
Inspiration and great deals for your next low-carbon trips

In the heart of the Maurienne region, in Savoie, Montricher-Albanne is home to the Karellis Resort, a 100% pedestrian-friendly town situated at an altitude of 1,600 meters, facing the Aiguilles d'Arves mountain range. Nestled between mountain peaks and alpine pastures, it’s a destination that’s easily accessible by train, without ever having to get behind the wheel.
From Paris-Gare de Lyon, it takes about 3 hours and 36 minutes by direct TGV to the Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne-Arvan Station, the gateway to the valley.
From Lyon-Part-Dieu, you usually have to transfer at Chambéry, for a total trip time of about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Once in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the Altibus shuttle (Line S34) takes over from there to Les Karellis, 15 km from the train station. It runs several times a day on weekends during the season, and once a day on weekdays.
Important note: Reservations for this shuttle are required, generally by noon the day before; be sure to make your reservation before departure so you don't get stranded at the station.
Once you arrive, you won't need a car: the Karellis resort is entirely pedestrian-only.
For experienced hikers, the climb up the Pain de Sucre is a must. This peak, which rises to about 1,980 m at the southern edge of the ski area, offers a panoramic view stretching across the entire Maurienne Valley, all the way to the Col du Galibier. The route starts in the heart of the resort and heads toward Lac de Pramol via the Blanchon trail, before continuing on steeper sections to the lookout point (13 km, 530 m elevation gain, about 6 hours).
For a shorter outing, the Crêt de Talière hike also starts from the center of the resort, passing through forests and then alpine meadows to the Col des Têtes, along the ridgeline that connects several peaks around the Karellis. With the help of the chairlift, the loop takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete, covering 4.1 km with 291 m of elevation gain: a great option for a half-day family outing.
Between the two routes, the view of the Aiguilles d'Arves range remains one of the area’s defining features: a mountain range recognizable by its three rocky peaks, which accompanies hikers along much of the Karellis trails.
As for the atmosphere, The resort embraces its 100% pedestrian-friendly and family-oriented identity: with hiking, mountain activities, and wide-open spaces, Les Karellis is ideal for both day trips and longer stays—all without a car from start to finish.

🌿 For your stay in Montricher Albanne , GreenGo is the reference platform for local, responsible tourism in France. Bonus: get €34 off your booking as a Club HOURRAIL member! 🎁
You can also explore other cities in France:
Create your train trip step by step and quickly find the best no-flight options.

Enrich this content and showcase how accessible your destination is by train, like our recent partners: , .