GR5 – DAY3, to SAMOENS

DAY 3, CHÉSERY to SAMOENS

Ascent: 670 m

Descent: 1940 m

Distance: 25 km

Time on trail: 7:25 – 16:25

Plenty of kilometres to walk so I wanted to leave at first light. I got up 5:30 and crawled silently out from the dormitory. BUT, the door to the main room was locked and my boots and clothes were there to dry. I could do nothing but to wait for the owner. The breakfast would be served at 8, so I had some time to kill. At least the weather was good.

After delayed start I was enjoying the walk.

Looking at the Col de Coux (1920m), the border between France and Switzerland.

Customs at the border. My one night visit to Switzerland was over and it was time to get back to France.

The path went down to another valley before climbing up to Col de la Golèse (1662m).

From the second pass of the day it was hard and long descent to a busy little town of Samoens, almost one thousand meters lower.

I enjoyed the campsite and had my first shower of the trip. They even gave a small welcoming package that had little snacks!

If this day was mainly about going down, the next day would be just climbing. For the first time I would reach an altitude well over 2000 meters and I was quite worried about the amount of snow I might find.