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Walking holiday in the French Alps ➤ From Aravis to Lake Annecy

7 Days / 6 Nights
Challenging

This very special walking tour takes you around the most spectacular areas of the Aravis Mountains and to four of the most authentic villages: Grand Bornand, Chinaillon, Clusaz and St Jean de Sixt. You will also discover Talloires, close to the beautiful lake and town of Annecy.
During the trip, you can enjoy the truly magnificent scenery of the Aravis Mountains and the stunning views of the Aaravis massif while hiking along beautiful trails over lakes and in valleys.

The Aravis Mountains are part of the French Pre-Alps between the Beauges massif to the south and the Bornes massif to the north. Located in the very heart of Haute Savoie, close to Lake Annecy, Megève and Mont Blanc, the Aravis is without doubt one of the most charming mountain regions in France. The area is full of tradition, mountain people and is a dynamic place that has managed to keep up with the times while retaining its history.

The tour ends with the arrival at Lake Annecy, one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the Alps. The perfect end to a wonderful walking holiday in France.

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  • The authentic villages of Grand Bornand, Chinaillon, Clusaz and St Jean de Sixt
  • The magnificent French Alps
  • The stunning arrival at Lake Annecy - one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the Alps
  • The good food and friendly hospitality in the hotels

More about the route

Here you can see a map of the route

Itinerary

Here you can see the programme for the week.

You'll arrive in the authentic village of St Jean de Sixt, where you'll check into your first hotel and have time to explore. The hotel has a swimming pool, so a dip in the tub is also possible.

Hotel (example): Hôtel Beau Site***

 

Your first day's hike in the French Alps starts quietly with the trip to the Confins plateau. You have two options:
1. a circular walk via Tête du Danay (1731moh), past the Mouilles de la Perrière where you'll enjoy panoramic views of the Aravis Mountains to the east, Mont Lachat de Chatillion and the Bouchet Valley
2. a longer hike via Pointe de Beauregard, past the Lac de la Ferriaz lake and a descent towards La Clusaz via Le Plan.

You'll take a bus (ticket purchased locally) to Lac des Confins, where your hike starts. The hike takes in the high seats of the Confins plateau before finally reaching the Bouchet valley below the summit of Aravis itself - Pointe Percée (2750moh) and Pointe du Roulletaz (2077moh). The trail takes you over Borneronde and over the Annes Pass (1721moh) - where it's great to have lunch at the mountain hut. You then hike down to the small village of Chinaillon.

Hotel (example) Hôtel La Crémaillère***

Note: Today it is also possible to walk a slightly shorter route: approx. 5 hours, 14km, +600/-650)

From Chinaillon you hike up to the Guillery huts and then to Col de la Colombière (1607 metres above sea level). From the pass you can choose between two routes:

Pointe de Balafrasse: from here you hike up to the heart of the Bargy mountain range, first to Lake Peyre and then to the Balafrasse pass and Pointe de Balafrasse (2296 metres above sea level) where you can enjoy the picturesque views before descending the same way to Chinaillon.

La tête d'Auferrand: Hike up to the Tête d'Auferrand (1,981 metres above sea level), located just below the rugged peaks of Pointe de la Botte. Continue along the Combe des Fours ridge before descending to the Aufferand farm and Chinaillon.

Hotel (example): Hôtel La Crémaillère***

 

Today you'll hike the Aiguille verte ridge (2000moh) to Lake Lessy. The views from the Aiguille verte to the top of Aravis (Pointe Percée) are stunning. Cross the Forclaz pass and descend to the village of Mayse, where you'll find huts where you can buy snacks and drinks while the sheep graze around you. The stage continues with an ascent to the Planay Pass between Roc des Tours and Roc de Charmieux and then descends to Mouilles, Tannaz and Grand Bornand.

Hotel (example): Hôtel Les Glaïeuls**

Note: It is possible to take a shorter walking route today. This version takes approximately 4-5 hours (+470 / -650)

You'll start the day with an early transfer (18km) to Montremont (850 metres above sea level).

The first section of the hike goes via the Nantets Pass (1,426 metres above sea level) down to the base of Tourette and soon you'll enjoy the view of beautiful Lake Annecy in the heart of the mountains. From here, hike down to the bottom of Dents de Lanfon via the path that runs alongside the lake. Here you'll hike to Talloires near the lake.
There are several options for today's hike, from 4.5 to 6 hours and altitude metres from +600/-1000 to +850/-1270
Afterwards you can choose to take the boat (circuit omnibus) to Annecy, or the local bus. Tickets are bought locally and the boat's schedule must be checked on the day of the hike as it does not sail regularly throughout the season. It is also possible to continue hiking to Annecy.
We recommend exploring the many delicious restaurants in Annecy.

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 journey is now over. You will leave your last hotel during the morning. If you want extra nights after the tour, this is an option.

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

price includes

Extras
  • Packed lunch
  • Single room
  • Transport to France
  • Possible bus ticket to the Bluffy Pass
  • Ticket for the boat or bus from Talloires to Annecy
  • Dinner in Annecy
  • Administration fee (20 euro)
  • Travel and cancellation insurance

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about the trip
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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 in anything. Here's how:

  1. Choose your desired start date
  2. Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
  3. Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).

Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.

The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.

Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red 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:

  1. You book your chosen holiday with us
  2. We confirm your holiday (usually within 3-5 working days)
  3. 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

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. Dinner is included for five days and is omitted in Annecy because there are so many choices there. It is also possible to opt for a packed lunch on the booking form.

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.

The day trips described in the program are grade 3.

Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.

Read more about our grading system here.

Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.

See a map of the whole route

See the elevation profile

Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)

Travel Insurance In general we recommend that you are covered by a good travel insurance covering at least Medical Expenses, Illness, Personal Accident, Baggage and Repatriation. The customer is responsible to take the necessary travel insurance that covers these costs. Bering Travel, or our local partners, do not have any responsibility for our customers not being covered by a necessary travel insurance. You have to arrange your insurance in your home country.

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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