The trip

LEVEL ***          

Elevation: +400 to 1120 m average per day.
Walking time: 4.5 to 7 hours average per day.
Type of trek: mountain hike on trails including gravel paths.On Day 5, an impressive but perfectly safe footbridge, 210m long and 70m high, provides an easy way to cross a large glacial valley. In the case of extreme fear of heights, it can be bypassed by another route.

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

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing: 
- 2 topographical maps (1/20 000) 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

The tour is very well indicated by signposts, yellow arrows in the valleys and red and white stripes at higher altitude.
It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/25'000 and 1/50'000.

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in dormitory in gite or mountain refuge.
All accommodation offers hot showers except day 1.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accommodation, the prior day in the afternoon. 
Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops (days 3, 4 and 5).

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

It is essential to carry Swiss Francs for the bus and cable car transfers as well as for your personal expenses. 

MAPS

1:25 000 Gran San Bernardo - Ollomont (no 5)
1:25 000 Val de Bagnes - Verbier (office du tourisme le Châble)
1:50 000 Grand-St-Bernard - Combin - Arolla, 5027 T

Practical information

DEPART

Departures according to your preference from end of June to mid September.

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Departure at the train station in Fionnay (Val de Bagnes, Valais, Switzerland).

BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) at 10:18am, by Lausanne, Martigny, arriving in Le Châble at 4:15pm.
Bus 253 direction Mauvoisin: departure at 4:21pm, arriving at 4:51pm at Fionnay.
Return: Bus 253 departure from Fionnay to Le Châble, then train departure from Martigny, Lausanne, to (Paris) Gare de Lyon.
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at oui.sncf and cff.ch

BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Geneva, Chamonix, follow direction Martigny (Switzerland), continue direction Italy and follow signs Verbier, when in Le Châble, continue to "Fionnay - Mauvoisin" direction.
Parking place near the river, close to the Fionnay dormitory, big building on your left when you arrive in Fionnay.

End point during the afternoon in Fionnay.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Tourist Office Verbier: +41 (0)2 77 75 38 88 

INSURANCE

In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Under no circumstances, we can replace your personal civil liability.
The repatriation insurance EUROP ASSISTANCE that we offer is dedicated to French speaking people living in Europe. If it is not your case, we advise you to subscribe to another travel insurance which will cover you in case of injury and repatriation during your trek.

If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.

Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.

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
• 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

• Toiletries 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

Pack a comfortable rucksack of 50 to 60 litres, large enough to hold your belongings for the day (warm clothing, rain cape, water bottle, picnic box and cutlery, sun protection and identity papers), with room for a picnic and snacks as well as for the days without luggage.

LEAVE ON YOUR OWN FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS OR MORE

In the 'weight is the enemy' section, here are some tips on how to save a few hundred grams. For example, for your toiletries: a simple plastic bag with a zip or a small plastic box to avoid accidental crushing.

•     Hotel-size soap is generally enough for a week
•     A tube of toothpaste 3/4 full will do the trick
•     Shaving foam: a small sample can
•     A small microfibre towel
•     A small bottle of shampoo
•     A travel toothbrush

Pharmacy: in addition to your personal medicines, bring:

•     Elastoplast or hook-and-loop tape
•    "Second skin" tape to protect against blisters, such as Compeed
•     A small pair of scissors, thread and needle
•     A small tube of sun cream and lip balm

Now all you have to do is apply this recipe to your entire bag!

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your change of clothes should be packed into 1 soft bag of no more than 10kg per person. Your luggage is transported by a logistics vehicle from stage to stage, except on night 1, in accommodation that is not always easy to access.
Please note that luggage that is too heavy or too bulky will not be taken in charge by the drivers, please think about their backs!