dossier
High Alps Walk
HIGH ALPS WALK - WHERE YOU STAY
Chatel or Les Gets Hotel Alpina ***
Les Gets, Days 1+10
Hotel Alpina is our base hotel for the High Alps Walk. M Hominal and his team will make you feel very welcome in this chalet style hotel. The rooms are beautifully furnished with intricately carved wooden panelling. Most rooms have balconies. The hotel has excellent facilities with a covered, heated pool, jacuzzi and sauna.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 1 Arrive at Les Gets
A taxi transfer from Geneva to Les Gets, then time to explore this charming alpine village or enjoy a swim in the pool before enjoying M Hominal’s delicious cuisine.
Day 2 Les Gets to Lac de Montriond 20km/13mi/7.5hr
A well-marked path takes you to the summit of Mont Chéry (1826m) for fabulous views of the Les Gets valley. There’s a fantastic panorama from the top, including a first sighting of Mont Blanc, before you descend through a flower-filled meadow - purple gentian and tassel hyacinth - to Col de l’Encrenaz. Skirt below the jagged peaks of the Pain de Sucre and the Pic de la Dollaz and descend to Montriond. Then it’s a pretty riverside walk up to our attractive chalet hotel beside the green/blue Lac de Montriond.
Hotel les Sapins **
Lac de Montriond, Days 2+3
This hotel is situated about 3km from the village in a particularly quiet and charming location. All 18 rooms are equipped with private bathroom, toilet, television and telephone.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 3 At Lac de Montriond
Excellent choice of local walks from a gentle stroll around the picturesque lake to an exhilarating ridge walk via the Ardent Waterfall up to the bustling village of Les Lindarets and then along the Super-Morzine ridge: fantastic 360 degree views. Full walking route notes provided.
Day 4 Lac de Montriond to Châtel 17km/11mi/6hr or 21km/13mi/9hr
The highlight of today’s walk is the magnificent limestone pyramid of Mont de Grange (2432m), a wildlife reserve. Around 500 chamois live here, along with mouflons and red deer . From the summit you see a huge Alpine panorama as far as Italy and central Switzerland. Then down to Châtel - breathtaking views and excellent regional cuisine.
Hotel le Renard **
Chatel, Days 4+5
Situated just below the main part of town, you stay as the guests of the affable Robert Brown at his comfortable 5 room 'Hôtel Le Renard'. The rooms are nicely furnished in a modern style, with tea and coffee making facilities.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 5 At Châtel
Lots of choice of well-signed footpaths in the mountains here, and only a short walk into Switzerland is the pretty village of Morgins. Perhaps stay in Châtel, potter round the village market and choose from swimming, golf, tennis, and mountain biking. Or hire a water bicycle for a trip on the Lac de Vonnes - it’s
great fun!
Day 6 Châtel to La Chapelle d’Abondance 17km/11mi/7hr
From Le Morclan (1970m) you feel you can reach out and touch the jagged teeth of the Dents du Midi, with Mont Blanc to the south and a sweeping view east of the Bernese Alps. You follow the old smugglers’ route high up along the Swiss border . Down through lush Alpine meadows thick with campanula, daisies and gentian to the pretty village of La Chapelle with its famous onion-domed church.
Hotel le Chabi **
La Chapelle d’Abondance, Days 6+7
Hôtel Le Chabi, where you stay is situated just 500m from the village, on a hillside with nice views looking down the Abondance valley. All 17 rooms are tastefully decorated and equipped with either a bath or a shower, telephone, television and balcony offering a beautiful view of the mountains.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 7 At La Chapelle d’Abondance
If you’re up to the challenge, the Cornettes de Bise is a must. As high as the Mont de Grange (2432m), this is one of France’s few ibex reserves, with 400 in the area at the last census. Or perhaps just go as far as the beautifully secluded Lac d’Arvouin, you’ll still be rewarded by spectacular views. Or if you’re feeling lazy, wander round the pretty village and relax by the hotel swimming pool.
Day 8 La Chapelle d’Abondance to Abondance 14km/9mi/5hr or 16km/10mi/6.5hr
From the Pointe de Lachau (1962m) you can see the Matterhorn, 80km away! Down to the gorgeous hamlet of Ubine, where old chalets huddle round a tiny 17C chapel under the sheer wall of Mont Chauffé. The afternoon’s almost all downhill, and you’re soon relaxing in the hotel’s private sauna and jacuzzi.
Hotel de l’Abbaye **
Abondance, Days 8+9
The Hotel de l’Abbaye is a fine traditional Chablais town house right in the centre of the village. This hotel boasts 19 well renovated rooms, all of which are en suite with televisons and balconies.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 9 At Abondance
Opposite the hotel is the 12C Abbaye de l’Assomption. The church (1275) is impressive, but it is the 14C Gothic cloister with 15C murals by Giacomo Jaquerio which steals the show. Why not also take a day trip to the ‘seaside’ town of Thonon and a boat ride on Lake Geneva?
Day 10 Abondance to St Jean d’Aulps/Les Gets 14km/9mi/5hr or 15km/10mi/5hr
Today offers a choice of two very different walks. The less energetic takes you to the Pointe des Follys, a great picnic spot for a relaxed end to your holiday. Or , weather permitting, you could - with a final burst of energy - climb to the wonderfully isolated tarn, Lac de Tavaneuse, where the setting is truly fabulous and the views magnificent as you go over the Col de Tavaneuse at 2000m. We meet you in St Jean d’Aulps for a ride back to Les Gets.
Day 11 Leave Les Gets
WALKING DETAILS
This is one of most demanding of the walks that we offer , with some strenuous climbs and descents each day. You’ll need to be a regular walker and reasonably fit. Walking boots are essential and, given that mountain weather can change rapidly, waterproofs should always be carried.
For extra nights we recommend Gets and Chatel.