Mountain Adventure Holidays
A perfect introduction to multi-day walking for families with children aged from 10 years old. Travel through three countries and three cultures on our mini-Tour du Mont Blanc. We meet in Chamonix in France, the mountaineering capital of the world to begin a journey of discovery which takes in the history, culture, folklore and wildlife of the mountains. We cross high passes, visit remote farms, a beautiful lakeside mountain village, and sleep in a mountain hut - it's all there on the Tour du Mont Blanc.
This excellent family adventure is for families who love to walk. During the week, you will make a half circuit of the Mont Blanc massive following the classic Tour du Mont Blanc trail. This excellent introduction to multi-day walking is designed for families that are already used to full days out but now want to make a journey. With comfortable hotel and chalet accommodation and luggage transfers provided, this itinerary enables the whole family to walk the most beautiful section of the famous Mont Blanc circuit.
This evening your guide will meet you at your accommodation at the Yeti Lodge, in the village of Argentière, just outside Chamonix. The views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding range from this picturesque mountain village provide a taste of things to come! Before dinner, you will meet your guide to have an informal chat about the days ahead. There's also time for a clothing and kit check to see if anything else is needed before setting out in the morning.
Todays walk offers spectacular views of the Mont Blanc range. We visit the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve with a landscape of granite cliffs, wildlife, glacial lakes and often old snow left over from the winter. Our route begins at the Brevent cable car where we take advantage of another two stage ride up to our trail start, the Brevent Summit itself at 2525m (8284ft). The Reserve was set up in 1974 and covers some 3,279 hectares (8,100 acres) in a bid to protect the flora and fauna of this beautiful alpine landscape. We start off on a good but rocky path along a balcony trail which gives us impressive views high above the treeline on the opposite side of the valley of the '3 monts' Mont Blanc, Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit. After a short way we reach the high glacial lake Lac du Brevent at 2125m (6971ft). The trail under foot gets easier from here as we reach the Bellachat Refuge where we can stop for refreshments. From here the views of the glaciers and mountains are simply incredible. If we continue along the ridgeline we reach the Aiguillette des Houches summit which makes a fine picnic spot. We need to reserve some energy for the afternoon as there is a final climb to get back down to the valley floor!
Distance: 10km (6.2miles). Ascent: 500m (1640ft) Descent: 500m (1640ft). Walking time: 4 hours
After breakfast we walk straight out the front door and along the Petit Balcon Nord, to the hamlet of Le Tour at the top end of the valley. On the way we wander through larch forest and the cow-bells of the grazing animals can often be heard in the meadows below us. We pass some beautiful old wooden chalets that seem trapped in a time warp! Once at Le Tour we save our legs by taking the cable car up the mountain. We then head across the mountainside and over our high point for the day, which lies below the peak of the Croix de Fer. From here we head to the alpine cow meadows at Les Tseppes, and then zig-zag down through the larch forest to the tiny village of Trient. Depending on the availability of accommodation, we either overnight in Trient or walk a little further to the historic coaching hotel at the Col de la Forclaz.
Ascent 600m (1968ft) Descent: 1000m (3280ft) Distance: 14km (8.7 miles) Duration: 4h00-5h00
Depending on where you stayed last night the day will either begin with a climb to the Col de la Forclaz, or you will begin from the Col and head straight along the lovely Bovine trail. Either way you are soon wandering through the larch forests, and on your way to Champex. The Bovine is famous for its high pastures which are home to the famous Swiss fighting cows during the summer months, hence the name the 'Bovine'. The fighting cows are just brilliant, they are cheeky and with a lot of attitude! The 'fight' is the equivalent of Sumo wrestling for cows, and no one gets hurt, well, apart from damaged pride! We stop for lunch at the farm, where we might be able to chat with Nathalie, the farmer, whilst enjoying views right along the Rhône Valley of some of the major Swiss peaks. In the afternoon we walk down to the idyllic lakeside village of Champex where we overnight.
Ascent: 700m (2296ft) Descent: 700m (2296ft) Distance: 15km (9.4 miles) Duration: 6h00-8h00
Champex has a beautiful 'blue-green' lake which is totally natural and a remnant from the days this high valley was covered by a glacier. After walking around the lake, we descend through pine trees and the begin the ‘mushroom trail’ towards the Praz de Fort meadows. Along the way there are information boards where you can learn about mushrooms. There are also fantastic wooden sculptures of animals placed at intervals along our route. Keeping to the valley floor and the river edge, we start a gradual climb towards the Italian border and Mont Dolent: a truly international summit stradling France, Switzerland and Italy. We spend the night in the small Swiss village of La Fouly. Optionally, this can be a rest day to enjoy relaxing in Champex with ‘pedalo’ hire available on the lake. You can then easily transfer to our accommodation in La Fouly by bus, a journey of approximately 90 minutes. Please note that if you choose to take the bus your ticket is not included in the trip price.
Ascent: 550m (1804ft) Descent: 430m (1410ft) Distance: 15km (9.4 miles) Duration: 5h00
Today is our big day as we head to the hills to spend the night at one of the most beautiful Italian Rifugios. A Rifugio is accommodation high in the mountains, usually only accessible on foot or by helicopter! In France they are called Refuges, and in Switzerland either Cabane or Hütte. They are literally a refuge in the mountains for hikers and climbers. So we set off on a long, steady climb to the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) and the Italian border. En route we stop at La Peule, a perfectly situated farm and refuge, to refuel with coffee and homemade cake. The farming family at La Peule spend the summer months making cheese.
The climb is well worth the effort, with views into Switzerland of the mighty snow-capped Grand Combin (4090m) and of the French frontier ahead of us in the distance. We stop here for our picnic lunch to enjoy the views and savour to our achievement! When we are ready we descend into Val Ferret to Refuge Elena at 2061m (6761ft) where we will sleep tonight providing a true night in the mountains. Enjoy stunning views of the 1000 year old Pre de Bard glacier and Mont Dolent, the only mountain that borders Italy, Switzlerland France. along the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massif Showers are available and the food is excellent! Please note there is no luggage transfer to your accommodation today. You will be carrying just a few extra items in your rucksack for your overnight.
Ascent: 980m (3215ft) Descent: 500m (1640ft) Distance: 10.5km (6.5 miles) Duration: 5h00-6h00
No access to luggage tonight.
We rise to views of the mountains and enjoy a good Italian hut breakfast before we begin our day on what is a really superb trail. We first descend 280m (918ft) from the refuge to reach the farm of Arnuva. From here we commence our final big climb to reach the Rifugio Bonatti at 2056m (6743ft). The Rifugio has stunning views of the Mont Blanc massif and make for wonderful hot chocolate stop! This is a new mountain hut which pays homage to the world renowned Italian mountaineer and photographer Walter Bonatti. We leave the Rifugio Bonatti and walk along a balcony trail without losing any of our height. Depending on how we feel, there are several options for completing our journey. A classic option is to walk over the Col du Sapin which sits at 2436m (7990ft) and the summit of the Tête de la Tronche at 2584m( 8475ft), before traversing the stunning Mont de la Saxe Ridge to the Rifugio Bertone. The Rifugio is an ideal spot to enjoy refreshments and the views of the ‘Italian’ side of Mont Blanc, or Monte Bianco in Italian! Then it's a descent through the pine and larch forests into the old quarter of the town of Courmayeur where we complete our journey. We have time to soak up the Italian sunshine, eat gelato, and enjoy some cafe culture before meeting our transfer back to Chamonix Valley.
Ascent: 580m (1902ft) Descent: 1186m (3891ft) Distance: 19km (12 miles) Duration: 6h00-7h00
Today is departure day, and the end of the trip after breakfast.
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.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. In most cases we have known the management for many years. Our suggested accommodation, listed below, is subject to availability at the time of booking. We have given details of our favoured hotel/chalet and those we intend to use. If unavailable we will book alternative accommodation of similar standard.
All accommodation is in twin or family rooms, these may have en suite facilities or if in a chalet they may be with shared bathrooms. We have one night in dormitory style accommodation in the Rifugio Elena. This is normal in a mountain hut and you will find that there are often families staying the night. We aim to try and secure a small dormitory just for our group. Twin rooms are available at the Rifugio, but are subject to a supplementary charge. Due to the nature of the accommodation on this trip; small hotels, in often tiny villages and remote mountain huts, we cannot offer single rooms. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
The chalet has a sauna, hot tub and views of Mont Blanc. The bedrooms are twins, but with family groups there are also sometimes rooms available for three. These will be either en suite or shared bathrooms depending on availability. All meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and three-course dinner) are included. One of the evenings you will eat out in the village of Argentière - this is included in the price. Chalets are limited in terms of the number of bedrooms and for this reason single rooms are not available.
The chalet is approximately 8km (5 miles) from the centre of Chamonix town. There is free bus and train travel up and down the valley. To take advantage of the free travel you should request a Guest Card from the chalet staff. You also have the use of the comfortable lounge area which has satellite TV & DVD and free WIFI.
In years gone by the Grande Ourse was a hotel, then it was home to the Swiss Youth Movement camps. It has been entirely renovated and has returned to offering accommodation for hikers. The new owner is Jasiqi Azem and his family who have put a lot of love into the renovation project which was completed 10 years ago. Our accommodation here is in bedrooms when available, and on some occasions it will be necessary to use dormitories.
The showers, and toilets are on each floor with separate facilities for males, and females. There is a cosy cafe/bar in the old pavilion building which is immediately next to the main building.
The Hotel Splendide sits high in the mountains with great views from the terrace down to the valley below. This historic hotel was built between 1934 and 1938 by the grand-father of the owner. All the bedrooms have en suite facilities, and there are various family rooms available. We eat dinner in the lovely old-fashioned dining room, a real touch of history to be found in this family run hotel.
During the Second World War the army from the nearby artillery fort were stationed at the hotel. Those perfect views down the valley were appreciated by more than just the tourists! It gave the army an excellent position of strength for protecting the route through to Italy.
In La Fouly we spend our overnight at the Hotel Edelweiss, like all our other hotels it is family run, cosy and comfortable. There is a bar with a terrace where you can enjoy a drink in the afternoon sun. All the bedrooms are traditional in style with lots of 'wood', and they have en suite facilities. There is a dining room with lovely views, and breakfast is served buffet style.
Located below the Grand Col Ferret and thousand-year-old Prè de Bard glacier experience an unforgettable night in the mountains at Refuge Elena 2061m (6761ft) in Italy. Located at the head of the valley make yourself at home at this comfortable overnight stop with the warmth of a fireplace, in rustic surroundings of wooden beams and stone works. Elena's refuge offers a 3 course menu with typical dishes and wines of the Val d'Aosta. Depending on availability the accommodation is either in small rooms or dormitories, showers and electricity is available.
Chamonix, France is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1 hour 15 by road which makes shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange.
A range of travel options to reach the Chamonix valley can be found on the Chamonix Tourist Office website.
If arriving via Geneva we recommend that you book a seat on a shared transfer which is a door-to-door service to reach your accommodation in Chamonix. We recommend Mountain Drop Offs, Chamexpress and Haute Pursuit for this service. Easybus also runs a service from Geneva airport to Chamonix Bus Station. This service runs throughout the day, but does not drop you at your hotel.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
It is a condition of booking that you have appropriate insurance for your chosen activity, including emergency helicopter rescue, repatriation, medical costs, as well as trip cancellation/curtailment insurance in the event of you being unable to join/complete the trip.
Please read the relevant clauses which are numbered 10, 11, 11a, 12, and 22 and are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
We also recommend your insurance covers you for baggage loss/damage. Tracks and Trails Ltd are unable to accept responsibility for the loss or damage to any client equipment or luggage.
If you are booking on behalf of other people it is important that you ensure that insurance has been arranged by all others included in your Booking Form.
You should bring all insurance documentation with you at the time of the activity. If you fail to provide proof of insurance we reserve the right to ask you to leave the trip.
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.
Summer 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.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. If you have any questions with regards to what to bring, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Documentation
Personal First Aid
Items for the night in the mountain hut
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
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.
After we have processed your booking we will send you a comprehensive clothing and equipment list that is appropriate to your trip and activity. There will be some items on this list that we strongly recommend and others which are suggested. Our list is based on our experience of what is needed for any particular trip, but it is not the definitive article! If you have items you like to use then do bring them, but be aware of over-loading your 'day' rucksack with items that are heavy and therefore making the trip more challenging.
Please contact us if in any doubt about what to bring.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide/instructor 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.
For our walking, family, and snowshoeing trips your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. For our running trips your guide will be an International Mountain Leader, and an experienced mountain 'trail runner'.
If you have booked on a cross country ski trip you will be with a fully qualified professional BASI Nordic Ski Instructor or equivalent. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors.
If you consider yourselves a ‘hill-walking’ family then this is for you. These trips involve longer days at an altitude of up to 2800m (9184ft) on good paths and tracks. A good level of fitness is required as these treks can involve considerable amounts of ascent and descent and the occasional difficult day on rougher paths. There may be an occasional day with ascents/descents of up to 1250m (4100ft). We would expect you to have previous experience of walking on consecutive days in the mountains, and have experience of hiking in bad weather. Expect to walk 5-7 hours per day.
You should be confident that everyone in the family is comfortable with these daily distances and ascents, especially the younger members of the family.
On this trip you will have access to your luggage on every night except the evening we spend at the Rifugio Bonatti in Italy when you will carry a few extra overnight items in your rucksack.
While on the point-to-point section 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.
If your trip begins and ends at the same hotel it is normally possible to leave any unwanted luggage at the hotel for your return.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you choose and buy what you require. Buying supplies and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with the local people and to practise your language skills.
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 your day of activity. 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 choose to 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 and whether you need to purchase items in the evening or if the shop/market is open early enough the next morning not to delay your start. In all cases we would always ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks in the evening before you depart, and not on the morning of your last day 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.
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 only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel 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 for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. 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 recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
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 European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance. Also note that if/when the UK leaves the European Union that the EHIC card may no longer be valid. 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.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that 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.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| From Price | £0 |
| Holiday Type | Family |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 6-10 |
| Minimum Age | 10 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2537m (8321ft) |
| Countries Visited | Italy, France, Switzerland |
| Meet In | Chamonix Valley, France |
