From one side of the Alps to the other, discovering mountains and people... The Grande Traversée des Alpes (GTA) between Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean is a long-distance journey. It's a chance to put your everyday life on hold! The route skirts the Swiss and Italian borders, crossing five French departments and some of the best-known mountain ranges in the Alps.
1st section: Chablais, Haut Giffre, Aiguilles Rouges, Mont-Blanc
This first part takes us from the shores of Lake Geneva to Chamonix, the capital of ice. We discover the Chablais region, with its distinctive limestone relief, and the Abondance mountain pastures, so lush and green! The Dents Blanches massif, wild and unspoilt, is the gateway to Faucigny region. This is the land of giant waterfalls, lapiaz and chasms, but also of paradise-like mountain pasture plateaus. A few hours' walk and we're in the Aiguilles Rouges, from where we can finally see the whole Mont-Blanc chain, a great spectacle of glaciers and rocks...
2nd section: Mont Blanc, Beaufortain, Vanoise
This section takes you from the giant glaciers of the Mont-Blanc region to those of the Dômes de la Vanoise, just as imposing in terms of the surface area they cover. And along the way, collections of milk cans will remind you of the authenticity of the pastoral life of the Beaufortain mountain pastures. There's no room here for industrial livestock farming, even if cow herds often number over 150 head. It's also a route between three major Alpine valleys: the Chamonix, Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys.
You will like
Crossing mountain ranges with varied geology and landscapes
Rich ecosystems, abundant wildlife, valleys steeped in history
The start of a long Alpine trail that can be continued to Nice in 4 weeks
Overnight in an alpine chalet to the sound of bells
Meet at 12:30pm in front of the Tourist Office in Thollon-les-Mémises or at 9:30am in front of Chamonix train station if you have chosen this option.
PIC DES MEMISES - BALCON DU LEMAN
Take the gondola up to the balcony path overlooking Lake Geneva. Picnic, then crossing the Mémises and Mottay mountain pastures before descending to the Novel valley. Night without luggage transfer. 3.5 hour walk / Elevation: +500 m ; -550 m / 8km
Day 2
BISE PASS - BISE VALLEY
From the mountain pasture, climb to Lake Neuteu lake and 'Col de Bise'. A short detour is possible to Darbon lake, a beautiful glacial lake. Keep your eyes wide open, you're in ibex country! After crossing the 'Pas de la Bosse', a long descent takes you to 'La Chapelle-d'Abondance'. Night in gite in the typical village of La Chapelle-d'Abondance. 6 hour walk / Elevation: +900 m ; -1400 m / 12km
Day 3
ABONDANCE - LAKE TAVANEUSE
Descent to the village of Abondance and short transfer to the valley. Climb to Lake Tavaneuse, then to the pass at 1997 m. Then, down through alpine meadows and forest to Montriond Lake. Transfer to Chardonnière. Night in refuge. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +950 m ; -1600 m / 13km
Day 4
DENTS BLANCHES MASSIF - PAS AU TAUREAU
Climb to the 'tête de Bostan', facing the wild and stunning Dents Blanches massif. Crossing the 'Pas au Taureau' (2555 m), a small cabled passage, then descent into the lunar valley of the 'combe aux puaires', an unusual site of lapiaz (eroded limestone). Night in refuge, without luggage transfer. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +950 m ; -1600 m / 13km
Day 5
BOUT DU MONDE AND CIRQUE DU FER À CHEVAL
From the Vogealle refuge, a beautiful descent facing the Tenneverge cliffs and on to Bout du Monde, continuing to the amphitheatre at Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and its multiple waterfalls. Night in the village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. 6 hour walk / Elevation: +200 m -1250 m / 17km
Day 6
ANTERNE LAKE AND PASS
The day begins through the woods, alongside the Rouget, Pleureuse and Souffraz waterfalls. Climb to the Anterne pasture at the heart of the Sixt-Passy Nature Reserve, a wide high plateau where one of the most beautiful lakes in the area is nestled. Here is the kingdom of marmots and rare bearded vultures! Skimming stone contest followed by a short climb to the Anterne pass and descent to the Moëde-Anterne refuge. Night in dormitory without luggage transfer or shower. 6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1550 m ; -400 m / 15km
Day 7
ENVERS DU BREVENT - CHAMONIX
Short descent towards the Arlevé bridge. Here the landscape changes, the Fiz limestones give way to the red rocks of the Aiguilles Rouges range. Climb up to the Brévent pass (2368m) then descend to Planpraz to take the gondola down to Chamonix. Night in gite. 5 hour walk / Elevation: +750m -750m / 10km
Day 8
LES HOUCHES - LES CONTAMINES
Take the cable car and depart on foot from 1800m. Crossing to the foot of the Bionnassay Glacier before climbing to the Tricot pass. Descend to the Miage chalets and on to Les Contamines. Night in a small dormitory in a village gîte. 5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +650 m ; -1250 m / 11km
Day 9
COL DE LA CROIX DU BONHOMME - CORMET DE ROSELEND
Climb via the Roman road to the famous mountain pass, Col du Bonhomme. Descend via the Crête des Gittes and the vast Beaufortain pastures to arrive at Plan de la Lai. Night in a dormitory above Lake Roselend. 6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1450 m ; -800 m / 17km
Day 10
FROM THE FOOT OF PIERRA MENTA TO PORTE DE ROSUEL
Balcony trail overlooking Lake Roselend and climb to the Bresson pass (2469m) at the foot of the Pierra Menta mountain. Descend through the Ormette valley and alongside small water channels in the hamlets to reach Valezan, part of the Tarentaise valley. Taxi transfer to Peisey Nancroix and La Porte de Rosuel. Night in a dormitory in a refuge (*or hotel). 7 hour walk / Elevation: +900 m ; -1200 m / 16km
Day 11
COL DU PLAN SÉRY - CHAMPAGNY LE HAUT
Entering the Vanoise Park at the foot of Mont Pourri and Dôme de la Sache. Once past the Lac de la Plagne, the ascent of the Col du Plan Séry leads into the Vallaisonnay valley and its surprising geology. A final descent takes you past the Py waterfall to the various hamlets of the Champagny valley. Night in refuge. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +1050 m ; -1150 m / 18km
Day 12
TOUR DU MERLE - REFUGE DU GRAND BEC
The hike begins in a large spruce forest, and the path climbs up through all the different vegetation layers until it reaches the Grand Bec refuge. Set on a promontory, it enjoys a breathtaking view of the glaciers above and the Pralognan valley below. Depending on conditions, you may also take the very alpine 'Col des Galinettes' (2750m). Night in refuge, without luggage or shower. 5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1250m -300m / 10km +/-100 m more via theGalinettes pass
Day 13
COL DE LESCHAUX - LES PRIOUX
After leaving the refuge, a wild traverse to the 'Col de Leschaux'. From here, the path leads off on a balcony, with the Vanoise glaciers and the 'Grande Casse' (3855 m) in view. The trail is impressive, but chained and well-marked, all the way to the famous 'Lac des Vaches'. A final descent takes you to the village of Pralognan. From the 'Col de Leschaux' onwards, an alternative route avoids the balcony path in case of bad weather. Night in refuge. 7 hour walk / Elevation: +900 m ; -1600 m / 17km
Day 14
CHAVIÈRE PASS - MAURIENNE VALLEY
Up the Chavière valley, dominated by the 'Dômes de la Vanoise', in a lunar world punctuated by forests of cairns. The Péclet-Polset peaks point the way to the nearby 'Col de Chavière'. Descent into the Maurienne valley among the mountain pastures. Short transfer to Modane from Porte de l'Orgère. 6 hour walk / Elevation: +1150m -950m / 16km
End point around 4pm at Modane train station.
The trip
LEVEL ***
Elevation: +/- 700m to 1300m approximately per day. Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day. Type of trek: mountain route on trails with occasional aerial passages that are well secured.
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.
GUIDING
Group from 6 to 14 people supervised by a guide. As a thank-you, it's common practice to tip your guide at the end of your tour, depending on your satisfaction. This is not obligatory, but it is greatly appreciated.
ACCOMMODATION
CLASSIC: 13 nights in mountain chalets, refuges and gites.
All accommodation has hot showers. However, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.
MEALS
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your guide, comprising a variety of healthy salads and local products. 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.
CURRENCY
Please bring cash for drinks and personal expenses, as not all accommodations accept credit cards.
MAPS
IGN Top 25 - 3528ET/ Morzine,
IGN Top 25 - 3530ET/ Samoëns,
IGN Top25 3531 ET St-Gervais ;
IGN Top25 3532 OT Beaufortain ;
IGN Top25 3532 ET Les Arcs ;
IGN Top25 3633 ET Tignes ;
IGN Top25 3534 OT Trois Vallées.
Practical information
ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT
Meet at 12pm at the Thollon-les-Mémises Tourist Office. If you've chosen the transfer option: Meet with your luggage at 8:45 am at the Prarion parking in Les Houches (where you can leave your vehicle) or at 9:30 am at the Chamonix SNCF train station.
BY TRAIN Depart from Gare de Lyon (Paris) TGV Paris/Bellegarde/Evian. There are regular buses from Evian to Thollon Les Mémises (40mins) www.thollonlesmemises.com
Schedules must be checked onwww.oui.sncf
BY CAR Take the A40 motorway to Annemasse, free parking and bus www.sat-leman ligne-141-evian-annemasse or train to Evian-les-Bains, then to Thollon-les-Mémises. Free parking at Thollon-les-Mémises.
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 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (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.
LUGGAGE TRANSFER
You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported daily, except day 1,4,6 and 12, between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy. Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs!
YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHTS WITHOUT LUGGAGE TRANSFER
On night 1,4, 6 and 12, your luggage won't be delivered at your accommodation. Here are the things to bring with you (about 2 kilos are enough!):
small toiletries bag
sleeping bag liner sheet
change of clothes for the day after (bare necessities!) and comfortable for the evening.
14 Days
Guided / with a guide
With baggage transportation
Classic (dormitory)
Level *** 
From 1910 €
Next departure on 15/06/25
