Hiking Around the Dents Blanches

Day 1 : Buet Village - Salenton Pass - Moëde d'Anterne Refuge
Starting from Buet Village (4,363ft), we begin our week of hiking towards the famous Mont-Buet. After crossing a beautiful larch forest, we emerge into the authentic Bérard Valley. The tumultuous waters of the Bérard River accompany us to the Pierre à Bérard Refuge. From there, the ascent becomes more demanding to reach Salenton Pass (8,287ft). The descent takes us into the Villy Valley, a magnificent area preserved by its distance from any infrastructure. We spend the night at the Moëde Anterne Refuge (6,561ft).
Elevation gain: 5,000 feet - Elevation loss: 2,600 feet - Distance : 9 miles

Day 2 : Anterne Pass - Fonts Chalet - Grenairon Refuge
We start our day with a short ascent to Anterne Pass (7,404ft). The view of the Mont-Blanc massif and the vertical walls of the Rochers des Fiz is breathtaking. We quickly reach Lake Anterne before descending towards the Fonts Cirque. We'll enjoy a picnic in this protected area. The afternoon is reserved for the ascent to Grenairon Refuge (6,397ft), where we spend the night.
Elevation gain: 4,600 feet - Elevation loss: 5,000 feet - Distance : 11 miles

Day 3 : Les Praz de Commune - Sixt Fer à Cheval - Vogealle Refuge via Pas du Boret
From Grenairon Refuge, we descend towards the charming village of Sixt Fer à Cheval and the Giffre Valley. From the alpine chalets of Les Praz de Commune (5,485ft), we enter the famous Cirque du Fer à Cheval, known as the "Gavarnie of the Alps!" Just before the "Bout du Monde," it's time to start an alpine path leading to Pas du Boret, an ancestral trail used by shepherds to bring their herds to the heights of Vogealle. The Vogealle Valley is stunning, with views of the last glaciers on Haute-Savoie's limestone rocks. We spend the night at Vogealle Refuge (6,240ft).
Elevation gain: 5,000 feet - Elevation loss: 5,000 feet - Distance : 11 miles

Day 4 : Vogealle Refuge - Taureau Pass - Bostan Pass - Barmaz Alpine Pasture
We promised you a demanding itinerary, and today will prove it. From the refuge, we follow the shores of Lake Vogealle to reach the pass leading to the extraordinary limestone geological wonder of the Combe des Puaires. In this area, the Jean Bernard Abyss was the world's deepest for 20 years, reaching a depth of -5,255 feet. A rocky path takes us to Pointe Droite Pass (8,120ft), then, without a clearly defined trail, to Pas du Taureau (8,382ft). A steep descent through a rocky chimney (with cables) leads us to Bostan Pass (7,513ft), the border between France and Switzerland. Pas de la Bide, our second challenging pass of the day, awaits us with its famous "mailbox." We finish our alpine day in the tranquility of the Barmaz alpine pasture (4,895ft).
Elevation gain: 3,000 feet - Elevation loss: 4,600 feet - Distance : 7 miles

Day 5 : Signal de Bonavau - Pas d’Encel - Susanfe Pass - Salanfe Inn
Early in the morning, we head towards Pas d’Encel, with a stunning ascent between forests and steep rocks. At Signal de Bonavau (5,872ft), we discover a spectacular rocky cirque sculpted by glacial activity. We cross it via the airy and memorable Pas d’Encel to enter the remarkable Susanfe Valley. At Susanfe Pass (8,182ft), the surrounding black rocks create a lunar landscape. We navigate between the Dents du Midi (10,685ft) and Tour Sallière (10,564ft). The descent takes us to the lake and the Salanfe Inn (6,896ft).
Elevation gain: 5,000 feet - Elevation loss: 3,300 feet - Distance : 9 miles

Day 6 : Emaney Pass - Barberine Pass - Vieux Emosson Hut
Today, we embark on a beautiful day facing the famous Swiss peaks. From Emaney Pass (8,077ft) or Barberine Pass (8,139ft), the panoramas are stunning. Wildlife will also be a highlight, as the Emaney combe is known for hosting many chamois and ibex. The day ends with a crossing of the Emosson Dam to reach Vieux Emosson, a smaller but older dam, a testament to innovative hydroelectric activity for its time. We spend the night at the Vieux Emosson Hut (7,175ft).
Elevation gain: 5,900 feet - Elevation loss: 5,300 feet - Distance : 11 miles

Day 7 : Vieux Emosson Hut - Dinosaur Tracks - Corbeaux Pass - Tré-les-Eaux - Le Buet
For our last day of hiking, we head towards a unique site in Europe where we can observe the famous dinosaur tracks of Emosson, fossilized in the rock for over 200 million years. Finally, we climb Corbeaux Pass (8,540ft) to reach the wild Tré-les-eaux valley. Our last descent, but by no means the least, of our wonderful week brings us back to Buet (4,363ft), where our journey began seven days ago.
Elevation gain: 2,300 feet - Elevation loss: 5,000 feet - Distance : 8 miles

The guide may have to adapt the route to weather conditions and/or to group physical and/or technical ability.