Aravis to Annecy self guided tour (France)
The massif of Aravis gives an ideal picture of the mountain, livened up with chalets, disseminated chapels
Aravis is part of the chain of calcareous PreAlps, between the massif of Bauges in the south and that of the Demarcations in the north. In the middle of the Haute Savoie, very close to the lake of Annecy, Megève and the Mont Blanc, it is one of the most engaging massifs a country of mountain traditions, a dynamic country which knew how to keep undamaged its architectural integrity and which reserves for us splendid and various walking.
Tour highlights:
♦ Panoramic and varied;
♦ Grand Bornand - is a summer and winter resort which developed around an old village;
♦ Annecy - is the Venice of Savoie -- a well deserved title. The medieval town centre built around a 14th Century Chateau is dissected by small canals and streams running out of Lac Annecy, which is clean, fresh and a wonderful azure colour;
♦ The lake of Annecy - one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Alps;
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival in Saint Jean de Sixt
An authentic village of the Aravis. Accommodation in the hotel, Particularly calm and with a nice view. You will also be able to use the swimming pool or to go around in the village. Option: visit of firm “ Milk and bouses ”.
Day 2. St Jean de Sixt - Les Confins
The route takes you gently, up to The Plateau des Confins:
Option 1 - and La Clusaz, by the Mouilles de la Perrière (1368 m). 3 hrs, +500 m;
Option 2 - by way of les Mouilles de la Perrière and the top of Tete de Danay (1731m) with a very nice panorama on the chain of Aravis in the East and on the Mount Lachat de Chatillon and the valley of Bouchet. 4 h 30, + 850m, - 350m.
Day 3. Plateau des Confins - Chinaillon
Follow the track upwards to the valley of Bouchet to the nice circus, under the top Percée (2750m) and the top of Roulletaz (2077m). The track short-circuits some sections of mountain to cross easy the passage of Borneronde, then the passage of Annes (1721m). Then descent towards Chinaillon hamlet under the crests of the Pointes d’Almet, de Grande Combe and the Pointe de Deux Heures. 6 hrs, + 400 m, -450 m.
Day 4. Chinaillon - Grand Bornand
Two routes to choose from:
Option 1 - Easy: - taken up by the track you’ll discover Alpages de Samance and then descent to the old village by Chinaillon, Bouvardière. Then you will go easy up under the Rock of Charmieux to rise towards the alpage of Tannaz. Descent then along the rocks of Forclaz to the village of Grand Bornand. 4 - 5h, + 470m, - 650m.
The first option can be shortened with 1 h 30.
Option 2 - For medium walker to good walker: up by the crest of l’Aiguille verte (2000m) and the lake of Lessy. There is splendid view from l’Aiguille verte on the summit of Aravis (la Pointe Percée) and Mont Blanc. Continue up the passage of Planay and go down to join the route which will take you progressively towards the village of Grand Bornand. 6h - 6h 30min, 1000m - 1100m.
Day 5. Grand Bornand - Thones
There are 2 routes to Thônes:
Option 1 - You will join St Jean de Sixt by little alpages of Pochons et des Frasses, (230m, - 230m, about 1 h 45) or you will take the regular bus to St Jean de Sixt (2,5km) then on foot to Thones passing by Alpages le Mont, les Fours and Fételay. Nice views on the massif of Tournette. + 3h30 - 4h from St Jean de Sixt, + 400m, - 700m.
Option 2 - Longer, but not more difficult: you will join St Jean de Sixt by little alpages of Pochons et des Frasses (230m, - 230m, about 1 h 45), then you will go up on the tray of Beauregard. + 4 h 30 – 5h 30 from St Jean de Sixt, 700m, - 1000m.
Day 6. Thones - Annecy
Transfer to Montremont (9 km). Ascension to the foot of Tournette by the Col de Nantes pass (1426 m) and simply breathtaking views over the lake of Annecy. Descent by the foot of the dents de Lanfon to Talloires the nicest site, boat tour around the lake finishing in Annecy. 5:30, + 600 m, - 950 m.
Overnight in Annecy.
Day 7. Departure
After breakfast. Or Optional walk: Annecy – Col de Bluffy – Annecy.
Luggage transport: There is organized transport of the luggage for each of the walking days.
Included in the price: ► Accommodation in 2* hotels on half board basis, except in Annecy - 3* hotel in Annecy on bed and breakfast basis► Tourist taxes► Luggage transfers► Road book and maps in English► Transfer from Thones to Montremont► The crossing of the lake by boat on Day 6► NOTE! The price is per person sharing a double room accommodation. Single traveler who has ordered a bed in a shared double room must be prepared to pay for a single room if a room-mate cannot be arranged;
Not included:► Flight tickets► Lunches► Beverages► The dinner in Annecy► Transfer to Col de Bluffy (by bus)► Sightseeing fees► If you break the trip plan you pay on your own the extra expenses for transport and accommodation;
Other expenses: Single room supplement: 250 EUR;
Good to know: We recommend you to go to have dinner in one of numerous restaurants of "old Annecy ", splendid quarter of Annecy, by the lake.
Gallery
