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GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis
GR® 96 Aix-les-Bains → Samoëns - 207 km total including 80 km in Haute-Savoie crossing the Bornes, Aravis, Arve valley, Giffre. Recommended section.
At a glance
Type
Long-distance hiking trail (GR®)
Access
Free access
Price
Free year-round
Duration
6-8 days end to end
Best season
June-October
Parking
Free at the trailhead
Animals
Accepted on a leash
Stroller / Reduced mobility
NO (alpine trail)
Town
Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny
What is GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis
The GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis is a long-distance hiking trail running from Aix-les-Bains (Savoie) to Samoëns (Haute-Savoie), a total of 207 km. Around 80 km lie in Haute-Savoie, crossing some of the region's most iconic ranges.
The Haute-Savoie section threads through the Bornes massif (via the Col de Bluffy), the Aravis (Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, Le Grand-Bornand), then descends towards the Arve valley and rises again into the Giffre. It is the recommended replacement for the unofficial 'Sentier des Bornes Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny', and is the official GR through this corner of the Northern French Alps.
Free year-round access. Difficulty moderate to difficult. Length 207 km total · ~80 km in 74, full trail 6–8 days. Best season: June to October. Not wheelchair-accessible (alpine trail).
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Start: Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny (74800) · 207 km total · ~80 km in the 74 View on map
Coordinates
46.0667° N · 6.4° E
Altitude
500 m to 2,200 m (Bornes-Aravis passes)
Hours
FREE ACCESS 24/7, year-round on the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis. Recommended season: June-October. Off-season conditions vary. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Prices
FREE AND OPEN ACCESS to the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis for everyone, year-round. No ticketing. Refuges and lodging are paid if used as a stopover (€50-90/night half-board depending on the refuge). Verified 24 May 2026.
Booking
No booking needed for the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis trail itself. Booking refuges/lodging for the summer season recommended from January-April depending on the refuge. Verified 24 May 2026.
Parking
Free parking at the start of the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis in Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny. Capacity varies by season. Additional parking in the village if full in summer.
Pets
Dogs accepted on a leash on the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis. Precautions needed in protected areas (nature reserves) and technical sections.
Accessibility
Wheelchair access: NO (alpine trail) for the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis. Check conditions on site. Verified 24 May 2026.
Visit duration
6-8 days end to end for the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis depending on fitness. Length 207 km total · ~80 km in the 74. Shorter variants possible depending on route.
Contact
Local Tourist Office + Haute-Savoie departmental council hautesavoie.fr. FFRandonnée Haute-Savoie for GR routes. Verified 24 May 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny (74800) reachable by car from Annecy/Geneva/Sallanches depending on your starting point. Free parking at the start of the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis. Follow local signage.
Open in MapsPublic transport
Public transport depending on seasonal line to Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny. Léman Express + Haute-Savoie regional coaches + Mont-Blanc Express depending on area. Check seasonal timetables.
Open in MapsBy bike
Cycling recommended on greenways where applicable. For footpaths, cycling is not recommended on the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis.
Open in MapsWhen to visit
When to visit
The GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis is mainly hiked during the June-October season. Off-season: conditions vary by altitude. A mid-mountain GR® crossing the Bornes-Aravis massifs - 207 km from Aix-les-Bains to Samoëns including 80 km in Haute-Savoie. Recommended section (the 'Sentier des Bornes Saint-Pierre' name is unverified, likely confused with a trail in the Doubs). Route type: long-distance hiking trail (GR®), 207 km total · ~80 km in the 74, moderate to difficult.
Events : Local events depending on the commune of Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny. Follow the local Tourist Office and hautesavoie.fr for the event calendar linked to the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis.
Winter
Winter season
Winter access window
Not specified
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
Snow panorama
Not specified
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is access to the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis paid?
No. Access to the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis is free year-round for everyone. No ticketing, no toll. Permanent access depending on season and weather conditions.
How long is the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis?
The GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis is 207 km total · ~80 km in the 74. Average duration 6-8 days end to end depending on fitness. Moderate to difficult. Route type: long-distance hiking trail (GR®).
What are the opening hours of the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis?
The GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis has free access 24/7 year-round. Recommended season June-October. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
How difficult is the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis?
The GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis is moderate to difficult. Length 207 km total · ~80 km in the 74. Duration 6-8 days end to end. Altitude 500 m to 2,200 m (Bornes-Aravis passes). Suited to experienced hikers.
Is the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair access: NO (alpine trail) for the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis. Check conditions on site. For wheelchair alternatives see the Lac d'Annecy greenway or the Sentier des Roselières in Saint-Jorioz if inaccessible.
When can you hike the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis?
Recommended season for the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis: June-October. Off-season conditions vary by altitude and snow cover. Check conditions with the local Tourist Office before setting off.
How do I get to the GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis?
The GR® 96 Bornes-Aravis starts from Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny (74800). Car access recommended for the start point. Free parking at trailheads. Public transport depending on line and season.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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