Walking itinerary : Tour des Dents Blanches

Managed by the International Association for Tour of the Dents Blanches (AITDB), this Franco-Swiss tour takes you on a route that is hospitable at times, e.g. on the way through the pastures in Barme (Switzerland), or wild as it is in the Ottants pass.

Starting point: Samoëns Departure altitude: 720m Arrival altitude: 2548m Map reference: 1:25,000, Top 25 n°3528 ET, 3530 ET. At 1:100,000: IGN n°45. Terrain: Meadows, woods, forests, rocky, depending on the route. Hiking level: From family walks (1*) to family hikes (2 to 3*). Particular difficulty: No major difficulties. The passage des Ottans may present difficulties until early July due to snow conditions. Marking: In France, yellow and red GR de Pays markings. In Switzerland, white-red-white mountain trail markings. The Tour des Dents Blanches jumps mountains between Switzerland and France, providing not only a sporting thrill, but also a complete change of scenery. A 6 to 8-day long mountain itinerary will give you the chance to appreciate an unspoilt region that knows how to live with the times. A lovely blend of Valais and Haute-Savoie, with resort villages, gîtes and refuges, chalet museums, customs, sports and leisure facilities...... Not forgetting, of course, the people and the pleasure of sharing this art of living. The Tour des Dents Blanches is a mid-mountain route, with sections approaching high altitude and requiring, depending on snow conditions, appropriate equipment (rope, ice axe, even crampons for the nevé below the Ottan ladders). It is aimed at experienced hikers with good orientation skills (the route between Susanfe and La Vogealle is not very clear in fog). Depending on the year, the Passage des Ottans can present significant difficulties until early July. The recommended direction of rotation is clockwise: Samoëns-Morzine-Champéry-Sixt, due to the progression of difficulties and the fact that the Ottan ladders are trickier to climb than to descend.