Les bauges is a cultural entity between Chambery and Annecy lake. We will take you to breathtaking landscapes of alpine passes and summits. This itinerary is centre-based, which means that every day, you come back to the same point, in the heart of the typical village of Jarsy.
Walking with snowshoes doesn't require any particular technique. It is something you will pick up very quickly as you go - after about half an hour's walk. The path is absolutely safe and our guides Catherine, Pierre or Claude are all certified in winter walking. As this trip is centre-based, you can always take a day's rest. |

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Day 1 - Sunday (3h00, 6.5km, +/-520m)
After a transfer from Aix Les Bains train station at 10 am to Jarsy, we settle into our hotel.
Optional: Ascent between Trelod and Arcalod, highest point in the Bauges range, to reach the Col de Cherel (1495m).
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Town: Shops, Pubs, Restaurants
Accommodation: 2* hotel in Jarsy- room en suite |
Day 2 - Monday (5h30, 16km, +/-780m) The 4 pass circuit starts by climbing to the "Golet due Doucy" (1329m) and then to "Crete du Mont Julioz" (1500m). We pass through a forest to descend to two typical villages, "Mont Derriere" and "Mont Devant" (1010m). We go up to "Col de Bornette" (1304m), with great views on the Annecy lake and the Aravis mountain range.
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Town:same as previous day
Accommodation: same as previous day |
Day 3 - Tuesday (5h00, 10.5km, 840m)
Today we ascend to the high valley of Cheran and we reach places with uninterrupted views up to "Crete Ouest" (1703m) at the top of a cliff. Here we can witness the entire Les Bauges range in one go...
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Town:same as previous day
Accommodation: same as previous day |
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Day 4 - Wednesday (4h00, 9.2km, +/-600m)
An easier day today. A soft ascent between forests and quarries to the Chalet du Epion (1422m), highest point of the day. On the way down, from "Col du Potat" (1351m), we can enjoy superb views of the Chartreuse range as far as Mont Aiguille in the Vercors range.
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Town:same as previous day
Accommodation: same as previous day |
Day 5 - Thursday (5h00, 9km, +/-730m)
Discover of the west side of the Arcalod, highest point in the Bauges range. Going out of the forest, the slopes take us to "La Croix d'Allant" (1580m), with splendid panoramic views. The way down will be decided on the day, depending on the snow conditions.
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Town:same as previous day
Accommodation: same as previous day |
Day 6 - Friday (5h30, 15km, +/-760m)
At the foot of the impressive north face of "Pecloz", we climb right up to "Col du Haut Four" (1548m) where we can see the famous Mont Blanc (4807m). The slope gets a bit steeper but only for a short while to "Montagne d'Orisan" (1762m). Here we can embrace the whole Combe of Savoie, framed by the Aravis, Beaufort and Grand Arc ranges.
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Town:same as previous day
Accommodation: same as previous day |
Day 7 - Saturday (4h30, 8km, +/-730m)
Optional: The East face of "Mont Colombier" that we have admired for a week! A climb in a forest to a chalet, following the crete at 385m... The descent passes by the "Grange de Frotte Cul". A transfer is then arranged to Aix les Bains train Station for 6pm.
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Town: same as previous day
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- To Grenoble.
Ryanair, easyjet and BMI fly to Grenoble airport.
From Grenoble, train every hour to Aix les Bains (1h approx.): http://www.voyages-sncf.com/
To Lyon Saint Exupery
Air France, Aer Lingus and British Airway fly to Lyon Airport.
From Lyon, train every hour and half to Aix les Bains (1h20 approx.): http://www.voyages-sncf.com/
To Geneve
Air France, Aer Lingus and British Airway fly to Lyon Airport.
From Geneve, 4 or 5 trains a day to Aix les Bains (1h15 approx): http://www.voyages-sncf.com/
To Paris
Virtually all airlines fly to Paris
From Paris, many trains a day to Aix les Bains (3h30min approx.): http://www.voyages-sncf.com/
- From Aix les Bains to Jarsy
A complimentary transfer is included from Aix les Bains train station to our hotel in Jarsy at 10 am on Sunday. There is an option to reach Aix les Bains by train from Grenoble, Lyon, Geneve and Paris by 10 am. See http://www.voyages-sncf.com/
For a later transfer, we can arrange a transfer by taxi (not included). A transfer from the smaller train station of St Pierre d'Albigny is also an option (cheaper). If you require an additional night before the start of the trip, see our options below.
- From Jarsy to Aix les Bains
A complimentary transfer is included from Jarsy to Aix les Bains Day 7 on Saturday in order to be in the train station by 6 pm. There are trains to Grenoble, Lyon, Geneve and Paris after 6 pm. See http://www.voyages-sncf.com/
For an earlier transfer, we can arrange a transfer by taxi (not included). A transfer to the smaller train station of St Pierre d'Albigny is also an option (cheaper).If you need an additional night after the end of the trip, see our options below.
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6 nights in 2* hotel rooms, en-suite, full board basis
6 dinners
7 picnic lunches
6 breakfasts
Certified guide
Local Assistance
Transfer from Aix les Bains Day 1 at 10 am
Transfer to Aix les Bains Day 7 for 6 pm
All transfers between Day 2 and Day 6
Snowshoes + stick rental
Exhaustive "What to Bring" list
Flights
Transfers from/to the airport to Aix les Bains
Single room supplement (see options)
Drinks |