Grande Traversée des Alpes : Evian - Chamonix on your own

Évian-les-Bains

Description

This hike follows the "mythical" GR5 from Evian to Chamonix. It begins on the shores of Lac Léman, the largest lake in the Alps, crosses the alpine pastures of the Vallée d'Abondance, then winds its way along the slender peaks of the Haut Chablais, with Mont-Blanc in its sights! The itinerary ends with the ascent of Le Brévent (2525 m), from where the view of the Mont Blanc massif is unique!
You can continue with the Chamonix-Briançon section and then Briançon-Menton.

Day 01: Meet at Evian station, or directly at your first accommodation, at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay in Bernex or Vacheresse.

Day 02: Bernex (1206 m) or Chalets de Bise (1502 m) - Chapelle d'Abondance (1021 m)

Option 1: Transfer to Chalets de Bise.
This is a completely new option for discovering the north face of Mont Chauffé and its mountain pastures! It starts with an ascent to the Pas de la Bosse (18156 m), watching out for chamois on the north face of the Cornettes. Then a traverse towards Mont Chauffé takes you over the Col d'Ubine (1694 m). The atmosphere on the north face of Chauffé is truly special! You then switch to its southern slope to reach La Chapelle d'Abondance via the Aiguille rocks, with a lovely view of the Chatel valley.
Ascent: + 690 m; - 1080 m Length: 13 km Time: 05h30

Option 2: Transfer to Bernex
Slightly longer and therefore more difficult, this option takes you as close as possible to Lake Geneva. The route starts at the foot of the Dent d'Oche, the massif's emblematic peak with its distinctive silhouette, then crosses two passes. Lac de Darbon comes as a surprise at the last moment. Then you cross the vast Bise mountain pasture dominated by the Cornettes de Bise, another of the massif's flagship peaks. A final climb to a 3rd pass and then the descent to La Chapelle d'Abondance.
Elevation gain option 2: + 1220 m; - 1310 m Length: 16 km Time: 06h30

Day 03: La Chapelle d'Abondance (1021 m) - Chatel (1161 m)
You're now in the heart of the Abondance valley, famous for its mountain pastures, its "sunglasses" breed of cows and its cheese! Its highest point is Mont de Grange (2432 m). It's this mountain that you're going to discover today during a long and beautiful stage. A cool ascent to the Col des Mattes (1930 m), then a balcony traverse to the peaks that will mark your itinerary over the next few days, including the Pointe de Chesery (2251 m) and the Dents du Midi (3257 m), before descending to a charming little chapel and your accommodation.
Ascent: + 910 m; - 770 m Length: 11 km Time: 05h30

Day 04: Pré La Joux (1274 m) - Les Mines d'Or (1350 m)
A transfer with the local shuttle (€3 to be paid on site - every 40 minutes) takes you to the end of the valley and the start of the ascent to the Col de Bassachaux (1777 m), where you flirt with the Avoriaz and Portes du Soleil ski areas, where you'll come across a few mountain bikers enjoying the great outdoors. You reach the Col de Chesery (1992 m), where you cross the border in the middle of the Alpine pastures. Lac Vert is the perfect place to take a break! At Portes de l'Hiver, the route changes to Val d'Illiez. All the way down to your stopover, it's impossible to take your eyes off the impressive wall of slender peaks that is the Dents du Midi! From the Col de Cou (1920 m) you plunge into the Manche valley and its famous Mines d'Or!
Elevation gain: + 1140 m; - 1020 m Length: 19 km Schedule: 06h30
In June and September, the shuttle doesn't run, so you'll need to add another 100 m of ascent and 2 km.
In July and August, you can take a chairlift (€7 to be paid on site), after the shuttle, which shortens the stage by 350 m in altitude gain and 1 km in distance.

Day 05: Les Mines d'Or (1350 m) - Samoëns (1096 m)
Many stories of smuggling make up the legend of this passage, but it's also a place chosen by ornithologists to study bird migration. Stories also abound about the Terres Maudites, a 600 m-high cliff you discover on your way out, before climbing to the Col de la Golese (1660 m). A traverse takes you to the Bostan refuge, then down to Samoëns via the Allamands valley.
Elevation gain: + 550 m; - 1200 m Length: 14 km Time: 05h30

Day 06: Samoëns (1626 m) - Moede - Anterne (2002 m)
10-minute transfer to Sixt. The ascent to the Col d'Anterne (2257 m) is long and varied: forest ascent amidst waterfalls, then passage to the foot of the impressive cliffs of the Pointe de Salles (2500 m), and crossing of the Montagne d'Anterne, a vast limestone plateau where you discover a high-altitude lake. From the pass, breathtaking views of the Mont-Blanc Massif, then a short descent to the refuge. Luggage not available.
Elevation gain: + 1100 m; - 300 m Length: 10 km Time: 05h00

Day 07: Moede - Anterne (2002 m) - Chamonix (1034 m)
The descent to Pont d'Arlevé is unforgettable, as you enter one of the last areas of original vegetation in Haute Savoie! After crossing the gorges de la Diosaz, climb back up to the Col du Brévent, a veritable balcony overlooking Mont-Blanc! You can reach the Brévent summit (2525 m) and take the cable car down to Chamonix, or from the pass descend to Planpraz and take the cable car to Chamonix.
Ascent: + 770 m or + 925; - 740 m or - 410 m Length: 10 km Time: 05h30

This program is indicative and may be modified to suit weather conditions.

Ouverture

From 16/06 to 15/09/2024.

Tarifs

Adult: 595 to 895 €.

2 people: €895
3 people: €795
4 people and more: €725
Without luggage transport by vehicle €595

Options: - accommodation in rooms: + 90 €/person
- lunch (6 picnics): + 65 €/person
- return shuttle from Chamonix: + 250 € (4 people maximum)
+ 380 € (8 people maximum)

Additional night in Chamonix :
- half-board in dormitories: 58 €/person.
- B&B in rooms of 2 (hotel*** or equivalent): 88 €/person.
- B&B in a single room (hotel*** or equivalent): €130/person.