3-day Alps hike: itineraries and practical advice

A multi-day hike is not necessarily for experienced hikers. Here are some accessible routes if you are a beginner or have an intermediate level.

The Tour of the Aiguilles d'Arves under the Tête de Chat

From the municipality of Saint-Jean d’Arves, set off for 3 days to discover the impressive Aiguilles d’Arves, between alpine pastures and forests. As a loop, this itinerary allows you not to retrace your steps and to marvel throughout the journey.

• Starting and arrival point: Entraigues (Saint-Jean d’Arves)

• Total distance: 24 km

• Positive elevation gain: 1630 m

• Accommodations along the route (to be booked): Chalet du Perron and Chalet D’La Croë

The Tour of the Aiguilles d'Arves under the Tête de Chat is divided into 3 stages, each lasting between 3h30 and 4h45:

• From Entraigues to Chalet du Perron – 6.4 km – 878 D+

• From Chalet du Perron to Plateau de Montrond passing through Basse de Gerbier – 7.6 km – 463 m D+ and 535 m D-

• From refuge D’la Croë to Entraigues – 10.1 km – a descending stage with 289 m D+ and 1078 m D-

The crossing of Queyras in 3 days

In the Southern Alps, the Queyras massif is also very suitable for hiking, including for beginners. Several itineraries allow you to cross the Queyras in 3 days, including the one starting from Arvieux. The trails wind through the forest, along torrents and through typical villages, while allowing you to reach high altitudes to enjoy the panoramas.

• Starting point: Avrieux

• Arrival point: Ceillac (bus transfer possible to reach Avrieux)

• Total distance: 27.7 km

• Positive elevation gain: 1910 m

• Accommodations along the route: Furfande refuge, Le Riou Vert gîte d'étape, bivouac possible under conditions

This route can be completed in 2 days, but if you prefer to do 3 stages, here they are:

• From Arvieux to Refuge de Furfande – 10.8 km for 880 m D+ and 320 m D-

• From the refuge to Bramousse – 8 km – little climbing, but 1000 m D-

• From Bramousse to Ceillac – 9 km – 840 m D+ and 600 m D-

The Tour of Mont Thabor in 3 to 4 days

In the Cerces massif, Mount Thabor is a must-see for hikers, which can be explored in 3 or 4 days depending on your physical condition. There you will discover very beautiful lakes, the small village of Granges de la Vallée Étroite, preserved valleys and views of impressive peaks.

• Starting point: Roubion

• Arrival point: Névache (5 min by car or bus from Roubion)

• Total distance: 37 km

• Positive elevation gain: 2430 m

• Accommodations along the route: 3 refuges and possibility of bivouacking.

If you wish to complete this trek in 3 days, here are the recommended stages:

• Roubion – Col des Thures – Granges de la Vallée Étroite – Refuge du Mont Thabor (17 km, 1316 m D+ and 436 m D-)

• Refuge du Mont Thabor – Lac Blanc (8 km) with possibility of ascending Mont Thabor

• Lac Blanc – Névache (12.5 km, 540 m D+ and 1200 m D-)

If this route seems a bit ambitious, it is still possible to do it over 4 days.

Those who are used to hiking, and who are not afraid of elevation gain and kilometers, can venture on other itineraries in the Alps, some examples of which are below.

The 3 Cols loop in the Vanoise National Park (Savoie)

The Vanoise National Park is undoubtedly one of the most incredible places for hiking in France. Starting from Pralognan-la-Vanoise, you can notably set out to conquer the 3 Cols loop: Col du Soufre, Col de Chanrouge, and Col de Mône.

• Starting and arrival point: Pont de la Pêche car park (approx. 15 min drive from Pralognan)

• Total distance: 34 km

• Positive elevation gain: 2006 m

• Accommodations along the route: Roc de la Pêche, Péclet-Poset, and Saut refuges

The landscapes there are very diverse, within a preserved nature: lakes, views of glaciers and surrounding peaks, alpine pasture trails, mineral landscape, forests, etc.

This itinerary is classified as difficult, especially on the last 2 stages, but remains technically accessible:

• From Pont de la Pêche car park to Péclet-Poset refuge – 8.5 km, positive elevation gain of 717 meters

• From Péclet-Poset refuge to Saut refuge – 8 km, for 397 m D+ and 735 m D-

• From Saut refuge to the car park – 17.8 km, with 892 m D+ and 1261 m D-

The Southern Belledonne Crossing (Isère)

The Isère department also offers beautiful hiking areas, with multi-day itineraries. If you are not afraid to climb more than 2600 meters and if you love mountain lakes, set off for a journey for the Southern Belledonne crossing.

• Starting point: Chamrousse

• Arrival point: Prapoutel (bus to reach Chamrousse)

• Total distance: 35 km

• Positive elevation gain: 2660 m

• Accommodations along the route: La Pra and Habert d’Aiguebelle refuges, and bivouac possible

To complete this hike in 3 days, it is advised to follow these stages:

• Chamrousse – La Pra Refuge, 10.5 km and 670 m D+

• La Pra Refuge – Le Habert d’Aiguebelle Refuge, 17 km, for 1320 m D+ and 1700 m D- (allow approx. 9h of walking)

• Refuge – Prapoutel, 10 km for 670 m D+ and 1100 m D-

The Tour of the Dents Blanches (between France and Switzerland)

Fancy a getaway in the Swiss Alps ? Head to the Haut-Giffre sector to discover the Tour of the Dents Blanches, its green mountains, snow-capped peaks, rocky passages, and beautiful panoramas.

This 3-day trek is relatively difficult, first by its sporty aspect (more than 40 km of walking and 3800 meters of cumulative elevation gain), but also by its technical passages (several steep, narrow, and exposed areas, crossed with cables and ladders). Nevertheless, experienced hikers will enjoy the beautiful diversity of landscapes, protected natural environments and a highest point at over 2500 meters altitude.

• Starting and arrival point: Plan des Arches car park in Les Allamands

• Total distance: 44.5 km

• Positive elevation gain: 3830 m

• Accommodations along the route: Barme hamlet, Vogealle, Chardonnière, and Folly refuges

This trek can be done over 3 to 5 days depending on the level and desires of each person, but here is the classic route for a 3-day trip:

• Allamands – Cantine de Barmaz, 14.5 km with a cumulative elevation gain of 1200 m

• Cantine de Barmaz – Refuge de la Vogealle, 17 km for 1650 m of cumulative elevation gain

• Refuge – Allamands, 14 km on a descending profile with approximately 850 m of negative elevation.

If one of these routes tempts you, or if you have other multi-day trek projects in the Alps, it is important to be well prepared. Sport 2000 provides you with some essential tips for a successful and safe hike.

Choose an itinerary adapted to your level

Before embarking on a trek, get precise information about the route : total distance, approximate duration, kilometers for each stage, positive and negative elevation gain, and any technical difficulties.

It is important not to overestimate yourself, at the risk of having to turn back, getting injured, or suffering throughout the 3-day hike. Rely on the daily hikes and treks you have already completed before and on your overall physical condition to choose a suitable itinerary.

Equip yourself for mountain conditions

Hiking in the mountains for several days is not something to be improvised: you must have all the necessary equipment for walking, for facing the weather, for eating, for drinking, and for sleeping.

Without being exhaustive, here is a list of essentials:

• backpack adapted in terms of volume, waterproofness, adjustments, etc.;

• hiking boots adapted to the terrain;

• technical clothing, including gloves, hat, waterproof jacket, etc., to face night and high-altitude conditions;

• accessories such as sunglasses, cap, sunscreen

• sleeping equipment (sleeping bag at least);

• food rations and equipment such as stove, pot, cup, etc.;

• water bottles and water bladders in sufficient quantity (plan for resupply points and/or equip yourself with water filtration systems);

• safety equipment, including first-aid kit, topographic map, headlamp, etc.

Go independently or with a guide?

Will this be your first trek? Do you want to have a minimum of things to manage? Do you want to discover the most beautiful places on the route? Not miss the wildlife hidden in the mountains? In these situations, it is relevant to go on a trek with a high mountain guide.

But if you prefer to move entirely at your own pace, feel completely free, and optimize your budget, it is then preferable to go on an adventure independently, ideally with at least one other person for safety reasons.
In this case, it is essential to prepare your route well and equip yourself with various means to find your way : physical map, compass, watch or GPS application with route sheet and GPX track. Not forgetting an external battery or a solar charger.

Sleep in a refuge or bivouac?

On certain itineraries, or in very specific areas, bivouacking is simply forbidden, in order to protect nature. In this case, your only option remains to sleep in a refuge. In high season, remember to book your night in advance. In low season, make sure the refuge is open or that there may be accessible huts on the route.

If you have the choice between a refuge and a bivouac, several criteria can tip the balance:

• the budget : once you have acquired the equipment for bivouacking, you quickly amortize it by preferring to sleep outdoors than in a refuge;

• the comfort : in a refuge, you benefit from a warm place, often with the possibility of eating, taking a shower, etc.;

• the freedom : bivouacking allows you to be alone in the middle of nature and enjoy the most beautiful landscapes, provided you respect the rules enacted where you camp;

• equipment, its weight and bulk : for bivouacking, in addition to the sleeping bag, you will need a tent, a mattress or a mat, which can significantly increase the weight of your backpack.