Snowshoe across the Aravis

This snowshoe tour across the Aravis range, between Annecy lake and Arve valley, offers very diverse landscapes: from thin ridges to deep valleys filled with pine tree forests. In this specific atmosphere, on a technically easy itinerary, you will enjoy the breathtaking views on the Mont Blanc range. From the highest peaks, pointe Percée (2750 m) and Charvin (2400 m), you will discover a very colourful region, where the traditions still live through a real mountain agriculture, that shows off in the local architecture of high mountain villages.

Highlights • The hikes across the high plateaus of the Aravis, with breathtaking views on the surrounding ranges. • Preserved tradition in a wild region, a step away from Annecy lake. • The diversity of our lodgings, the people you'll meet and the local food.

Itinerary

D 1/ Sallanches - Les Pontets - Jaillet pass (1743 m) - le Plan - La Giettaz

Meeting at 10 am at Sallanches train station. After a short transfer to the starting point of our hike, we reach the Jaillet pass. This pass opens the way to the Aravis region. We leave the Mont Blanc behind, as wall as the Megève and Combloux resort, and start a long downhill in the Jaillet valley. Depending on the conditions we will hike up to l’Eperon (1778 m). A taxi will drive you back to your hotel. Night in the village of La Giettaz.
11 km. A: 850. D : 720 m.

D 2/ La Giettaz - chalet du Curé (1652 m) - Aravis pass (1486 m)

This hike under the steep peak of Etale (2483 m), one of the highjest in the Aravis, offers a great view from the Mont Blanc range to the Beaufortain and the Pierra Menta. Its a classical hike from the region and you may come across local fauna, to observe discreetly. We reach the Aravis pass (1486 m), lowest point in the range, and our hostel a little below.
8,5 km. A: 450 m. D : 750 m.

D 3/ Aravis d’en bas – Beauregard plateau - Saint-Jean-de-Sixt

The hike down to Le Planet, around the pointe de Merdassier (2313 m), is a good warm up. We hike in the forest up to the plateau where the panorama is beautiful. We pass by the pointe Beauregard and the cross country skiing slopes to leave the crowds behind.We can see our next hikes if the weather is clear. A nice hike down in the forest leads us the Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, typical village.
11 km. A: 400 m. D : 650 m.

D 4/ Le Chenaillon – Aiguille verte (2045 m) – Glières plateau

A taxi drives you to the Grand-Bornand resort, where the climb to  roc des Tours (1994 m) and pointe de l’Aiguille Verte (2045 m) starts. Wonderful overlokk on the whole Aravis range. Same way down to the trail that leads us to Chenaillon. At the end of the day, transfer to the Glières plateau, for the next two days. Night in a mountain hut.
9 km. A: 700 m. D : 700 m.

D 5/ Auberge des Glières - Champ-Laitier - Spée pass - Glières plateau

Protected area, the glières plateau offers great snowshoe itineraries. Your guide will choose the best option according to the weather, snow conditions and level of the group : la montagne Sous-Dine (2001 m), Spée pass (1688 m) through Sarrasins valley, etc. Back to the mountain hut.
14 km. A: 600 m. D : 520 m.

D 6/ Auberge des Glières - pas du Loup (1780 m) – La Buffaz pass - Thônes

After a short path on the plateau, you slowly hike up towards the Auges mountain (1822 m) to reach the pas du Loup (1790 m). The path gets easier and passes through the "chalets des Auges" to reach the Buffaz pass. Hike down in the valley between the Sapey ridge (1621 m) and the Grand Biollay, to Thuy. We wpend the night in Thônes, capital of the Aravis.
14 km. A: 450 m. D : 1180 m.

D 7/ Thônes - Nantets pass (1426 m) - La Côte - Annecy

Transfer to Montremont, where the hike up to Nantets pass starts. This path in the forest, between the Tournette and the dents de Lanfon leads to the other side of  the mountain, above Annecy. The view on the city and the lake is a great reward! Hike down in the snowy pastures to Verel. Last transfer early afternoon to Annecy, where you can take your time to visit "the Alps' Venice". End of the tour around 2 pm at Annecy train station.
7 km. A: 680 m. D : 520 m.

 

 

Overview • Duration: 7 days • Level: snowshoe level 4 • What you carry: your equipment for the day • Accomodations: hotel, hostel, mountain hut • Leader: english speaking hiking guide

 

PRICES

Group size	2	3	4	5	6 to 7	8 to 9	10 to 12
Price per person (euros)	1 775	1 345	1 115	995	895	795	745

 What's included:
— Experienced english speaking mountain guide.
— The collective security equipment.
— The individual equipment (snowshoes, walking poles, tranceiver).
— Full board from D 1 diner to D 7 lunch.
— Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary.
— Individual snacks for the hike.

  What's not included:
— The D 7 transfer from Annecy station to Sallanches.
— Insurance.
— Transportation to and from the meeting point.
— What is not mentioned in "what's included".

This program can be customized as you wish (duration, accomodations, itinerary...). Please contact us for more information.

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