Walking from Aravis to Annecy, France
Self Guided Walking
The massif of Aravis gives an ideal picture of the mountain, livened up with chalets, disseminated chapels. Aravis is part of the chain of calcareous PreAlps, between the massif of Bauges in the south and that of the Demarcations in the north. In the middle of the Haute Savoie, very close to the lake of Annecy, Megève and the Mont Blanc, it is one of the most engaging massifs a country of mountain traditions, a dynamic country which knew how to keep undamaged its architectural integrity and which reserves for us splendid and various walking.
Highlights:
♦ Four of the most authentic and protected villages: Grand Bornand, Chinaillon, Clausaz and St Jean de Sixt
♦ Grand Bornand - is a summer and winter resort which developed around an old village;
♦ Annecy - is the Venice of Savoie - a well deserved title. The medieval town centre built around a 14th Century Chateau is dissected by small canals and streams running out of Lac Annecy, which is clean, fresh and a wonderful azure colour;
♦ The lake of Annecy - one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Alps
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival in Saint Jean de Sixt
An authentic village of the Aravis. Accommodation in hotel in St. Jean de Sixt, very calm with a nice view. You will also be able to use the swimming pool or to go around in the village.
Day 2. St Jean de Sixt - Les Confins
The route takes you gently up to The Plateau des Confins and you can choose between 2 options:
Option 1 - a longer version by the Pointe de Beauregard and the pass of the Aravis.
Walking distance: 6h - 6h40min, +1220m/-830m;
Option 2 - walk by the Mouilles de la Perrière and the top of Tete de Danay (1731m) with a very nice panorama on the chain of Aravis in the East and on the Mount Lachat de Chatillon and the valley of Bouchet.
Walking distance: 3h30min - 4h, + 750m/-350 m.
Day 3. Plateau des Confins - Chinaillon
You walk by the pass of Annes (1721m), passing by the bottom of the summit of the Aravis : the Pointe Percée (2750m). The high mountain pastures of the Confins plateau, after that you will reach the Bouchet valley in the beautiful corrie, under the Pointe Percée (2750m) and the Pointe du Roulletaz (2077m). The path by-passes some sides of the mountain to cross easily the pass of Borneronde and the pass of Annes (1721m). You can have a lunch break at the cottage at the pass of Annes. Descent to the halmet of Chinaillon under the ridges of the Pointes d’Almet, Grande Combe and the Pointe de Deux Heures.
Walking distance: 6h (15km), + 800m/-850 m. Shorter route: 5h15min (14.5km), +600m/-650m
Day 4. Pointe de Balafrasse or Tête d’Auferrand
From Chinaillon, you climb to the chalets of Guillery and then to the Col de la Colombière, 1607 m. From the pass, two itineraries are available to you:
Day 5. Chinaillon - Grand Bornand
Climb by the ridge of Aiguille verte (2000m) and the Lessy Lake. The view from the Aiguille verte to the summit of the Aravis (Pointe Percée) is splendid, after that you cross the pass of Forclaz and go down to the hamlet of Mayse (sheepfold, cottage, drinks, snacks). The trek continues with a climb to the pass of Planay between the Roc des Tours and the Roc des Charmieux and goes down to reach the itinerary that will lead you to the Mouilles, Tannaz and the Grand Bornan. . You can picnic in the chalet of Mayse.
Walking distance: 18km, 6-7 hours; + 1070m ( no technical difficulties) - 1450m
Day 6. Grand Bornand - Annecy
Early transfer to Montremont (18km), (850m). Climb to the bottom of the Tourette by the pass of Nantets (1426m); discover from the pass of the Lake Annecy. Descent to the bottom of Dents de Lanfon by the path around the lake. You reach Talloires near the lake. 3 options for this walk from 04h30 to 6h00 of walk. From +600 to +850 and -1000 to -1270
You take the omnibus (boat that goes around the lake to reach Annecy) by Doussard and Duingt. Overnight in Annecy in a 4* hotel in B&B We recommend you to have diner in one of the many restaurants in the old town of Annecy.
Day 7. Annecy
Departure possible after breakfast or additional night in Annecy. Or an optional hike is possible too
Luggage transport: There is organized transport of the luggage for each of the walking days.
Practical information: ►we recommend you to go to have dinner in one of numerous restaurants of "old Annecy ", splendid quarter of Annecy, by the lake. ►The tour is suitable for average to good walkers, you need to have hiking experience with 4 h to 7 h walking on day ►You have to carry only a small backpack with the necessary things for the day - personal items, water, lunch
Necessary equipment: ►sturdy hiking shoes and walking (woolen) socks, an extra pair of sneakers, a good sweatshirt og fleece jacket, a windbreaker, comfortable trousers to hike in, shorts, light shirt with long sleeves, bathing suit, a small rucksack, a water bottle/flask with at least 1 litre capacity, sunglasses, sunhat, sun cream, first aid kit, rainwear and insect repellent, a small comfortable backpack for the day (35 to 50L)