Vièze (rivière) - Affluent du Rhône - Suisse walks

The Grande Traversée des Alpes (GTA) mainly follows the GR®5, with a few possible variations such as the crossing of the Haute Vanoise via the GR®55 and the Via Alpina, which this route takes instead of the GR®5 route via the Col de l’Iseran. It crosses the French Alps from north to south, from Saint-Gingolph to Nice. The guide includes web links to the many accommodation options along the route or nearby: mountain huts, lodges, campsites, cabins and shelters, excluding hotels. Although this guidebook details the GTA as a three-week trek, it can be adapted to suit your own pace, with stages of varying lengths, either completed in one go or in sections over several years. This journey, fuelled by the joy of freedom in unspoilt natural surroundings, will remain a superb and unforgettable experience, offering, moreover, the opportunity to meet many people with whom you can share this same passion for the mountains.

The usual route to the Susanfe hut from Campéry starts in the forest before emerging onto the Bonavau mountain pasture. Below the imposing peak of the same name, the trail climbs up a path with a few equipped sections and crosses the Pas d'Encel. The final ascent of the Susanfe valley takes place in a high mountain setting.

Hike starting from Croix du Culet, accessible by cable car. The signposting is particularly good at each intersection. Head towards Pas de Chavanette, then Lapisa, La Pierre, La Poya and climb up to the Col de Cou hut for a magnificent view. Then descend towards Croix d'Incrène via Arête de Berroi (truly magnificent, the most beautiful part of the route) and then towards the Barme refuge. Descend towards Champery. This is the least attractive part of the route, but there is no alternative to taking this road.

This third stage of the GTA takes you from the Chablais massif to the Giffre massif. It is very long but offers superb views of Les Dents Blanches and Les Dents du Midi in Switzerland. From the Trébentaz Refuge, the GR®5 detour crosses the Mattes ridge and rejoins the main GR®5 route. It descends towards the Pron mountain pasture, then skirts the Coincon ridge towards Lenlevay, descending into a wetland area and climbing back up to the Col de Bassachaux. It runs along the southern flank of the Crête des Rochassons and passes the Col de Chésery (1992 m) to enter Switzerland. It passes the Refuge de Chéseay, Lac Vert and climbs to Portes de l'Hiver, then descends to Chaux-Palin and continues along the hillside to La Pierre. After a short climb to the Col de Coux, it crosses back into France to cross the Torrent de Chardonnière and join the Col de Golèse and its refuge.

The Haute Cime is the westernmost peak of the Dents du Midi massif and the highest point in the French-Swiss Pre-Alps. It is a unique vantage point, offering a breathtaking panorama and a climb in a beautiful high mountain setting This long and demanding hike can be completed in two days with an overnight stay in a mountain refuge.

Starting from the Susanfe hut, climb up to a unique viewpoint in a high mountain setting!

Itinéraire de la traversée des Alpes. Départ du Chablais Suisse (Lac de Chesery) par une belle balade en balcon offrant un panorama sur le Massif des Dents Blanches et la Vallée du Giffre jusqu'au Col de Coux (frontière) pour rejoindre ensuite par une longue descente Samoens.