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3-day hike in the Balcons du Léman

3-day hike in the Balcons du Léman
3-day hike in the Balcons du Léman
3-day hike in the Balcons du Léman
3-day hike in the Balcons du Léman

The Balcons du Léman, a magnificent course, bright and wild in the upper Chablais. Lucas, UIMLA certified mountain leader will take you on this 3-day trip.

Alps

3 Days

Jun - Oct


Description

The Balcons du Léman, a magnificent course, bright and wild in the upper Chablais. The ascent of charismatic and sometimes technical summits, overlooking the largest natural lake in Western Europe. Pleasure and escape guaranteed!

During these 3 days, even though we are in a pre-Alpine massif, we go through technical and aerial paths. We will reach two magnificent viewpoints overlooking Lake Léman/Geneva: Dent d’Ôche and Grammont, true sentinels over the lake.

We will hike from hut to hut. Indeed, the location of the huts is quite exceptional:
– The Dent d'Oche refuge is literally clung on a rock and overlooks Lake Léman.
– The refuge at Tanay, with its enchanting lake and the warmth of Swiss hospitality. Certainly one of my favourite sites in the Alps!

A light hike because we have the feeling of walking between sky and earth, with the lake below us. A nice contrast! A wild trek, because we will leave the beaten tracks, to the conquest of ancient horse paths at the border between France and Switzerland. We will also have the chance to observe the flora and fauna present in this massif, ibex are everywhere!

In a few words:
– Around 30 km
– D +/- 2500 m
– 3 days
– Leaving from Novel-Saint Gingolph
– Aerial and technical hike

Are you interested in this beautiful hike? Then please contact me if you are around to organize it together. A unique opportunity to live a good time with friends, family… in an exceptional setting! Another trip that I recommend in the Alps is hiking in the Bauges range.

Price includes

  • Accommodation included
  • Guiding fee
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Itinerary

Day 1: Novel (1210 m) - Dent d’Ôche Refuge (2113 m)

– 6.7 km
– Altitude change +880m / -80m
– Max. altitude 2113 m
Lunch: picnic.
Accommodation: half board at the Dent d’Ôche refuge (guarded in July-August and during the weekends in June and September).

Departure from the parking de la Planche (1210 m), above Novel (Saint Gingolph commune). Bring a picnic for lunch.
Rather short distances, and a “reasonable” altitude change for this short stage that enables us to arrive to the site during the morning. Gradually, as we ascend on the pastures, the environment becomes more spectacular. There are gigantic limestone cliffs plunging into Lake Léman. We move easily until the foot of the Dent d’Ôche refuge. Here, a nice couloir equipped with chains awaits. This ascent is not difficult, but it sometimes requires using our hands. You will discover the site where the refuge is located, it’s amazing! It’s a proper “eagle’s nest” perched above Lake Léman. The 360° panorama is unique, both over nearby Chablais and over the more distant massifs (Jura, Oisans, Valais, Bernese Alps and Mont Blanc).

Day 2: Dent d’Ôche Refuge (2113 m) - Dent d’Ôche summit (2221 m) - Darbon Lake (1813 m) - Bise pass (1915 m) - Ugeon pass (2018 m) - Tanay (1450 m)

– 12 km
– Altitude change +650m /-1250m
– Max. altitude 2221 m
Lunch: picnic
Accommodation: half board in the refuge at the Tanay Lake (Overnight, half board 75 CHF).

The day starts in a magic way. For the brave, if weather permits, we will catch the sunrise at the summit of Dent d’Ôche. It’s an incredible spectacle! Even though the altitude change is moderate, the day is demanding because of its wild and committed characteristics. There is no climbing, rather small paths in balcony, some technical passages where you have to be surefooted and not suffer from vertigo.
After a short climb to the Dent d’Ôche summit, a secret and spectacular path awaits between the limestone towers and hanging crests…
We descend on the Swiss side until the wonderful little Tanay hamlet, nestled at the edge of the lake. Aesthetics, secret paths, imposing cliffs, abundant wildlife. Everything will be pleasurable if you are surefooted.

Day 3: Tanay (1415 m) - Grammont summit (2172 m) - Lovenex (1632 m) - Novel (1210 m)

– 10.5 km
– Altitude change +952m /-1160m
– Max altitude 2172 m
Lunch: picnic

We will reach the Grammont summit first thing in the morning!
Just over 700 m of positive altitude change are required to walk on the lawn of the summit, but what a reward…
You will discover the sublime views over Lake Léman, Lausanne, Montreux, Saint Gingolph at our feet!
But the day is not over yet! Yes, we have done the hard part, but the descent to the lake and valley of Lovenex can be embellished by a detour through the twin towers…
All of these ridge lines between Léman and Chablais offer innumerable unsuspected passages… We will have a picnic in the area before getting to our cars in the parking de la Planche (1210 m).

 

Details

More info

Group size: 3 to 12 people Price per person for more than 8 people:

  • 9 people 300€
  • 10 people 298€
  • 11 people 296€
  • 12 people 295€

Picnic on day 3 is included in the price.

Meeting point

At the parking de la Planche (1210 m), above Novel (Saint Gingolph commune).

About the guide

Guide profile image

Lucas

5.0

(4)

Mountain Leader

I discovered the joy of the mountains at a very young age, and I knew that my place was there, in the Jura, the Alps, or elsewhere, but in a place where raised terrain allows to go high...
My experience in the Mountain Troops and the Gendarmerie, together with a regular practice of different mountain sports, allowed me to gain knowledge and know-how that enriched my mountain leader training.
In 2012 I got certified as State Mountain Leader (AEM), which allowed me to start fully living my passion for the mountain, and sharing it with you.
I propose to share very varied activities: walking ,hiking, trekking, snowshoeing. It allows me to enjoy precious moments in nature with you.
To complement my leader training, I discovered trail running 8 years ago, a more sportif and intense way to discover the mountain, always respecting the environment.
I can also offer you my expertise in Morocco, where I have been going often during these last years. My knowledge of the field and of the local correspondants allows me to propose magnificent journeys to you!
From the Jura to the Alps, not forgetting Pyrenees, Corsica and Morocco, my approach to the mountain has always been guided by the search of pleasure and the comprehension of the environment.

Languages

French | English

Certificates

UIMLA

Request more information

What people are saying about Lucas

5

We had a excellent time in the Jura mountains together with Lucas. Beautiful nature and an perfect guide! I can really recommend this!

Christel

5

Home again after three amazing days in the Jura mountains I just want to come back for more adventures! We were a group of five people so we got the pleasure of planning our own trip. Lucas had an idea to start with and then we made some modifications in order to fit our level of running. Lucas was the perfect guide and host and very eager to share with us his passion for the Jura Terrain and its flora and fauna. He is a very strong runner and great fun to hang out with. We had a lot to talk about and he was definitely one in the group! I can only give my very best recommendations!!!

Annika

5

I had a wonderful adventure with Lucas in the Jura mountains. I'm a trail running beginner and he made me dreaming for more! He had planed well and had back up plans if needed...He new his area well and took us to great places. We visited high spots with great views and different country sides that was beautiful. Evert day was different. I'm  so happy to become acquainted with Lucas :)  

Luis

5

We had a very good time during our snowshoe trip with Lucas! The Jura region is very beautiful and peaceful (perfect to explore with snowshoes) and Lucas was a great guide that helped us in everything we needed, shared all his knowledge and passion about the place, showing us a lot of spots (some hidden and less travelled) to enjoy great views and also teaching us a lot of interesting facts about nature, the history and the culture of the places we visited. On top of that he made us feel as if we were walking with a friend and not just a guide which made the experience even better. So, on short, we strongly recommend to everyone this activity, the region and Lucas as guide for a great few days in the nature away from all. Best regards, Luis Manso


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