Go hiking in an organised group
Hiking is beloved by hikers for the physical benefits, revitalisation and relaxation it brings.
As well as letting you discover magnificent natural sites, this oxygenating activity can also become a great shared experience when done as part of a group.
Going on a great walk in a group is a sociable way to get together and share a common interest. Individual hikers teaming up together also clears up any worries about getting lost or having an accident while on your own.
That goes double for having a guide take care of preparing the itinerary and logistical aspects of your hike.
Kept safe and motivated by teamwork, hikers can simply relax and enjoy their hiking experience.
To find out which local service providers are offering walks and hikes, visit the local tourist offices.
Hiking with friends
Hiking with friends is an excellent opportunity to have a great time together in a group.
To keep everybody having fun and limit mishaps out in nature, you need to be properly organised from the start.
Identify potentially difficult sections ahead of time so that you can properly prepare for them (rivers to cross, gorges, steep slopes, ridges, cols, ...).
From the many hiking routes available, it's also vital to choose one that corresponds to each hiker's ability and to set your pace by the slowest member of the group.
Around Brides-les-Bains and further away in the high mountains you'll find a number of places where the unspoilt natural environment provides the perfect setting for walks and hikes with friends: trails in the Vanoise Nature Park, Les 3 Vallées footpaths, hiking routes on the La Lauzière or Les Bauges mountain ranges etc...
A trail guide and hiking guide, as well as online forums and websites such as altituderando.com or visorando.com will help you find the perfect hikes to go on with your friends... Or family!
Fantastic family hikes
- Follow the signposted routes for a little hike,
- Have fun in the Alpine pastures,
- Have a picnic in the heart of nature,
- Cross mid-altitude mountain ranges on the back of a donkey,
- Play with your reflection in the most beautiful lakes of the Vanoise Regional Nature Park,
- Cool off in the waterfalls after a fantastic hike,
- Forge unforgettable family memories between valleys and summits...
Hiking in Les 3 Vallées :
sublime landscapes between 600m and 3600m altitude, nature and wildlife of the Vanoise National Park
Difficulty levels
Before you set off on a hike, it’s important to check that your ability matches its difficulty level.
There are several things to consider in addition to the vertical climb and duration; from walks along signposted trails to mountain and even high-mountain hikes.
One of the best recognised systems rates each hike according to six categories, going from T1 “Easy hike” to T6 “Difficult Alpine hike”, and including “Challenging mountain hike”, etc…
To limit the issue of interpretation and avoid choosing unsuitable itineraries, the FFRandonnée and its partner IBP Index has developed a national system for categorising pedestrian hikes.
It uses 3 criteria ranked from 1 to 5: effort (physical difficulty), how technical it is (whether or not there are any major obstacles), and risk (how serious an injury might be in the event of a fall or slip).
These combined criteria add up to the real difficulty level of each hiking trail.
The FFRandonnée offers a category guide which can be downloaded on its website
Hiking itineraries from Brides-les-Bains
For a peaceful stroll along the trails, serenely soaking up the magnificent views, discovering mountain wildlife or a climb to the most stunning mountain backdrops…
From easy walks to major hikes, all you have to do is follow the signposts, from Brides-les-Bains or further afield:
Les Thermes de Brides-Les-Bains
Descriptive
The thermal baths of Brides-les-Bains propose thermal treatments for weight loss and rheumatology in conjunction with the French social security system. For all other nationalities who wish to benefit from the healing proprieties of our waters, we invite you to contact Le Grand Spa Thermal which will be able to answer your request.
EFFECTIVE THERMAL WATERS
The thermal springs of Brides-les-Bains, Hybord and Laissus, have been recognized for their therapeutic benefits for over a century.
The Hybord South Spring: drawn from a depth of 44 meters. It acts on liver function. It is intended for drinking cures under medical prescription. Its appetite-suppressing power makes it a true ally against cravings and snacking.
The Laissus Spring: originating from two thermal springs, it shares the same qualities as the Hybord South Spring. It is used for treatments at the Brides-les-Bains Spa. It has anti-cellulite and circulatory properties.
The composition of the water, combined with treatment techniques, actively affects blood circulation, cellulite deposits, skin tone, and water retention, while also balancing blood pressure.
INNOVATIVE THERMAL SPA
The Brides-les-Bains Thermal bath is developing a scientific approach to enhance its weight-loss program and increase its effectiveness. It benefits from the scientific contributions of Dr. Jean-Michel Lecerf and the Pasteur Institute of Lille. Dietitians, spa doctors, and hotel chefs update their nutritional knowledge through their collaboration with him.
A CURE TO LEARN HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT
The team of dietitians at the Thermal bath supports each person to lose weight and find balance once they return home. These educational activities take several forms: themed conferences, balanced cooking demonstrations, culinary and eating behavior workshops, and individual nutrition consultations.
A TIME TO RECONCILE WITH YOUR BODY
At the Brides-les-Bains Thermal bath, physical activity is considered a form of treatment. There is a dedicated area equipped for this purpose. It is led by a team of sports instructors who create an environment so that everyone can integrate physical activity into their daily routine.
A VILLAGE COMMITTED
From the doctor to the physiotherapist, from the caterer to the restaurant owner, from the shopkeeper to the beautician... all professionals in Brides-les-Bains are committed to helping each guest lose weight in a healthy way. Most hotels offer a diet-based meal plan. Several establishments even provide take-away diet meals. True support all along in this village dedicated to losing weight in the heart of the 3 Valleys mountains!
3 PROGRAMS TO OPTIMIZE YOUR THERMAL TREATMENT
The Thermal Baths offer 3 complementary programs to the conventioned AD thermal treatment. With them, everyone undergoing treatment in Brides-Les-Bains is assured of losing weight in a healthy way.
- Ideal Program
- Therapeutic Education Program "Sustainable Weight Loss"
- Therapeutic Education Program "Living with Type 2 Diabetes"
Find the details on our website www.thermes-brideslesbains.fr
REGAIN YOUR MOBILITY WITH THE RHEUMATOLOGY THERMAL CURE
The conventional rheumatology thermal cure (RH) is an effective treatment with no side effects for treating osteoarthritis and rheumatism. This natural therapy has no impact on the digestive system, unlike medications.
The conventional rheumatology thermal cure (RH) can be combined with a weight-loss thermal cure (AD) to treat both conditions at the same time. Indeed, joint pain leads to a loss of mobility, putting the person in a vicious cycle of increased pain, immobility, and weight gain due to inactivity... A combined cure is an advantage for losing weight and regaining mobility and joint flexibility.
5-DAY MINI CURES (No medical prescription required - Paid by the client)
The Brides-Les-Bains Thermal bath has set up 5-day mini cures to enjoy, during a short stay, the benefits of thermal water and all the expertise of the resort.
- Discovery Mini Cure
- Optimum Mini Cure
- Joint Pain Mini Cure
- One Step Towards Equi'libre Mini Cure (ages 18-25)
Find more details on our website www.thermes-brideslesbains.fr
Practical Information
Opening Times :
Closed on Sunday.Open during the thermal season.
Services :
- Health Care
- Spa treatments
- Wellness treatment with thermal water
Equipements :
Tariffs
Payment methods
Documents
save_altThermes & Spa Brides-les-BainsFind a mountain refuge
If you're planning to go for a multi-day hike in the mountains, you'll need to plan where you'll be able to source refreshments and find overnight accommodation.
The Vanoise National Park offers a list of mountain refuges and bivouacs that can be reached within its grounds.
You are advised to book in advance and check that you comply with the bivouac camping regulations.
To widen your search, you can also look on the French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs website.
Practical guide: The right way to prepare for a hike
- Ahead of anything else, the right preparation for a hike requires one thing… realism !
Before you can appreciate “THE 360° panorama”, you need to be confident that you have the physical stamina and ability to adapt (tricky sections, bad weather, correct use of equipment etc…) to get there. - Mapping out a hiking itinerary is one of the key preparatory stages.
To do that, you’ll need to take a few details into consideration: are you going to go in a loop or end up somewhere else? Where does the hike start from?
What are the vertical climbs and drops, distances, altitudes, where are the tricky sections, refreshment or, if necessary, accommodation options? etc…
At this stage, you can make use of a guidebook map, an OS map or an interactive online map. It’s also important to decide if you’re able to get your bearings on your own using a map and compass, or if it’s a better idea for you to take GR trails and signposted routes - A good hike also requires proper anticipation of weather conditions. You’re better off not getting caught in a storm or being forced to make your way across an area that’s suddenly become difficult to cross due to bad weather!
- We obviously recommend that you bring practical, quality hiking equipment:
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- A good pair of comfortable shoes suitable for the terrain,
- Thin socks (preferably cotton or wool mixed with polyester) to fit snugly around the foot and release perspiration,
- Three layers of breathable, waterproof clothing: an underlayer, a thermal layer and a protective layer. On your lower half, wear shorts or trousers you feel comfortable in,
- A good rucksack: a 10 – 15 litre rucksack is fine for a simple walk, a 25 – 30 litre rucksack for a full-day hike etc…,
- Walking poles, preferably with rubber grips,
- A hiking GPS, as well as a map and a compass (useful if the network coverage drops out!),
- A whistle so you can be found if required,
- An Opinel©-style knife,
- A torch,
- A first aid kit including a survival blanket, plasters, disinfectant, painkillers, a pair of tweezers (for removing splinters or ticks), an Aspivenin pump for insect bites and arnica cream.
- Depending on weather conditions, a hat (or beanie), sunglasses, sun cream, lip balm.
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Useful tips:
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- We recommend that you pack heavier objects nearer your back to spread the load,
- Keep your orientation equipment and something to protect you from the rain on hand at all times.
—————————————————–*The amounts of food and water depend on the hiking itinerary and weather conditions.
For a full-day hike, the perfect meal includes energy-providing carbohydrates (wholemeal bread, rice or lentil salad…), protein (meat, hard-boiled egg, cheese…) and raw vegetables.
Dried fruit and cereal bars are useful to bring along as snacks (chocolate is best avoided in summer!).We hope you have a wonderful time hiking on the trails in and around Brides-les-Bains…