The GR5 – Lake Geneva – Abondance
This itinerary has been uniquely designed for people who are new to hiking or looking for a more gentle hiking experience..
We have created a perfect mini 3 day itinerary (in partnership with our friends at Days Away Adventures) which starts on the balcony trails above Lac Leman and finishes in the pretty alpine village of Abondance, famed for its local cheese production and Notre Dame d’Abondance abbey. Benefiting from the excellent network of mountain refuges we stay two rustic mountain lodges. The GR5 actually starts in the Netherlands, crossing Belgium and Luxembourg before France from north to south. This section is part of the route through the French Alps from Lake Geneva to Nice called the Grande Traversée des Alpes.
June, July, August, September
Duration: 3 days
Grade: Moderate
Min 2 – 14 persons
Nearest Airport: Geneva
Rustic mountain refuges
Day 1 Bernex - Dent d'Oche Refuge
Beginning on the southern shores of Lac Leman we enjoying stunning balcony paths and Alpine vistas, with sweeping views over to the Jura and across the big peaks of the Chablais including including the Dent d’Oche and Mont du Grange.
Distance: 11km Height Gain / loss: + 1287m – 359m
Overnight: Dent d’Oche Refuge – Dortoir
Dinner and breakfast included
Day 2 Dent d'Oche - Chalet Refuge du Bise
Descending from the specatuclar setting of Dent d’Oche refuge we hike past several alpine lakes before cross over the Col de Bise, all beneathe the shadow of the Cornettes du Bise (2432m).
Distance: 7.4km Height gain / loss: +467m – 1052m
Overnight: Chalet du Bise Refuge – Dortoir
Dinner and breakfast included
Day 3 Chalet du Bise, via Ubine - Abondance
Spectacular trails today as we ascend out of the refuge, hiking over the Pas de la Bosse (1816m) descending to the chalet de Mens before hiking over the 2nd col of the day Col d’Ubine (1694m). From the pretty mountain hameaux of Ubine we journey over our 3rd and final col – Col de la Plagne (1546m) before dropping down to the vibrant village of Abondance.
Distance 10.6km Height Gain / loss: +549m – 1133m
Need To Know
Accommodation
2 x nights in rustic mountain refuges with doritoir sleeping arrangements
What’s included
All accommodation
All breakfasts and dinners
Due to the remote nature of this particular trail we are without vehicle support so carry a little extra equipment for the mountain refuge nights, and are therefore self sufficient.
Transport provided from Les Gets / Morzine / Saint Jean d’Aulps / Bernex
Guides
We adopt an excellent guiding ratio meaning we can cater for differing levels within the group and offer extra add-ons where appropriate, such as taking in a side peak or giving two different trail choices.
One Guide – 1 – 7 clients
Two Guides – 8 – 14 clients
Booking and Price
We manage every booking independently to ensure attention to detail and provide a personalised service.