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You've heard about it many times. Friends have told you about it, filling your head with images.
You've dreamed about it... This time, it's for real.
Auberge Nordique has prepared a unique trip for you, led by your favourite mountain guides, so you can experience this classic route in complete peace of mind, but always in the spirit of Auberge Nordique.
Bordering France, Italy and Switzerland, this mountain range brings together vastly contrasting cultures and landscapes, offering a unique adventure.
For this trek, head for the northern section: from Courmayeur in Italy to Chamonix. From the very first steps, the impressive Brenva face of Mont Blanc, dropping sheer down into the Val Veni, sets the tone. The route then eases off through the mountain pastures of the Swiss Val Ferret, before culminating in a grand finale at the Balcony of the Aiguilles Rouges, overlooking the Chamonix valley.
One last face-to-face encounter with Mont Blanc, and already you’ll be keen to continue your exploration from a different angle.
Included
Full board catering
Trek supervision
Accommodation : Trek
Level
Age
From 18 years old
Program
Day 1 – Monday 2 August 2027
Lavachey – Val Ferret
Meet at Les Houches at 8.30 am for a taxi transfer to Courmayeur.
We’ll head up to the Bertone refuge to enjoy the extraordinary panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif. Breathtaking! We’ll finish with a beautiful traverse along the ridge to the Bonatti refuge (2,025 m), before descending back to Lavachey.
Elevation gain: 1,000 m – descent: 300 m – 5 hours’ walking – 12 to 14 km
Day 2 – Tuesday 3 August 2027
Val Ferret – La Fouly
We begin the day with a peaceful ascent through the Italian Val Ferret and a visit to the Pré de Bar Glacier, a truly spectacular glacier. It is then time to tackle the climb to the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m), the gateway to the Swiss Val Ferret and the highest point of the trek.
Near the Creux de la Chaudière, we come face to face with Mont Dolent, a highly symbolic peak, as it is at its summit that the three borders – Italian, Swiss and French – meet.
Overnight stay in La Fouly (1,600 m).
Elevation gain: 1,000 m – descent: 1,040 m – 6 hours 15 minutes’ walking – 17 km.
Day 3 – Wednesday 4 August 2027
La Fouly – Champex
This more leisurely stage allows us to savour the charm of the Swiss Valais. We descend the Val Ferret, passing through the charming villages of Praz de Fort, Les Arlaches and Issert.
The traditional Valais architecture is beautifully preserved here: houses, barns and ‘raccards’ (wooden granaries on stilts) line the path.
In this well-maintained landscape, we head back up through the forest to the health resort of Champex (1,473 m).
Elevation gain: 630m – descent: 600m – 4 hours 45 minutes’ walk – 18km
Day 4 – Thursday 5 August 2027
Champex – Trient
After a gentle descent through the forest, we tackle the climb leading to the Bovine mountain pastures (1,987m).
It is a balcony suspended above the Rhône Valley, offering a feast of wide-open spaces and sweeping horizons, from which we can see Martigny, the Valais and the Dents Blanches. The ascent ends at Collet Portalo (2,049 m), before we descend through the larch forests to spend the night in Trient, a typically Swiss village.
Elevation gain: 900 m – Elevation loss: 1,000 m – 6 hours’ walking – 16 km
Day 5 – Friday 6 August 2027
Trient – Tré le Champ
After following the Bisse de Trient (a water channel carved into the rock), we climb the path leading to the Bergeries des Grands (2,113 m), above the Trient Glacier. A ridge walk takes us to the Col de Balme (2,191 m), where we cross back into France and reach the Chamonix valley. From there, Mont Blanc comes into view on the Chamonix side. The descent offers stunning views of the Glacier du Tour and the Aiguille Verte.
Elevation gain: 1,000 m – descent: 900 m – 5 hours’ walk.
Day 6 – Saturday 7 August 2027
Tré le Champ – Chamonix
This final stage follows the Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges. We reach the Col des Montets, then our route climbs up to one of the Lacs des Chésérys (2,133 m), for a final nap away from the crowds at Lac Blanc. We finish the hike, still following the ridge, amidst spectacular scenery, facing the Aiguille Verte and the Drus.
Elevation gain: 830m – elevation loss: 860m – 6 hours’ walk – 15km
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Important: The programme is given as a guide only. Situations beyond our control may also lead us to modify the itineraries and activities of the day (weather, level of participants, safety, etc.).
The programmes have been drawn up based on the latest information available at the time of writing: unforeseen circumstances are always possible and situations beyond our control may affect the course of events. Once on site, our guides are the best judges and may need to modify the itinerary depending on the weather, physical abilities, availability of accommodation or if the safety of the group requires it.
NB: If you wish to stay in Chamonix the night before departure and on your return, we can recommend convenient accommodation in Les Houches: Le Gite Fagot. However, you will need to book quickly.
Important
PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL LEVEL
For average hikers who are trained to walk for several days in a row - Stages of 4 to 6 hours of walking per day. This trek is designed for a gentle introduction to mountain hiking, so it is suitable even for first-time hikers.
450 to 900 metres of elevation gain per day.
MEETING POINT
Tuesday: 8:30 am in Les Houches
Saturday: departure around 4 pm in Chamonix
CARRYING
Personal belongings and lunch.
Bag weighing approximately 7-8 kg maximum, including picnic and water. Your guide will advise you on what to pack.
The bag itself should weigh approximately 1 kg max when empty. Capacity approximately 32-35 litres.
ITINERARY
The itinerary may be modified by the guide depending on weather conditions, snow conditions and the level of the participants, or for reasons of accommodation availability.
Times are given as a guide only and do not include stops.
GROUP AND SUPERVISION
Number of participants: 8 to 12 people. Supervision is provided by a mountain guide with a State Mountaineering Certificate. You will be under his responsibility and he may modify the organisation depending on weather or technical constraints. Technical information is available from Alice Verney : verneyalice@hotmail.com
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION
In mountain huts, lodges or inns. Picnics prepared by the mountain huts except for Day 1 (bring your own sandwich).
ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER THE TREK
You can book accommodation the day before departure in the Aravis (excluding the Auberge Nordique) and then carpool to Les Houches.
The price includes:
o Supervision by a state-certified mountain guide
o Full board accommodation and meals (picnic lunch) from dinner on day 1 to picnic on day 6, excluding picnic on day 1.
o Transport from Chamonix to Courmayeur.
The price does not include:
o Transport to and from the meeting point.
o Picnic lunch on Day 1.
o Drinks, snacks and personal expenses. Bring your own cereal bars and other snacks (the mountain huts provide some in the packed lunch).
o Membership card for the Auberge Nordique (€6).
o Mountain insurance: we recommend that you take out insurance covering you for civil liability for the activity practised and covering you in the event of an accident: rescue costs, repatriation to your home and reimbursement of additional medical expenses.
o Anything not listed under ‘the price includes’.
o Accommodation before and after the trek.
INSURANCE
We cannot assume responsibility for anyone's civil liability.
To participate in our trips and excursions, you must have civil liability insurance and be covered for assistance, search and rescue, repatriation, and mountain accidents.
We can offer the ‘Passeport Montagne’ card at a preferential rate - find out more about the cover by clicking here.
FORMALITIES
o Passport (for trips abroad) or valid identity card.
o Civil liability: each participant must have civil liability cover (for recreational hiking activities).
o Repatriation insurance is compulsory and cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. If you do not have this cover, L'Auberge Nordique can offer you solutions through Passeport Montagne (ANCEF) and their insurer Gritchen.
o Remember to apply for your European Health Insurance Card.
CONDITIONS TO BE MET
o Minimum age: 18 years old.
o Medical certificate of fitness for hiking to be submitted before departure.
o Be well rested and in good physical condition.
NOTE
The trek may be cancelled no later than 15 days before departure if there are too few participants.
Accomodation
More about ...
The Auberge Nordique
The Auberge Nordique, located in the Aravis mountains in the resort of Le Grand-Bornand, is a premium holiday village.
We offer all-inclusive holidays to suit all tastes and levels.
Full board, don't worry about anything, we organise your holiday!
Take advantage of professional quality supervision, tasty local cuisine, quality accommodation to enjoy sporting moments and moments of relaxation and well-being.
Friendliness, sharing and environmental and territorial commitments are our watchwords.
Confort or Premium ?
Our rooms
Have you chosen an activity? Now choose your room to make the most of your full-board stay in the mountains!
Our century-old chalet, typical of Le Grand-Bornand, has been completely renovated and we now offer top of the range rooms. Choose between Comfort and Premium roomq.
Alone? You can also choose to share your room to reduce costs, just like in a real Auberge!
Would you like to visit the hostel?
This way to the virtual visit!
Equipement
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
o Backpack (approx. 35 litres).
o Hiking poles recommended.
o Head torch or mini torch.
o 1 litre stainless steel water bottle or 2 x ½ litre bottles.
o Folding knife, small rigid plastic fork and spoon, cup.
o Hiking boots with good tread and in good condition.
o Silk or very thin sleeping bag liner for the refuge (blankets or duvets provided).
o Transparent plastic bags to protect clothes in your bag.
RECOMMENDED CLOTHING
o Thin wind-stopper gloves, such as cross-country skiing gloves, depending on the weather forecast.
o Hat, cap.
o 2 breathable T-shirts and 1 breathable undershirt.
o 1 warm down jacket or softshell jacket, fleece, etc.
o 1 Gore-Tex jacket for protection against rain and wind.
o 1 pair of breathable, stretchy hiking trousers and 1 pair of shorts.
o 1 pair of long or ¾ length breathable thermal underwear (Odlo, Patagonia, etc.) for the night or to wear under your walking trousers if it is cold, or as a change of clothes when you arrive at the lodge if necessary.
o 2 pairs of mid-calf hiking socks made of anti-blister terry cloth.
PERSONAL
o Small toiletries bag and earplugs.
o Small first aid kit (with prescription): medication, arnica, paracetamol, etc., elastoplast, blister plasters.
o Sunglasses with UV4 protection (contact lenses not recommended), sun cream.
o Identity and insurance documents, family telephone numbers in case of emergency, money, etc. in a zip-lock freezer bag. European Health Insurance Card (free on request from your health insurance provider).
MOBILE PHONES AND CAMERA BATTERY CHARGING
Access to mobile phone networks is unreliable in the mountains. Mountain huts have solar power or a generator and often no sockets available (sometimes for a fee). The hut's telephone is reserved for hut use and emergencies. A phone battery can last a week if you only turn it on occasionally.
Book
Booking
Booking dates
- August
-
from 2 August 2027 to 7 August 2027available from1 075 € /pers (room of 2)6 days, 5 nightsselect