Stage 1 – Les Houches to Les Contamines

Start: RockyPop Hotel in Les Houches
End: Hotel Gai Soleil in Les Contamines
Route: Col de Tricot variant
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Duration: 8 hours including a long lunch, getting lost, and taking the Bellevue cable car.

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I heard recommendations to take the Col de Tricot variant on the first day. However, since it was the first day and that variant is meant to take 7.5 hours, I decided to shorten it by taking the Bellevue cable car up from Les Houches. This removed the ascent from the valley floor without compromising the views.

This was definitely a good start to the trip, and challenging.

I did get a bit lost by following a French girl at the very top of Col de Tricot. She turned out to be a local just going for a walk. Facepalm. This added some unnecessary time and uphill. In my defense, the signs appeared to be pointing in that direction.

I had lunch at Refuge de Miage which is recommended. However, be warned that it comes after a super long descent from Col de Tricot. My knees were pretty tired by the end of that, so a rest was well received!!

RockyPop was a good option with a fabulous breakfast. Hotel Gai Soleil was a very cute hotel that also had a very good breakfast. To be honest these breakfasts gave me unrealistic expectations about breakfast for the rest of the trip. Generally the breakfasts were just coffee, bread, butter, and jam! I ate dinner at Le Carnozet in Les Contamines which is definitely recommended.

Les Contamines, like Les Houches, is a quaint little town that has some options of hotels, restaurants, and stores.

Next: Stage 2 – Les Contamines to Refuge des Mottets