Walking Tour: Switzerland, Italy and France

Day 01

Arrive Zurich. Rest of the day at leisure. Stay on BB basis.

Day 02

After breakfast sightseeing in and around Zurich. Stay on BB basis.

Day 03

To Lucerne. Sightseeing in and around Lucerne. Stay on BB basis.

Day 04

Sightseeing in and around Lucerne. Stay on BB basis.

Day 05

Site seeing and then afternoon train to Geneva. Stay on BB basis.

Day 06

Transfer to our hotel in the Chamonix Valley. We will stay in a small village 7km from Chamonix and has a few restaurants, bars and outdoor equipment shops. If you want to visit Chamonix town, it takes 20 minutes by public bus or train.

Day 07

Chamonix – Lac Blanc – Argentiere –

After breakfast we begin our journey. We take the short bus ride to Chamonix (20 minutes) and then walk along the river to the pretty village of Les Praz. We take the Flegere cable car and continue our walk to Lac Blanc. We walk through open countryside with incredible views of the whole Mont Blanc range and may hear the occasional whistle from a marmot. Our decent follows a beautiful path, through the forest, descending to Argentiere and back to our hotel for a second night.

12 miles (19km), with 1460 feet (450m) of ascent, and 4,264 feet (1,300m) of descent.

Day 08

Argentiere – Col De La Forlcaz

From the hotel we hike through old Argentiere and up to the Col des Posettes for superb views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley. From here, we traverse to the Col de Balme and look directly into Switzerland. We descend through open country with views of glaciers to Trient and then a short climb to the Col de la Forclaz where we spend the night.

11 miles (17 ½ km), with 3,820 feet (1,180m) of ascent, and 2,932 feet (894m) of descent.

Day 09

Trient  – Bovine Route – Champex

From Forclaz we hike along the ‘Bovine Route’ to Champex. The route winds its way through meadows, forests and open country with views of the mountains of Verbier and the great Sion Valley. There are no great ascents today and we arrive at the hotel located in central Champex overlooking the beautiful lake.

9 miles (14km), with 1,512 feet (461m) of ascent, and 1,781 feet (543m) of descent.

Day 10

Champex – La Fouly

From Champex it is a gentle 6-7 hour trek to La Fouly along the Val Ferret. We start our walk from Champex Lac and then descend to the valley floor and follow the river through forests and meadows to Praz-de-Fort. We then ascend in similar surroundings with wonderful views of Mt Dolent and the surroundin mountains.

12½ miles (20km), with 1,804 feet (550m) of ascent, and 1,443 feet (440m) of descent.

Please be prepared to carry overnight clothing with you in your day sack on Day 5 (La Fouly) and Day 8 (Les Chapieux), when you will not have access to your luggage. The remainder of your luggage will be transferred on to the next evening’s accommodation.

Day 11

La Fouly – Grand Col Ferret – Courmayeur

We continue from La Fouly along the Val Ferret and cross into Italy via the impressive Grand Col Ferret. From here, the descent is slightly steeper but rewards us with outstanding views of two of the Alps most iconic mountains – Les Grandes Jorasses and Mont Blanc. Our hotel is in La Palud – a small hamlet 3km outside of the centre of Courmayeur (45mins walk / 10mins bus ride). This is a long day if the entire walk is done, and many choose to take the bus from Arnuva to the hotel.

You will have the choice of both options. If you take the bus the total distance for the day is 14 miles/ 22km. 18 miles (29km) or 14 miles (22km) if you take a bus ride, with 3,181 feet (970m) of ascent, and 3,837 feet (1,170m) of descent.

Day 12

Rest Day in La Palud, Courmayer

Courmayeur is one of Italy’s premier ski resorts and is full of pretty shops, cafés and restaurants. Close by, there is the new Skyway cable car, the spa at Pre St Didier and lots of walking options.

Day 13

Courmayeur – Cod De La Seigne – Les Chapiux

We travel to Val Veny under the spectacular South Face and ridges of Mont Blanc. We trek along a wide glacial valley surrounded by glaciers and high peaks to the Col de la Seigne which marks the border between France and Italy. We then descend to Les Chapieux. Today is quite a long day, although it is not steep.

13 miles (24km), with 2,829 feet (860m) of ascent, and 3,171 feet (967m) of descent.

Day 14

Les Chapieux – Col Du Bonhomme – Les Contamines

We make a steep ascent above Les Chapieux through marmot country and on through open meadows to more barren scenery. We cross two cols in wild surroundings with fabulous Alpine flowers and marmots, weasels and chamois. We then head down through open country and on to a narrowing valley. Our destination is Les Contamines – a pretty ski village with an interesting church. The hotel is located 1km outside of the centre of Les Contamines.

13 miles (21km), with 3,050 feet (930m) of ascent, and 4,329 feet (1,320m) of descent.

Day 15

Les Contamines – Les Houches

We follow the Bon Nant river for approximately 4km and then head into the hills near la Gruvaz. We pass the pretty villages of le Champel and Bionassay and then make our final climb of the holiday to the Col de Voza (1653m). This is a fitting end to our trek with the most outstanding views of the Chamonix Valley, the Chamonix Aiguilles and the Mont Blanc massif. We descend by cable car to Les Houches. From here you can elect to take the bus back to the hotel in Argentiere (40 minutes) or continue on foot to Chamonix town – a further 7km – to complete the circuit. From Chamonix it is 20 minutes by bus or train to our hotel.

9 miles (14km), with 2,625 feet (800m) of ascent, and 650 feet (200m) of descent.