Epic Alps

Jen and Sim Benson are award-winning outdoor adventure writers and photographers. They are passionate advocates of an active outdoor life, fostering a deep connection with the natural world and adopting a sustainable, low-impact approach to adventure. Walking columnists for The Times, kit experts for The Ramblers, and regular contributors to a range of outdoor publications, they’ve extensively explored the UK, Europe and the Alps.

• Introduction1 Chablais and Haut-GiffreTour du Haut-GiffrePortes du SoleilLe Grand Piton (Salève Range)Pic Boré and Pic des Mémises loopMont ForchatCirque du Fer-à-Cheval – Le Bout du MondeLe Tour des FizSamoëns and Grand Massif mountain bike trailsVia Ferrata du MontCol de Bretolet bird migration route2 Chamonix and the Mont Blanc MassifTour du Mont Blanc (TMB)The Walker’s Haute Route – Chamonix to ZermattSummiting Mont Blanc (Goûter Route)Belle au Bois canyonCuralla Via FerrataGrand Balcon SudChamonix Vertical Kilometre (VK)Mont BuetAiguillette des PosettesLe Tour and Vallorcine MTB3 Bauges Massif and Lac d’AnnecyTour de la Résistance – Alpine Gravel Bikepacking LoopSwim or paddleboard on Lake AnnecyMont Veyrier and Mont BaronCanyon Pont du DiableLa Tournette from Chalet de l’AulpChaos du Chéran walk and swimMont Trélod, Bauges massifVia Ferrata Jules Carret4 Beaufortain and Haute TarentaiseTour du BeaufortainAlpine road cyclingMountain biking Tarentaise ValleyRoc du Vent Via FerrataLes 3 Vallées MTB trailsRoche Parstire, Lac de Saint-Guerin and Cuvy loopCol de la Loze – traffic-free road bike climbKayak in the Isère5 Vanoise and Haute MaurienneTour des Glaciers de la VanoiseHikes from refuge Le Petit Mont CenisAiguille de la Grande SassièreGrand Cocor from Col de la GaliseThe Via Ferrata Roc de la TovièreFort de la Turra and Pas de la Beccia walkVia ferrata du DiableÉcot canyonGrand Méan glacial lake hike6 Chartreuse and the Belldonne AlpsGR 738 High Crossing of BelledonneThe crossing of ChartreusePetit tour des Sept LauxChamechaudePassage de l’Aulp du SeuilRaidlight Experience TrailThe Chartreuse TrilogyCol de la Charmette7 The VercorsCrossing the Vercors on footMTB The Chemin du SoleilCol de Rousset and Col de la Bataille road bike loopMont Aiguille circuit trekThe Pic Saint-Michel and le Col de l'ArcThe Furon Gorges canyoningThe Grand VeymontCirque de Combe LavalAround the plateau d’Ambel8 Oisans region and the Écrins MassifGR54 Tour of the Oisans and ÉcrinsRoad bike Alpe d'Huez, the Galibier, the Croix de FerClimb the Barre des ÉcrinsMont ThaborGRP Tour du Mont ThaborRide the Mega courseGravel bike routesRoche Courbe by the Grand JournalKayaking down the Durance riverVia ferrata des Gorges de la DuranceFournel CanyonThe Aiguille Rouge from the Col de l’EchelleTour of the Chabrières NeedlesBriançon valley MTB trailsWhite water rafting Guil gorges9 Alpes-de-Haute-ProvenceGRP Des Baronnies ProvençalesRefuges d'ArtTransVerdon MTB bikepackingRoad Bike Col de la Cayolle, Col d’Allos and Col des ChampsRoute de SelTête de Viraysse fort walkLe Rocher du Saint-Julien Via FerrataRoche Courbe, Le Signal and Le Veyou from the Auberge des DauphinsMont ChabertonL’Agra et le MontdenierLe Pic de Morgon via Pierre Arnoux10 Mercantour AlpsGR52 crossing the Mercantour National ParkLac du LauzanierEvery way up the Cime de la BonetteMont PelatValberg MTB trailsLa Roche de l'Abisse and les Forts du Col de TendeBaus de la Frema via ferrataCol de Cayolle Circuit des Lacs11 Epic AdventuresGR5 hike – Geneva to NiceRoad Bike North to South traverse of the Western AlpsRoute des Grandes Alpes GravelResourcesIndex