Here, the landscape brings out buried memories. It permits to imagine a mountain dream! The one we drew at school without having seen it, the one that the over-frequentation of the resorts no longer allows us to find. Everything is there: the ridges of the snow-covered summits outlining the horizon, the intense green meadows where cows graze, the small village squeezed around its authentic church, clinging to the slope full of the wooden chalets, traditional habitat, scattered on the sides of the mountain. It is a natural mountain that men have not deserted. The beaufortains live their mountain life, inviting the tourist to go with them and share their country.
Departure from 23th of June to 15th of September 2024
Without luggage transport
595€ per person (minimum 2 persons)
Single person departure : +50€
Starting from Les Chappes on Day 1 - Extra taxi transfer : 10€ per person
With luggage transport on Days 2 and 4:
For 2-3 people: 810€ per person
For 4-5 people: 695€ per person
For 6 people : 675€ per person
Includes:
Does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
BEAUFORT - ARÊCHES / LES CHAPPES - REFUGE DE L'ALPAGE
There are two options for the first day:
Meet at 9am in Beaufort sur Doron for a transfer to Le Planay, Arêches, starting point for the hike.
From Le Planay, the itinerary starts in the forest and reaches the Col de La Bathie. The tour and eventual ascent of the Pointe de La Grande Combe offers an excellent first 360° panorama, before crossing to the Alpage refuge via Lac de Brassa. Overnight at the refuge without luggage.
5h walk / +1200m-400m / 10km
Meet at 8am in Beaufort sur Doron for a transfer to Les Chappes, the other starting point for the hike.
From Les Chappes, above Queige, you gradually enter the Beaufortain Massif, following the flanks of the Pointe de la Grande Journée. The route overlooks Albertville and the Tarentaise Valley as far as the Aulp des Tours mountain pasture, before reaching the Col des Lacs and then the Col de la Bâthie. The path then changes slope and a final traverse takes you to Lac de Brassa and the Alpage refuge. Overnight at the refuge without luggage.
6h30 to 7h walk/ +1350m/ - 760m/ 15 km
COL DE LA FORCLAZ - COL DE LA LOUZE - REFUGE DES ECONDUS
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 the refuge, with luggage transport.
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 - REFUGE DE LA BALME OR PRESSET
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 ! After the Bresson pass, the itinerary ends with beauty at the Presset refuge, to have a magical night near the lake...without luggage transport.
With good weather conditions, you can cross the "Passeur de la Mintaz", near Pierra Menta.
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 transport.
5h30 walk / Elevation: +700 m/ - 850m / 10 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 du 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 at the refuge des Prés, close to the Mont Blanc without luggage transport.
6H00 walk / Elevation: +950 m -850m / 14 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. The views follow one another over 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 at La Croix de Pierre refuge, without luggage transport.
5h walk / Elevation / +650m -620m / 13 km
6h30 walk / Elevation : +860m -830m / 17km through col de la Cicle
MONT CLOCHER – HAUTELUCE
The morning allows to enjoy the panoramic view during the whole crossing to the Mont Clocher. A long descent on a winding path leads to the authentic and preserved 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: +60 m -845m / 9km
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.
6 nights in dormitory in refuge. All accommodation has hot showers except at the refuge Croix de Pierre, the last night.
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.
Your luggage is transported to your accommodation on Days 2 and 4.
IGN Top 25 - 3532 OT - Massif du Beaufortain
Starting point and end point of the trek 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
Please check mappy.com or viamichelin.com
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
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 dropped off at your accommodation (you will get it back the day after). 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