Tucked away between the deep valleys of the Haut-Giffre and the high alpine ridgelines bordering the Mont Blanc massif, this traverse is a quietly spectacular journey through one of the Alps’ most unspoilt corners. Over several days, we’ll follow remote mountain paths toward Vallorcine, threading our way beneath vast limestone walls, across open plateaus, and through wild terrain where silence, space, and big skies dominate. Despite its proximity to the Mont Blanc range, the Haut-Giffre mountains remain wonderfully under the radar: rugged, raw, and refreshingly free from crowds. If conditions allow, we’ll aim to summit Mont Buet (3096 m), one of the great panoramic viewpoints of the region. From its broad summit, the horizon opens wide onto the Mont Blanc massif and far beyond.
This trek is designed for hikers with some mountain experience who are looking for a rewarding alpine journey in remote terrain. While the paths are non-technical, the route includes several big days with significant elevation gain, requiring good fitness and comfort in the mountains. In exchange, you’ll enjoy quiet trails, wide-open landscapes, and a deep immersion in wild alpine scenery, all the way to our final descent into Vallorcine.
Our first day leads us from the valley of Sallanches up to the peaceful plateau of Refuge de Véran. After a gentle kilometre leaving town, the trail climbs steadily through a quiet forest, covering most of the day’s 1,000 metres of ascent in shaded zigzags. Breaking above the treeline, we’re suddenly surrounded by the limestone walls of the Aiguilles de Varan and Tête du Collonney.
Refuge de Véran awaits on a grassy shelf beneath these cliffs: small, quiet, and beautifully remote. Those with some energy left can join an optional short hike to a nearby summit with wide views and frequent ibex sightings.
Day two is the highlight of the traverse, starting with a steep climb from Véran to the summit of Tête du Coloney (2,692 m). The ascent is demanding, but the views open up quickly: deep valleys and distant ridges, with Mont Blanc on one side and Swiss peaks on the other.
After a break at the top, we descend toward Refuge de Platé, set on Europe’s largest limestone plateau. A surreal, almost lunar landscape perfect for a pause. A short climb to Col de Portette follows, rewarding us with another sweeping viewpoint, before a gentle descent through meadows leads to Refuge de Sales for the night.
Day 3 is gentler. We descend from Refuge de Sales through a wide valley with waterfalls, then tackle a few smaller climbs. Highlights include the peaceful Refuge d’Anterne Alfred Wils and the stunning Lac d’Anterne, often mirrored by the surrounding peaks. The day ends at Refuge de Moëde Anterne, a warm, welcoming spot above the valley.
Today is Mont Buet day: the longest and most demanding stage of the traverse, and one of its true highlights. We’ll start early and move at a steady pace, keeping safety and enjoyment at the heart of the day. A gentle, remote crossing through the Haut-Giffre leads us to the main ascent: a 1,100-metre climb to the summit of Mont Buet (3,096 m), where the landscape turns rugged and panoramic.
If conditions allow, the summit rewards us with sweeping 360° views over Mont Blanc and the Swiss Alps. The day ends with a long, scenic descent toward Buet village, following alpine terrain and forested trails along the Eau de Bérard: a fitting close to an iconic mountain day.
The final day is a gentler finale, a relaxed stage after yesterday’s big effort. Starting from Le Buet, we climb gradually through quiet forest paths toward Refuge de Loriaz, a surprisingly peaceful spot despite its proximity to the Tour du Mont Blanc. After a few steady kilometres, we rise above the treeline and are rewarded with wide-open views, with the Glacier du Tour shining across the valley.
After a well-earned break at the refuge (our final great viewpoint of the traverse) we begin a gentle descent through forest to Vallorcine, the official endpoint of our journey. From here, we can celebrate together or take the Mont Blanc Express back to Sallanches, neatly closing the loop where it all began.
Practical information
When
This hike will take place from 9th until the 13th of August 2026.
Please note: these are the hiking days. To ensure you arrive on time and have enough time to travel home, we recommend adding an extra day before and after the trip for travel.
Price
The price for this trek is €890,00.
This includes:
-> Professional guidance by a mountain leader
-> 4 overnight stays in mountain huts
-> Tourist tax
-> 4 breakfast meals in the huts
-> 4 dinners in the huts
-> 4 picnic lunches
-> Informational booklet with extensive information about the trail to be fully prepared for this adventure
…and does not include:
-> Transportation to and from the start and end point
-> Snacks for the trail
-> Overnight stays at the start and end points
-> Travel insurance (including repatriation)
-> Personal expenses
-> Lunch for day 1
Accommodation
During the trek, we’ll spend our nights in cosy mountain huts along the way. These are small, welcoming refuges with shared dorms — usually one big room where about 20 hikers bunk down together. No need to bring a full sleeping bag: mattresses, blankets and pillows are provided. But to keep things clean and comfy for everyone, it’s mandatory to bring a sleeping bag liner and a pillowcase (a clean T-shirt works too in a pinch).
And: no stress about bookings, we’ve already reserved all the huts, so your bed in the mountains is waiting for you!
Transport
Transportation to and from the start and end point is not included in the price. You can take the train to Sallanches train station (the starting point of the trail), and take the train back from Village Le Buet (the ending point of the trail).
Food along the way
No need to stress about meals — the mountain huts we’ll stay at take care of everything. Each one provides a hearty dinner, a solid breakfast, and even a packed lunch (pique-nique) for the next day’s hike.
The only things you’ll need to bring yourself are snacks for the full trek — since we won’t pass any shops or resupply points — and your lunch for day one. That’s it! Everything else is sorted, so you can just focus on walking, eating, and enjoying the mountain magic.
FAQ
This trip is for experienced hikers who love exploring lesser-known trails and occasionally enjoy the challenge of more technical paths. With around 1200 m of elevation gain per day (and 1450 m of elevation gain on the biggest day), a moderate fitness level is required.
The traverse starts in Sallanches, a small city in the Mont Blanc valley. We meet at the train station. Our trek concludes in Vallorcine, a small mountain village on the other side of the Haut-Giffre Range. We end at the train station, where you can take the Mont Blanc Express towards Sallanches.
Aha, gear! Probably the most important thing when you head out in the mountains. Here’s a list of the things you’ll need:
Clothes
-Hiking shoes (boots or trail runners, depending on your preference)
-Cap*
-Warm hat
-Category 3 sunglasses
-Breathable long/short-sleeved T-shirts
-Fleece and/or down jacket
-Waterproof jacket
-Hiking trousers/leggings and/or hiking shorts
-Waterproof trousers
-Pair of (light) gloves
-Hiking socks (+liner socks*)
-Flip flops (for in the huts)
-Spare clothes as per your preference*
Food
-2L water bottle
-Pocketknife*
-Snacks for each day (not available in mountain huts)
-Lunch for day 1
General gear
-Pack (40-50L) + rain cover
-Hiking poles
-Headlamp
-Sunscreen and lip balm
-Sleeping bag liner + kussensloop
-Toiletry kit, towel, earplugs*, toilet paper
-Minimal personal pharmacy: blister plasters, medications for common ailments such as diarrhea, constipation, sore throat, headaches, pain, allergies
-ID, money for personal expenses
Items indicated with a ‘*’ are optional, take them if you prefer taking these!
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the Haut-Giffre mountain range.
If you have a severe fear of heights, this tour may not be ideal, as parts of the route follow exposed mountain paths. These sections are not very technical, but they are high in the terrain. Hikers with a mild or moderate fear of heights generally manage them without any problem.
The mountain huts provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, you’ll need to bring your own snacks for the trail and lunch for the first day.
Our tour will be led by Thomas Debray, a mountain leader from Saint-Gervais, France. He’ll guide us safely, share fascinating facts about the flora and fauna, and ensure an enjoyable experience for all. I (Floor Denil) will also join. While I’m not a certified guide, I’ve gained plenty of mountain experience and will share some hiking tips along the way.
There’s no luggage transport available for this tour, so you’ll need to carry all your personal gear yourself.
This is a group hike: we’ll stick together as a team, leaving and arriving at the huts as one.