The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 600m to 1200m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 6h30 per day.
Type of trek: mountain hike on marked trails including gravel paths. An easy passage with cables on day 4 can be avoid via a steeper path.

You need to be in a good overall physical condition. Regularly practise an endurance sport such as walking, running, swimming or cycling, 3 to 4 hours a week. Your fitness training will make your walk easier and make it all the more enjoyable. Click here for a description of the different levels: levels of difficulty

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing: 

• 2 IGN TOP 25 with the route highlighted. 
• 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek. 
• 1 waterproof map holder.
• Accommodation list.

SIGNPOSTS AND WAYMARKS ALONG THE TREK

In France trails are marked with red and white stripes for Grande Randonnée (in both directions).
It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/25000.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

Two options:
Without baggage transport: you carry your baggage.
With baggage transport: your luggage is delivered at your accommodation, except on days 1, 4 and 6.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC
4 nights in a dormitory, in refuge or gite 
2 nights in a gite, in a multiple bedroom                               

COMFORT
6 nights in hotels or gites in a twin/double bedroom.
All accommodation offers hot showers. Accommodation on the first part of the GTA is often small mountain hotels and rustic lodges. The purpose of this comfort option is sleeping in a private space, unlike a night in a dormitory.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accommodation in the evening. 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.

PERSONALISED TOURS

We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)

MAPS

IGN Top 25 - 3528ET/ Morzine and Top 25 - 3530ET/ Samoëns (1/25 000).

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Depart from Thollon-les-Mémises cable car.

BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) TGV Paris/Bellegarde/Evian.
There are regular buses from Evian to Thollon Les Mémises (40mins) www.thollonlesmemises.com
Return the day after : departure from Chamonic at 11:57am arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 5:42am.
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at www.oui.sncf

BY CAR      
Take the A40 motorway to Annemasse, free parking.
Train or bus to Evian : ligne-141-evian-annemasse or www.oui.sncf
Bus to Thollon les Mémises: www.thollonlesmemises.com
Return: Chamonix to Annemasse by train.
Or
Taxi transfer before or after your hike.
Parking: free parking in Annemasse, Thollon-les-Mémises and Chamonix.
In Chamonix: free parking at the Biolay car park opposite the Montenvers train station, if you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact: Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71.

CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA)
1 hour by car to Chamonix.
Bus and minibus services direct to your accommodation (25-35€ pp each way)
Lyon (LYS)
2.15 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4.15 hour journey (40-45€ pp return)
Paris (PAR)
7 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix / 5-6 hour journey (80-120€ pp return)

End point in Chamonix.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Thollon Les Mémises: www.thollonlesmemises.com      
Hotel Bellevue***: +33 (0)4 50 70 92 79 www.hotellebellevue.com            
Hotel Bon-Séjour**: +33 (0)4 50 70 92 65 http://bon-sejour.com/indexen.php
Evian-les-Bains: www.evian-tourisme.com
Hôtel Evian Express: 04 50 75 15 07 www.hotel-evianexpress.fr                             
Hôtel Continental: 04 50 75 37 54  www.hotel-continental-evian.com
Hôtel Arc en Ciel: 04 50 71 90 63 www.hotelarcencielthonon.com
Hôtel Le Comte Rouge: 04 50 71 06 04 www.lecomterouge.com

Chamonix Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24 www.chamonix.com

If you book a night in the Chamonix valley, you can ask to your hotel reception a bus/ train pass so you can use public transports for free in the Chamonix valley.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines

CONTACT US

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Doudoune
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• 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.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported, except days 1, 4 and 6, between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHTS WITHOUT LUGGAGE TRANSFER

For the nights without luggage transfer, here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)