Spend one week trekking hut-to-hut in the majestic French Alps
Few adventures live up to the experience of spending one week trekking in the French Alps. The 7-day Self-Guided Beaufortain Loop Trek invites you to experience the wonders of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Savoie as you trek hut to hut in the French Alps. Start and end this mesmerizing loop route in Arêches, a charming ski-resort town nestled in Beaufort, Savoie.
Experience French mountain culture and come to know the remarkable landscapes that make this region of France world-famous. As you trek hut-to-hut each day, you’ll benefit from majestic viewpoints, taking in the lakes of Saint-Guérin (1,559m) and Roselend (1,557m) as well as on Mont Blanc (4,808m) and the famous Pierra Menta (2,714m ). Retire in authentic alpine huts where you’ll experience what it’s like to trek, eat, and sleep in the French Alps and visit charming mountain villages.
If you’ve always dreamed of a once in a lifetime type of trip, the Beaufortain Loop Trek is the perfect adventure to set your sights on!
Highlights of the Beaufortain Loop Trek
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Beaufortain Loop Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Envers or Boudin village loop
Arrive at the hotel in Arêches where your adventure in the French Alps begins!
Depending on the time of your arrival in the village of Arêches, you’ll have several choices for your first hike. These include the Envers Loop, a visit to the village of Boudin, or the climb to Plan Villard (1,530m). Regardless of your choice today, you’ll discover beautiful mountain pastures and unforgettable panoramas on the Mont-Blanc massif.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Arêches
Distance: 2-5.5hours, 400-1150m of ascent
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Ride Hike from Roche Pasture to La Coire Hut
Rise this morning and enjoy breakfast, then set out to transfer to the Col du Pré (1,703m). Via a botanical path, you’ll reach a stele in the forest (1,961m). This is the starting point for a magnificent “ridge” hike! You’ll then walk to the top of the Parstire rock (2,109m), then to the Mont des Acrays (2,173m) via the Passage de la Charmette (2,058m) and, finally, reaching the Passage de Miraillet which allows you to switch to Cormet d'Arêches (2,108m). Throughout the course, you will benefit from majestic viewpoints out over the lakes of Saint-Guérin (1,559m) and Roselend (1,557m) as well as on Mont-Blanc (4,808m) and the famous Pierra Menta (2,714m ). Today’s incredible hiking ends at La Coire Hut (2,059m) where you’ll enjoy some well-earned rest.
Overnight Location: Dormitory accommodation in La Coire Hut
Distance: 6hours, 950m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3 Climb the Col de Coin Pass
This morning, you will climb up to the narrow Col du Coin pass (2,398m), from which there is a superb panorama of the Mont-Blanc massif. Descend to the Coin Valley via the Conchette chalets, under the Pierra Menta, an emblematic rock. Descend further to Treicol and then embark on an uphill stretch to the shores of the magnificent Lake Roselend, one of the largest water reservoirs in the Alpine Arc. Finish up with an easy walk from here to reach Plan-Mya Hut.
Overnight Location: Dormitory accommodation in Plan Mya Hut
Distance: 6hours, 600m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 Trek Plan Mya Hut to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme Hut
Today’s short day will have setting out to reach the Col de la Sausse pass (2,307m), located above the Cormet de Roselend and crossing the majestic Gittes crest to the refuge of the Croix-du-Bonhomme pass (2,433m), a key passage of the famous Tour Mont-Blanc. If you’re feeling up to it, tackle the northern head of Les Fours, an easy summit where the ibex chill in front of a sumptuous Mont-Blanc.
Overnight Location: Dormitory accommodation in Bonhomme Hut
Distance: 4hours, 700m of ascent with optional extension
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5 Cross the Col de Bonhomme
Today you’ll rise early and enjoy a heart breakfast before setting out on your departure for the longest stage of the route. You’ll cross the Col du Bonhomme (2,329m) and descend to the Jovet chalets. You’ll begin a superb crossing. Climb to the Col de la Fenêtre pass (2,245m) and hike through the pastures to the Col du Joly pass (1,989m). From there, continue on a long traverse along the side of the mountain pastures of the Hauteluce Valley to reach the Col de Véry pass (1,962m) where the Croix-de-Pierre Hut is located.
Overnight Location: Dormitory accommodation in Croix de Pierre Hut
Distance: 6.5hours, 400m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6 Return to Arêches
Your final day of trekking has you crossing to Mont Clocher (1,950m), then long descent on a winding path to reach the listed village of Hauteluce (1,100m). This is the occasion for a stop at the magnificent baroque church of Saint-Jacques-d'Assyrie with its famous onion bell tower and its trompe-l'oeil facade. You are almost at the end of this fabulous route in the heart of “little French Tyrol”.
Last efforts to reach Beaufort-sur-Doron and its dairy cooperative! A visit to the maturing cellars are included (in July and August only).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Arêches
Distance: 5hours, 150m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7 Departure from Arêches
One magical week of trekking in the Alps comes to an end today! Enjoy a final breakfast in Arêches, then check out and depart.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Beaufortain Loop Tour Price and Dates
The pricing for this self-guided tour in French Alps depends on the size of your group. You also have an option to opt out of luggage transfers to reduce the tour price. All the prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room where possible (note only dormitory rooms are available in huts) and those who need single rooms will have to pay a supplement.
Self-guided Beaufortain Loop Tour Price without Luggage Transfers
- Self-guided Groups of 2: $825 USD per person
- Self-guided Groups of 3+: $795 USD per person
Self-guided Beaufortain Loop Tour Price with Luggage Transfers included in the price
- Groups of 2: $1,275 USD per person
- Groups of 3: $1,095 USD per person
- Groups of 4: $1,025 USD per person
- Groups of 5: $975 USD per person
- Groups of 6+: $950 USD per person
Accommodation on Beaufortain Loop Trek
This tour is based in mountain huts and hotels. Hotels on this trip are 2-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. The accommodation in mountain huts is based in shared dormitory rooms.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms in the hotel are double and those willing to stay in a single room will have to pay a supplement (please enquire about the pricing). Please note that the single accommodations are not available in dormitory-style mountain huts, where all of the living spaces are shared with other trekkers.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel in Arêches
The tiny village of Arêches is the perfect introduction to French ski village culture. Nestled in the heart of Beaufortain in Savoie, you’ll enjoy mountain village hospitality at this cozy and comfortable hotel.
La Coire Hut
Stunning alpine views and a cozy ambience await you at La Coire Hut.
Plan Mya Mountain Hut
Nestled at the foot of a rugged peak, you’ll enjoy your stay at this authentic Beaufortain alpine hut.
Bonhomme Mountain Hut
Locate near Les Cavets, this rustic mountain hut is there perfect place to lay your head in the mountains.
Croix de Pierre Mountain Hut
Enjoy the pleasant and cozy ‘home away from home’ atmosphere at the Croix de Pierre mountain hut.
Hotel in Arêches
The tiny village of Arêches is the perfect introduction to French ski village culture. Nestled in the heart of Beaufortain in Savoie, you’ll enjoy mountain village hospitality at this cozy and comfortable hotel.
What’s Included in the Beaufortain Loop Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts and 6 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers, as well as one personal transfer from Arêches to the trailhead. However other personal transfers are not included, and you will be in charge of organizing your own logistics, such as getting to the start of the tour. You can also exclude luggage transfers from your tour package to lower the price.
Also Included
- The roadbook (1 per 4 travellers)
- Support hotline 24/7
- Access to mobile application for GPS guidance
- Visit of the Cheese factory of Beaufort
Not included
- Lunches and any other meals not mentioned as ‘included’
- Showers in mountain huts
- Insurance
- Guide services
- Anything not mentioned as ‘included’
Optional Extras
- Extra night in Arêches before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Beaufortain Loop Trek
Allibert Trekking is a Tour Operator based in the French Alps, specializing in incredible trips for the active outdoor enthusiast. They cater to your specific wants to create an unforgettable adventure.
Allibert Trekking specializes in mountain sports adventures throughout the European Alps (France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria). From the Dolomites to the Mediterranean coast, they create and organize hiking, mountaineering, ski touring, snowshoeing, and multi-sport trips throughout the Alps.
With 45 years of experience, Allibert offers both exceptional “ready-made” trip itineraries and customizable plans to make sure your experience is everything you want it to be.
Allibert places great importance on sustainable travel. Because of this, they focus on creating trips that make as little an impact as possible on the natural environment. Ethics, respect, and responsibility represent the cornerstones of their commitment to responsible tourism.
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Originally from the Southern French Alps, Julien has been playing in the mountains since childhood. He loves backcountry skiing and mountaineering, long hikes, trail running, mountaineering, and rock climbing. Julien loves to share his passion for travelling and the mountains, and genuinely enjoys coming up with new ways to explore his favourite places in the Alps with visitors.
- Q: What is your favourite trip you’ve taken and why?
- A: Bernese Oberland is one of the few places in the Alps that surprised me. The landscape and views are amazing. Hiking under the 1000m cliff wall of the famous Eiger Northface and along the U-style valley of Lauterbrunnen is a fantastic experience.
- Q: What is one experience anybody visiting your country should have?
- A: It's very hard to choose as there are so many things to see and do. But I would suggest visiting the quiet, wild southern Alps.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that visitors absolutely have to try?
- A: The Savoyard fondue, which tastes even better than the original one from Switzerland!
- Q: What is the most challenging adventure you've ever taken on?
- A: Ski touring in the Armenian mountains.