The Beaufortain trail (Savoie)

Description

Do you want to surpass yourself and discover one of the most beautiful trail courses in the Alps?

Go for 4 days of trail running on one of the most beautiful and emblematic routes in the Alps: the Tour du Beaufortain!

In the heart of the massif and facing the Mont Blanc, we will evolve in a breathtaking environment. We will alternate between running and fast walking to reach a refuge every evening. This preserved and breathtakingly diverse itinerary will not let you indifferent!

Starting from Beaufort-sur-Doron, we will spend the first night at the Croix de Pierre hut, the second night at the Plan-Mya hut and the third night at the Cormet d'Arêches hut. We will finish our 4 day wilderness exploration in Arêches, after having covered about 65 kilometres and 5000 metres of positive altitude difference!

During the days, you will have the opportunity to learn the running techniques that will allow you to progress in trail running, uphill, downhill, on uneven terrain, and to use poles well.

Intensity: intense to sustained.
Technicality: sometimes demanding terrain (occasional passage of scree, ridges, névés, steep slopes).
Pre-requisites: you run regularly several times a week and you practice endurance sports (trail, cycling, hiking, etc...)
During the stay: per day between 15 to 20 kilometres and 900 to 1500 meters of positive altitude difference. The outings may last more than 7 hours in the mountains. 

Variations are possible depending on the weather and the wishes of the group.

Equipment to bring for the day:

• A backpack of 5 to 15 litres.
• A light waterproof or windproof jacket.
• A warm long-sleeved top.
• Tights or long trousers in the bag.
• Suitable socks / trail socks.
• A pair of sunglasses.
• A plastic bag for waste.
• Bars, dried fruit...
• Some cash.
• A hat and thin gloves.

Equipment to bring for the backpacking trip:

• Change of clothes (running).
• Toiletries.
• Post-race clothing.
• Spare shoes.
• Earplugs.
• A headlamp.
• A swimming costume.

I also propose training courses, always in the Beaufortain, to discover the trail or to initiate and perfect the activity.

Program

D1: Beaufort-sur-Doron - Col des Saisies - Col de Véry - Croix de Pierre hut.
A gentle and historic start before leaving the village of Beaufort towards the Col des Saisies (1658m). On the ridges, you have a panoramic view of Mont Blanc up to Mont Clocher (1976m).
Distance: 14km, positive difference in altitude: 1450m, negative difference in altitude: 220m, duration: 6h30.

D2: Véry pass - Joly pass - Croix du Bonhomme pass - Plan Mya refuge.
Superb balcony hike to reach the Col du Joly (1989m). The itinerary then becomes wilder and you reach the domain of the high mountains before plunging to the isolated Balme valley (1665m) and its refuge. Head for the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) where you join the tour of Mont Blanc to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2479m). It will then be time to descend along a beautiful path to Cormet de Roselend and the Plan Mya hut where we will spend the night.
Distance: 20km, D+: 1350m, D-: 1520m, duration: 7h30.

D3: Plan Mya refuge - Presset refuge - Pierra Menta - Cormet d'Arêches.
A beautiful crossing of the mountain pastures awaits you today, leading you to the foot of the spectacular and emblematic summit of the Beaufortain: the Pierra Menta, then to the impressive Brèche de Parozan (2663 m) nearby. Depending on the weather conditions, we will adapt the itinerary in this unique landscape where numerous hikes are possible.
Distance: 17km, D+: 1150m, D-: 1220m, duration: 7 hours.

D4: Cormet d'Arêches - Grand Mont summit - Alpage refuge - Arêche.
Early departure to enjoy the first light of the day in the middle of the mountain pastures. In the morning we reach the Col de la Louze (2119m). In our sights, the Grand Mont (2633m), an important summit of the Beaufortain with its impressive 360 degree view in the heart of the Northern Alps. In the afternoon we reach the Alpage refuge where you can admire a beautiful sunset. This last day, punctuated by mountain chalets, will allow you to travel and discover mountain agriculture between tradition and modernity. From chalet to chalet we descend slowly and complete this beautiful and mythical route to the mountain village of Arêches.
Distance: 14km, D+: 1050m, D-: 1820m, duration: 7 hours.

The price includes

• Supervision by a mountain leader specialising in trail running.
• Personalized coaching: analysis of objectives and development of individual training plans on request.
• Half board for the three days.
• Transport of your luggage during the stay.

The price does not include

• Transport to the meeting point and from the end of the tour.
• Lunch on the first day.
• Drinks and personal expenses.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• You will be accommodated in mountain huts, in dormitories. In most cases the refuges are equipped with showers. However, depending on the conditions (difficult access to water, limited energy, etc.) the showers can sometimes be cold.
• Breakfast and evening meals are taken at the accommodation and prepared by our hosts.
• Lunch is a picnic lunch prepared by our hosts (except for the first day when a picnic lunch is required).

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