The Val d’Arly Smugglers’ Trail, 25 March 2018
Breathtaking scenery, trails for all levels of hikers, good humour and fun company, those are the ingredients of the success of this wonderful annual hiking excursion.
It’s a simple formula: participants go up in the two chairlifts to reach the top of the Ban Rouge without too much effort, from where the trails start. There are 3 marked snowshoe and ski trekking circuits. All along the way you’ll meet smugglers and customs officers dressed in old-fashioned costumes with their old-fashioned skis. Some might even try to smuggle in some local produce, but it’s true that the customs officers are not generally paying much attention. In short, it’s a really fun outing!
PROGRAMME
As of 8.45: Gathering in the Varins parking lot.
9.15: Departure of the hikers for the Crêt du Midi chairlift.
As of 12.00: Picnic offered by Intermarché.
INSCRIPTIONS
Download the 2018 Flyer
Online inscription for children
Three marked circuits are available:
The Little Smugglers’ Circuit
Very easy – About an hour-and-a-half walk with 300 metres of negative altitude difference. For occasional walkers and children.
The Mont de Vorès Circuit
About 3 hours with a distance of 6 km (200m of positive and 500m of negative altitude difference). For regular hikers.
The Grand Véry Circuit
The longest (about 4 hours with a distance of 8 km, 300m of positive altitude difference). For experienced hikers.
And at the end of it all, a lovely picnic awaits everyone at Chevan. It’s a simple formula, not a competition, but one which seems to delight the many hikers who come back year after year.
