The bottom line first: Beautiful Alpine hike, not particularly challenging. Great if you are looking for beautiful views but without too much heights or as your first intro to an Alpine hike. Can be easily completed in 6 or even in 5 days.
Surgery, followed by a nasty bout of something I choose to think was Covid-19, but could have been any other virus, are not the best way to make sure I am trail-ready. I was however lucky enough to spend the month of August in Chamonix, hiking every morning and working in the afternoon, regaining my strength. So after 3 weeks of almost daily hikes, I felt I was ready for something bigger.
Ready, but no too ready, if you know what I mean? when you want to go out on the trail, but you are not to sure of yourself. So I set out looking for an Alpine trail less demanding than most. And I found it in the Tour du Beaufortain.
Background Tour du Beaufortain is a 7-days Alpine hiking trail in the Beaufort region, just west of the Mont Blanc massif, in the French regions of Savoie and Haute-Savoie. It's a circular trail, around and above the populated valleys. This means that while you only pass through one village during your hike, you are never far away from civilisation. Perfect for a nice Alpine hike where you want the option of easily leaving the trail if needed.
When to Hike This is an Alpine trail, so June to early October. As usual, each hut has its own opening and closing date, so if you are looking to hike in June or late September, you will need to check with each of them individually. The area is very popular with French families, so if you like quiet, stay away during August.
Getting There The official start the trail, and the most logical starting point, is at the tiny village of Queige (100 points if you know how to pronounce this. I didn't. Still don't). Getting to Queige is easy, a comfortable (and free during the summer) bus from the town of Albertville, itself is connected by train to large cities in the area, making it an easy trip from the Geneva airport. The bus to Quige leaves from the Albertville train station, and stops at the Hotel de Ville (i.e. - town hall), before making its way via the winding narrow gorge towards its final destination of the village of Beaufort. It takes about 15 minutes to get to Queige, where the bus stops on the road at the bottom of the village. To pick up the trail, cross the road from the bus stop, and you'll find the trail blaze to the left of the bus stop on the other side.
But having been in Chamonix in the weeks before, it was quicker to start from Les Contamines - Montjoie, familiar to those of you who've hiked the TMB. I walked the distance (a day's hike), but a train to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, and then a bus to Les Contamines will take you about two hours. You can also get to Les Contamines easily from Geneva. There are two advantages to starting in Les Contamines: with the first day out of Queige having an elevation gain of 1400 meters, this option is less drastic with only about 700m gain. I also found this part of the trail to be more beautiful than the Queige part.
My Plan
Day 1:Refuge de la Roselette to Refuge Croix de Bonhomme (up by cablecar from Les Contamines-Montjoie)
Day 2: Refuge Croix de Bonhomme to Refuge de Presset
Day 3: Refuge de Presset to Refuge de l'Econdu
Day 4: Refuge de l'Econdu to Refuge des Arolles
Day 5: Refuge des Arolles to Gite de Molliessoulaz
Day 6: Gite de Molliessoulaz to Refuge Du Lachat
Day 7: Refuge Du Lachat to Refuge de la Roselette (down by cablecar to Les Contamines-Montjoie)
My plan is very much based on the recommended official trail, but as always, it is just a serving suggestion.
Maps and Navigation The trails are very well marked. In addition there's yellow signs with directions and timing to key destinations along the route. Note that the trail doesn't have it's own blaze, so you will need to know which direction you are going and which trail you are overlapping with. I had no need for a physical map, but you can buy one at Alberville.
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