The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 900m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: mountain hike including some variants with steeper passages requiring a little more attention. Hiking poles are essential.

The route in general is well indicated, and the Roadbook provided sufficiently complete to allow you to hike in complete safety. However, it is essential to be able to read an 1:25,000 map and to be sufficiently autonomous in the mountains to be able to tackle the itinerary with confidence, whatever the weather (fog, snow, etc.). Guiding is not included in the self-guided package. snow and névés will be present on the paths until end of june at least. You may walk on long snowy sections that can make the tour a bit more challenging. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are mandatory. Be prepared! You will be crossing areas with no telephone network. For your own safety, you may wish to bring along a radio or the latest generation telephone with satellite connection.

You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 3 to 4 hours a week.
Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.

Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: levels of difficulty

ACCOMMODATION

Classic version : 6 nights in dormitory in refuge. All accommodation has hot showers except at the refuge 'Croix de Pierre', the last night. Due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

Two options:
Without luggage transfer: you carry all your luggage.
With luggage transfer: your luggage is delivered to your accommodation on nights 2 and 4.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. You can order the lunch picnic in each accommodation when arriving for the day after. Please specify any allergies or dietary requirements when booking. We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring a few extra items for your own picnics.

CURRENCY

Please bring cash for drinks and personal expenses, as not all accommodations accept credit cards.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

We opted not to transfer luggage over several nights because this service would have involved very costly logistics. This means we can keep our prices more affordable and limit our carbon footprint. Let us know what you think!

MAPS

IGN Top 25 - 3532 OT - Massif du Beaufortain

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Departure point at Beaufort sur Doron.

BY TRAIN
Arrive at Albertville. There are regular buses between Albertville and Beaufort (schedule on Altibus.com)
Timetables must be checked at a train station or at www.voyages-sncf.com

BY CAR
There is a large free car park on the right at the entrance to the village, opposite the tennis courts, along the banks of the river.
Please check mappy.com or viamichelin.com  

End of the tour in the afternoon in Beaufort sur Doron.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Hôtel le Grand Mont, place de l’Eglise 73270 Beaufort, 04 79 38 33 36
Gîte de Molliessoulaz, 5398 route de Molliessoullaz 73720 Queige, 06 30 10 34 56

TO CONTACT US

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

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Lightweight down jacket
• 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 (0,4 ~ 0,5L)
• 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.

LUGAGGE TRANSFER

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported, only on days 2 and 4, 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

On nights 1, 3, 5 and 6, 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.