The complete Tour du Mont Blanc with luggage transport

The route leads us through forests and clearings for a traverse along the mountainside above the Gruvaz gorges. We then pass from the V-shaped valley carved by the stream to the U-shaped glacial valley of the Miage Alpine Pastures (1559 m). It's a true little paradise at the foot of the Dômes de Miage. A burst of energy is needed to reach the peaceful Plateau du Truc (1740 m) before descending to Les Contamines-Montjoie . You then ascend the Val Montjoie via Notre Dame de la Gorge , a splendid 17th-century Baroque church. Following the ancient path, mistakenly called the Roman Road , you cross over the roaring Bon Nant stream below to reach the " Roman Bridge," and then the Chalet du Nant Borrant ( accommodation only available in 8-person dormitories ). It is via the ancient Roman road that we reach the Chalet du Nant Borrant.

You are in the Contamines Montjoie Nature Reserve. Vehicles can only enter before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

You will not be able to collect your luggage until around 7:30 pm.

Today's itinerary includes an alpine stage with the ascent of two mountain passes. We begin by discovering the tranquility of the Balme pastures before reaching the Col du Bonhomme (2329 m), gateway to the Beaufortain region. The hardest part is over, as a gentle uphill traverse leads us to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2479 m). The route then descends into the alpine pastures of the Vallée des Glaciers to reach the village of Les Chapieux , the end of your day's hike. You can stay overnight in Ville des Glaciers by crossing the Col des Fours (2665 m), the highest point of your hike (+200 m, +1 hour). This will shorten your hike the following day.

The Col de la Seigne (2516 m) marks the entrance to the Aosta Valley and Italy. Mont Blanc appears before us from its wildest side. We descend the Val Veni to the enormous moraine of the Miage Glacier, which blocks the entire valley. A short detour takes us to Lac de Miage , nestled between the moraine and the glacier. Following the valley floor, we discover the prestigious and legendary routes of Mont Blanc: the Brouillard, Innominata, and Peuterey ridges.

Night at the Monte Bianco Refuge facing the Peuterey ridge, our favorite!

We descend to Courmayeur for a short visit. In fine weather, the warm climb through scattered larch trees is rewarded at Pré de la Saxe (2000 m), a splendid viewpoint overlooking the Dent du Géant and the Grandes Jorasses. A siesta is highly recommended. We then descend into the Italian Val Ferret and reach Lavachey or Arnuva for the night. Depending on the weather conditions and the guide's preference, numerous variations are possible.

We begin the day with a leisurely ascent of the Italian Val Ferret and a visit to the Pré de Bar Glacier , a genuine demonstration glacier. Then it's time to tackle the climb to reach the Grand Col Ferret (2537 m), gateway to the Val Ferret . Ferret suisse and highest point of the hike. Near the Creux de la Chaudière , we face Mont Dolent, very symbolic, since it is at its summit that the three borders, Italian, Swiss and French, meet.

Night at La Fouly (1600 m).

This more leisurely stage allows us to experience the gentle charm of the Swiss Valais. We descend into the Val Ferret, still largely agricultural, in search of its magnificent wooden granaries. The only real challenge of the day is the climb to Champex (1473 m) and its lake, an ideal spot for a nap. After that, all that remains is to reach the entrance of the Val d'Arpette to spend the night.

After a gentle descent through the forest, we begin the climb that leads us to the Bovine Alpine Pastures (1987 m). This is a balcony suspended above the Rhône Valley, an immersion in wide open spaces and horizons, from which we can see Martigny, the Valais region, and the Dents Blanches mountains. The climb ends at Collet Portalo (2049 m), before descending through larch trees to reach the Col de la Forclaz (1526 m).

After following the Bisse de Trient (a water supply channel carved into the rock), we climb the path leading to the Bergeries des Grands (2113 m), above the Trient Glacier. A balcony trail takes us to the Col de Balme (2191 m) where we cross back into France and the Chamonix Valley. Mont Blanc appears before us from the Chamonix side, the same side we saw nine days earlier. The descent offers stunning views of the Glacier du Tour and the Aiguille Verte.

Night in the village of Le Tour , at the foot of the glacier.

This final stage follows the Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges . We reach the Col des Montets, then our route climbs to one of the Lacs des Chésérys (2133 m), for a final rest away from the crowds at Lac Blanc. We finish the hike, still along the balcony trail, in a magnificent setting, facing the Aiguille Verte and the Drus.

Arrival at Chamonix SNCF train station is scheduled for around 5 p.m.