4-day foodie hike in the Aravis

May to October

4 days| 3 nights

Level 2

Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Cross the Aravis mountains on a four-day hike, punctuated by gourmet stops at local producers’ premises.

Head to the Col de la Croix Fry at 1,477 m and look out for Mont Blanc on the horizon.

Spend the night in an alpine refuge in the heart of the Aravis, after a tasting of Savoyard cheeses.

Explore the Beauregard plateau through its vast high-altitude meadows, before walking to La Clusaz.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 4
- D-·0m
  descent
- D+·730m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·5.5km
  KM covered
We’ll meet at 9 am in Thônes to join the group and the guide. From there, we’ll take a bus to Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin before setting off on our hike towards the Aulp de Marlens mountain pasture. The walk begins in the forest before gradually reaching the high-altitude pastures, where the scenery opens up as we climb. We’ll discover a landscape shaped by pastoral farming, featuring meadows, alpine chalets and mountainous terrain.

At around 2 pm, we’ll arrive at the alpine refuge, where we’ll settle in before setting off to explore the farm. There, we’ll meet the producers, who’ll explain the different stages of making their cheeses and the unique aspects of their craft. The tour concludes with a tasting of local specialities: Reblochon, Tomme, Abondance, Chevrotin and goat’s crottin.

The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the tranquillity of the mountain pasture, relax or simply take the time to admire the surrounding mountains. We spend the night at the alpine refuge, in the heart of this pastoral setting.

2
DAY2/ 4
- D-·950m
  descent
- D+·800m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·15.5km
  KM covered
After breakfast, we leave the alpine refuge to continue our trek through the alpine pastures of the Aravis. The path winds its way through the pastures and rolling hills, gradually climbing towards the Col de la Croix Fry, situated at an altitude of 1,477 metres.

Once at the pass, we’ll take time to stop for a break and admire the panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including Mont Blanc when visibility permits. It’s a chance to catch our breath after the climb and fully enjoy the mountain scenery.

Our hotel is right on the Col de la Croix Fry, where we settle into shared rooms for our second night. The evening offers a chance to get together and enjoy some rest after a day’s walking.
3
DAY3/ 4
- D-·650m
  descent
- D+·300m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·12km
  KM covered
We set off from La Croix Fry in the morning to reach the Beauregard plateau, on a walk through the high-altitude meadows. Here, the vast grassy expanses and open landscapes offer a different perspective on the Aravis.

On the way, we stop off at an alpine farm to look around and sample the cheeses produced on site. This visit gives us a better understanding of the link between the landscapes we’re passing through, livestock farming and the specialities found on the region’s plates.

We then continue our route through the alpine pastures towards La Clusaz. Depending on the timetable and the group’s preferences, a cable car descent from the Beauregard area may be arranged. Once in the village, we’ll enjoy some free time before meeting up to share an evening meal at the inn, where we spend the night in shared rooms.
4
DAY4/ 4
- D-·300m
  descent
- D+·830m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·12km
  KM covered
On this final day, we set off from La Clusaz towards the hamlet of Les Confins. The path gradually leads us to Lac des Confins, nestled in the meadows at the foot of the Aravis range, overlooked by the Pointe Percée, its highest summit at 2,750 m.

We then carry on to a local goat farm, where we discover another aspect of Savoyard cheese-making expertise. Accompanied by the guide, we tour the farm, meet the goats and learn more about how they are reared and the production methods. The visit concludes with a tasting of the farm’s cheeses, included in the price, enjoyed on the spot while taking in the view of the valley. If you’d like to take some home as a souvenir, you can buy cheese on site at your own expense.

After this break, we head to the bus stop to return to Thônes. We finish this tour at around 5 pm, after four days of hiking filled with encounters, discoveries and local specialities.

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The guides who will lead your adventure

victorien

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

Hello, my name is Victorien. I’m a farmer (in the mountains) and a mountain guide. I currently live in Switzerland, near the border (on the Chamonix side) So I know the Mont Blanc massif very well, as well as the Aravis, where I lived and worked as a shepherd for three years. I enjoy passing on and sharing my knowledge of mountain farming, wildlife and its evolution, whether over a tasting platter or out on the trails

Find out more about victorien

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: Throughout your stay, you’ll be guided by an experienced guide who knows the area like the back of their hand.

Accommodation: You’ll spend 3 nights in shared accommodation: one night in a dormitory at an alpine refuge, one night in a shared room at the hotel on the Col de la Croix Fry and one night in a shared room at an inn in La Clusaz.

Meals: All meals are included from the first evening right through to the final lunch, giving you the chance to sample the region’s specialities.

The return transfer by bus on the last day to take you back to the starting point, as well as the bus ride to Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin on Day 1.

The farm visits and tastings listed in the programme.

Not included

Transport to the meeting point.

Any personal expenses (including cheese bought as souvenirs).

The picnic on Day 1.

Anything not included under ‘What’s included in the price’.

What level to expect?

Level 2

Participants must be at least 16 years old

WHO IS IT FOR?

You already have some experience of mountain hiking and are looking for a multi-day hike featuring tastings of local produce along the way.

You’re at the right level if:

You take part in an endurance sport on a weekly basis
You can walk for 4 to 6 hours a day, including one 8-hour day (Day 2)
You can manage between 400 and 800 metres of ascent
You’re comfortable carrying all your belongings in a trekking backpack (6 to 8 kg)
You’re comfortable on trails that are sometimes uneven (stones, roots)

Take the level quiz

Getting there

Start · 09h00

Thônes

End · 12h00

Thônes

Transport

By train

Want to avoid traffic jams and travel stress-free? The train is your best bet. Here are the connections:

Departure station > Annecy
Annecy > Thônes (regional line Y62/Y63)

By car

Do you prefer the freedom of a road trip?

You can drive straight to Thônes. There’s a car park on site where you can leave your car for the duration of your stay.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

4.7/ 5 · based on 90 reviews in this category

Denise H.

Guide très agréable, à l écoute des désirs et des aptitudes des participants. Refuge, accueil très sympathique, repas de qualité et très savoureux. Belle experience. Merci

Marie F.

Absolument ravie d’être passée par Wildhartt pour ma première expérience de trek/bivouak ! Notre guide Thomas était top, l’organisation parfaite (matériel, repas, logistique) La création du groupe Whatsapp en amont du départ est un vrai + Hâte de réserver ma prochaine aventure !

Christophe R.

Nous avons participé cet été à cette randonnée itinérante de 5 jours avec des ânes en famille, avec nos deux enfants de 8 et 11 ans, et nous en gardons un très beau souvenir. Un grand merci à notre accompagnateur, Romain, qui a parfaitement géré le séjour du début à la fin, y compris lors des moments plus compliqués. Il est très présent et prend en charge une grande partie des aspects pratiques, ce qui est particulièrement appréciable. Il faut cependant garder à l'esprit qu'il reste tout de même un certain nombre de choses à gérer en tant que participant, notamment lorsqu'on voyage avec des enfants. Le matériel fourni pour les ânes était parfaitement adapté et nous a permis de profiter pleinement de l'expérience. Quant au parcours, il était tout simplement magnifique, avec des paysages variés et superbes. Nous avons particulièrement apprécié le premier bivouac, qui se trouvait dans un cadre splendide, ainsi que la nuit en auberge dont le confort a été très apprécié après deux étapes fatigantes. Concernant les points plus mitigés, nous avons trouvé que le début du parcours était sensiblement plus difficile et technique que ce à quoi nous nous attendions au regard du niveau annoncé pour le séjour. La conduite des ânes demande un temps d'adaptation, et la combinaison de cette découverte avec des étapes de randonnée déjà exigeantes a rendu les deux premiers jours assez sportifs. Heureusement, Romain a su s'adapter à la situation en modifiant intelligemment l'itinéraire afin d'alléger la troisième journée. Cette adaptation nous a permis de récupérer et de profiter pleinement de la suite du séjour. Malgré cette réserve sur le niveau de difficulté du début du parcours, nous recommandons cette expérience pour la qualité de l'encadrement, la beauté des paysages et l'originalité de l'aventure avec les ânes.

Laetitia L.

Une randonnée magnifique, dépaysante, avec des paysages variés à couper le souffle. Grâce à Raphaël, nous avons pu voyager autant dans cet espace magnifique que dans le temps, grâce à ses explications sur la géologie de cet environnement.

Serge D.

Partis en rando-ânes en groupe réduit, nous avons pu bénéficier d’un guide exceptionnel qui par son implication, ses connaissances du milieu naturel et son expérience a rendu ce séjour de 5 jours dans les Cévennes inoubliable.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment should I bring?

A detailed list of recommended and compulsory equipment will be sent to you after you have registered, so that you can prepare your kit at your leisure.

How comfortable is the accommodation?

All three nights are in shared accommodation. On the first night, at the alpine refuge, you’ll sleep in a dormitory, usually with bunk beds and blankets provided. The refuge has toilets and showers, sometimes with hot water, but there’s no way to charge electronic devices, so bring a power bank and your sleeping bag liner. The second night, at the hotel on the Col de la Croix Fry, and the third, at an inn in La Clusaz, are spent in shared rooms where you can charge your devices without any problem.

Should I take any cash with me?

Yes, we strongly recommend bringing some cash in euros, as alpine refuges rarely accept bank cards. It can also come in handy for personal expenses (drinks, snacks, a hot shower if available, etc.) or for any cheese you’d like to take home as a souvenir.

Do I have to carry all my belongings for the 4 days?

Yes, there’s no luggage transfer: you carry all your belongings throughout the trek in a 40 L backpack. To keep it light, stick to the kit list and aim for a pack of 6 to 8 kg. If you come by car, you can leave anything extra in your vehicle at the car park in Thônes.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful break — some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.
35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.
10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.
24% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.
1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

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