Grand Combin Hike

Grand Combin Hike

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Grand Combin Hike

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:

UTracks

Tour code:

GPT

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

8 - 14

Physical rating:

moderate to challenging

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural, Wildlife Tours

Activities:

Mountain Biking, Trekking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

In the heart of the western Pennine Alps is one of the most beautiful alpine border regions between Switzerland and Italy. Spanning the valleys of Bagnes and Aosta, the Grand Combin mountain rises to an altitude of 4314m at its peak. The surrounding valleys and high passes represent ideal hiking conditions and are an excellent alternative to the busier trails around Mont Blanc. The area is rich with wildlife and the outstanding views of snowy peaks, tumbling glaciers and verdant lowlands will not fail to impress. A further highlight of the week long hike is crossing the historic Great St Bernard Pass (2469m), and to be greeted by our accommodation at a centuries old travellers hospice.

Highlights

  • Trek through stunning alpine scenery amongst impressive peaks and lush valleys

  • Follow the historic route across the Great St Bernard Pass (2469m)

  • Stay in a centuries old travellers hospice

  • Enjoy the culinary specialties such as Raclette

  • Share your hiking day with a group of like minded travellers

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Meet At Mauvoisin Near Fionnay And Hike 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 : Hike 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. As you descend into Italy, you’ll reach the charming Rifugio Champillon in a peaceful alpine setting. (+1225m/4042ft, -1218m/4020ft, 22km/14mi)

Day 3 : Hike 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 hiking 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 Hike 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 hiking along the eastern slopes of the Grand Combin mountain, on an exceptional hiking 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

  • Accommodation
    refuges

  • 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

  • 6 nights accommodation in mountain refuges & monasteries in dormitory style accommodation

  • Luggage transfer by mule – 1 piece maximum 6kg nett limit - not including the supplied duffle bag (no luggage transfer on day 6 to the Pannossière Hut - you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your daypack). Additional luggage storage availa

  • Experienced mountain guide

  • Travel to and from the trail head

  • Drinks and snacks eg trail mix and protein bars

  • Travel insurance - mandatory

  • Transfers not noted as included

  • Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage

  • Storage of luggage - fees apply

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What's Not Included

  • Drinks

    Drinks are not included in the package.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is mandatory but not included in the package.

  • Items of a Personal Nature

    Items of a personal nature are not included.

Accommodation

Refuges
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 hikes of up to 7 hours and ascents of up to 1356m in a day. 9-15km per day is hiked 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 hikers 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 hikes 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Is travel insurance mandatory for this tour?

    Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

N. Petersen(Red Hill, Australia)  

Grand Combin Hike

13 Sep 2024

Trip was well organised with a knowledgeable and engaging guide. It was so good having accommodation and food all organised.

M. Capland(Toronto, Canada)  

Grand Combin Hike

29 Aug 2023

Very happy with my tours with your company. Great guidance and service. Good healthy foods and safety is number one.

D. Folly(Nelson, Australia)  

Grand Combin Hike

30 Jul 2024

The experience was out of this world, new highlights and awesome experiences every day.

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    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.

  • 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.

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