Grande Traversée des Alpes : Chamonix-Modane, between peaks and valleys – part two
Activity
Difficulty
Duration
Dates
Price
From 940.00 €
About the Chamonix to Modane trek – part two
Set off on a Grande Traversée des Alpes from the shores of Lake Geneva at Saint-Gingolph to the coastal town of Menton! An exceptional 4-part trek, offering a unique journey between majestic mountains and breathtaking landscapes, all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.
Continue your adventure with the second part of the Grande Traversée des Alpes, from Chamonix to Modane! Over 7 days, this unforgettable trek will take you through the grandiose landscapes of the Alps, from iconic peaks like the Aiguilles Rouges to remote valleys like the Vanoise. The route will reveal the diversity of Alpine ecosystems, while bringing you closer to the Mediterranean Sea.
You will leave with :
Sébastien
Trekking Guide
“The trip to the mountains is a moment of discovery. So you shouldn’t try to arrive before you’ve left to take full advantage of it!”
Chamonix to Modane trek photo gallery – part two
The trek from Chamonix to Modane – part two
Upcoming departures
What's included in the formula
- Supervision by a state-qualified French mountain leader
- Accommodation in refuges, gîtes or inns in dormitories on a half-board basis
- Possible showers at lodgings
- Luggage transfers except on the evenings indicated in the description
- Transfers during the stay when indicated in the program
- Picnic lunches purchased at the huts, in town or brought to the huts
- Snacks during the walk in the form of dried fruit
- Organization costs
What's not included in the package
- Transfers to and from the meeting point
- Personal expenses: drinks, …
- Personal trekking and travel equipment (boots, poles, rucksack, etc.)
- Cancellation and repatriation assistance insurance to be taken out on registration.
- Any transfers and lifts not mentioned in the program
- Anything not indicated in the section “included in the price of the stay”.
Day 1: From Les Houches to Contamines-Montjoie
6 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in refuge – D+ 1560 m / D- 1400 m
The tour starts at 9 a.m. After a short transfer from Chamonix to Les Houches, you’ll start your trek towards the Col de Voza (1650 m), a pass already offering superb views over the valley. You’ll then follow the road to Bionassay, where you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Bionassay glacier.
The climb continues up to the Col de Tricot (2120 m), the major ascent of the day, before descending through the alpine meadows to the alpage du Truc. Situated at the foot of the Dômes de Miage glaciers, this mountain pasture offers an exceptional 360° panorama, with breathtaking views of the glaciers, Mont-Joly, Désert de Platé and the Aravis mountains. You’ll end the day in Les Contamines, where you’ll spend the night in a gîte or refuge.
Day 2: From Contamines-Montjoie to Refuge de Plan Mya
7 hours’ walk – Overnight in refuge – D+ 1480 m / D- 790 m
You’ll begin your hike in the footsteps of the Voie Romaine. Your first stop is at the Nant Borant refuge, nestled at the entrance to the valley, before continuing your ascent to the Col du Bonhomme (2329 m). Here, Alpine panoramas open up as far as the eye can see.
After a break at the Croix du Bonhomme refuge in the heart of the Alps, you’ll leave the Tour du Mont-Blanc itinerary to reach the Col de la Sauce at 2307 m. The day ends at the Plan Mya refuge in the Beaufortain region, famous for its emblematic Beaufort cheese.
Day 3: Plan Mya to Valezan, transfer to Refuge de Rosuel
7 hours walk – 40 minutes transfer – Overnight in refuge – D+ 995 m / D- 1635 m
This third stage of your adventure takes you through varied and spectacular scenery, right in the heart of the Beaufortain. The day begins on a quiet alpine road that leads you to the village of Mora. The trail then takes you to the Chalet de la Petite Berge, a small stone house nestled among the alpine pastures.
The high point of the day will be the Col du Bresson, at 2,477 meters above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the Pierra Menta, an emblematic summit of the Beaufortain. This massif is famous for the ski-mountaineering race that bears its name. After enjoying the panorama, you’ll descend through a mineral landscape dotted with alpine meadows to the Balme refuge.
This stage also marks the transition between the Beaufortain massif and the gateway to the Vanoise. You’ll then reach Valezan, where a transfer awaits you to the Rosuel refuge, located at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 4: Refuge de Rosuel to Refuge de Laisonnay
6 hours’ walk – Overnight in refuge – D+ 1085 m / D- 1060 m
This stage takes you to the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, a veritable haven of nature, dominated by Mont Pourri and Dôme de la Sache. After leaving the Rosuel refuge, you’ll begin the ascent to the superb Lac de la Plagne, an alpine setting at 2,144 meters altitude, ideal for a break in the heart of the mountains.
The hike continues to the Col du Plan Séry at 2,608 meters, the highest point of the day. The landscape becomes wilder and more mineral as you progress. You’ll then plunge into the Vallaisonnay valley, passing close to the Py waterfall, until you reach the Refuge de Laisonnay, a family-run refuge where you’ll spend the night.
If the Laisonnay refuge is unavailable, a short transfer will take you to Champagny-le-Haut for the night.
Day 5: Refuge de Laisonnay to Refuge du Grand Bec
6 hours’ walk – Overnight in refuge without luggage – D+ 1180 m / D- 335 m
This fifth stage takes you from the soothing landscapes of the Laisonnay valley to the heights of Pralognan, with a gradual climb that reveals ever more impressive panoramas. The start of the hike follows the Doron de Champagny river, a pleasant path alongside the water, winding through alpine meadows and pastures. The climb then becomes more sustained, gradually revealing the beauty of the surrounding mountains.
You’ll reach the Refuge du Grand Bec, nestled high up in the mountains and offering a breathtaking view of the south face of the Grand Bec, the Pointe du Vallonet and the magnificent Chavière valley. This cosy little refuge, located at the foot of the Pointe de la Vuzelle, will be your haven of rest for the night. Exceptionally, the refuge has no showers.
Day 6: Refuge du Grand Bec to Refuge Le Repoju
4 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in refuge – D+ 630 m / D- 1310 m
After leaving the Grand Bec refuge, you embark on a wild traverse towards the Col de Leschaux, culminating at 2,564 m. This passage offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Once at the pass, the descent begins, allowing you to enjoy views of the Pralognan valley and its lush forests. The trail takes you through alpine meadows, where the local flora and fauna reveal themselves before your very eyes. The descent is gradual and pleasant, leading you to the Le Repoju refuge, near Prioux.
Please note that it is possible to take a shuttle bus from Pralognan to the refuge, depending on the shape of the group. Only the guide can decide whether or not to take this option, ensuring the well-being of all concerned.
Day 7: Refuge le Repoju to Modane
7 hours 30 mins walk – D+ 1090 m / D- 1745 m
On this last day of the trek, you’ll begin your ascent of the Vallon de Chavière, a spectacular environment dominated by the Dômes de la Vanoise. This mineral, almost lunar landscape is framed by the imposing Aiguilles de Péclet-Polset. The high point of the day is the Col de Chavière, at 2,796 m.
After crossing the pass, you’ll skirt the magnificent Lac de la Partie, whose waters are infinitely pure and transparent, before beginning the descent to the refuge de l’Orgère, at 1,935 m altitude. From here, you’ll continue on through the alpine pastures to finish your adventure in style, with an arrival in Modane. An unforgettable stage that marks the end of this Alpine crossing!
For hikers extending their adventure, a comfortable night in a gîte will be on the agenda after this final day. For the others, it’s the end of an adventure, with perhaps the desire to return to tackle the next part of this Grande Traversée des Alpes!
Highlights of the trip
General information
SAFETY
You can find the Quai d’Orsay’s position on these countries on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr in the “Conseils aux voyageurs” section.
The information contained on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is subject to change and is given for guidance only. Please note that no region of the world or country can be considered safe from the risk of terrorism.
REGISTRATION
By post:
Ask us for a registration form
- by telephone: 04 50 89 63 32
- or e-mail: contact@watse.fr
Send us your registration with a copy of your passport, your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, together with a deposit of 35% of the cost of the trip.
Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multirisk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult our insurance contracts on our website.
By internet:
Book your holiday directly on our website: directly on the holiday page, choosing your dates and insurance options.
ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY
We strongly advise you to take out assistance insurance for the duration of your trip.
We offer two different types of insurance: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multirisk, to be taken out when you register for your trip.
Details of this insurance are available on request or can be viewed by by clicking here.
Other offers include Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or Club Alpin Français. Check that your trekking activity is covered.
Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses in the event of an accident.
You must make sure that you are covered for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information before you set off on your trek:
- a certificate from the insurance company covering mountain rescue costs.
- the contract number and telephone number of the assistance center
Beware of restrictive clauses in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to Visa Premier, Gold or other cards), such as mountain insurance limited to snow activities, or altitude sickness not recognized as an illness requiring repatriation, which will be refused.
Please check the actual content of your insurance and take the necessary steps if necessary.
Health & climate
CLIMATE
Temperatures vary according to altitude. It can reach 30°C in summer on the plains, or sub-zero on the summits.
Summer thunderstorms are common in the French Alps.
HEALTH AND VACCINES
No vaccinations required.
We strongly recommend that you are up to date with the usual vaccinations: diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.
We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.
Transport and conditions
Any travel during the trek is included in the price, except for transport to and from the meeting point on the first and last day.
For an additional fee, we can arrange transportation to and from the start and/or finish of the trek. Contact us or let us know your requirements when booking.
LUGGAGE
Luggage transfer between accommodation sites is provided by our team during the trek, except on day 5.
The stay
MEALS
Picnics for lunch are ordered from the refuges or made up of local produce bought en route in the villages. Evening and morning meals are taken in refuges, gîtes or hotels.
Snacks are provided, but you can also bring your own.
If you have a special diet, please let us know as soon as possible.
ACCOMMODATION
- 6 nights in gîte or refuge in dormitories
TRAINING
Supervision by a state-qualified French mountain leader.
Practical info
ELECTRICITY
Some (but not all) refuges offer charging facilities for small electronic devices (smartphones, cameras).
FORMALITIES AND VISA
No visa required for French nationals and citizens of bordering countries.
BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS
Daily travel, meals not included (cold drinks, snacks, etc.) and accommodation are included in the price of the stay. Tipping is not necessary and should reflect your satisfaction with the team.
ACCOMMODATION
If you wish to combine two parts of the Grande Traversée des Alpes, we can arrange an extra night between the end of your first trek and the start of the second. This option is available at extra cost.
We can also organize and take care of the night before the start of your trek, as well as the night after the end of your adventure, even if you don’t continue with a second trek, at an additional cost, to offer you a complete, stress-free experience.
Watse added value
SUPERVISION BY EXPERT GUIDES
Our experienced and passionate guides know the GTA itineraries inside out. They ensure optimum safety while sharing their knowledge.
A CHOICE OF QUALITY ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation has been carefully selected by our teams to guarantee maximum comfort and quality cuisine. Nothing is left to chance to ensure an unforgettable adventure!
TRANSFERS BY PRIVATE VEHICLE FOR GREATER AUTONOMY
To guarantee your complete autonomy, we provide transfers in private vehicles. This independence means no waiting or other inconveniences.