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.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival in Saint Jean de Sixt
Arrival in an authentic village in the Aravis. Accommodation in a 3* hotel in St Jean de Sixt, very calm with a nice view. The hotel has a swimming pool, you can also visit the village.
Day 2. St Jean de Sixt - Lа Clusaz
The route takes you gently up to The Plateau des Confins and you can choose between 2 options:
Option 1: a loop via the tête du Danay (1731m), passing through the Mouilles de la Perrière with a beautiful panorama of the Aravis range to the east and Mont Lachat de Chatillon and the Bouchet valley.
Walking distance 12.7km, +790m, -720m /6h00min
Option 2: a version via Pointe de Beauregard, passing Lac de la Ferriaz and descending to La Clusaz via Le Planet.
Walking distance: 13.1km, +750m, - 680m/5h00 to 5h30
Day 3. La Clusaz - e Chinaillon
Transfer by bus (at your expense) to Lac des Confins, the start of your hike.
You walk by the pass of Annes (1721m), passing by the bottom of the summit of the Aravis : the Pointe Percée (2750m). The high mountain pastures of the Confins plateau, after that you will reach the Bouchet valley in the beautiful cirque, under the Pointe Percée (2750m) and the Pointe du Roulletaz (2077m). The path by-passes some sides of the mountain to cross easily the pass of Borneronde and the pass of Annes (1721m). You can have a lunch break at the cottage at Annes’ pass.
Descent to the halmet of Chinaillon under the ridges of the Pointes d’Almet, Grande Combe and the Pointe de Deux Heures. Walking distance:6h00 hiking, 15km, +800m, -850m. (short option 5h15 of walk, 14,5km, +600m, -650m)
Day 4. Pointe de Balafrasse or Tête d’Auferrand
From Chinaillon, you climb to the chalets of Guillery and then to the Col de la Colombière, 1607 m. From the pass, two itineraries are available to you:
Option 1: The Pointe de Balafrasse : you climb to the heart of the Bargy range, first to the Peyre lake then to the Balafrasse pass, and to the Pointe de Balafrasse, 2296m from where you can enjoy a beautiful panorama before going back down by the same route to Chinaillon.
Walking distance: 13 km, +/-1000 m.
Option 2: La tête d'Auferrand : you go up under the Pointe de la Botte then here are already the alpine pastures of the Tête d'Auferrand, 1981 m. You walk on the ridge, in the combe des Fours before going down to the farm of Aufferand and joining Chinaillon. (N.B! This hike is only for good walkers with good alpine feet, and should be avoided in case of bad weather (slippery, sloping and dangerous paths)
Walking distance: 13 km, +/-750 m.
Day 5. Chinaillon - Grand Bornand
Climb by the ridge of Aiguille verte (2000m) and the Lessy Lake. The view from the Aiguille verte to the summit of the Aravis (Pointe Percée) is splendid, after that you cross the pass of Forclaz and go down to the hamlet of Mayse (sheepfold, cottage, drinks, snacks). The trek continues with a climb to the pass of Planay between the Roc des Tours and the Roc des Charmieux and goes down to reach the itinerary that will lead you to the Mouilles, Tannaz and the Grand Bornan. You can picnic in the chalet of Mayse.
Walking distance: 18km, 6-7 hours; + 1160m ( no technical difficulties) - 1530m
Short walk (4h to 5h) is also possible of for this day by taking an optional way, +470 m, -650m.
Day 6. Grand Bornand - Annecy
Early transfer to Montremont (18km), (850m). Climb to the bottom of the Tourette by the pass of Nantets (1426m); discover from the pass of the Lake Annecy. Descent to the bottom of Dents de Lanfon by the path around the lake. You reach Talloires near the lake. 3 options for this walk from 04h30 to 6h00 of walk. From +600 to +850 and -1000 to -1270
You take the omnibus (boat that goes around the lake to reach Annecy) by Doussard and Duingt. Overnight in Annecy in a 4* hotel in B&B We recommend you to have diner in one of the many restaurants in the old town of Annecy.
Day 7. Annecy
Departure possible after breakfast or additional night in Annecy. Or an optional hike is possible too:
To reach the Col de Bluffy (7km) use the regular bus that goes towards Thones, the same one that you may have used to go on the 1st day to St Jean de Sixt. From there you will go up towards the ridge of Mont Barret (1065m) which you will cross to reach the smugglers pass (1054m), then on Mont Baron, a remarkable point of view (1254m). The path follows the ridge to Mont Veyrier (1291m at the highest point and then descends to the edge of Lake Annecy. 5h, + 760m, -930m.
Luggage transport: There is organized transport of the luggage for each of the walking days. You only need to carry a small rucksack with the necessary valuables for the daily hike. Your luggage will be transported by vehicle. 1 transported luggage by person 15 kg max.
Important information about itinerary: ►It may be necessary to change the itinerary of the trip, either due to the organisation (problem of booking accommodation, change of conditions, landslides, destroyed paths, etc.). These changes are
always made in your interest, for your safety and for your comfort.
Practical information: ►we recommend you to go to have dinner in one of numerous restaurants of "old Annecy ", splendid quarter of Annecy, by the lake. ►The tour is suitable for average to good walkers, you need to have hiking experience with 4 h to 7 h walking on day ►You have to carry only a small backpack with the necessary things for the day - personal items, water, lunch
Necessary equipment: ►sturdy hiking shoes and walking (woolen) socks, an extra pair of sneakers, a good sweatshirt og fleece jacket, a windbreaker, comfortable trousers to hike in, shorts, light shirt with long sleeves, bathing suit, a small rucksack, a water bottle/flask with at least 1 litre capacity, sunglasses, sunhat, sun cream, first aid kit, rainwear and insect repellent, a small comfortable backpack for the day (35 to 50L)
1060 €, 7 Days
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