| Self-guided
trekking holidays 2025 |
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Alpine
& UK classic self-guided treks     |
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FREE
GPX FILE FOR THE WHOLE ROUTE
Clients booking all
these trips are provided a GPX file, to download
to a GPS, to assist with navigation |
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Select
from our range of over 20 different self-guided
treks, both across the Alps and in the UK. |
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Choose
a type of self-guided trek from the physical and
comfort ratings, to find the most suitable. |
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We
make all the logistical arrangements, brief you,
provide route cards, trip safety notes, and map(s). |
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Our
UK office has a full time logistics team, so support
our self-guided teams when they are out trekking. |
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We
offer a selection of self-guided routes, for you
for trekking / fastpacking / running, as suits you! |
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one of the options below to jump to that section... |
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| Self-guided
Tour du Mont Blanc treks... |
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10
day full TMB
Length: 167km. Average day: 16.7km & +1000m height
gain
D1: Arrive. D2: Contamines. D3: Chapieux.
D4: Veny. D5: Courmayeur. D6: Bonatti.
D7: La Fouly. D8: Champex, D9: Trient. D10:
Flegere. D11: Les Houches. D12: Depart. |
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7
day full TMB
Length: 167km. Average day: 23.9km & +1430m height
gain
D1: Arrive. D2: Contamines. D3: Mottets.
D4: Courmayeur. D5: Bonatti.
D6: Champex, D7: Argentiere. D8: Chamonix.
D9: Depart. |
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4
day full TMB
Length: 167km. Average day: 41.8km & +2500m height
gain
D1: Arrive. D2: Contamines. D3: Courmayeur.
D4: Champex, D5: Chamonix. D6: Depart. Note
that this option is a fastpacking option for
the TMB. We also offer UTMB route |
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4
day West TMB
Length: 69km. Average day: 17.2km & +1100m height
gain
D1: Arrive. D2: Contamines. D3: Chapieux.
D4: Veny. D5: Courmayeur. D6: Depart. Note
that there is the option of missing the Courmayeur
night, and returning to Chamonix |
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6
day East TMB
Length: 98km. Average day: 16.3km & +930m height
gain
D1: Arrive. D2: Bonatti. D3: La Fouly.
D4: Champex, D5: Trient. D6: Flegere.
D7: Les Houches. D8: Depart |
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| Classic
Alpine self-guided treks... |
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Haute
Route, Chamonix - Zermatt
Length: 190km. Average day: 13.6km & +910m height
gain
D1: Arrive. D2: Argentiere.
D3: Trient. D4: Champex. D5: Le Chable. D6:
Montfort. D7: Prafleuri. D8: Arolla.
D9: La Sage. D10: Moiry. D11: Zinal. D12:
Gruben. D13: Grachen. D14: Europa. D15: Zermatt.
D16: Depart |
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Chamonix
self-guided day treks
Length: 80km. Average day: 16km & +600m height
gain
D1: Arrive. D2: Grand Balcon Nord. D3:
Col du Balme. D4: Lac Blanc. D5: Loriaz. D6:
Moede Anterne. D7: Depart |
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Dolomites
Alta Via 1 self-guided trek
Length: 120km. Average day: 13km & +740m height
gain
This is a 9 stage route that traverses
the Dolomites. It does not include any via
ferrata, and starts near Dobbiaco, and heads
south past Cortina to end near Belluno |
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| Lake District self-guided
running / fastpacking holidays... |
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3
day full Bob Graham Round BGR
Length: 106km. Average day: 35.3km & +2640m height
gain
Route: Legs 1&2 from Keswick to Dunmail.
Leg 3 from Dunmail to Wasdale. Legs 4&5:
Wasdale to Keswick |
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5
day full Bob Graham Round BGR
Length: 106km. Average day: 21.2km & +1580m height
gain
Route: Leg 1 from Keswick to Threlkeld.
Leg 2 from Threlkeld to Dunmail. Leg 3 from
Dunmail to Wasdale. Leg 4: Wasdale to Honister.
Leg 5: Honister to Keswick |
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| Alpine self-guided
running / fastpacking holidays... |
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4
day full Ultra Trail Mont Blanc UTMB
Length: 170km. Average day: 42.5km & +2500m height
gain
D1: Arrive. D2: Contamines. D3: Courmayeur.
D4: Champex, D5: Chamonix. D6: Depart. |
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6
day full Ultra Trail Mont Blanc UTMB
Length: 170km. Average day: 28.3km & +1670m height
gain
D1: Arrive. D2: Contamines. D3: Chapieux.
D4: Courmayeur. D5: La Fouly. D6: Trient.
D7: Chamonix. D8: Depart. |
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3
day full TDS Traces des Ducs du Savoie
Length: 121km. Average day: 40.3km & +2430m height
gain
Route:
run from Courmayeur, via the Petite St Bernard
pass to Bourg St Maurice, Cormet de Roselend,
Les Contamines, Col de Tricot, and Chamonix. |
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3
day full CCC Courmayeur to Chamonix
Length: 101km. Average day: 33.7km & +2030m height
gain
Route:
run from Courmayeur, via Bonatti, Grand Col
Ferret, La Fouly, Champex, Bovine, Trient,
Tseppes, Vallorcine, Tete aux Vents, Flegere,
and Chamonix. |
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2
day full OCC Orsierres to Chamonix
Length: 55km. Average day: 27.5km & +1750m height
gain
Route:
run from Orsierres, via Champex, Bovine, Trient,
Tseppes, Vallorcine, Tete aux Vents, Flegere,
and Chamonix. |
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2
day full 90km du Mont Blanc in Chamonix
Length: 90km. Average day: 45.0km & +3110m height
gain
Route:
run from Chamonix, vie Le Brevent, Flegere,
Col des Montets, Le Buet, Tre les Eaux, Emosson,
Loriaz, Vallorcine, Posettes, Argentiere,
Montenvers, and Chamonix. |
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2
day full Marathon du Mont Blanc
Length: 42.5km. Average day: 21.3km & +1250m height
gain
Route: run from Chamonix, via Argentiere,
Montroc, Col des Montets, Vallorcine, Posettes,
Le Tour, Tre le Champ, Flegere, Planpraz,
and Chamonix. |
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Will
the self-guided trekking holiday suit you?
We ask is that you feel confident in the following
points. If you are unsure at all about any of these
points, then you should consider a guided trip instead. |
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Navigation
in poor visibility, such as dense cloud /
snow, or the dark. |
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Language
skills in case of an emergency, or communications. |
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Security
on steep / loose ground and on snow patches
for trekkers. |
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First
aid training and medical awareness of common
injuries. |
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| If
you aren't sure about any of these skills listed above,
as a guided option can often work out a very similar budget
anyway, and then you have the peace of mind that you are
led by a fully qualified and highly experienced guide.
As well as showing you the route, they make all the mountain
safety decisions, and offer added value in that they can
tell you a lot about the local region. Opting for a guided
trek doesn't mean that you couldn't do have done the trek
it self-guided, but that you want to share the experience
with others, make friends, and learn a lot more about
the mountains, routes, customs, guided by an expert. |
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I
am certain words nor pictures will ever
accurately represent this experience.
It was, from start to finish the best
adventure I have ever experienced and
having shared it with my daughter is
beyond explanation. Once we reached
the trail heading towards the Himalayan
bridge things got interesting and from
there on out the beauty of the Alps,
the comfort of our Huts and Refuges,
the fellow hikers on the trail, the
meals shared with people from around
the globe all contributed to a once
in a life time experience.
Eleanor
C , Self-guided TMB
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We
returned home to Seattle and I want
to let you know that we had a wonderful
time. Trekking the TMB with our family
was without a doubt the best vacation
we have had on so many levels. All of
the arrangements went smoothly and we
were happy with the mix of fancy and
rustic. About half the time we had accommodations
to ourselves, otherwise we shared. It
was a great experience for the kids,
the trail was well marked and the weather
perfect. Thanks for helping to make
the trek unforgettable.
Kathy
H, Self-guided TMB
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Book early for 2025...
Bookings for 2024 are now closed. Alpine mountain hut spaces are very limited.
2025 treks - book before the 01/12/2024, to guarantee trip availability & these prices. |
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| Why a self-guided trek? |
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For
those who have not come across the concept of self-guiding
before, it couldn't be simpler. You guide yourself
and all the logistics are arranged for you. |
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We
organise all the boring bits so you don't have to;
route information, maps, hut bookings etc. You get
to walk with your friends, at your pace, rather
than as part of a group. |
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We
have a seasonal team in the Alps, and a full time
UK team, and you are given a briefing (c. 45 - 60
mins) by one of our guides, either in resort, or
via Skype video. |
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Our
UK office has a full time logistics team, to support
our guides and teams. This is an essential resource
for you, in case we need to change hut bookings
or any part of your itinerary. |
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Briefings
are usually on the day of arrival at either 16:00
or 18:00, unless otherwise arranged at the time
of booking. Before travel, we will contact you to
book in a time for your briefing / Skype call. |
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We
have a 24 hour emergency and local contact number,
for urgent queries during the trek. This level of
support is unique to us. |
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During
your briefing you are given new 1:40k or 1:50k scale map(s)
for you to keep, of the whole route. We get the
latest edition of the maps direct from our supplier
for our Windermere shop. |
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At
this time you are also provided with printed route
trip notes for the trek. These help you plan your
route each day. |
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The
route notes have been meticulously researched and
produced by our guiding team. They are informative
and also detail emergency escape routes, local numbers,
and key information about the route. |
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We
provide the route notes at the in resort briefing,
as the questions are best answered by a guide in
reaction to current conditions. |
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Note
that the route notes used on self-guided treks are
suggestions, and that should you opt to alter any
section of the route, you would be operating outside
the remit of the trip. Our treks are designed for
you to walk the whole route, and we don't include
minute detail on how to complete the tour by public
transport, just escape routes. |
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You
are totally responsible for your own safety on self-guided
treks, as there is no guiding element to the package.
One set of route notes, maps, etc is provided per
group, in paper format (not as PDF). |
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Our
route notes follow the classic routes, and in some
cases a popular 'official' variation that we consider
merits the extra distance or diversion. |
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Our
itinerary can start on any day of the week that
you choose, so decide when you would like to start
your trek, and get in touch with us by e-mail. We
upload a private self-guided trip onto our booking
system, and then you can book and pay securely online. |
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Please
note that generally we only accept bookings up to
two months before departure, to guarantee availability
in mountain huts & accommodation. |
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You
receive an immediate e-confirmation and equipment
list, as well as an Self-Guided trip dossier. You
receive your trip detailed itinerary and walking
notes etc in resort, at the trek briefing. Once
the trip balance and any extra nights accommodation
is paid, you can request to be sent the GPX files
and notes, if you intend to use a GPS. These will
be sent 1 week before travel, to allow for route
change edits to the GPX file. |
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| Inclusions |
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Booking
of the mountain huts and valley accommodation during
the trek, made in your name. |
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A new map of the route, for you to keep even after
your trek is finished. |
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The detailed Icicle route information notes, so
you know where to go. |
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Language
notes (if abroad) with key phrases, so you can communicate
confidently during the trek. |
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Emergency
procedure and mountain rescue notes, in case of
an incident. |
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Local
information sheets, with details about the region
and key sights to take in on the route. |
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Briefing
on arrival about the route and kit to take, from
a UIMLA guide. |
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24
hour in-resort emergency contact and queries support
throughout. |
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Discount
voucher for use in our Windermere store / online
purchases. |
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| Exclusions |
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| Travel
to area, all accommodation / food / lodging costs (i.e.
price of the half board stay in mountain hut or accommodation),
activities & travel insurance, equipment hire, all
other costs as required. |
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| Post-booking
changes |
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| Changes
to the group size after booking will incur a price change
if it alters the group size price bracket, and a £50
administration fee. If the group size change is made within
8 weeks of the trip, it will be treated as a new booking,
and priced accordingly. All the huts will need to be contacted
to alter the reservations. Transfers of dates on a self-guided
trips are treated as cancellations. |
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| Any
further questions? |
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A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, getting open
and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are
British, and our office and outdoor store is based in
Windermere in the English Lake District.
 
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip
advisor. |
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