Suggested Trips
Here are some suggested trips from the chalet:
Le Crot WalkLe Monal Walk
France to Italy walk
Glacier Walk on the Rhemes-Gollete Glacier
Le Crot Walk
A short drive from the chalet takes us to our start point at 1483 m. We’ll start on a lovely forested track with our aim to finish the walk in about 3 hours at Le Crot just in time for lunch in the sun. Its a gentle introduction to the area and this circuit can be enjoyed by all age groups and all fitness levels.
We soon join the Tour de Haute Tarentaise, a little known track which creates a huge loop joining the local valleys together. We’ll walk through a pine forest punctuated with glimpses of the other side of the valley and beautiful rhodedendrans before emerging in a high alpine pasture with views to the historic Col Du Mont. Then, turning back on ourselves, and following a bubbling torrent of meltwater we’ll head down a track that we ski down in winter to the tiny hamlet of Le Crot. Here there is a charming restaurant, only open in summer, that serves simple food in a garden fringed by beautiful mountain flowers. We’ll drink local Chignin white wine and eat lamb and duck, followed by Myrtille (blueberry) tarte and Framboise (rasberry) tarte before being collected by car for the ten minute journey back to the chalet.
Extras: Lunch
Time: 3 hours
Level: Easy
Le Monal Walk
Heading out of Ste Foy ski resort (1550 metres) we will head along a well trodden foresty track up to the Monal village (1850 metres). The route winds up slowly through the woods before emerging on a stunning plateau of alpine meadows, with pine trees, a stream and sheep grazing. To our right is the Mont Pourri range with the glaciers of Savinaz and Guerraz coming steeply down and hanging precariously above the valley below. The village was the first in France to be listed and has been perfectly preserved. The ancient chapel is well kept and there are generally families out enjoying what is one of the most scenic spots in the area. Bright greens, wild flowers and the majestic white of the mountains above, it’s fantastic. The stone village is charming and we’ll stop perhaps for a picnic and some pictures before following the path into another little forest before starting our descent to the main road where a car will meet us to take us back to the chalet.
France to Italy walk
We did this walk last June and it was one of the highlights of our summer. Starting early we will drive to Bourg St Maurice and then on towards le Cormet de Roseland. We enter the Beaufortain mountain range via an incredible rugged road and stop at Les Chapieux for quick coffee. We’ll then continue to the Ville de Glaciers (1789 m) and park the car before heading up steeply through mountain pastures, wild flowers and herds of prize Beaufort cows – makers of the wonderful cheese. The first part of the walk is dominated with a stunning view of Aiguille des Glaciers, the classic Alpine peak complete with a glacier. The walk starts on a path that forms part of the famous Tour de Mont Blanc, a well known trail. We head north up to the Col de la Seigne. This takes a couple of hours and is pretty tough. Arriving at the Col (2560 m) we will pause for a break and see the Mont Blanc range in front of us and a huge valley ahead. From here we turn off the Tour de Mont Blanc route which would take us to chic Courmayeur but instead we take a right turn and head to less well known La Thuile via the Col de Chavannes. The scree covered slope is dramatic but at Chavannes we join an even path which descends gently for a couple of hours towards La Thuile. To save time we’ll be met by a 4x4 to take us the last leg of the trip on the tarmac road into La Thuile itself. After a quick wash in the icy mountain water of a ‘basin’ we’ll change some of our clothes and head to La Rascard restaurant for a well earned Italian lunch and a bottle of red.
For many the highlight of this trip will be the short descent to nearby Pre-St Didier where the ancient spa has recently been refurbished and now offers a fabulous design led spa experience. The site offers thermal waters in indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation areas. Everything except massage is included in the entry price. Our personal favourite is the sauna built in pine in the gardens with huge windows and fantastic views of Mont Blanc. Check their website for more information.
Glacier Walk on the Rhemes-Gollete Glacier
Leaving the chalet we head south by road towards Val D’Isere and Tignes. At the Lac du Chevril we take a left turn at the Villaret du Nial and head towards the La Grande Sassiere where we will park at 2280 metres. We start on a track in the valley floor which slowly climbs to the Lac de la Sassiere at 2481 meters, hoping to see marmottes playing by the stream to our right. We will walk along the north shore of the lake, from here the track is steeper and becomes more rugged with the imposing glaciers tumbling from the mountains above. Passing through various glaciated features we will arrive at the glacier snout where we will enjoy a quick picnic. Then our guide, Franck Grand, will fit our harnesses, crampons and ropes and give us some simple glacier safety training.
The glacier has an even gradient and the snow has a sugary nature. Walking with the crampons is easy and Frank will put you at ease. The effect of the altitude, now 3000 m will start to make breathing more difficult but for anyone of reasonable fitness the walk is easy. The views are incredible and experience of being on a glacier is unforgettable. We will arrive on the glacier dome at around 3200 m about forty minutes later and enjoy views into Italy to the north and the ski area of Val D’Isere to the east.
The walk down is simple and scenic and the total round trip time should be around six hours. We’ll head back down from the parking are for a well earned tea and sauna!
Extras: Hire of guide, and equipment (provided by the guide)
Time: 5–7 hours round trip
Level: Strenuous, high altitude
