Cloud 9 Adventure is a small independent adventure travel company run by Emma Jack. They offer expert guiding services in and around the French Alps and further afield.
On the Snowshoe Traverse of the Chablais trip, you will take a fabulous journey through a winter wonderland of alpine forests, pastures, and snow-topped peaks. Make your way from the French village of Mégevette, to Evian-les-Bains on the shores of beautiful Lac Léman (also known as Lake Geneva). See the full itinerary below.
On this trip you will stay in hotels in alpine villages on all seven nights, and will enjoy traditional local food, wine, and hospitality. There is full luggage support, so you can travel light with just daypacks, and your main bags will be waiting for you on arrival.
Each day you will aim to cover around 12-16 kilometres, with ascents between 800 and 1000 metres, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. No prior experience of snowshoeing is needed however, as the techniques are relatively simple and easy to learn.
What's included
- Snowshoes, walking poles, avalanche transceiver
- 7 night's accommodation, meals & transport,
- International Mountain Leader
- Luggage transfer
- Airport transfer from Geneva to Mégevette
Worth knowing
Itinerary as follows:
Day 1 - Arrival in Geneva and transfer to Mégevette: Arranged transfer for the group from Geneva Airport or independent travel and meet at the group hotel in Mégevette. Trip briefing, followed by dinner.
Day 2 - From Mégevette to Bellevaux: Traverse up to the Col de la Bray (1442m), then climb to the Pointe des Jottis (1548m), and take in the fabulous views, before dropping back down to la Bray past the frozen Lac de Vallon and the snow-covered forests, to Chapelle Saint-Bruno. There is no accommodation here, so bus transfer to hotel in nearby Bellevaux.
Day 3 - From Bellevaux to le Biot: Climb up to the Tré-le-Saix plateau (1486m) and then traverse through the tall pine trees to the Col de la Balme (1445m), and on to the Col de Seytrouset (1564m), with spectacular views of the Dents du Midi. Descend to the Dranse de Morzine river, followed by a short climb to the hotel in le Biot.
Day 4 - Snowshoe from le Biot to Abondance: Walk through pine forests, and the snowy pastures of Thex, passing beneath the Pointe de Cercle we reach the Montagne de Drouzin (1620m), then descend into the Abondance valley and the Alpages de Druges. Spend the night in the charming village of Abondance.
Day 5 - Snowshoe from Abondance to Vacheresse: Walk past Abondance's 15th century Abbey. A steady climb to the ridge of Mont Chauffe at the Col de la Plagne (1546m), followed by a descent into the beautiful valley of Ubine. Drop down further to Vacheresse, which is the base for the night.
Day 6 - Snowshoe from Vacheresse to Bernex, via Mont Baron: Head up the Replain valley and on to the final ridge to the top of Mont Baron (1556m). Enjoy views of the Ubine valley before starting the long descent to the village of Bernex.
Day 7 - From Bernex to Evian-les-Bains: Traverse of Mont Bénand (1284m), and fabulous views of the Gavot plateau and Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Pass underneath the north face of the Memises, on the descent to Thollon (937m) and to Lac Léman. Transfer to Evian-les-Bains, a famous spa town on the shores of the lake.
Day 8 - Departure day
