Day 1 Chamonix

Welcome meeting with your mounatin guide to have a first overview of the trek in the afternoon then diner in Chamonix.

Accomodation: Hotel in Chamonix

Day 2 Les Houches - Les Contamines via Bionassay glacier

Cable car to Vogla pass to start the trek at 1800 meters. Crossing until reaching the foot of the Bionnassay Glacier before ascending to the Col du Tricot. Descending to the Miage mountain huts and then to Les Contamines. Night in dorms in mountain hut or in hostel.

Night in dorms in mountain hut or in hostel.
Trekking time: 6h
Ascent: +650m
Descent: -1300m

Day 3 Col du Bonhomme Pass

Crossing via the Roman road to the renowned Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, a stage of the Tour du Mont-Blanc. Traverse of a scenic ridge and the vast alpine meadows of the Beaufortain. Descent to the Cormet de Roselend. Overnight in a dormitory on the plateau above the lake.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h30
Ascent: +1000m
Descent: -1000m

Day 4 Tarentaise valley

Starting via the balcony trail overlooking Lake Roselend and ascending to the Col du Bresson (2469m) at the foot of the famous Pierra Menta. Descending through the Ormette valley and then through canals and hamlets to reach Valezan, in the Tarentaise Valley. Transfer to Peisey-Nancroix and the Porte de Rosuel. Overnight in a dormitory at a refuge (or hotel).

Day 5 Vanoise National Park

Entering the Vanoise National Park at the foot of Mont Pourri and the Dôme de la Sache. Once past Lake Plagne, ascending the Col du Plan Séry allows for crossing into the Vallaisonnay valley with its astonishing geology. A final descent passes by the Py waterfall and reaches the various hamlets of the Champagny valley. Overnight stay in a lodge in Champagny-le-Haut, with luggage.

Night in dorms in mountain hut or hotel
Trekking time: 7h30
Ascent: +1050m
Descent: -1650m

Day 6 Grand Bec mountain

The hike begins in a vast spruce forest, with the trail ascending through all vegetation levels up to the Grand Bec refuge. Perched on its promontory, the refuge offers breathtaking views of the glaciers above and the valley of Pralognan below. Depending on conditions, there is the possibility to pass through the very alpine Col des Galinettes (2750m). Overnight stay in a dormitory at the Grand Bec refuge without luggage and showers.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 5h30
Ascent: +1250m
Descent: -300m

Day 7 Glacier and lakes

After leaving the refuge, there's a wild crossing until reaching the Col de Leschaux. From there, the trail follows a balcony path with views of the Vanoise glaciers and the Grande Casse (3855m) as the focal point. The path is impressive but well-marked and equipped with chains, leading to the famous Lac des Vaches. A final descent takes you to the village of Pralognan. From the Col de Leschaux, an alternative route allows for avoiding the balcony trail in case of bad weather. Overnight stay in a dormitory at the refuge.

Day 8 Maurienne valley

A long ascent in a sublime setting, with marmots and ibexes nearby. On one side, the glaciers of the Vanoise, on the other, the Aiguilles de Péclet-Polset guide us like a wall towards the Col de Chavière. We then descend into the Maurienne valley for nearly 2000 meters until reaching Modane, fortunately interrupted by a vehicle transfer from the Orgère refuge.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h
Ascent: +1150m
Descent: -900m

Day 9 Mount Thabor mountain

Transfer to Valfréjus (20 minutes) where we will find the famous starting point of the GR5, heading towards the Col de la Vallée Étroite. A gentle ascent towards this pass, which serves as a natural border between the Northern Alps and the Southern Alps. We enter the Hautes-Alpes, the Vallée Étroite is a French enclave in Italy. We will descend to the hamlets of Les Granges where we will spend our first night in a refuge.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 5h30
Ascent: +890m
Descent: -720m

Day 10 Clarée valley

We backtrack a few hundred meters to delve into the heart of the Clarée Valley. In an extremely wild area, we will ascend the Col du Vallon (2645m) and overlook the magnificent Lac Blanc. A beautiful descent takes us to the village of Névache at the top of the Clarée Valley. We cross the old village of Ville Haute, then transfer at the end of the day to the neighboring valley of Fonts de Cervières (55 minutes).

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h30
Ascent: +850m
Descent: -1050m

Day 11 Queyras natural park

Today's itinerary will allow us to reach the Queyras Regional Natural Park through a high-altitude stage, the Col Malrif (2830m). A beautiful ascent through alpine pastures from the stunning hamlet of Fonts de Cervières. We will pass the Col Marif with breathtaking views of the famous Mont Viso, lord of the Southern Alps. A long descent to Abriès via the Malrif lakes, among the largest in the Queyras. Overnight stay in a lodge in the upper Guil Valley.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h30
Ascent: +850m
Descent: -1300m

Day 12 Lake valley crossing

From the last hamlet in this upper Guil Valley, we will ascend, along the Italian border, the Bouchouse valley, which constitutes a biotope reserve. We'll pass by the Egorgeou and Foréant lakes, then reach the Col Vieux (2806m) to join the Chamoussière pass. Descending into the broad Aigue Blanche valley, we'll reach the Blanche refuge, on the lakeshore, at the foot of Tête des Toilies. You won't have your luggage for this stage.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h30
Ascent: +1400m
Descent: -600m

Day 13 High Ubaye valley

From the refuge, in this exceptional environment, you will ascend towards the highly mineral Col de la Noire. It is from this pass that we will leave the Queyras to enter the wild valley of Haute-Ubaye. Through the very flowered Longet valley, we will descend peacefully to the first hamlet of Maljasset.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 7h30
Ascent: +550m
Descent: -1300m

Day 14 Italian mountain dicovery

At the foot of the towering massif of Haute-Ubaye, the Chambeyron (3412m), we will peacefully ascend the valley of Col Mary with its multitude of lakes that cheerfully dot these still well-exploited pastures. From the pass, we will descend into Italy, into Piedmont, to reach the Val Maira and the beautiful village of Chiappera. Overnight stay in a hostel, you won't have your luggage for this stage.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h
Ascent: +815m
Descent: -1150m

Day 15 Val Maira

A beautiful traverse through the unusual Maira Valley to reach the Col des Monges (2542m), which marks the border. Descending into the Montagnette valley, dominated by the fortresses of the Maginot Line, erected for the Second World War.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h30
Ascent: +1150m
Descent: -1150m

Day 16 Mercantour National Park

Departure for the Lauzanier valley, at the gates of the Mercantour National Park. Ascent along a pleasant trail to reach Lake Lauzanier before a final, slightly steeper climb to the pass... Magnificent viewpoint from the Col de la Cavale overlooking the Tinée Valley and the surrounding massifs. Descent into the high valleys of the Alpes-Maritimes, passing through the Col des Fourches and the magnificent promontory of Mont des Fourches. We will reach the road to Bonnette Restefond (the highest road in Europe), where we will already encounter poignant remains of the Maginot Line. Our stage will be in Bousieyas, the first hamlet in this high Tinée valley.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h30
Ascent: +1040m
Descent: -1100m

Day 17 Vésubie valley

After an early morning transfer to Isola 2000 resort, we will reach the Col de la Mercière (2342m). Descending, then crossing above the old village of Mollière, until reaching the Col de Salèze. Depending on conditions and the group's level, we will make a detour to Lake Negere. Descending into the Vésubie valley until reaching the village of Boréon.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h
Ascent: +550m
Descent: -1100m

Day 18 Gordolasque valley

Starting from Boréon, we will ascend the valley towards Lake Trécolpas to cross the Pas des Lardes (2448m) dominated by Mount Gelas, the highest peak in the Mercantour. Descending towards the hospices of the Madone de Fenestre, where we will pass near the dairy farm of the Madone. Ascending the Poncet valley to reach the Baisse des Lacs and then the 5 Lakes of Prals before ascending to the Baisse des Prals. Beautiful descent to the bottom of the Godolasque valley, at the Relais des Merveilles.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 7h30
Ascent: +1550m
Descent: -1520m

Day 19 UNESCO Merveilles valley

We will ascend the Godolasque valley to Lake de la Fous and the Refuge de Nice overlooking it. Today, we will have our packs lightened for the evening at the Refuge des Merveilles. From Refuge de Nice, we will ascend to Baisse Basto to reach the famous Valley of Marvels and its rock engravings, some of which we will see alongside the GR trail. A series of lakes will enchant you amidst this very typical mineral landscape of the valley, steeped in history. Descend to the Refuge des Merveilles.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 7h
Ascent: +1330m
Descent: -790m

Day 20 Devil pass

Through a multitude of lakes, we will leave the Valley of Marvels via the Pas du Diable. There will be a change in landscape from Pas du Diable onwards, as we cross several medium-altitude passes amidst sheep-filled alpine meadows. At the Col du Raux, we will ascend cheerfully towards the small plateau of Authion, dominated by a remarkable fortification, a key site of confrontation during the Second World War. From Authion, we will have our first glimpse of the Mediterranean on a clear day. Descend to the small ski resort of Camp d'Argent.

Night in dorms in mountain hut
Trekking time: 6h
Ascent: +625m
Descent: -1000m

Day 21 Mediterranean alps

A magnificent day awaits you along the ridge. We will leave behind these landscapes rich in military remains from the Second World War to reach Sospel via the ridges and the mountains of Ventabren and Mangiabo. Along the way, we will have regular views of the mouth of the Var River and the outskirts of Nice. A beautiful descent to Sospel awaits us, where we will spend our first night in a genuine village, along the Bévéra River.

Night in dorms in lodge
Trekking time: 7h
Ascent: +570m
Descent: -1750m

Day 22 Final day through Mediterranean sea

For this final day, it's important to stay in good condition as it's a substantial stage! We'll have a beautiful ascent towards the Col de Razel (1032m) along an old path, often paved, amidst ancient ruined sheepfolds. We'll surely come across a flock of sheep or Rove goats, marking our arrival in Provence. The vegetation becomes much more lush and fragrant... Chestnut trees, maples, and rosemary will accompany us throughout this beautiful day. We'll enjoy our last pass (Col du Berceau, 1050m) to have our picnic overlooking the bay and port of Menton. Then, we'll descend to Menton for a farewell drink before the end of the journey in the late afternoon.

Trekking time: 7h
Ascent: +1110m
Descent: -1450m