Self-guided walking, French Alps

Our self-guided holiday walks are based on the routes that we walk during our guided holidays. We have a selection of walks graded either 2 Peak or 3 Peak. All of our walks are fairly challenging and suitable for fit and active people, with the severity of the walks and the terrain increasing with the grading. Typically, on most routes you will be driven a short distance at the beginning and end of each day.

Grading: 2 Peak walks
On our 2 Peak walks, you can expect to be walking for between five and seven hours each day, ascending up to 900 vertical meters (3,000ft), which is the equivalent to climbing Snowdon via the Miner's Track. This may involve some scrambling but very limited exposure to heights. You should be used to walking all day, but you don't need to be especially fit.

Grading: 3 Peak walks
On our 3 Peak walks, expect to be on the mountain for seven to nine hours, with up to 1,200 metres (4,000ft) of vertical ascent, which is equivalent to climbing Snowdon on the Watkin Path. Certain walks may involve some scrambling and walking in difficult terrain (scree, blocks, snowfields, etc), including passages equipped with chains and cables. You need to be fit and a fairly regular walker, with a reasonably good head for heights.

With such a wide range of walks available, we can certainly find the perfect combination to suit your tastes and abilities. Note, a good understanding of navigation is required on our self-guided walking holidays, although we also have the option to rent one of our GPS units with mapping software and pre-programmed routes, at an additional cost.

The Haut Giffre offers stunning scenery, including views across to the Mont Blanc Massif in the adjacent valley, hundreds of waterfalls in the U-shaped valley of Bout du Monde (End-of-the-World), or the feeling of being on top of the world during the dramatically named Roc d'Enfer (Hell's Rock) walk.

The wildlife and plant-life
Wildlife abounds in the Haut Giffre and the chances are you'll spot Chamois, Alpine Ibex and Marmots during some of your walks. Birds of prey that you will commonly see include Buzzard, Kestrel and possibly Golden Eagle and the massive Lammergeyer (Bearded Vulture). The flora is no less exceptional, especially early during the season, with rare orchids, the emblematic Gentian and perhaps also Edelweiss.