Grand Combin Traverse
Grand Combin Traverse
$1453
Grand Combin Traverse
7 Days Starting in Fionnay, Switzerland and ending in Mauvoisin, Switzerland
Visiting: Bagnes Valley, Aosta Valley, Great St Bernard Pass, Entremont Valley, Grand Combin, Fionnay
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GPT
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 14
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the Grand Combin Traverse, an exhilarating trek through the breathtaking alpine landscapes of Switzerland and Italy. This adventure takes you along historic routes, including the Great St Bernard Pass, and offers stunning views of glaciers, snowy peaks, and lush valleys. Stay in centuries-old hospices and mountain refuges, savor regional culinary delights like Raclette, and share the journey with fellow travelers. With an experienced mountain guide leading the way, you'll traverse challenging trails, enjoy picnic-style lunches, and experience the unique charm of alpine villages. This unforgettable trek concludes with a descent to the Bagnes Valley, leaving you with memories of awe-inspiring scenery and camaraderie.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Meet At Mauvoisin Near Fionnay And Walk To Chanrion (6Hrs)
Location: Bagnes Valley
Accommodation Name: refuge
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
We start our amazing trek in the Bagnes Valley at the foot of the Barrage de Mauvoisin in Switzerland mid morning. The trail skirts then ascends to the top of the dam and its large lake that is situated between Mont Blanc and the Grand Combins to the pass, the Col de Tsofeiret (2,640m). The scenery is at its best as we are immediately surrounded by glaciers and snowy peaks. Following a steep descent we arrive at our overnight refuge.
(+1250m/4125ft, 13km/8mi)
Day 2 : Walk Via The Fenetre Durand Trail To The Aosta Valley In Italy (6Hrs)
Location: Aosta Valley
Accommodation Name: refuge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we take the Fenetre Durand trail that will lead us between the Gelé and April peaks, until we reach the top of the pass (2797m) marking the border with Italy. Continue to our overnight refuge.
(+1225m/4042ft, -1218m/4020ft, 22km/14mi)
Day 3 : Walk Through The Aosta Valley With Views To Mont Blanc (7Hrs)
Location: Aosta Valley
Accommodation Name: 10th Century monastery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A great day trekking in the verdant Aosta Valley, with Mont Blanc in the backdrop. At the foot of the Vélan peak, we ascend a winding trail to the Champillon pass (2708m). A lovely descent takes us through alpine meadow towards the beautiful old alpine village of Etroubles. Overnight 10th Century monastery with shower.
(+412m/1360ft, -1500m/4950ft, 9km/5.5mi)
Day 4 : Cross The Great St Bernard Pass (2469M), Overnight Hospice (7Hrs)
Location: Great St Bernard Pass
Accommodation Name: Great St Bernard Hospice
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is our last day walking in Italy. We make our way along quiet trails towards the famous Great St Bernard Pass (2469m), marking the border with Switzerland and Italy and home to the famous St Bernard dogs. We will spend the night in the atmospheric Great St Bernard Hospice.
(+1356m/4475ft, -150m/500ft, 18km/11mi)
Day 5 : Return To Switzerland And Walk Through The Entremont Valley (6Hrs)
Location: Entremont Valley
Accommodation Name: refuge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a long day, but also one of the most beautiful. As we return to Switzerland we take a bus down to the Entremont Valley to Bourg St Pierre. From here we ascend until we reach the Col des Mille. Our refuge tonight has breath-taking views over the valley and further to Mont Blanc.
(+1130m/3730ft, -320m/1050ft, 12km/7.5mi)
Day 6 : Traverse The Eastern Slopes Of The Grand Combins (6Hrs)
Location: Grand Combin
Accommodation Name: refuge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we start walking along the eastern slopes of the Grand Combin mountain, on an exceptional walking day. Green pastures and blue glaciers greet us up until the Avouillon pass. In the afternoon, we make our way down the Corbassière glacier, which cascades from the Grand Combin massif. Overnight refuge.
Note: you will need to carry your overnight requirements today in your day pack - there is no luggage transfer to the Panossière Hut.
(+1016m/3353ft, -955m/3151ft, 14.5km/9mi)
Day 7 : Return To Fionnay With Views Of Corbassière Glacier, Trip Concludes (6Hrs)
Location: Fionnay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
On the last day of our trek, we continue to admire and explore the Corbassiere glacier with it imposing seracs. In the afternoon we descend to our starting point in the Bagnes valley. The trip concludes mid afternoon, after a farewell glass on Fendant. A transfer is available from Fionnay to Le Chable where you can catch the train to Martigny.
(+300m/990ft, -1426m/4700ft, 9km/5.6mi)
What's Included
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Meals
6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices. Lunch is picnic style. Dinner will consist of 2 or 3 courses which include regional specialties.
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Accommodation
6 nights accommodation in mountain refuges and monasteries in dormitory style accommodation.
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Luggage Transfer
Luggage transfer by mule – 1 piece maximum 7kg limit (no luggage transfer on day 6 to the Pannossière Hut - you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your daypack).
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Experienced Mountain Guide
An experienced mountain guide will accompany you throughout the trek.
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Travel to and from the Trail Head
Travel to and from the trail head is included.
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Transfers
Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage.
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Storage of Luggage
Storage of luggage is provided.
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Optional Transfer
Optional transfer from St Gervais to Mauvoisin on day 1 - limited availability, must be requested.
What's Not Included
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Drinks
Drinks are not included in the package.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory but not included in the package.
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Items of a Personal Nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
Accommodation
Accommodation is on a full board basis starting from lunch on day 1 and finishing at lunch on day 7. The mountain huts that you stay in are dormitory style mixed sex rooms with shared bathrooms and usually without showers. The hospice and hotels will also be dormitory with shared facilities but with showers. There is a possibility to upgrade to a double room on some nights, subject to availability and payment of a fee of between 15 and 25€ per person directly to your host.
Grading
This trip is graded moderate to challenging and includes daily walks of up to 7 hours and ascents of up to 1356m in a day. 9-15km per day is walked except on day 2 which is 22km. There are some stages with steep uphill, descents, and at times sections of the trail will require care. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced walkers only. Early in the season (June) you may encounter snow on the passes which may be quite deep and make the trip more challenging. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds.
If for any reason during the trip the guide considers, in his or her sole discretion, that your fitness or mental or physical health is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others, he or she may direct you not to continue and you must follow the guide’s instructions. In this case you will not be entitled to any refund.
As with all our moderate to challenging programs, we expect participants to be regular outdoors people, enjoying aerobic sport around four or five times a week over some period of time. Preferably this has been a long term interest but if not, you have set a program of fitness preparation with at least three months lead in time to your trip. The fitter you are for your trip, the more of a holiday it will be. Activities as close to the actual activity on your trip are the best training; in this instance walking with and without a pack. This builds leg strength, aerobic capacity and confidence in your ability to travel comfortably with a pack for extended periods. At the same time, you are also comfortable with the layers you like to wear and footwear. Important note: good quality walking boots with ankle support are a pre-requisite for your participation. Runners or shoes without ankle support are not suitable for the conditions encountered on this walk.
What You Carry
As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc. Except for day 6 where there is no luggage transfer to the hut. You will need to carry your overnight requirements.
Mode of Transport
Travel to and from the trail head is included, with transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage. Luggage transfer by mule is provided, with a 7kg limit per piece, except on day 6 where you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your daypack.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the Grand Combin Traverse?
Accommodation is in mountain refuges and monasteries with dormitory-style mixed-sex rooms and shared bathrooms. Some locations may have showers, and there is a possibility to upgrade to a double room on some nights, subject to availability and an additional fee.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners. Continental breakfasts typically consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea, and juices. Lunch is picnic style, and dinner will be 2 or 3 courses featuring regional specialties.
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What should I carry during the walks?
You only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements such as wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, and phone. On day 6, you will need to carry your overnight requirements as there is no luggage transfer to the Panossière Hut.
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What is the difficulty level of the Grand Combin Traverse?
The trip is graded moderate to challenging, with daily walks of up to 7 hours and ascents of up to 1356m. It is suitable for experienced walkers with a good level of fitness.
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What happens if I am unable to continue the trek due to fitness or health issues?
If the guide considers that your fitness or health is likely to cause danger, distress, or annoyance to others, you may be directed not to continue. In such cases, you must follow the guide's instructions, and you will not be entitled to any refund.
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Are there any special requirements for footwear?
Good quality walking boots with ankle support are a prerequisite for participation. Runners or shoes without ankle support are not suitable for the conditions encountered on this walk.
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Is travel insurance mandatory for this tour?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.
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Is there an option for luggage transfer during the trek?
Yes, there is luggage transfer by mule with a 7kg limit per piece, except on day 6 when you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your daypack.
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What happens on the last day of the trek?
On the last day, you will continue to explore the Corbassière glacier and then descend to the starting point in the Bagnes valley. The trip concludes mid-afternoon with a farewell glass of Fendant. A transfer is available from Fionnay to Le Chable for those who need to catch a train to Martigny.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.