Alpine Experience - The Chablais Alps & Vaudoise Alps

A thrilling two-week Alpine experience

Combine our Chablais Alps Walk with our Vaudoise Alps Walk and you can experience the stunning scenery of the French and Swiss Alps in one thrilling alpine experience.

The Chablais Alps

South of Evian on the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), the landscape begins a rapid and relentless rise through the quiet Pré-Alpes of the Chablais region on their way towards the majestic massif of the Mont Blanc range. From the wooded hills and vineyards of the Bas-Chablais on the shores of the lake to the forests and high summits of the Haut Chablais, this is remarkable walking country. Our route begins in the heart of the Haut Chablais at the pretty alpine town of Morzine, from where you will enjoy the splendid scenery of the Northern Alps, stay in welcoming traditional hotels and sample the best in local cuisine.

The Vaudoise Alps

The Vaudoise Alps rise abruptly from the Rhône Valley south of Lake Geneva to reach impressive heights. With a classic alpine landscape of jagged snow-capped peaks, wide green valleys and wooded ridges, the Vaudoise are dotted with small traditional villages nestling amid some of Switzerland’s most spectacular scenery. Linked by cable cars, cog railways and pleasant waymarked walking routes, this is an idyllic region in which to enjoy exhilarating walking in the high Alps while staying at typically traditional and hospitable chalet hotels.

Nights: 14
Grade: 2-3
Terrain: mountain paths, forests & meadows, broad ridges
Hotels: three 2-star hotels; four 3-star hotels; one 4-star hotel
Meals: breakfast every day, 13 dinners, plus 3 picnics
Climate: warm sunny days and fresh on the upper slopes

Week 1 - The Chablais Alps:

Morzine

Hotel l'Abbaye, Abondance

Les Gentianettes, La Chapelle d'Abondance

Wooded slopes rise to high peaks

Starting point: Le Dahu (3*), Morzine. You are welcomed warmly by charming host Benoit Heu, a keen walker, to this traditional chalet-style hotel complete with a pool.

Day 1: there are various options for your day in Morzine; Benoit will be happy to discuss the different possibilities with you. (up to 20km)

Accommodation: Le Dahu (as above)

Day 2: after a short transfer, you head north to Abondance, one of several villages in the area that are cumulatively called Les Portes du Soleil. (14.5km)

Accommodation: Hotel L’Abbaye (2*), Abondance. A simple, family-run inn in the centre of this historic village.

Day 3: today’s walk takes you up the Col de la Plagne and around Mont Chauffé to La Chapelle d’Abondance. (11.5km)

Accommodation: Hotel Les Gentianettes (2*), La Chapelle d'Abondance. Enjoy the charming and friendly ambience of this alpine chalet-style hotel which is complemented by the fine regional cuisine of the hotel’s two restaurants, one of which specialises in local cheese dishes, including alpine fondue and tasty raclette.

Day 4: we recommend a number of routes for your day in La Chapelle d’Abondance: climb the challenging Cornettes de Bise or head for Mont de Grange, home to one of France’s few ibex reserves. You may also spot marmots, chamois and golden eagles and, on a clear day, you will be rewarded with views over Lake Geneva and the Jura Mountains beyond. For a less strenuous option, enjoy a pleasant stroll to Lac d’Arvoin.

Accommodation: Hotel Les Gentianettes (as above)

Day 5: today you walk to Châtel. (12km)

Accommodation: Hotel Macchi (3*), Châtel. Monsieur Macchi is a fine chef and his inspirational gastronomic flair matches the style and elegance of this comfortable hotel, complete with an indoor pool and panoramic terrace.

Day 6: we provide notes for a circuit to the pretty Swiss town of Morgins just over the border, or you can choose from over 90km of waymarked paths that will take you into the surrounding countryside from Châtel. Many chairlifts are open during the summer months allowing you to reach the heights effortlessly for exhilarating ridge walking. (up to 17km)

Accommodation: Hotel Macchi (as above)

Week 2 - The Vaudoise Alps

High, sunny slopes

Lake Retaud

Cascade du Dar waterfall

Hotel La Renardière, Villars

Near Villars

Day 7: today you take a taxi to the railway station and catch the train to Leysin.

Accommodation: Le Grand Chalet (3*), Leysin. Set high above the vines of the Ormonts Valley, this hotel's panoramic terrace boasts - according to your hosts, the Bonelli family - “the best views in Switzerland”. The same view is enjoyed from many of the bedrooms.

Day 8: for your first day, we recommend a circuit that leads up to La Rondaz, before meandering down a wooded ridge via La Grande Crevasse to Le Roc de Veyges, enjoying stunning views towards Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). (8km)

Accommodation: Le Grand Chalet (as above)

Day 9: today you walk along pine-clad hillsides past a number of clear-blue mountain lakes to the small hamlet of Les Mosses. (14km)

Accommodation: Hotel-Restaurant du Chaussy (2*), Les Mosses. Family-run, this is a small, welcoming restaurant with simple, yet comfortable en-suite rooms.

Day 10: from Les Mosses, wander beneath towering peaks and through a series of pretty villages on your way to Les Diablerets and catch your first real glimpse of the mighty glacier rising up at the end of the valley. (15km)

Accommodation: Hostellerie Les Sources (3*), Les Diablerets. A cosy hotel which provides easy access to some wonderful walking into the mountains.

Day 11: you may wish to spend your day in Les Diablerets visiting the famous Glacier 3000 for a truly impressive view over the alpine range. Alternatively, we suggest a walk that rises steadily towards Isenau, from where you can either continue to climb over the summit of La Palette, or walk round to the Col de Vore. Both routes bring you out at the picturesque Lac Retaud from where you descend into the valley and down to Les Diablerets past the dramatic Cascade du Dar waterfall. (16km)

Accommodation: Hostellerie Les Sources (as above)

Day 12: you walk through wooded hills and past small lakes to the Roc d’Orsay, a magnificent viewpoint which takes in the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and the Jungfrau-Eiger massif. (16.5km)

Accommodation: Hotel La Renardière (4*), Villars. Villars is a chic village, and your hotel here is fittingly smart and beautifully furnished.

Day 13: Villars is the perfect base for hours of long summer walks, made all the more easy with the included local Freedom Pass that allows free use of some local cable cars, bus and train services. Our recommended route leads into the next valley to visit the pretty village of Gryon, from where more beautiful views are a fitting reminder of your stay in the Vaudoise Alps. (20km)

Accommodation: Hotel La Renardière (as above)

Walking charts: the charts gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.

Chablais Alps - Days 1-6

Vaudoise Alps - Days 8-13

Prices & travel 2008:

Recommended destination airport: Geneva
Latest flight arrival time: 1700
Earliest flight departure time: 1130
*Connecting travel: return rail/taxi from Geneva (out 1h20/home 2h25) £90pp
Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route, times and price to suit you
By rail price includes: Eurostar/TGV/regional rail via Geneva (out dep St Pancras 0925/home dep Villars/Ollon 0833). Please note that a supplement may be payable depending on availability of seats for your chosen dates of travel and how far in advance of your departure date your holiday booking is made
Extra nights can be booked at any hotel
Start: any day

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