High Alpine route in the wilderness... for experienced hikers !
Between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, on the border between France and Switzerland, lies a group of mountain ranges that have remained hidden from the rest of the world: Dents Blanches, Dents du Midi, Tenneverge, Mont Ruan. This is an area strongly shaped by the folding of the Alps, with surprising landscapes ranging from lunar deserts to high-altitude lakes, waterfalls and forgotten mountain pastures. Here, there is no human pressure, just a wild, unspoilt nature that only hikers can discover. Leaving from one of the largest natural cirques in the Alps, leave civilisation behind for a perfect 6-day loop of spectacular mountain hiking, passing through some of the most isolated refuges in the world, for a complete break from the world.
You will like
A wide variety of landscapes thanks to a strong geological imprint
Wild, unspoilt countryside off the beaten track
6 days in the mountains without ever coming back down to the valley, a guaranteed break from it all
Accommodation in refuge with half-board formula from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 6;
1 road book file (paper) for a group of 1 to 4 people and the digital version to download for each participant; additional paper road book on request:
Organisation and booking fees.
The price does not include:
Picnic lunches ;
Luggage transfer ;
Personal expenses (drinks, etc.), hot shower tokens when required ;
Cancellation insurance ;
Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point.
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
The itinerary day by day
Day 1
Departure from the 'Bout du Monde' parking in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.
CIRQUE DU FER À CHEVAL - REFUGE DE GRENAIRON
Departure facing one of the largest natural cirques in the Alps. Climb through the woods to reach the slopes of the 'Montagne de la Commune', overlooking the Sixt Fer à Cheval valley. Cross between meadows and forests to the Grenairon refuge and its unique panorama of the Fys, Buet and Mont Blanc massifs. 6 hour walk / Elevation: +1350m ; -350m
Day 2
FRÊTES DU GRENIER - LE CHEVAL BLANC - BARRAGE DU VIEUX ÉMOSSON
From the refuge, departure for a memorable traverse through the impressive rocky chaos of the 'Frêtes du Grenier' to the 'Plan du Buet' plateau, at the foot of the famous 'Mont Blanc des Dames'. We then head for the Swiss border, climbing Cheval Blanc (2830m) before descending into the Émosson valley. A short geology stop near the famous dinosaur footprints frozen in the rock, before reaching the Vieux Émosson dam and the refuge. 5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +900m -700m
Day 3
COL DE BARBERINE - COL D'EMANEY - BARRAGE DE SALANFE
Descent to the Emosson dam. After passing through a tunnel, the path skirts the lake and climbs to the Barberine pass (2481m). Descend into the valley, then climb again to Emaney pass (2462m). High-mountain atmosphere, below Ruan and Tour Salière (3220m). Descent to the Salanfe reservoir, sitting between two geological layers. Night in a lakeside refuge. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +1050m -1350m
Day 4
COL DE SUSANFE - PAS D'ENCEL - VALLON DE BARMAZ
Ascent to the pass (2494m) via a cabled path on some sections, dominated by the Haute-Cime (3200m). Descent into the wild cirque of Susanfe, beneath the Ruan glacier. The 'Pas d'Encel' and a few cabled sections lead out of the valley, before getting back to the mountain pastures. Keep an eye on the large Bonavau combes, where herds of chamois can often be seen! Night in a refuge in the authentic alpine village of Barme. 6 hour walk / Elevation: +800 -1250m
Day 5
PAS DE LA BIDE - PAS AU TAUREAU - REFUGE DE FOLLY
A spectacular day featuring two famous passes. From the Barmaz alpine pasture, climb up to the cliffs via the 'Pas de la Bide', once a secret passage for the most intrepid smugglers. After crossing the border again at 'Col de Bostan', climb up to the mineral world of 'Pas au Taureau', a narrow opening onto the shoulder of the Dents Blanches massif. Descend through the 'Combe aux Puaires' to the Folly refuge overlooking the valley. 6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1050 -1000m
Day 6
VALLON DES CHAMBRES - CIRQUE DU BOUT DU MONDE
The last day begins with a steep ascent to the wild 'Vallon des Chambres' and its glacial lake. From the 'Col des Chambres' (2538m), a final long descent to the Vogealle refuge and the balconies of the cirque 'du Bout du monde'. Back to civilization on an easy trail to the 'Cirque du Fer à Cheval'. 7.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1200m -1450m
The program has been prepared according to the latest information available at the time of writing; imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter the course of the program.
The trip
LEVEL ****
Elevation: around +/- 1100m per day Walking time: 6 to 7 hours per day Type of trek: this tour passes via rocky terrain with a few technically difficult cabled sections. This stay is designed for people who already have previous experience of mountain hiking, capable of handling technical passages and able to read IGN maps at 1/25,000.
You need to be in good physical condition and mentally fit for long efforts. Regularly practice an endurance sport such as walking, running or cycling, for 6 to 8 hours a week. Your physical preparation will make your trek easier and more enjoyable. Click here for a description of the different levels: hiking level.
ROAD BOOK
Before departure, we will give you a travel pack including :
- 2 IGN TOP 25 maps with the route
- 1 road-book with all the necessary information for the hike
- 1 map holder
- The list of accommodation
On request, we will also provide you the GPX tracks.
ACCOMMODATION
5 nights in dormitory, in refuge.
MEALS
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are not included and can be ordered at every refuge by asking the night before. Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking. We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.
MAPS
IGN Top 25 - 3530 ET - SAMOENS and Top 25 - 3630 OT - CHAMONIX (1/25 000) MPA (yellow) Trient valley (1/25 000)
Practical information
ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT
Meet Sunday at 10am at the 'Bout du Monde' parking in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.
BY TRAIN Cluses SNCF train station voyages-sncf.com then with the Bus Y94 to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
BY CAR Take the A40 motorway to Cluses, then direction Taninges, follow signs to Samoens and continue to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. Parking for the week (around 5€)
Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
1 change of clothes for the evening
A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening
Other Equipment
Toilet bag
Quick drying towel
Sunglasses and sun cream
Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
Knife, fork and spoon
Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
Plastic cup for coffee
Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
Survival blanket
Head torch or hand torch
Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
Identity card or passport
BACKPACK
Bring a comfortable backpack of 40 to 50 litres for your personal belongings for the week (including warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.
6 Days
Self-guided
Without baggage transportation
Classic (dormitory)
Level **** 
From 535 €
