We are focused on delivering consistent quality in our treks & tours
About us
Alp Trails has been born out of a life long fascination with the mountains, the outdoors and physical exercise. Whether it’s the mountains around Lake Annecy, on the Tour du Mont Blanc or in the far flung Dolomites, we are passionate to be out on the trails, all day, everyday, any season. We are equally passionate to share our enthusiasm and our love of the natural environment with the guests who choose to come on one of our tours.
Alp Trails is based out of Annecy in the beautiful French Alps. The mountains of Haute Savoie are what we like to call home and it is hard to beat a hike or trail run on the local Mt Veyrier followed by a refreshing dip in Lake Annecy and a glass of wine with dinner in Annecy’s medieval town centre.
We are however equally at home on the trails around Chamonix, on the Haute Route or guiding groups through the limestone spires of the Dolomites or the high pastures above Zermatt or Grindelwald.
Photo: Guiding on the Manaslu Circuit, Nepal, Credit: George Anthony
I’m Bruno Yates, founder of Alp Trails. I live in Annecy, France, with my wife and two children and I work as a trekking and trail running guide. I’ve been guiding groups in the mountains since 2006 when I qualified as a Mountain Leader and became an instructor at The Outward Bound Trust in The Lake District. I then worked as a lecturer in Outdoor Education before becoming a freelance guide in 2012.
I’m now an International Mountain Leader and British Mountaineering Instructor and work primarily in the Alps, guiding tours in the France, Switzerland and Italy. Since 2009 I’ve also been organizing and leading expeditions and tours to a number of countries around the world including Nepal, Greenland, India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, The Gambia, Iceland and Norway.
Beginnings…
I was blessed to be born and raised on the beautiful island of Jersey, part of the British Isles but only a stone’s throw from the coast of France. Summers were spent on the beach, swimming in the sea and learning to kayak. These beginnings fostered a keen interest in the outdoors which developed further whilst at university, exploring the mountains and moorlands of Dartmoor, Wales and The Lake District.
In the early years I sought the challenge of long routes, hard climbs and fast runs. As the years have passed my priorities have changed; I still enjoy a challenging ascent or a technical trail run but now I also spend a lot of time stopping to look at the rocks, the flowers and the wildlife. It’s good for the soul just to take time to soak it all up. And if there is a mountain hut on route serving hot coffee and homemade blueberry tart, all the better!
The pleasure of guiding comes from working with people who are seeking the same kind of experiences. Maybe they are new to the Alps or to mountain sports or maybe they are seasoned hikers who are back to take on a bigger challenge. No matter what someone’s level of experience is, it is impossible not to come away with a big smile and a profound sense of satisfaction after finishing a hike or run or climb in such an awe-inspiring landscape!
“Bruno had a lot of knowledge and took great care of us… and the picnic was amazing!” -Jen, Annecy hike
Commitments
Our clients
Alp Trails is committed to providing the best possible days out for our clients. Beyond fundamental considerations regarding health and safety we aim to deliver interesting and invigorating tours while maintaining the flexibility to adapt where necessary to meet clients’ needs. This may mean shifting the focus to create, for example, a more challenging, a more relaxing or perhaps a more informative day.
Our community
Alp Trails is committed to supporting our local community in whichever ways are possible. This means using local businesses to provide goods and services. On tours we will always try to choose family run hotels and guest houses. Ingredients for picnics will be locally sourced and where possible, organic. Many of these measures go hand in hand with our commitment to the planet.
Our planet
Alp Trails is committed to sustainability with a view to minimising our carbon footprint and impact on the environment. We would like to inform and educate guests about the impact of climate change in the mountains. Where possible we will use and encourage the use of public transport.