In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationFrench Alps / Le Grand-Bornand
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions66.27 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Enjoy an all-inclusive stay in the heart of the Aravis , one of the most unspoiled valleys in the Alps! For a week, with Mont Blanc as your backdrop , you'll hike in an exceptional natural setting accompanied by your high-mountain guide . They will find the best spots and lead you through breathtaking landscapes! You'll enjoy two half-day hikes and four full-day hikes, as well as comfortable accommodations. Relax in the wellness area , then indulge in delicious and balanced meals!
The highlights
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Incredible views of Mont Blanc throughout the stay
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Guided by passionate mountain guides
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Different hiking levels offered: intermediate, advanced and intermediate
Photos
Anne - verified review - august 2025
Fanny - verified review - august 2024
Fanny - verified review - august 2024
Fanny - verified review - august 2024
Fanny - verified review - august 2024
Fanny - verified review - august 2024
Yvan - verified review - july 2024
Yvan - verified review - july 2024
Yvan - verified review - july 2024
Yvan - verified review - july 2024
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Walking: 4 to 6 hours per day
Elevation gain: 400 to 700m per day
Every week, another level is also offered, with 5 to 6 hours of walking per day and an elevation gain of 800 to 1000m per day.
Feel free to contact us for more information and to register for this level.
Changes will also be possible on site if the need arises.
Important: On-site, our guides are the best judges. If a participant does not meet the specified skill level criteria, they may be offered a more suitable course! The Nordic Hostel cannot be held responsible for any insufficient skill level observed during the stay.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average daily elevation gain: 375 m
- Average daily descent: 42 m
Management
French
Your guide is a qualified mountain guide.
Program
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Arrival at the Nordic Inn
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning : Welcome, check-in and lunch at L'Auberge Nordique.
Afternoon : introductory hike, near the Inn, in the "Vallée du Bouchet"
Evening : presentation of the stay followed by a welcome drink.
Day 1 -
Chinaillon Valley and its alpine pastures
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 25km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Day trip to the Chinaillon valley and its alpine pastures.
Your guide will choose, depending on the weather and the level of the participants, between " The Samance plateau”, “the chalets of Tannaz” or “the tour of Lachat”.
Easy, circular hikes to start the week off gently!5 hours of walking, elevation gain + 500 to 700 m depending on the route.
For lunch, an eco-friendly picnic to be assembled at the time of departure.
Day 2 -
Valley of the Borders
- Transportation Minibus - 01h15 - 35km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Day hike, starting from the Vallée des Confins, at the foot of the Aravis mountain range.
Depending on the weather and the pace of the group, your guide will choose between the "Grand balcon des Aravis", the "Bombardelle circuit" or the "Danay summit".
Hikes in the heart of the Aravis mountains to go a little higher!5.5 hours of walking, elevation gain + 500 to 700m depending on the route.
For lunch, an eco-friendly picnic to be assembled at the time of departure.
Day 3 -
Relaxation and barbecues
- Transportation Minibus - 00h40 - 15km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning : Free morning. Possibility to visit the Grand-Bornand market to do your shopping and/or relax in our wellness area.
Afternoon and evening : half-day hike to reach the sunset and barbecue at "Lac de la Cour" (1440m)
2 hours of walking, elevation gain +250 / -250m
Evening by the lake and barbecue subject to favorable weather conditions.
Day 4 -
Aravis Pass
- Transportation Minibus - 01h15 - 40km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day hike , which begins with a short detour via the Col des Aravis , before heading towards the southern slope and its unforgettable views of the Mont Blanc massif.
Panoramic hike in the Alps with "the southern balcony of the Aravis" or "the Col du Jaillet", at the choice of your mountain guide.
5 hours of walking, elevation gain + 500 to 650 m depending on the route.
For lunch, an eco-friendly picnic to be assembled at the time of departure.
Day 5 -
Col des Annes or Crêtes de la Duche
- Transportation Minibus - 01h20 - 30km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day hike to end the week in style!
Loop hike on the "Crêtes de la Duche" or starting from the Col des Annes, up to the "Refuge de la Pointe Percée" (2150m), in a more alpine environment!
5.5 hours of walking, elevation gain + 600 to 700m depending on the route.
For lunch, an eco-friendly picnic to be assembled at the time of departure.
Day 6 -
Free time and departure
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Free morning and end of stay after lunch.
You can take a picnic with you if you need to leave in the morning, before lunchtime.
Day 7
Note
Important : The program is provided as a guide only. To keep things interesting, the instructors are free to use their imagination and suggest new routes. Circumstances beyond our control may also lead us to modify the day's routes and activities (weather, participants' skill level, group safety, etc.).
To get to the starting point of the hikes, L'Auberge Nordique has several minibuses, but some trips may occasionally be made with the participants' cars.
Participant level : On-site, our instructors are the best judges. If a participant does not meet the specified level criteria, they may be offered a more suitable course! The Nordic Hostel cannot be held responsible for any insufficient skill level observed during the stay.
Accommodation
You'll be staying at the 3-star holiday village L'Auberge Nordique. Enjoy all-inclusive : accommodation, full board, entertainment, and access to the wellness area. With a strong commitment to sustainable tourism , the establishment implements eco-friendly practices on a daily basis, from environmentally responsible cooking to selective waste sorting.
Access
Departure after lunch from the Nordic Inn. A morning departure with a picnic lunch is possible if needed.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a comfortable shared room for 2 people
- Full board from Sunday lunch to Saturday after lunch
- Supervision of hikes from Sunday afternoon to Friday evening, with Wednesday morning free
- Transportation to the starting points of the hikes (subject to availability)
- Access to the wellness area (for those over 18)
- Entertainment on certain evenings
The price does not include
- Transportation to get from your home to your accommodation
- Tourist taxes (0.80 cents per night per person over 18 years old)
- Membership in the association (€6)
- Drinks other than those included in full board (water by the carafe, wine by the pitcher at the table and coffee at lunchtime)
- Massages in the wellness area
Options
- Arrived the day before : CHF53.06 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
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
- Hiking boots with lug soles
- Indoor shoes or a pair of slippers
- Medium backpack (approximately 30L)
- Large plastic bag or overbag to protect your backpack
- Pocket knife, reusable cup and cutlery for picnics
- A pair of highly protective sunglasses (CE rating 3 or 4 is essential)
- Tube of sunscreen
- Lip balm with a high sun protection factor
- Pair of hiking poles
Clothing to bring
- Cap or hat
- Pair of gloves
- Trousers, shorts, t-shirts
- Walking socks
- Waterproof or windproof rain cape (Goretex type)
- Fleece jacket or thick sweater
- Change of clothes
- Swimsuit and towel for access to the wellness area or to go to the village swimming pool
