Here, the landscape brings back buried memories. You suddenly discover the mountain of your childhood, the mountain of your dreams! The one you drew at school without having seen it, the one that the over-frequentation of ski resorts means you can no longer find. It's all there: the crest of the snow-capped peaks forming the horizon, the lush green meadows where the herds graze, the little village huddled around its bell tower, hanging on to the slope and, everywhere, the wooden chalets, the traditional habitat, dotted across the mountain. This is a wild mountain that man has not deserted.
Departure from 22 June to 14 September 2025
Without luggage transfer
625€ per person (minimum 2 persons), classic accommodation
Single person departure : 50€
With luggage transfer on Days 2 and 4
For 2-3 people: 860€ per person, classic accommodation
For 4-5 people: 735€ per person, classic accommodation
For 6 people : 710€ per person, classic accommodation
Includes:
Does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
BEAUFORT - ARÊCHES - ALPAGE REFUGE
Meet at 9am in Beaufort sur Doron for a transfer to Le Planay, Arêches, starting point.
From Le Planay, the itinerary starts in the forest and reaches the 'Col de La Bathie'. The tour and optional ascent of the 'Pointe de La Grande Combe' offers an excellent first 360° panorama, before crossing to the Alpage refuge via 'Lac de Brassa'. A short return trip to the former Ardoisières de Cevins makes for a slightly longer stage. Night in refuge, without luggage transfer.
5h30 walk / +1250m-460 / 11km
COL DE LA FORCLAZ - COL DE LA LOUZE - REFUGE DE L'ECONDU
A day of wilderness between the 'Grand Mont' and the 'Pointe du Riondet'. The path starts in a mineral landscape along the lake Seston and the lake Cornu before reaching the 'Col de La Forclaz' and then the 'Col de La Louze'. The second part of the itinerary goes between vast alpine pastures and multiple streams along the slopes of Riondet. Night in refuge, with luggage transfer.
3h walk, Elevation: + 600m/ -750m, 7km for the most direct path
5h to 5h30 walk, Elevation: + 500m/ -900m, 13km with the summit of the Grand Mont or by the "Lacs de la tempête"
PIERRA MENTA - LA BALME REFUGE OR PRESSET REFUGE
The path starts quietly in the mountain pastures between the "Lac des Fées" and the "Lac des Halles", until the "Col du Coin" that offers a fantastic panorama of the Mont Blanc Massif. Reaching the "Lac d'Amour" at the foot of the Pierra Menta, one of the most famous summits of the Beaufortain, an emblematic mountain of alpinism ! With good weather conditions, you can cross the "Passeur de la Mintaz", near Pierra Menta.
Night in a refuge, without luggage transfer.
5h30 walk / Elevation: +1000m / -800 / 12 km
COL DU GRAND FOND – PLAN DE LA LAI
A quiet day to reach the 'Cormet de Roselend', historical passage between Tarentaise and Italy. Two itineraries in option today : through the 'Col du Grand Fond' before descending in the vast 'Combe de la Neuva', with the Mont Blanc in sight; or by reaching the slope which dominates the magnificent Roselend dam. Both itineraries end at Plan de la Lai. Night in refuge with luggage transfer.
5h30 walk / Elevation: +700 m/ - 850m / 13 km (from refuge de La Balme)
COL DU BONHOMME - REFUGE DES PRÉS
A first ascent under the 'Rocher du Vent' allows you to admire the great plateau of 'Cormet de Roselend' before reaching the 'Col de La Sauce' and the 'Crête des Gittes'. From the 'Col de la Croix du Bonhomme', the itinerary follows a portion of the 'Tour of Mont Blanc', on the traditional route of the peddlers between Val Monjoie, Tarentaise and Val d'Aoste. A little detour is possible via the 'Rocher du Vent' and its tunnel, for a spectacular view of the Gittaz and Roselend lakes, and the Mont Blanc massif. (+1h30 walk, +/-250m ascent / +4km). Night in refuge, close to the Mont Blanc without luggage transfer.
6h00 walk / Elevation: +1000 m -850m / 13 km
COL DE LA FENETRE - REFUGE DE LA CROIX DE PIERRE
From the refuge, the route starts with the ascent of the 'Col de la Fenêtre'. From the pass, starts the long panoramic route around 'Val Joly'. One view follows another across the Val Montjoie, the snow-capped peaks of the Mont Blanc massif and the Aravis. The balcony path ends quietly at the wide 'Col de Véry'. In good weather, the hike can be extended by climbing the 'Col de la Cicle' and the 'Plateau de la Grande Perrière'. Night in refuge, without luggage transfer.
5h walk / Elevation / +650m -620m / 13 km
6h30 walk / Elevation : +860m -830m / 17km through col de la Cicle
MONT CLOCHER – HAUTELUCE
In the morning, you can still enjoy the panoramic views as you cross to Mont Clocher. A long descent on a winding path leads to the intact village of Hauteluce and its church Saint-Jacques-d'Assyrie, a great example of Baroque art in Savoie with its beautiful bulbous bell tower and its wall of illusion. Coming back to Beaufort with the shuttle (July-August) or walking.
3h30 walk/ Elevation: +80 m -900m / 9km (to Hauteluce)
End point at Beaufort sur Doron.
The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, the possibility of unknown factors affecting this itinerary is possible including situations beyond our control which may change the route, timings etc.
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.
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: hiking levels.
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.
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.
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.
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!
IGN Top 25 - 3532 OT - Massif du Beaufortain
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.
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
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
Clothing
Other Equipment
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.
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!
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!):
A great itinerary and well planned. Thank you for a really enjoyable experience.
Peter le 12/08/2023