The route
The route takes you through a varied Alpine landscape of green valleys, high mountain pastures, mountain passes and beautiful views. You mainly walk on mountain trails and gravel tracks, with several stages involving long ascents and descents. Along the way, you cross the Aravis and Bargy mountains and walk along the Aiguille Verte ridge. A good level of fitness and sure-footedness on hilly mountain terrain are therefore recommended.
Itinerary
Arrive in St Jean de Sixt, a traditional mountain village in the heart of the Aravis. After checking in, you have the rest of the day to explore the village, enjoy the surroundings or simply settle in before the walking begins.
Your hotel is set in peaceful surroundings and has a swimming pool, making this a relaxed start to the week.
Hotel (example): Hôtel Beau Site***
Your first walking day leads you into the open landscapes around the Confins plateau. The route climbs via Tête du Danay at 1,731 metres, passing through mountain pastures and offering fine views across the Aravis range, Mont Lachat de Châtillon and the Bouchet Valley.
From the higher ground, you continue through the mountain landscape before descending towards La Clusaz, where you spend the night.
An alternative route via Pointe de Beauregard is also possible. This option is approximately 14 km and has slightly less ascent.
Hotel (example): Hotel la Montagne
The day begins with a public bus to Lac des Confins, where the walk starts (not included). From Lac des Confins, you walk beneath Pointe Percée, the highest summit in the Aravis range, and continue through the impressive Bouchet Valley towards the mountain passes of Borneronde and Annes.
At Col des Annes, you can stop at the mountain hut before beginning the descent towards Chinaillon. The final section passes beneath the surrounding ridges before reaching the village.
A slightly easier route of approximately 15 km is also possible, with less ascent and descent.
Hotel (example) Hôtel La Crémaillère***
Today you can choose between two rewarding hikes from Chinaillon. Both routes begin with an ascent past the Guillery chalets to the Col de la Colombière at 1,607 metres.
Pointe de Balafrasse
From the pass, the trail continues into the Bargy mountains, passing Lac de Peyre before climbing to the Col de Balafrasse and finally the Pointe de Balafrasse at 2,296 metres. From the summit, you are rewarded with impressive views across the surrounding peaks before returning to Chinaillon along the same route.
Approx. 13 km | +1,000 m / -1,000 m
Tête d’Auferrand
This option is more demanding and is best suited to experienced walkers who are confident on steep mountain terrain. The route climbs towards Pointe de la Botte and continues across the alpine pastures below Tête d’Auferrand at 1,981 metres. You then follow the ridge through Combe des Fours before descending via the Aufferand farm and returning to Chinaillon. Some sections can be steep and slippery, so this route should not be attempted in poor weather.
Approx. 13 km | +750 m / -750 m
Hotel (example): Hôtel La Crémaillère***
Today’s walk takes you towards the Aiguille Verte ridge at around 2,000 metres and past Lake Lessy, with wide views towards Pointe Percée and the surrounding Aravis peaks. The route continues across Col de Forclaz before descending to the small mountain settlement of Mayse.
From here, you climb once more towards Col de Planay before the final descent through the mountain landscape towards Grand Bornand. It is one of the longer stages of the week, but there are no technical difficulties.
A shorter and easier route is also possible today, with significantly less ascent and descent.
Hotel (example): Hôtel Les Glaïeuls
An included transfer takes you to Montremont, where the final main walking stage begins. The route climbs towards Col des Nantets, where the first views of Lake Annecy appear below, before continuing down through the mountains towards Talloires on the lakeshore.
From Talloires, you continue to Annecy by public boat or bus. This journey is not included and is paid locally. There are several walking options today, with the longest route taking around 6 hours.
Hotel (example): Hôtel Mercure City****
Note: If you choose to hike all the way to Annecy, this section will be extra, regardless of the route you choose for today's stage.
It's about 13 kilometres from Talloires to Annecy and you just follow the lake around.
The tour ends after breakfast in Annecy. You can then begin your onward journey or spend a little more time enjoying the old town and the lake before departure.
If you would like one final walk, an optional route leads from Col de Bluffy across Mont Barret, Mont Baron and Mont Veyrier before descending towards Lake Annecy. The public bus to Col de Bluffy is not included.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
price includes
ACCOMMODATION
- 6 nights in 2–4-star hotels
FOOD & DRINKS
- Breakfast every day
- 4 dinners (not included in Annecy and La Clusaz)
HIKING
- 5 days of hiking (approx. 69 km in total)
- Detailed descriptions of the carefully selected routes (route maps, route descriptions, information about relevant tourist attractions, and important phone numbers – in English)
- Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline (one access per person)
- Option to receive GPX files for use in your own GPS
TRANSPORT
- Luggage transfer between the hotels
- Transfer from Thônes to Montremont
OTHER
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
GENERAL
- Transport to/from France
- Handling fee (€25)
- Travel insurance
REQUIRED AND PAID LOCALLY
- Possible bus ticket to Bluffy Pass
- Ticket for the boat or bus from Talloires to Annecy
OPTIONAL
The following can be selected in the booking form, when you book the tour.
- Private transfer to and from Geneva Airport
Use the button "Calculate price" on this page to see what the tour will cost with your wanted inclusions.
PARKING
It is possible to park at the first hotel or nearby. Parking cannot be reserved in advance and must be arranged directly with the hotel (expect a cost of approximately €10–20 per day).
Practical information
Hiking in mountainous terrain such as the Dolomites and the Alps requires good preparation and respect for nature.
- Be in basic good physical shape before the trip
- Wear proper hiking shoes or boots
- Bring plenty of water and some food or snacks for the hike
- Dress appropriately for the conditions
- Use the provided map or GPS information (for example via the Bering Travel app) and stay on marked trails
- Bring a fully charged phone and a power bank
- Always check the weather forecast and the route before setting out as conditions can change quickly and your own safety should always come before reaching impressive viewpoints
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
- Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
- See the price
Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.
The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.
Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Geneva are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 3-5 working days)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
Public transport from Geneva
Taxi: A taxi from Geneva Airport to St Jean de Sixt costs approximately €300 each way. If you arrive on Sunday or after 18:00, a taxi costs around 380 euros each way
Train: From the airport, you can take a train or bus to Annecy and then take a taxi to St Jean de Sixt. In July and August, it's possible to take a bus from Annecy to St Jean de Sixt,
On this tour you will stay in hotels all the way. It will be 2-star hotels, 3-star hotel in St Jean de Sixt, Le Chinaillon and Thônes and 3- or 4-star hotel in Annecy.
The first hotel in St Jean de Sixt has a swimming pool. Lake Annecy is one of the cleanest lakes in France and there is a beach.
In the itinerary you can see examples of the hotels we mostly use on this trip. If there are no vacancies in the hotels when you book the trip, we will book hotels of equivalent quality.
Breakfast is included every day. For lunch, you can use the Bering Travel app to get an overview of places to eat along each day’s route. You can also buy provisions in the towns along the way or ask your hotel whether they can prepare a packed lunch for you.
Dinner is included on four evenings. In La Clusaz and Annecy, your stay is on a bed and breakfast basis, so you are free to choose where you would like to eat in the evening. Drinks are not included.
Local specialities
The cuisine of Haute-Savoie is closely tied to the mountains and is known for rich, comforting dishes based on local cheese, potatoes and cured meats. Typical specialities include tartiflette with Reblochon cheese, Savoyard fondue, raclette and crozets, the small square pasta traditional to the region. You may also come across local cheeses such as Reblochon, Tomme de Savoie and Abondance, as well as diots, traditional Savoy sausages.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 15kg each.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
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When you book a trip with us, we plant a tree in Kenya.
Bering Travel partners with Growing Trees Network, which has been planting trees in Kenya since 2020 in collaboration with Seniorer uden Grænser (Seniors Without Borders). The trees are planted with small-scale local farmers in the Mount Kenya region, as well as at schools, where the fruit helps supplement students’ diets and is incorporated into their learning.
The trees are planted using the shamba method – a sustainable approach that combines reforestation with agricultural crops. This keeps the soil covered with vegetation throughout the year, helping to prevent nutrient loss and reduce erosion.
The contribution to tree planting comes directly from Bering Travel’s own earnings and is not added to the price of your trip.
This initiative is not intended as a carbon offset for travel, but as a way to make a positive contribution.
"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"