630m; 11km; 5hr

There are several different options possible on this day including going via the Refuge Mont Thabor and the Marguerite lakes (+100m)

Day 8: Vallee Etroite (1785m) - Nevache (1600m)

After a night spent at the foot of the mountains: Pointes Gaspard, Melchior and Balthazar, you'll climb progressively towards Col des Thures, passing Lac Chavillon in a magnificent setting. The rest of the day is just as pretty as you cross the Thures Valley and descend through beautiful larch forest with rock pinnacles to reach the hamlet of Roubion. + 410m ; -600m; 8km; 5hr

Two variations are possibles going via Lac Bellety (+100m) or climbing to the summit of Aiguille Rouge (+500m)

Take the shuttle bus to reach the train station in Briancon or Bardoneccia station in Italy for TGV train to Paris.

Holiday ends after walk on day 8 or book extra night's accommodation in Nevache or Briancon. Also possible to book the next leg of the walking holiday from Briancon to Nice to continue the trek.