From Mont Blanc to Lake Geneva – 7-day GR5 Trek | Itinerary, Prices & Details

The trek begins in Chamonix with a cable car ride up to Planpraz, followed by a hike to the Col du Brévent (2,368 m). Perched on the ridge of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, this pass offers a breathtaking panorama of the Mont Blanc range and its glaciers.

The trail then descends to the Diosaz torrent, crossed via the Arlevé footbridge, before climbing back up under the Pointe Noire de Pormenaz to the Refuge de Moëde-Anterne — your base for the night, deep within the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve.

Approx. distance: 10 km – Elevation: +750 m / –780 m

From the refuge, the path climbs to the Col d’Anterne (2,257 m), the gateway through the Fiz mountain range. The vast Anterne plateau opens up ahead: alpine lakes, meadows, and limestone cliffs — a stunning backdrop for a contemplative day of hiking through the Sixt-Passy nature reserve.

The route passes the Cirque du Fer à Cheval, the largest mountain cirque in the Alps, where 700-metre-high limestone walls arc across nearly 5 km of dramatic scenery. The GR5 leads to the Lignon car park, from where a bus connects to the village of Samoëns in the Haut Giffre valley.

Approx. distance: 10.5 km – Elevation: +375 m / –1,190 m

Samoëns, once famous for its stonemasons and now a thriving four-season resort, is the starting point for a long, steady climb. The trail winds through the hamlets of Allamands, Chalet de la Croix and Abérieu, at the foot of the Dents Blanches, up to the Col de la Golèse (1,660 m).

The descent follows the GR5 toward the Refuge de Vigny and through the hidden valley of La Manche — a secluded gem — before arriving in Morzine.

Approx. distance: 12.5 km – Elevation: +970 m / –500 m

The longest day of the trek. A shuttle from Morzine drops you at the hamlet of Ardent, starting point for the climb to the Col de Bassachaux (1,778 m), passing through Les Lindarets — the “Goat Village”, one of the area’s most charming curiosities.

The trail descends into the Vallée d’Abondance, dominated by the Mont de Grange (2,432 m), a Natura 2000 protected site. Patient hikers may spot chamois, marmots, ptarmigans, and foxes, along with an extraordinary variety of alpine wildflowers. The day ends in the village of La Chapelle d’Abondance.

Optional: A summit loop to Mont de Grange via the Coicon ridge adds +600 m of elevation and some more technical terrain for those seeking an extra challenge.

Approx. distance: 20 km – Elevation: +1,074 m / –1,253 m

A shorter, more relaxed stage — welcome after yesterday’s effort. La Chapelle d’Abondance is a quintessential Savoyard village, birthplace of the famous Abondance cheese, and holds the “Towns and Lands of Art and History” label.

The trail heads north through the Chevenne chalets before reaching the Col de la Bosse (1,816 m), then drops down to the Refuge de Bise — a recently renovated mountain hut at 1,500 m, tucked beneath the iconic Cornettes de Bise, the emblematic summit of the Chablais region.

Approx. distance: 6 km – Elevation: +795 m / –310 m

The final day of hiking. The GR5 continues north over the Col de Bise (1,915 m), through the Neutey chalets and the village of Novel, until the trail reaches the southern shore of Lake Geneva at Saint-Gingolph — the official end of the trek.

A shuttle bus then takes you to Évian-les-Bains, right on the lake, where you can celebrate your arrival in style.

Approx. distance: 12 km – Elevation: +430 m / –1,545 m

The final day is for the journey home — with an unmissable stopover. A private taxi takes you from Évian to Yvoire, a medieval village listed among the most beautiful villages in France and often called the “Pearl of Lake Geneva”. Stroll through cobblestone streets, explore the Garden of Five Senses, and take in sweeping views over the lake.

A ferry then crosses Lake Geneva to Geneva, the perfect conclusion to this 7-day journey through the French Alps.

Note: itinerary, distances and elevations may vary slightly due to weather and trail conditions. Self-guided trekking implies personal responsibility for route decisions on the trail. We provide a full roadbook and GPX tracks, but daily hiking is done independently.