Walking from Aravis to Annecy, 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;

 

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Itinerary:   

Day 1. Arrival in Saint Jean de Sixt
An authentic village of the Aravis. Accommodation in hotel in St. Jean de Sixt, very calm with a nice view. You will also be able to use the swimming pool or to go around in the village.

Day 2. St Jean de Sixt - Les Confins
The route takes you gently up to The Plateau des Confins and you can choose between 2 options:
Option 1 - a longer version by the Pointe de Beauregard and the pass of the Aravis.
Walking distance: 6h - 6h40min, +1220m/-830m;
Option 2 - walk by the 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.
Walking distance: 3h30min - 4h, + 750m/-350 m.

Day 3. Plateau des Confins - Chinaillon
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 corrie, 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 the pass of Annes. Descent to the halmet of Chinaillon under the ridges of the Pointes d’Almet, Grande Combe and the Pointe de Deux Heures. 
Walking distance: 6h (15km), + 800m/-850 m. Shorter route: 5h15min (14.5km), +600m/-650m

Day 4. Chinaillon - Grand Bornand
For average to good walker : 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 stage continues with a climb to the pass of PLanay between the Roc des Tours and the Roc des Charmieux and a descent 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: 6h45min (18km), +1070m/-1450m. Shorter route: 4-5h,+470 m/-650m

Day 5. Grand Bornand - Thones
There are 2 routes to Thônes:
Option 1 - You will go to St Jean de Sixt via the small pastures of Pochons et des Frasses, (+/- 230m  about 1h 45min walking) 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.
Walking distance: 5h30 - 6h30 (14,5 km), +870m/-1130m (Time depends on whether you choose local transport to reach start of walk)
Option 2 - Longer, but not more difficult: you will reach St Jean de Sixt via the small pastures of Pochons et des Frasses (+/- 230m, about 1h45min walking), then you will climb to the plateau of Beauregard.
Walking distance: 5h30min - 6h50min (18km), +1050m/-1240m (Time depends on whether you choose local transport to reach start of walk)

Day 6. Thones - Annecy
Transfer to Montremont (9 km, 850 m). Ascension to the foot of Tourette by the Col de Nantes pass (1426 m) with simply breathtaking views over the lake of Annecy. Descent to the bottom of the Lanfon by the path around the lake. You reach Talloires near the lake. Boat tour around the lake finishing in Annecy. There are 3 options for this walk ranging from 04h30min to 6h00 of walking. From +600 to +850 and -1000 to -1270. You decide which one to do. Overnight in Annecy. 

Day 7. Departure
The tour ends after breakfats. Optional walk: Annecy – Col de Bluffy – Annecy. Or you can book an extra night in Annecy

Luggage transport: There is organized transport of the luggage for each of the walking days.   

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 

How to get there: ►the nearest airport is Geneva. From Geneva Airport you can take a bus or train to Annecy train station (www.sbb.ch). Journey is about 2 hours. From Annecy train station you can take a taxi or bus to St. Jean de Sixt . Busses from Annecy to St. Jean de Sixt are frequent from Monday – Saturday. You can use the company Voyages Crollard. Direct train/bus connections from Geneva airport to St. Jean de Sixt are only available in July-August ► if you are by car, it is possible to park your car in the parking of the first hotel. At the end of your tour, you can take a taxi or bus back to pick up your car. Please arrange with first hotel.

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)

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Price Includes:
Accommodation in standart hotels in shared doublerooms (standart hotels in Annecy)
half-board except day 6 & 7 in Annecy (breakfast only)
tourist taxes
luggage transfers
road book and maps in English
transfer from Thones to Montremont on day 6
boat ticket to Annecy 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;

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Not Included:
Flight tickets
drinks and meals not mentioned in the program
transport from/to the airport
personal expenses
transfer to Col de Bluffy (by bus)
entrance fees
insurance
If you break the trip plan you pay on your own the extra expenses for transport and accommodation;

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Additional Services:
Solo supplement: 160 EUR on top of the single room supplement
extra nights in Annecy: on request
5 picnic lunches: 75 EUR

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Gallery

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