Walks near Gite de la Lechere
Chemin de Bouquetins / des Bergers
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
This walk is a mixture of the Chemin de Bouquetins which coincides with the Sentier des Bergers in places. It takes advantage of the ski-lift in Fouly to save on the ascent but you can always walk uphill if you choose. These walks are both publicized by the tourist office and are well signposted.
La Fouly to Champex-Lac - Tour Mont Blanc
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
This 7th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) begins in La Fouly and gently descends alongside the Dranse de Ferret to Praz-de-Fort and Les Arlaches. It then leaves the valley to climb up to Lac de Champex. Let's do it! The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
Follow the TMB signposts.
Malatrá Desot to La Fouly - Tour Mont Blanc
Departure from Courmayeur (Aosta Valley)
This 6th stage of the TMB continues to follow the stream Dora di Ferret from high up before dropping into the valley, for a while. From below the Pré de Bard Damon and all the way up to the Grand Col Ferret the ascent is almost 500m. Here the route enters Switzerland and it's pretty much downhill, around La Dotse to follow the stream Dranse de Ferret into La Fouly. The Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France. Let's do it!
6th stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
6th stage of the Mont Blanc tour: from the Relais d'Arpette to the Forclaz Pass via la Fenêtre d'Arpette.
Champex to Cabane d'Orny via the Col de la Breya.
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
A circular walk from Champex Lac; ascending via the Bisses to the Arpette valley and then taking the path uphill through forest to the Col de la Breya. Then descending and joining the path to the Cabane d'Orny (refreshments available). The descent is via the path back to the La Breya chair lift taking in an optional ascent of La Breya.
Champex to Cabane d'Orny and return via La Breya summit and ski lift.
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
A circular walk from Champex Lac; ascending the tranquil and beautiful Combe d'Orny and joining the path to the Cabane d'Orny where there are refreshments available. The descent is via the path back to the La Breya ski lift taking in an optional ascent of La Breya. (It is also possible to descend by foot via the Val d' Arpette or from the ski lift, similarly the walk can be shortened and height gain reduced by taking the ski lift up.)
Champex-Lac to Trient -Tour Mont Blanc
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
This 8th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) offers two options, the tough one via Fenetre D'Arpette and the somewhat easier option over Porte à l'Ô. Here's the second version, past Plan de L' au, over Alpage de Bovine and Porte à l'Ô, past the Col de la Forclaz to drop down to Trient. Let's do it!
The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
From the Mer de Glace to Chamonix through the forest
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Return from the Mer de Glace glacier through the Montenvers forest along the eponymous railroad.
Grand Balcon Nord - Montenvers to Plan de l'Aiguille and to Les Houches
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
A high-level and stimulating walk along the Grand Balcon Nord overlooking the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley. The route starts from the Montenvers train station (the Little Red Train) and passes the Refuge du Montenvers (worth an overnight stop). The Grand Balcon Nord terminates at Plan de l'Aiguille but the route drops down to Les Houche on the river L'Arve to reach the Chalet Les Méandres (ex Tupilak).
Refuge Albert 1er - Glacier du Tour
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Located above the Tour glacier, on its right bank, it is the only refuge managed by the Chamonix CAF that can be reached without crossing a glacier in summer. Its location is ideal, with views over a wide range of peaks: Aiguille du Tour, Chardonnet, Aiguille d'Argentière, la Verte and les Drus, les Aiguilles Rouges. It was named after Albert 1st, King of the Belgians. Considered the only high-mountain refuge accessible to families.