Explore-Share logo and link to home

Chablais Snowshoe Traverse: Megevette to Lake Geneva

chablais
chablais

Join UIMLA Mountain Leader Emma Jack on a snowshoe traverse of the Chablais from Megevette to Lake Geneva and discover these pristine snow-capped mountains!

Alps

8 Days

Jan, Feb

High

Intermediate


Description

The stunning Chablais mountains are situated in the western Alps , and crossing them is a dream for mountaineers and nature lovers alike. On this eight day  Chablais snowshoe traverse from Megevette to Lake Geneva we get to do just that! And then wrap it up at a world class spa in the mountains!

Our journey begins with a pickup at the Geneva airport to transfer you to Megevette. The pickup will be arranged at a set time. It is also possible for you to make your own travel arrangements to Megevette, however it must be coordinated. As long as you make it in time to the hotel for a trip briefing and our first great dinner together,  all will be fine. Then, the next day, we will start early to get to Bellevaux. On the way, we will see some stunning sights and pass through some incredible spots as we begin our exploration of the Chablais mountains on our way to Lake Geneva. From then on, every day we will follow a similar snowshoe routine with approximately 7 hours of walking per day. Along the way, we will go through forests, pastures, mountains, and encounter hamlets, chapels and more!

Of course it will require some preparation. However, it won’t all be sweat and hard work! Not only will we catch some stunning sights, we will also be staying in superb hotels and sharing amazing meals together. Furthermore, because the luggage transfer is included, we will be able to travel comfortably during the day. Consequently, although the trip requires a good level of fitness and will be demanding, it will be very enjoyable too. Also, keep in mind that I will be there to guide you every step of the way. And, last but definitely not least, our last stop will be at the renowned Evian-les-Bains spa town on the shore of Lake Geneva. So you will definitely get some well deserved pampering at our destination! 

So, are you ready for a trip of a lifetime? Then book your place now and join me on this Chablais snowshoe traverse from Megevette to Lake Geneva! I will be happy to show you the way!

Otherwise, if you would rather explore the Alps in the summer, then you can check out our 7-day Haute Route highlights tour. Surely you will love it!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Dinner

- Transportation start and back

- Transport during the trip

- Luggage transfer

Price details

Prices are per person for group of 4-10 people.

Included

​​

All snowshoe and safety equipment,

7 nights' accommodation on twin-share basis,

All meals in the itinerary,

All transport in the itinerary,

Fully qualified & experienced International Mountain Leader,

Luggage access on all 7 nights,

Airport transfer from Geneva to Mégevette (timings apply).

Not Included:

​Insurance (mandatory for every participant)

Flights,

Travel insurance,

Personal drinks & snacks,

Tips,

Transfer from Evian-les-Bains to Geneva airport,


Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Geneva and transfer to Mégevette

On the first day of our journey we offer a transfer at a fixed time from Geneva to Megevette. If you are not able to make it on this schedule and wish to meet directly in Megevette, this can also be arranged.

In the evening, after meeting at the hotel, we will have a short briefing of the trip, and then we will have a good dinner to prepare for the day ahead on the following morning.

Day 2: From Mégevette to Bellevaux

After trying on our snowshoes and getting the hang of them, we will begin with a traverse up to the Col de la Bray (1442m). On the way, we will pass through several hamlets. After, we will climb to the Pointe des Jottis (1548m) to catch some breathtaking views before descending to the pastures of la Bray. Our descent will take us past the frozen Lac de Vallon, and the snow-covered forests, to Chapelle Saint-Bruno. Finally, a bus to nearby Bellevaux will take us to our hotel for the night.  

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6-7 hours

Distance: 12km

Altitude gain / loss: +1053m / -819m

Day 3: From Bellevaux to le Biot

After breakfast, we will take the bus back to the previous days finishing point. From there, we will continue our snowshoeing adventure with a climb up to the Tré-le-Saix plateau (1486m). Then, we will traverse to the Col de la Balme (1445m), and on to the Col de Seytrouset (1564m), which has spectacular views of the Dents du Midi. After, we will descend to the Dranse de Morzine river, and finally, after a short climb we will arrive at our hotel in le Biot.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 7-8 hours

Distance: 14km

Altitude gain / loss: +870m / -1000m

Day 4: Snowshoe from le Biot to Abondance

Early in the morning, we will leave le Biot, and start the day with a walk through pine forests, and the snowy pastures of Thex. After passing beneath the Pointe de Cercle we will reach the Montagne de Drouzin (1620m). From there, we will descend into the Abondance valley and the Alpages de Druges. To cap off the day, we will spend the night in the charming village of Abondance. 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 7-8 hours

Distance: 14km

Altitude gain / loss: +780m / -700m

Day 5: Snowshoe from Abondance to Vacheresse

First, to begin the day, we will start by walking past the stunning 15th century Abbey at  Abondance and then on to the hamlet of Mont. Then, after a steady climb, we will reach the ridge of Mont Chauffe at the Col de la Plagne (1546m). From there, we will descend into the beautiful and uninhabited Ubine valley. Finally, we will continue descending until we reach Vacheresse, where we will spend the night. 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6-7 hours

Distance: 16km

Altitude gain / loss: +780m / -880m

Day 6: Snowshoe from Vacheresse to Bernex, via Mont Baron

Of the many routes top reach Mont Baron, we will choose the best and head up the Replain Valley and on to the final ridge to the top of Mont Baron (1556m). After stopping to enjoy the views at the Ubine valley, we will begin our descent to the village of Bernex. 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6-7 hours

Distance: 13km

Altitude gain / loss: +900m / -800m

Day 7: From Bernex to Evian-les-Bains

On our final snowshoeing day, we will begin with a traverse of Mont Bénand (1284m). From this stunning spot we will have fabulous views of the Gavot plateau and Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). After, we will pass under the north face of the Memises, as we descent to Thollon (937m). Because of the lower altitudes we may need to continue without snowshoes at this point as we continue descening right down to Lac Léman itself. From there, we will take a transfer to Evian-les-Bains,  a renowned spa town on the shores of the lake, which is the perfect way to wrap up our spectacular journey.  ​

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6-7 hours

Distance: 11km

Altitude gain / loss: +350m / -950m

Day 8: Departure day

After breakfast we will say our goodbyes. There are a few easy options to get to the Geneva airport: a scenic ferry and a train, or a taxi and a train.  The airport transfer is not included.

 

Details

More info

Insurance

It is compulsory that you take out adequate travel insurance, and it is a condition of booking with us that your insurance covers the following as a minimum: medical expenses, injury, illness, death, repatriation, personal accident, mountain rescue including helicopter evacuation, along with cancellation and curtailment. Your insurance must be valid for the duration of your tour.

Meeting point

Hotel in Mégevette. We offer a transfer service from Geneva airport at a fixed time.

About the guide

Guide profile image

-Emma & Guides' team

4.60

(9)

Mountain Leader

I'm a qualified International Mountain Leader (IML) and I have been leading expeditions for the last 15 years. I have led the Tour du Mont Blanc over 40 times, the Everest Base Camp trek 27 times, Kilimanjaro 10 times, and I have also led trips in Nepal, Peru, Cuba, India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand, the Alps, the Pyrenees, Russia, Uzbekistan and Madagascar, amongst others. I work together with qualified mountain leaders like me, If I'm not available to guide you, one of my colleagues will take care of you.

I'm a passionate skier, in 2009 I made the first ski descent of Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world (8156m).

Fluent in French, Russian and Spanish, I also work as an interpreter and love to chat.

Languages

Russian | French | English

Certificates

UIMLA

Request more information

What people are saying about -Emma & Guides' team

Paul

5.00

Emma was very easy to communicate with (once we we able e in the same time zone, of course!). Our guide Phil was fabulous. Thanks to all.

5.00

Emma was a very sweet and knowledgeable guide. She was adaptive to the different personalities and skill level of our group. Easygoing, talkative, friendly and pleasant to be around! Couldn't be happier with our guide!

jeanne

4.00

We were Very pleased With Emma guiding us through the hikes. We really enjoyed the entire trip:) As we were just our family we would have loved a little more flexibility hiking in our own pace - felt we were rushed a bit too much. We should have informed Emma about this but we were too compliant:) The explore-share platform was a bit rigid/ formel - it was not clear that exploreshare hired another firm to do the job. Also quite a High fee to explore share We were first told to have an (expensive) extended travel insurance (with mountain rescue) up to departure / after we had plaid. We should have been told this before signing up. Another mistake were that explore share had told us last payment were due closer to departure - so in a rush we had to pay up 60 days before as this is cloud9advenures policy. This made us uncertain if it was fraud. But it wasn’t:) overall pleased with our trip

Fausto

4.00

Bruno our guide was very helpful and profesional

Jill

5.00

AMAZING! This was a last minute decision and my first multi day trekking tour and it far exceeded my expectations. The communication and preparation was comprehensive and accurate. Our guide (Lindsay) was phenomenal. The route was the perfect mix of challenge and comfort. I will definitely be booking my next hiking trek thru Emma.


You may also like

Join our newsletter!

Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.