Traverse of the Chablais
Traverse of the Chablais
Traverse of the Chablais
Traverse of the Chablais
Traverse of the Chablais
Traverse of the Chablais

Traverse of the Chablais


Snowshoeing in France

This is now a 'must do' winter journey over the mountains between the French village of Megevette in the valley of the Arve in the west, through to the shores of Lake Geneva in the east. The Chablais area is renowned for its marvellous snowshoeing country and many of the high points give views to the Mont Blanc range. Since we pioneered this route in 2009 it has become a 'classic' for snowshoe enthusiasts. We will walk a total of 84.5 km (53 miles) through the mountains over six days. 

Highlights

  • A true mountain journey
  • Explore hidden valleys and wild summits
  • Visit quaint and characterful ancient villages
  • Sample tasty local cuisine and culture
  • Airport transfer to first hotel included
  • Daily transfers of your luggage
  • Only a day rucksack needed!

As we travel on our snowshoes from village to village we pass through remote valleys, under towering limestone cliffs and over high plateaus. Each day our luggage is taken by taxi to our next hotel - no heavy loads to carry!


I had a fantastic time - first time in the mountains for 2 years. We had brilliant times in fresh snow and under good sunshine. And Arno the guide was the best you could have.

- Richard, England, 2022

I just wanted to thank you for an excellent week of snowshoeing.  I really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know a beautiful and little visited part of the French Alps.  We were treated to a high standard of accommodation each night with excellent food and a warm welcome.  We were very fortunate to have excellent weather which added to the glorious views from every col. Our guide Paul was excellent and a pleasure to be with in the mountains.  All in all a top trip! I shall certainly be checking out the other offerings from Tracks and Trails in the future.

- Paul, UK - Jan 2022

Arno made the snowshoeing great fun and varied the route as necessary to get the best snow. We were (mostly) lucky with the weather and even the single, very wet day (which only two of us braved with Arno) was great fun battling the elements in the snow. I don't think I have a favourite day, but the one that stands out if anything is Biot to Abondance - the views and scenery were spectacular.

- Lesley, UK, 2020

Very enjoyable trip with knowledgable, and fun guide. Lovely views throughout, relaxing breaks in the sun by mountain pasture huts, good accommodation in nice towns and villages. Try the Abondance cheese!

- Margaret, UK, 2019

An amazing trip with a knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic guide. Every day brought great views, attractive mountain hamlets and a comfortable hotel.

- Monica, England, 2019

An excellent trip and a memorable experience. I enjoyed going from point to point and experiencing the journey through the landscape. Snow, mountains and good company. Our guide - Knowledgeable, patient, funny, informative, safety conscious, enthusiastic. I cannot speak too highly of Arno.

- Suzanne, Scotland, 2019

Just to say very many thanks for inventing and organising our superb 'Traverse of the Chablais'. We all had a fantastic time and Arno was a brilliant guide, sharing his knowledge with us and making excellent  route choices, especially since he had to cope with probably the slowest group on record and unusually deep  snow. 

- Monica, England, 2019

Alex, our guide, balanced leading with being one of the group very well and was a pleasure to travel with. She took trouble to prepare ahead so that there were no problems for us. With brilliant weather, this trip exceeded expectations. Loved seeing the landscape and small villages away from the crowds.

- Kirsten, England 2015

Itinerary

  • Your guide will meet you in the hotel bar, at approximately 1900 hrs, in the tiny village of Mégevette, when you will have the chance will be available to discuss the itinerary and answer any questions about the week ahead. A group transfer from Geneva airport will be included in your trip cost, see our Trip Information for full details.

  • Today we begin our journey from west to east, and what a beautiful voyage it is. We leave our hotel and walk through the village, then we begin to climb while wandering through several hamlets where we can enjoy the local architecture of the old farm buildings. After a few km's (miles) we turn off onto a narrow trail into the forest and begin our climb through woodland. After a short time we pass the site of a memorial to the French Resistance which recounts how the local community fought and suffered during World War II. Soon after we are above the trees as we arrive at the Col de la Bray which sits at 1442m (4729ft), just below the summit of the Pointe des Jottis. From here we enter the open plateau that is home to an 'alpage', the ancient summer homes of the cow herders. We then head towards the frozen forest, and a wandering trail that takes us steeply down to the picturesque Chapelle de St Bruno by the edge of the lake. Here we are picked up in the village for our transfer to our overnight in a nearby hamlet.

    Ascent: 1053m (3453ft) Descent: 819m (2686ft) Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) Duration: 6h30 

  • This morning we have a short transfer to our start point at Malatraix where we begin our climb up the south face of the mountain to the vast spaces of the Trè-le-Saix, 1486m (4874ft). This is our only vehicle transfer of the trip and one which cannot be avoided due to limited accommodation options.  The Malatraix area is popular with ski mountaineers and usually we have company as we climb. The views from the top are fabulous, and if it is a clear day we can see all the way to Lake Geneva. We then traverse the plateau and head for the Col de la Balme, 1445m (4739ft), and finally to Col de Seytrouset, 1564m (5129ft). Today involves no less than three Cols, and it is a spectacular walk. Once we gain our third Col we then begin our descent to the Dranse de Morzine. There is a sting in the tail though, as we have a short steep climb to our overnight stop in the ancient village of Biot!

    Ascent: 870m(2853ft) Descent: 1000m (3280ft) Distance: 14km (8.7 miles) Duration: 7h50 

  • We leave the quaint village of Biot and climb past the old chalets to gain a track through the forest. We then head steadily upwards until we gain the alpage of Thex where we often stop under the eaves of the traditionally built farm buildings for a morning coffee and snack. After our coffee stop we make our way under the Pointe de Cercle until the Montagne de Drouzin, 1620m (53131ft). Here the views open up and we can often see all the way to the Jura mountains in Switzerland. A final short ascent, and we are on our way through the forest and down to the famous village of Abondance. We gain the Abondance valley by the north face of the Montagne de Drouzin until we reach the Alpages de Druges. We spend the night in the lovely village of Abondance which is well known for the cloisters at the Abbey and also for its cheese!

    Ascent: 780m (2558ft) Descent: 700m (2296ft) Distance: 14km (8.7 miles) Duration: 7h00

  • This is one of our favourite days as we access the remote valley of Ubine. We begin by strolling past the famous 15th century cloister of Abondance with its ancient frescos. We then head along the road for a short distance as we climb to the hamlet of Mont with its immense chalets in the Chablais style. Colourful bee hives line our route and are usually roofed by a blanket of snow. After a climb through the forest, passing ancient chalets, we reach the ridge of Mont Chauffe at Col de la Plagne, 1546m (5070ft). Then its off down into the stunning valley of Ubine which is uninhabited in winter. After visiting the chapel with its beautiful stained glass windows, we then follow a cart track down to the village of Vacheresse where we spend the night. We are often accompanied on the descent by fellow snowshoers or ski mountaineers. It is always pleasant to compare notes with others in the mountains and chat about the highlights of the day.

    Ascent: 780m (2558ft) Descent 880m (2886ft)) Distance: 16km (10 miles) Duration: 6h5 

  • There are several ways to reach Mont Baron from Vacheresse. We choose to head up the Replain valley until we reach the foot of the summit slope. On our way we will pass many old farm buildings, and yet again we can enjoy witnessing the architecture of the area and the 'old life' of the mountain people. In the summer months these slopes are the home to large flocks of sheep, and also the local Abondance cows which produce the excellent cheese of the same name. You can tell an Abondance cow as she has a white face, but wears 'spectacles'! Nothing you can buy in an opticians, but instead she has large brown-coloured circles around her eyes, very distinctive! Once we reach the foot of Mont Baron we climb to the summit at 1556m (5103ft) and enjoy views of our route for the next day. Sometimes we can even see our hotel from the summit, but it requires a keen eye. Finally we begin our descent to the village of Bernex for the night.

    Ascent: 900m (2952ft) Descent: 800m (2624ft) Distance: 12km (7.5miles) Duration: 6h00

  • Today we traverse Mont Benand at 1284m (5407ft), with its summit offering great views of the Gavot plateau and the enormous expanse of water that is Lake Geneva, known locally as Lac Leman. It is indeed one of the latest lakes in Europe. This is a beautiful traverse under the north face of the huge cliff of the Memises where we make our way down to Thollon at 937m (3073ft). At this altitude we may well have to cast aside our snowshoes as we make our way down to Lac Leman itself for a spot of toe dipping in the water! We then travel to the world famous spa town of Évian-les-Bains, where we spend our last night for easy transfer to Geneva airport the next morning. 

    Ascent: 524m (1718ft) Descent: 1110m (3640ft) Distance: 16.5km (10.3 miles) Duration: 6h50 

  • Today is departure day after completing a true traverse of the Chablais region. In Evian we normally stay within easy reach of the train station for departures to Geneva on the French railway. However, you can take the morning ferry across Lake Geneva, and then catch the Swiss train system direct to the airport. A wonderful way to end the journey!

It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment. 

In the event of there being a lean winter and a lack of snow to cover the entirety of our route this trip will go ahead. Snowshoes are an aid to hiking in winter and if we do not require them we will still enjoy a winter walking trip. 

Accommodation

You can be assured we spend a lot of time and effort researching the best accommodation available for the standard of your trip. Where possible we use family run establishments with a reputation for hospitality and food.

The Traverse of the Chablais is a point-to-point trip, travelling from one tiny village to another, where there are very few, and sometimes no, alternative options for our overnights. We do not use mountain huts where you will be in dormitories, but we do stay in two hotels which we would described as more basic than the standard we normally strive for. However, they do have private bedrooms, and you will have private en suite facilities. On occasions when the accommodation is already fully booked we may have to spend two nights in one location, but will still snowshoe the route from point-to-point. The advantage is that you will have one night without having to re-pack your luggage.  

Your booking will be based on two people sharing a bedroom; what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are travelling as a single person you will be sharing with a person of the same gender. If you would like a single bedroom there will be a supplementary charge. Single rooms are often in high demand, and short supply and we would ask that you contact us in good time if you would like to book a single room. 

Auberge de Mégevette, Mégevette

Auberge

Our meeting point is the Auberge de Mégevette. Auberge is an interesting description to define as most are simply village 'hotels'. A dictionary definition would be an 'inn' in a French speaking area. The Auberge has en suite bedrooms, and dinner is traditional local dishes from the Savoyard region. It is run by the very helpful David and his wife Lydia. 

There is a cosy bar which is often frequented by the locals. David is a butcher to trade, and he is normally the Chef who will be preparing your dinner. 

Hotel Christania, Hirmentaz

Hotel

This is a very comfortable 3* hotel which is family run, and situated on a Col in the hamlet of Hirmentaz. The Christania does excellent meals, and has a heated swimming pool which is great to ease any tired muscles. All rooms have en suite facilities. 

Hotel Les Tilleuls, Le Biot

Hotel

This family run hotel is in the village of Le Biot which is perched on the side of a mountain above the valley. The village is quaint and quiet, and the only shopping experience is the local Boulangerie! Your hotel is simple, providing clean and comfortable rooms which are all en suite. It is the only accommodation option in this tiny village. A true Savoyard experience. 

Hotel Le Mont Jorat, Abondance

Hotel

In Abondance we stay at the Hotel Le Mont Jorat which is right in the very heart of the village and opposite the 15th century Abbey. This family run hotel, which sits right by the river, is very welcoming. There are twenty-two bedrooms with en suite facilities. In Abondance the Hotel Le Mont Jorat is one of only two very basic hotels in the village, the other being Hotel Les Touristes which we will use if the other is not available. Neither are what we would term as 'luxurious' but they provide a bed and a meal, and the chance to unwind in a bar while enjoying the experience of authentic French village life. 

The hotel serves traditional local food so be prepared for cheese to feature in some form or another. Breakfast is buffet-style so you can eat as much as you wish. All good fuel for the day ahead. 

Hotel Plein Soleil, Vacheresse

Hotel

Our hotel is situated in the old hamlet of Vacheresse with its traditionally built chalets. The Plein Soleil is a new building and is very comfortable with lovely views down the valley. Once again it is family run, and all of the bedrooms have en suite facilities. 

Chalet Le Titlis, Bernex

Chalet

Chalet Le Titlis is situated on the mountain side above the village of Bernex. This traditional chalet sits at 1100m (3608ft) and offers a wonderful panoramic view of the Dent d'Oche mountain. It has eight bedrooms and a capacity to take thirty-one people. We know you will receive a warm welcome from Cathy and Christian Birraux who run the chalet. The chalet also has an indoor swimming pool to help relax any aching muscles. 

 

Hotel Littoral, Evian-les-Bains

Hotel

We finish our trip with a night in the famous spa town of Evian-les-Bains. There are several hotels we may use in Evian, including the lovely family run 3* Hotel Littoral. The hotel is decorated in traditional alpine style, and is centrally located and very close to Lake Geneva. The hotel is 1km (0.6 miles) from the railway station, and is 500 metres (0.3 miles) from the CGN ferry terminal if you plan to finish the trip with a crossing to Lausanne, and then the train to Geneva.

 

In 1953, Francis and Christiane Dufour settled down in Evian-les-Bains, taking over the Café de l’Union. They then decided to turn it into a restaurant, and eventually an hotel. In 1988, the Grivel neighbourhood was completely re-vamped which meant their Hotel de l’Etoile had to be taken down. Two years later, Chantal opened a brand new establishment, the Littoral hotel. Sévrine, Chantal’s daughter, is now running the hotel and continuing the family tradition. 

There is a spa which is open to hotel guests, and costs 10€ per booking with a duration of between an hour to an hour and a half. A great way to ease your muscles at the end of a week of snowshoeing. The spa requires booking in advance.


  • Arrival

    The Alps are easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane. Geneva is the closest international airport for this trip, approximately 1 hour by road.

    For this trip we include a group transfer from Geneva airport in Switzerland to our start point at the small village of Megevette, which is north of the town of Saint Jeoire in France. The group transfer will be at approximately 17h30, though this may be earlier if the arrival times of the group members allow it.  Make sure you allow enough time for your flight to make this departure time. If this is not possible we can give advice on how to get to Megevette by train and taxi. The journey from the airport to Megevette is approximately 1 hour.

    Departure

    We finish in the famous French spa town Evian-les-Bains and it is a fantastic end to the trip to catch the morning ferry across Lake Geneva and then the train to the Geneva airport. Timetables are available here. Please ensure that you have allowed enough time to travel to the airport for your return flight. Alternatively, you can travel to Geneva airport from the local railway station, but you may have to change trains.

    If you choose to take the ferry and then a train to Geneva airport you need to buy a ticket at the ferry office or on board to Lausanne Gare, as this includes the cost of the Metro from the boat to Lausanne station. The ferry journey takes 35 mins and you can usually buy drinks/snacks on board.

    When you get off the ferry at Lausanne there is a small park area of grass and trees which you can cut diagonally leftwards across, heading for Lausanne-Ouchy-Olympique where you take the Metro to Lausanne Gare (the train station). It takes about 2/3 mins to walk from the ferry to the Metro. The Metro station is in front of you as you arrive at the buildings and just left of the ‘Restaurant Le Pirate’. The Metro journey takes around 5 mins to Lausanne Gare.

    The journey time from Lausanne Gare (the train station) to Geneva airport takes about 50-55 mins. 

    It is possible to buy a combined boat, metro AND train ticket to the airport.

  • When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:

    Mountain Rescue Insurance

    It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.

    Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance

    You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.

    COVID-19 Insurance

    As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.

    Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.

    All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions

    If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.

    For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.

  • Winter mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley. 

    In winter the weather can deliver everything from clear blue skies, and glorious sunshine, to heavy snowfall and strong winds. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality.

    Temperatures vary depending on the month, generally December, January, and February are colder, but by March and April the temperatures are warming up and spring is on the way. 

    In December and January they can range from -10°Celsius (14°F) to 3°Celsius (37.4F), in February from -5°Celsius (23°F) to 7°Celsius (44.6°F), and in March from 0°Celsius (32°F) to 13°Celsius (55.4°F). 

    The above figures are a general indication only as the weather can vary considerably year on year for any given month.

  • When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have the appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and the accommodation you will be staying in. 

    Generally clothing for snowshoeing should be equivalent to that used for walking in the mountains in winter. For this trip all the necessary snowshoe equipment is provided free of charge. This includes snowshoes, walking poles, snow probe, snow shovel, and avalanche transceiver. The carrying of this safety equipment is compulsory and demonstrates ‘best practice’. 

    Your guide will arrive at the ‘Welcome Meeting’ with only enough snowshoe equipment for those who have booked it via their Booking Form. 

    Equipment

    • Snowshoes - supplied free of charge 
    • Poles - supplied free of charge
    • Avalanche Transceiver - supplied free of charge
    • Shovel - supplied free of charge 
    • Snow Probe - supplied free of charge 
    • Rucksack – 30-35 litres, with waist and chest strap. Ideally it should have a system that allows you to attach snowshoes if it is necessary to carry them. See image below
    • Rucksack – waterproof liner/cover
    • Walking Boots - warm and waterproof. They should not be ‘low cut’ and must cover your ankles
    • Bags to waterproof items, such as documentation
    • Gaiters - useful on days with deep fresh snow

    Clothing 

    • Waterproof jacket - essential, this must keep you dry during a day of continuous snowfall or at least as dry as any waterproof jacket ever keeps you!
    • Waterproof trousers - in case of heavy snowfall
    • Trousers - windproof and warm 
    • Thermal top - long sleeves
    • Thin fleece - long sleeves
    • Waistcoat - fleece/wind stopper 
    • Gloves x 2 (one thick and one thin)
    • Over-mittens for colder days can be useful
    • Warm hat
    • Sun hat
    • Head/ear band 
    • Duvet jacket (or second warm layer)
    • Scarf or 'Buff' for neck
    • Socks - 2 or 3 pairs

    Comfort

    • Lip salve
    • Sunscreen - essential
    • Sunglasses - essential
    • Goggles - very useful in snowfall
    • Snack bars/chocolate
    • Tissues - we recommend biodegradable bags to dispose of rubbish
    • Anti-bacterial hand wash

    Personal First Aid

    • Personal medication 
    • Blister plasters (e.g. Compeed)
    • Painkillers/anti-inflammatory
    • Glucose tablets/Energy gel
    • 2 x Rehydration sachets - eg Dioralyte
    • Throat lozenges
    • Antiseptic cream/spray

    Documentation 

    • Mountain Rescue/Ski Insurance documents - compulsory
    • Passport
    • Credit card
    • Cash - Euros

    Additional Items

    • Slippers for use at accommodation
    • Clothing for use at accommodation
    • Hair dryer if required 
    • Travel Kettle if required 
    • Swimwear for sauna. This depends on which accommodation has been booked for your trip
    • Camera/ Book/Music
    • Toiletries – soap/shower gel; not all accommodation supplies these
    • Ear plugs - if room sharing
    • Small thermos for hot drinks
    • Head torch - plus spare batteries 
    • Padlock - for luggage being transferred
    • 1 Medium sized - kitbag/holdall/suitcase

    Your luggage will be moved each day by a taxi driver. Please restrict yourself to one bag of approximately 15kg (33lbs) per person. Not all hotels have 'lifts' and you must be able to carry your luggage upstairs. There may be a charge imposed by the taxi company if you have more than 1 bag, and we would ask you to cover this. 

    **Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**

    Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit

    The image below gives examples of how snowshoes can be attached to your rucksack

  • On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.

    The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person. 

    If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened. 

    Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.

  • For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page. 

    We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.

  • When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £260. 

  • We go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.

    Please note your snowshoe guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. This is particularly relevant in a winter environment where the snowpack can change on a daily basis.

    Your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page. 

  • On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for this trip for guidance on the size of rucksack required.

    As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number of bags simply because they have to unload and reload the vehicle many times each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is generally a good idea.

  • We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.

    Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.

    If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.

  • On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip. 

    We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day. 

    The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required. 

  • Your guide will have all the maps necessary and you are not required to navigate. However, if you wish to arrive with maps of the route you will need two French IGN Carte de Randonnee: 

    Bonneville 3429 ET and Morzine 3528 ET

  • It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card. 

    On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.

  • Food

    We encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for traditional food and where the menu reflects the best that the region provides.

    The hotels to there best to accommodate the dietary needs of our guest . If you are vegetarian this is not a problem as the hotel is used to being asked for vegetarian meals. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance which will make you ill then the accommodation will cater for this as best they can but we would ask that you make it clear on your booking form of any food intolerance so that we can discuss your needs with the hotel at the earliest point possible. When using remote mountain huts the staff are usually able to offer breakfast and dinner which meet with the clients needs.  Packed lunches can be more problematic and so we do suggest that, if you do have a specific dietary requirement, you bring a range of suitable snacks to supplement the lunches.  If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance  contact us

    We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.

    Water

    The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.

    At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.

  • A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.  

    We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document. 

  • We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

    Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country

    Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera. 

  • Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your  departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.

    For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.

    If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number. 

  • We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.

    You can read our full policy here.

  • Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case. 

  • We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you. 


What's Included

  • 7 nights half board accommodation 2** hotel or similar; breakfast, and dinner, based on twin rooms
  • Professional guiding services of a qualified International Mountain Leader
  • Daily luggage transfers to the next night’s accommodation
  • Taxi transfer to Evian on the last day of snowshoeing
  • Taxi transfer between Hirmentaz and Malatrix
  • Snowshoe equipment - snowshoes, poles, snow shovel, avalanche probe and avalanche transceiver
  • Group transfer from Geneva airport to our first hotel in Megevette

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Lunches
  • Return transfer to the airport
Return to Search Print Trip Notes

Grade: Advanced

READ GRADE DESCRIPTION

At a Glance

From Price £1845
Holiday Type Snowshoeing
Duration 8 Days
Group Size 4-8
Minimum Age 18
Maximum Altitude 1620m (5313ft)
Countries Visited France
Meet In Geneva airport, France
View all Snowshoeing Holidays

Traverse of the Chablais

TSL Snowshoes Explained

Why book with T&T?

  • Highly professional guides
  • Personal service guaranteed 
  • Attention to detail throughout
  • Explore off the beaten track
  • Single rooms on request
  • No surcharge guaranteed
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