Premium: Hike the French Alps

Mountain weather can change quickly and conditions in the Alps are not always predictable. Your International Mountain Leader will assess the forecast, trail conditions and group wellbeing throughout the trip. If needed, the itinerary may be adjusted for safety or comfort, such as altering a route, switching hiking days or choosing an alternative trail of a similar level. Thanks to the lift network and range of trails around Chamonix and Annecy, there are usually good backup options. Your guide’s priority is to keep the group safe while ensuring a rewarding experience in the mountains.

Your trip is led by highly experienced and qualified International Mountain Leader guide(s) who speaks English and French. The guide-to-guest ratio is 1 to 10, with a second International Mountain Leader guide joining groups of 11 or more to ensure appropriate support throughout. There is no additional support crew on this itinerary, as you return to your hotel each night and carry only a daypack during hikes.

Yes. This is a hotel-based trip, so you only need to carry a small daypack during each hike. Your main luggage will stay at the hotel in Chamonix and will be transported with you when the group transfers to Annecy. If you are arriving early or extending your stay, most hotels can store luggage for a short period.

At Much Better Adventures, we aim to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe and inclusive. Options can vary by location and accommodation, and in some areas, choice may be limited. The following guidance has been provided by your host to help you understand what is possible on this trip. Please read it carefully before booking to ensure you are prepared.

After booking, complete your passenger information form as soon as possible with any dietary requirements. These details are shared with your host and guide to allow planning in advance. You should also remind your guide on arrival so they can take your needs into account from the start.

French cuisine is shaped by regional produce and traditions, with meals often centred on meat, cheese and bread. In cities, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are increasingly available, but menus can be more limited in rural areas. Planning ahead and speaking with your guide will help, as they can assist with translations and liaise with kitchens where needed.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian
Vegetarian diets can be catered for if your host is informed in advance.

Vegan
Vegan diets can be difficult to accommodate. While your host will do their best, options may be limited and repetitive. You may wish to bring additional snacks or supplements.

Kosher
Certified kosher kitchens and supervision are uncommon and cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed in advance. Vegetarian or vegan options may be the most suitable alternative.

Halal
Certified halal options may not always be available. Vegetarian or vegan alternatives may be the most reliable option.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten-free
Gluten-free diets can be catered for if your host is informed in advance.

Lactose-free
Lactose-free diets can be catered for if your host is informed in advance.

ALLERGIES
Provision for allergies, including severe allergies, may be limited or unreliable. Please contact our Customer Experience team before booking to discuss your requirements. This allows us to assess suitability based on the severity of your allergy, available food options and access to medical care. While your guide can help communicate your needs, you remain responsible for managing your allergy during the trip.

Tap water in France is safe to drink, and you can refill your bottles at your hotels each morning. On hiking days, there are usually opportunities to top up at mountain refuges, cafes or lift stations along the route. Your guide will advise each day on refill points and how much water to carry. You should bring a reusable water bottle or hydration bladder and plan to carry at least 1.5 to 2 litres while hiking, depending on the weather.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

This trip runs during the summer hiking season, typically from June to September, when alpine trails are generally snow free and mountain conditions are stable. In Chamonix, daytime temperatures in the valley usually range from 18 to 28°C. At hiking elevations of 2000m to 2300m, temperatures are cooler, typically between 10 and 20°C. Evenings can drop to 8 to 14°C, particularly in the mountains. While summer days are often clear, weather in the Alps can change quickly, so be prepared for light rain and cooler conditions. In Annecy, temperatures are typically warmer, with daytime highs of 20 to 30°C making it ideal for relaxing by the lake at the end of your trip.