The Tour du Beaufortain
In summary
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Sports
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Duration5 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationBourg-Saint-Maurice / French Alps
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions30.98 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
The highlights
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Tower at the foot of the famous Pierra Menta
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Spectacular views of Mont Blanc
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Discovering a rural and authentic mountain range
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Trekking
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average daily elevation gain: 790 m
- Average daily descent: 890 m
Management
French
Program
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Bourg Saint Maurice - Parozan Gap - Refuge
- Transportation Minibus - 03h - 19km
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at the Bourg Saint Maurice funicular at 9:30 am, you can park your car in a free parking lot for the duration of the trek.
We will depart by minibus towards the Cormet de Roseland. The trek begins at the summit of the Cormet: we will take the Nova valley, the climb is steady to reach the Nova lakes. We will then ascend to the Col du Grand Fond, where we can leave our packs and make a short out-and-back detour to admire the panorama from the summit of the famous Brèche de Parozan.
Descent to Lac de Presset and the Balme refuge, at the foot of the Pierra Menta.Day 1 -
Refuge - Col du Coin - Refuge
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We leave the refuge, following a pretty stream, and continue towards the Passeur de la Mintaz, at the foot of the Pierra Menta. We descend to Lac d'Amour to enjoy lunch in the company of marmots. We then climb to the Col du Coin, followed by a quick descent to the Refuge de la Coire, next to the Cormet d'Arèche, where the view between the Tarentaise and Beaufortain mountain ranges is superb.
Day 2 -
Refuge - Crêt du Rey - Lac Saint Guérin - Refuge
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a good breakfast, we'll set off light for the ascent of Cret du Rey, a magnificent peak made famous by the "Pierra Menta" race. Those who wish to rest can stay comfortably at the refuge.
We then return to the refuge to collect our belongings and continue our day towards Lake Saint Guérin and its famous Nepalese bridge. We will take a pleasant path up to the Alpage refuge, located at the foot of Grand Mont, our objective for tomorrow.Day 3 -
Refuge - Le Grand Mont - Refuge
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 950 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For those who wish, it's possible to climb Grand Mont (approximately 2 hours) in a lighter style. The trail leads through scree and snowfields early in the season; it's the legendary summit of the Pierra Menta, which the race passes over three times. The view from the top is magnificent.
If anyone has stayed at the refuge, we'll go back down the same way to collect their belongings; otherwise, we'll descend the other side. We'll continue our day towards the Arolles refuge along a very pretty path winding between rocks and arolla pines: we'll take our time to enjoy this surrounding.Day 4 -
Refuge - Col de la Bathie - Mont Mirantin - Bourg Saint Maurice
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 1300 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off for this final day towards the summit of Grande Journée. We skirt the summit via the Col de la Bathie and the Col des Lacs, before reaching Mont Mirantin. The route for this day may vary depending on the conditions and your fitness level; we may shorten it, or even shorten it in case of bad weather.
We may therefore pass by the summits of Grande Journée and Mont Mirantin: you will evaluate the different options with your guide the day before at the refuge.
We will finish at Planay and take transport back to Bourg-Saint-Maurice from the funicular parking lot, next to the Bourg-Saint-Maurice train station.Day 5
Note
This program may be modified at the guide's discretion if mountain conditions, weather or the physical condition of the participants require it.
Accommodation
Nights spent in mountain huts, rooms or dormitories depending on availability.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- The trek will be led by a state-certified mountain guide from our team.
- Nights in mountain huts with half-board as described in the program
- Picnics, from Day 2 to Day 5
- Mandatory transfers to the program.
The price does not include
- Trip cancellation/interruption/loss of luggage insurance and emergency assistance
- Day 1 picnic
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Additional nights not included in the program
- Tips
- Drinks
- Personal expenses.
- Anything not listed under “ Price includes ”.
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (
For example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return date. Consider visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
The backpack
If possible, choose a lightweight bag with good carrying comfort; the bag should not exceed 1.5 kilos.
Essential:
- sleeping bag liner for the refuge (small sleeping sheet)
- a waterproof bag to keep spare clothes dry
- a plastic or waterproof bag for dirty clothes
- sunscreen SPF 30 to 50
- a pair of category 3 sunglasses
- a lightweight headlamp
- small pleasures like dried fruit, chocolate
- Cash and your valid ID card/passport
Toiletries:
- a lightweight, quick-drying towel, hiking type
- a body soap
- a toothbrush with a small tube of toothpaste or a partially used tube
- a small shampoo (small size - specialist stores sell small bottles that you can keep for your hiking life).
- a pair of earplugs for better sleep at night in a mountain refuge.
Meal supplies:
- a lightweight Opinel-type knife
- a fork and a spoon
- a nice specialty to share with the rest of the team, liquid or solid
Clothing to bring
Head-to-toe trekking gear:
- a cap or hat for the sun
- a hat for the cold
- A buff or neck warmer is optional but very welcome in bad weather.
- a Gore-Tex type jacket or equivalent for inclement weather
- a pair of gloves, preferably waterproof
- a pair of ski gloves for climbing Gran Paradiso
- A warm fleece or thick down jacket to withstand sub-zero temperatures
- Two sweaters: one light and one warmer; if it's cold, we'll wear all the layers.
- three technical t-shirts
- three pairs of underwear and 3-4 warm socks; you can wash them in the streams near the refuges (a solid soap for washing).
- warm pants
- tights
- lighter trousers, some of which can be separated to make shorts
- shorts
- Waterproof or Gore-tex type over-trousers for trekking and climbing.
- a waterproof bag protector
- spare clothes for the shelter
- A pair of hiking shoes with Vibram or equivalent good quality soles, if possible try them before the trek, for the ascent you need a pair of mountaineering shoes for the ascent of Gran Paradiso.
