Trip Overview
Our twelve-day adventure is a 'grand traverse' in the classic sense, as we blaze a trail through the French Alps from Mont Blanc all the way to the sun-kissed beaches of the Côte d'Azur. We'll be traveling in style with nights spent at elegant inns and mountain lodges, with all our gear transported inn-to-inn for us.
This trek is ideal for all skill levels—all you need is a love of mountains. Each day we walk 5 to 8 hours, with elevation gains between 1,500 and 4,000 feet. We stick mostly to established trails, at times making use of off-piste routes. Step by step, we’ll make our way up, down, and around, peak by peak, village by village.
This trip overview is designed to answer questions regarding our Modern Adventure experience, including the itinerary, food & drink, required fitness level, vaccines, packing list and more. If any changes are made, we will update you as appropriate and when necessary.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
DAY 1: CHAMONIX > MEGÈVE > BEAUFORT
Day 1! Meet in Chamonix at 8am on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Hotel Mercure Chamonix Centre
Gear check and 60-min transfer to Megève to start our trek
Ascent over Mont de Vores and Col de Véry
Hike to mountain town of Hauteluce
Transfer to Beaufort
Lodging: Hôtel le Christiania in Beaufort
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Day 1 Hiking: 10 miles, 7 hours, 2,977' gain/loss
DAY 2: BEAUFORTIN REGION
Hike past Roselend lake and ridge of Le Mont des Acrays (7,170ft)
Traverse Col du Couvercle (7,680ft)
Descent into Tarentaise Valley
Transfer to village of Landry
Lodging: Hôtel L'Alpin in Landry
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Day 2 Hiking: 7.5 miles, 6.5 hours, 2,925' gain/loss
DAY 3: VALLEY OF CHAMPAGNY
Hike Vanoise National Park
Ascent from Rosuel Door (5,080ft) to Col de Plan Sery (8,425ft)
Hike down to valley of Champagny (5,144ft)
Transfer to village of Pralognan
Lodging: Hôtel l'Edelweiss in Pralognan
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Day 3 Hiking: 10.5 miles, 8 hours, 3,850' gain/loss
DAY 4: COL D'AUSSOIS
Transfer to Post de la Pêche (5,820ft)
Ascent over Col d’Aussois (9,623ft), the highest point we’ll cross on our entire traverse
Descent to Le Plan d’Amont lake (6,850ft)
Transfer to village of Aussois
Lodging: Hôtel du Soleil in Aussois
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Day 4 Hiking: 10.6 miles, 8.5 hours, 3,933' gain/loss
DAY 5: THE BRIANCONNAIS
Transfer to Modane
Ascent to Col de la Vallée Étroite (7,920ft)
Descent to Vallée Étroite (5,824ft)
Ascent to Col des Thures (7,240ft)
Descent to Vallée de la Clarée
Transfer to village of Briançon
Lodging: Hôtel de la Chaussee in Briançon
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Day 5 Hiking: 13.5 miles, 7.5 hours, 3,669' gain/loss
DAY 6: QUEYRAS REGION
Transfer to Villard St Pancrace
Hike into Queyras National Park
Hike through hamlet of Clapeyto (7,330ft)
Continue down to village of Brunissard (5,926ft)
Transfer to St Véran
Lodging: Hôtel les Chalets du Villard in St Véran
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Day 6 Hiking: 8 miles, 6.5 hours, 3,336' gain/loss
DAY 7: UBAYE REGION
Hike from Chapelle de Clausis (7,722ft) to La Blanche (8,250ft)
Climb to Col Blanchet (9,504ft) and Col Longet (8,778ft)
Descent along Ubaye river valley to Maljesset (6,303ft)
Transfer to Barcelonnette
Lodging: Hôtel Azteca in Barcelonnette
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Day 7 Hiking: 14 miles, 8.5 hours, 2,491' gain/loss
DAY 8: VÉSUBIE REGION
3-hour drive to Saint-Martin de Vésubie
Afternoon and evening to relax and explore village on own
Lodging: Hôtel La Bonne Auberge in St Martin de Vésubie
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Day 8: No hiking / rest day
DAY 9: MERCANTOUR NATIONAL PARK
Drive through Boreon Vally to Mercantour National Park
Hike from Vacherie du Boreon (5,413ft) over Pas de Ladres (8,078ft)
Descent to La Madone de Fenestre (6,295ft)
Transfer to Saint-Martin Vésubie
Lodging: Hôtel La Bonne in Saint-Martin Vésubie
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Day 9 Hiking: 7 miles, 6 hours, 1,596' gain/loss
DAY 10: SOSPEL & MENTON
Transfer to Camp d’Argent
Descent to Sospel (1,148ft)
Transfer to Menton on the Côte d'Azur
Lodging: Hôtel Riva & Spa in Menton
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Day 10 Hiking: 11.5 miles, 7 hours, 1,596' gain/loss
DAY 11: GRAND MONT
Final hiking day
Ascent to Grand Mont (4,550ft)
Descent to seaside village of Castellar (1,280ft)
Transfer to Menton
Lodging: Hôtel Riva & Spa in Menton
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Day 11 Hiking: 7.5 miles, 6.5 hours, 2,428' gain/loss
DAY 12: DEPARTURE FROM NICE
After breakfast, complimentary transfer to Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) airport
Your onward flight to depart NCE airport at 11am or later
Our Accommodations
Hôtel le Christiana
Rte du Grand Mont, 73270 Beaufort
Hôtel le Christiana
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 38 10 58
This classic Beaufort hotel is the perfect place to start our journey. Comfortable rooms, al fresco breakfasts served with gorgeous mountain views, and an excellent on-site restaurant.
Hôtel L'Alpin
Chemin de l'Ancienne Mairie, 73210 Landry
Hôtel L'Alpin
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 55 33 00
Located in the heart of Landry village, with 15 cozy rooms and panoramic views of the valley below. The restaurant is devoted to regional specialities, from plates of cured meats to Savoie wines and local beers.
Hôtel l'Edelweiss
12 Chemin du Col de la Louza, Pralognan la Vanoise
Hôtel l'Edelweiss
Tel. +33 (0)4 58 83 01 28
This modern, chic mountain chalet in Pralognan is in the heart of the village, with wonderful views. We love the spacious rooms and full-feature spa (fitness room, massage, sauna, Jacuzzi) and terrace bar.
Hôtel du Soleil
15 Rue de l'Église, Aussois
Hôtel du Soleil
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 20 32 42
Our Aussois hotel has rooms with unforgettable views—not to mention a hot tub and solarium that overlook the mountains. Dine on the panoramic outdoor terrace from a menu that takes 'local and seasonal' to new heights: everything served hails from within a 10-mile radius.
Hôtel de la Chaussee
4 Rue Centrale, 05100 Briançon, France
Hôtel de la Chaussee
Tel. +33 (0)4 92 21 10 37
Located in the center of Briançon since 892, we’ll be welcomed by the fifth-generation Bonnaffoux family. Their mountain home lies between tradition and modernity, all with a lovely chalet spirit. Relax and take in the sights—Briançon's fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hôtel les Chalets du Villard
St Véran
Hôtel les Chalets du Villard
Tel. +33 (0)4 92 45 82 08
Relax fireside at one of Saint Veran's most-prized hotels. It's the views from the panoramic terrace and lounge that you'll treasure. A wood-fired grill at the hotel restaurant cooks up some of the region’s finest game dishes.
Hôtel Azteca
3 Rue François Arnaud, Barcelonnette
Hôtel Azteca
Tek. +33 (0)4 92 81 46 36
Artsy and hip, this design-forward hotel in Barcelonnette has a rotating exhibit of multimedia works by international artists. The quirky library and bar wouldn’t feel out of place in New York or Berlin—but the views and mellow vibe are pure Alps.
Hôtel La Bonne Auberge
98 Allée de Verdun, St Martin de Vésubie
Hôtel La Bonne
Tel. +33 (0)4 93 03 20 49
This family hotel and restaurant is a rustic stone lodge passed from father to son since 1945. With its individually decorated rooms and shaded terrace with views of Mercantour National Park, it’s a perfect place to relax at the end of the day.
Hôtel Riva & Spa
600 Promenade du Soleil, Menton
Hotel Riva Art & Spa
Tel. +33 (0)4 93 03 21 22
Facing the beaches and clear waters of the Mediterranean—the moment you enter this light-filled hotel you know you couldn’t possibly be anywhere but the Cote d’Azur. Take a dip in the rooftop pool, book at massage at the spa—and simply drink in the sun and sea at every turn.
Inclusions & Exclusions
INCLUSIONS
On a Modern Adventure, we’ve worked out all the details for you. Included in your experience are luxury boutique accommodations, delicious local food and drink, private transport between destinations, expert local guides, and much more. Here’s what’s included:
11 nights at unique village hotels and resorts
Private minibus for luggage transfers between all of our hotels
All breakfasts, lunches and most dinners
Certified trekking guides to accompany us throughout
Local beverages with meals
Departure airport transfer
All entrance fees
Gratuities for local staff
EXCLUSIONS
Roundtrip airfare to/from France
Travel insurance (see Get Ready)
Transportation to the trip’s meeting point
Activities not included in the trip itinerary
Lodge incidentals including room service, laundry, etc.
Personal gear
Gratuity for Modern Adventure trip leader