After meeting in Chamonix and doing our gear check, we'll transfer by vehicle (60min) to Mégève (3,673 ft), and begin the ascent over the grassy slopes of the Mont de Vorès (6,821 ft). From the wide open summit we’ll make a long traverse in the shadow of the Aiguille Croche (8,207 ft) to reach the Col de Very (6475 ft). From here the views of the entire Mont Blanc Range are spectacular, and include the summit of the Mont Blanc massif itself (15,866 ft). In the afternoon we’ll hike down to the picturesque mountain town of Hauteluce (3,795 ft) and transfer to Beaufort (15min) where we spend the night.

• Total hiking time: 7 hours

• Distance: 10 miles

• Elevation gain: 2,977ft

• Elevation loss: 2,680ft

This morning it's a 25-min drive to our trailhead, which overlooks the bright blue lake of Roselend. Our path winds along the ridge of Le Mont des Acrays (7,170 ft) toward the base of the “Giant’s Tooth” peak of the Pierra Menta (8,956 ft).

At the Col du Couvercle (7,680 ft) we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the southern edge of the Mont Blanc range and the summits of the Vanoise.

Later we’ll descend into the Tarentaise Valley, where the Isère River flows. The many stunning peaks of this area were host to the alpine events of the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. The transfer back to Landry, where we spend the night, is 30min.

• Total hiking time: 6.5 hours

• Distance: 7.5 miles

• Elevation gain: 2,925ft

• Elevation loss: 2,300ft

We entering the Vanoise National Park with a chance to spot ibexes and marmots. Pinnacles, sink-holes, and jagged peaks dot the landscape. Our long ascent from the Rosuel Door (5,080 ft) to the Col de Plan Sèry (8,425 ft), where the meadows are carpeted with edelweiss. At the foot of Bellecôte summit (11,388 ft) we’ll hike down to the valley of Champagny (5,144 ft), then transfer to Pralognan (30min) for the night.

• Total hiking time: 8 hours

• Distance: 10.5 miles

• Elevation gain: 3,850ft

• Elevation loss: 3,280ft

After a short transfer to Le Pont de la Peche (5,820 ft) we start hiking over smooth, rolling hills until we reach the alpine farming area at le Ritord, where local farmers make the famous Beaufort cheese. Stepping off of the main trail, we’ll head to the Col d’Aussois (9,623 ft), the highest we’ll cross on our entire traverse. The pass is wedged between the ridge of la Pointe de l’Echelle (11,227 ft) and the southern tips of the Dômes de la Vanoise and the Dent Parrachée (12,129 ft). After crossing the col, we’ll begin our descent through fields frequented by grazing ibex to the lake of le Plan d’Amont (6,850 ft), and transfer to Aussois (15min) for the night.

• Total hiking time: 8.5 hours

• Distance: 10.6 miles

• Elevation gain: 3,933ft

• Elevation loss: 2,800ft

We'll start with a 30-min transfer above Modane, across from the Maurienne Valley, starting at the small ski resort of Val Fréjus. Our trail enters the Vallée Etroite (6,345 ft ), where we begin a pleasant ascent toward the open col of Vallée Etroite (7,920 ft) until we reach the foot of Mount Thabor. From our vantage point in this narrow valley we’ll have excellent views of the summits of the Vanoise region. Our descent takes us along wild streams and through alpine meadows to the huts of the Vallée Etroite (5,824 ft). From here we continue over the Col des Thures (7,240 ft) and down to the luminous Vallée de la Clarée. Transfer to Névache (10min), where we spend the night.

• Total hiking time: 7.5 hours

• Distance: 13.5 miles

• Elevation gain: 3,669ft

• Elevation loss: 4,125ft

After a 40-min transfer takes to Villard St Pancrace, we’ll arrive at Queyras National Park, rich with diverse flora and unique rock formations. Our hike begins in the hamlet of Chalets des Ayes (5,676 ft) and continues up a forested stream. We’ll reach a summer-farming region just beneath the Col des Ayes (8,175 ft). In the afternoon, we will make our way up to the exquisite hamlet of Clapeyto (7,330 ft ), with breathtaking views of the valley below, and then down to the village of Brunissard (5,926 ft). It's a 90-min transfer to our hotel in St Véran.

• Total hiking time: 6.5 hours

• Distance: 8 miles

• Elevation gain: 3,336ft

• Elevation loss: 2,250ft

Our hike begins at the Chapelle de Clausis (7,722 ft) and continues on to the hut at La Blanche (8,250 ft) and a quiet mountain lake. The short climb to Col Blanchet (9,504 ft) allows us to set foot briefly in Italy as we make our way around the Tête des Toillies (10,477 ft). We return to France via the wide and scenic Col Longet (8,778 ft). The descent from here is long and gentle, passing through alpine meadows along the Ubaye river valley to Maljasset (6,303 ft). It's a 60-min transfer to our hotel in Barcelonnette.

• Total hiking time: 8.5 hours

• Distance: 14 miles

• Elevation gain: 2,491ft

• Elevation loss: 3,680ft

Day of rest! We leave the hotel in Barcelonnette at 8:30am, and arrive after a 3-hour drive in Saint-Martin de Vésubie. The rest of the day is yours.

This morning, we drive to the end of the Boreon valley (25 min), a main entrance for Mercantour National Park, home to ermine, ibex and eagles. Although we’re unlikely to see any of the wolves that returned here in the 1990s, we’ll certainly see chamois and ibexes. Starting from the stone barns at Vacherie du Boréon (5,413 ft), we head towards Treicolpas Lake (7,095 ft) and continue to Pas de Ladres (8,078 ft)—our pass for today. Our descent taked us to the Madone de Fenestre (6,295 ft), nestled at the end of the valley. It's a short 15-min transfer back to Saint-Martin Vésubie.

• Total hiking time: 6 hours

• Distance: 7 miles

• Elevation gain: 1,596ft

• Elevation loss: 1,771ft

An early transfer (30-min drive) takes us to Camp d’Argent and the start of our trail. We follow the GR5 down to Sospel, passing more remnants of the Great War en route. Along the ridge between the Roya and Bavera valleys, we pass through lower-elevation stages and enjoy the fragrance of the Mediterranean as we reach Sospel (1,148 ft), a charming medieval town with a baroque cathedral. We then transfer to Menton for the night, to dip our toes in the azure waters of the Mediterranean. Of all the Côte d'Azur resorts, Menton is the warmest and most Italian, only a few miles from the border

• Total hiking time: 7 hours

• Distance: 11.5 miles

• Elevation gain: 1,596ft

• Elevation loss: 4,900ft

Our final hiking day begins with a hike to the Grand Mont (4,550 ft) to enjoy one last panoramic view of the mountains. Then it’s down to the Mediterranean village of Castellar (1,280 ft), perched on the side of a steep slope overlooking the sea. It's a short transfer back to our hotel in Menton.

• Total hiking time: 6.5 hours

• Distance: 7.5 miles

• Elevation gain: 2,428ft

• Elevation loss: 4,600ft