The Tour des Combins at your own pace
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelExpert
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DestinationSwiss / French Alps
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AgeFrom 15 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions35.51 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
In the heart of the Alps, discover the Tour des Combins , a legendary and exceptional trek linking Switzerland and Italy . This unmissable alpine hiking route circles the majestic Combins massif , offering a true introduction to high mountaineering .
Throughout the journey, you'll traverse pristine nature , alternating between sparkling glaciers , verdant alpine pastures , and breathtaking panoramas of peaks over 4,000 meters high . The adventure unfolds step by step, traversing traditional mountain villages and high mountain passes, guaranteeing a complete change of scenery . Each evening, the warm welcome in local mountain huts extends the magic of the trip in an authentic atmosphere .
This challenging yet rewarding route is for mountain enthusiasts seeking adventure and wide-open spaces. Between spectacular panoramas and cross-border cultural immersion, experience a memorable sporting and human adventure in the face of icy giants.
The highlights
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Hike between two countries: Switzerland and Italy
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Completely self-sufficient with a route book and GPX tracks
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Overnight stays in authentic mountain refuges
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
The route, distances and altitudes may vary slightly for many reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 7h
- Average distance/day: 17 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 987 m
- Average daily descent: 985 m
Management
We provide a printed roadbook, a PDF roadbook, and GPX tracks. We are also available via WhatsApp throughout your stay to assist you. A pre-trip briefing is also possible at our office in Les Houches.
Program
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Bourg Saint Pierre – Cabane de Mille
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 1080 m
- Negative elevation 240 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The stage between Bourg-Saint-Pierre and the Cabane de Mille marks a beautiful introduction to the alpine atmosphere of the Tour des Combins. From the village, the trail climbs gradually through forests and alpine pastures, offering superb views of the valley and surrounding peaks. The arrival at the Cabane de Mille (2473m), perched high above the valley, rewards the effort with a peaceful and panoramic setting, a true haven of tranquility, ideal for an evening in the heart of the mountains.
Day 1 -
Mille Hut - Panossière Hut
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 920 m
- Negative elevation 760 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
This stage is one of the most spectacular on the Tour des Combins. It will take you into a more rugged, rocky landscape. From the Cabane de Mille, you'll descend towards the Cabane de Brunet, passing first through alpine pastures before heading towards a more mineral landscape. From the Cabane de Panossière (2640m), you can admire the Corbassière Glacier and the Grand Combin towering above the valley.
Day 2 -
Cabane de Panossière – Cabane de Chanrion
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 1125 m
- Negative elevation 1290 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
From Panossière, you'll head towards the Mauvoisin Dam. The itinerary includes a wild alpine traverse with views of the dam and its crystal-clear waters. The trail initially follows the Corbassière Glacier, then leads you through a stark, mineral landscape of moraines and high plateaus. This more challenging day offers exceptional panoramic views. Your day ends at the Chanrion Hut (2462m), where you'll spend the night. Nestled on the shores of Lake Mauvoisin, the atmosphere here is more authentically high-mountain than the previous mountain huts.
Day 3 -
Cabane de Chanrion – Cabane de Letey – Refuge Letey Champillon
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h30
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 1085 m
- Negative elevation 1115 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Today's itinerary includes a long stage that will take you across the Swiss-Italian border. Leaving the Chanrion hut, the trail traverses rocky landscapes before gradually descending to greener terrain. Views of Lake Mauvoisin and the surrounding peaks accompany the hike throughout the day. The arrival in Champillon (2465m) is marked by a peaceful, pastoral atmosphere, a welcome contrast to the magnificent panoramas of the previous stages, and offers a return to the warmth of a mountain village.
Day 4 -
Letey Champillon Refuge – St Rhémy en Bosse
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 645 m
- Negative elevation 1435 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Leaving Champillon, the trail winds through valleys bordered by flowery meadows and small streams. The walk, gentler after the peaks, opens up to sweeping panoramas where you can admire the glaciers. Saint-Rhémy finally appears, a charming village where old houses and quiet lanes offer an authentic respite.
Day 5 -
St-Rhémy-en-Bosse – Hospice of the Great St Bernard – Bourg St Pierre
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 1065 m
- Negative elevation 1065 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
A beautiful program for this last stage, where you will return to Switzerland by crossing the border through one of the most mythical passes in the Alps: the Great St. Bernard.
Starting from Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosse, the trail climbs gently through a pristine valley, dotted with alpine pastures and offering breathtaking panoramas. Gradually, the atmosphere becomes wilder until reaching the pass, steeped in history, where the lake and the iconic buildings of the hospice, one of the oldest mountain refuges, are nestled.
The crossing into Switzerland marks the beginning of a panoramic descent towards Bourg-Saint-Pierre, between high-altitude landscapes and vast Valaisan horizons.
Day 6
Note
The route, distances and altitudes may vary slightly for many reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.
Accommodation
Access
As this is a self-guided trip, you manage your days at your own pace, without fixed departure or return times. However, we recommend starting your Day 1 hike fairly early in the morning to fully enjoy your first stage in complete peace of mind.
Go to the starting point
The Swiss public transport network serves the valley very well, combining the regional train (the "Saint-Bernard Express") and the PostBus.
- Travel from France (Paris, approximately 6 hours): Take a TGV Lyria to Lausanne , then an InterRegional train (SBB/CFF) towards Brig to Martigny station.
- From Martigny train station to Bourg-Saint-Pierre (approximately 1 hour 10 minutes):
- In Martigny, board the Saint-Bernard Express regional train towards Le Châble, and get off at the Sembrancher stop.
- Make an immediate connection with the train towards Orsières (end of the line).
- At Orsières station, take the PostBus (Line 211) towards Bourg-Saint-Pierre (or Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard in summer). Get off at the "Bourg-Saint-Pierre, commune" stop.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in dormitories in mountain huts and 1 night in a private hotel room
- Half-board accommodation (dinner + breakfast)
- A travel log and GPS tracks
- Pre-tour assistance via email/phone
- Assistance from our on-site team
The price does not include
- Transportation to the place of stay
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and personal expenses
- Personal hiking equipment
- Anything not mentioned under "Price includes"
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
DON'T FORGET
Passport or identity card
Insurance covering search, rescue or repatriation costs (bring your insurance policy number and emergency phone number with you)
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- BACKPACK - Recommended size: 35 liters minimum
Keep in mind that 500g + 500g + ... quickly adds up to extra kilos. Only take what you need, as you'll have to carry everything you pack. Your bag shouldn't weigh more than 8 to 10kg. Opt for a backpack with a hip belt to help distribute the weight and relieve strain on your posture and back. A bag with a chest strap will be a real plus in terms of comfort and stability.
TIPS: Remember to distribute the weight evenly inside your pack and adjust it properly so that your hips bear the load rather than your shoulders. This tip may seem insignificant at first, but it proves essential on multi-day hikes.
- HIKING SHOES
A pair of high-top, waterproof hiking boots. This is the most important piece of equipment. Comfortable shoes can make all the difference, while unsuitable shoes can hinder your progress or even force you to give up. There are many different models of hiking boots available. Choose shoes that offer ankle support and adequate waterproofing. Nothing is more unpleasant than walking for hours in shoes soaked by rain or even morning dew.
TIP: Go trekking with shoes that you have already tried beforehand and are sure you won't get blisters in.
OTHERS :
- Telescopic walking poles (recommended option)
- Lip balm
- Ultra-light shower kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel/shampoo or soap: also useful for washing clothes)
- Synthetic bath towel
- Phone and charger
- International plug adapter
- Rechargeable power bank
- Handwashing liquid for washing clothes
- Silk sheet (mandatory in dormitory)
In the mountains, the weather can change quickly. The clear blue morning sky can rapidly become overcast, especially if aided by a high-altitude wind bringing masses of humid air. Warm temperatures can also saturate the atmosphere with humidity, creating conditions conducive to thunderstorms. Winter conditions, such as frost, are also possible.
Early morning conditions or the presence of snow above 1800m. Finally, one might also fear a rainy day and see our boldness rewarded with an unexpected burst of sunshine and a completely clear sky a few hours later...
Keep this in mind:
When heading to the mountains, you must always consider the possibility of heat, rain, and cold. Your backpack should always contain the essentials to prepare for these three scenarios: this is the essential core kit.
Weight/efficiency dilemma:
Water bottles, picnic lunches, snacks, cameras, binoculars... these are all additional items to consider. A backpack fills up quickly, so it's essential to optimize the weight-to-performance ratio of the clothing and equipment you carry. For a multi-day hike with support and the transfer of drop packs, minimizing the weight of your daily pack is much easier. Without this support, packs are larger, so you'll need to consider hand-washing your clothes to reduce the number of items you need as much as possible.
Clothing to bring
CLOTHES :
- First layer with short sleeves (synthetic)
- First layer with long sleeves (synthetic)
- 2nd layer (e.g., fleece) or thin down jacket
- 3 pairs of hiking socks (synthetic or Merino wool)
- Shorts
- Hiking pants
- Long technical underwear
- Waterproof and breathable jacket
- Rain cape / poncho
BAG BUNK:
- A pair of lightweight gloves
- Cap or beanie
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle (1.5L)
- Small first aid kit (paracetamol, blister prevention/treatment, plasters, etc. Don't forget to bring your personal prescription if you have one).
- Cash (euros and Swiss francs: most shelters do not accept credit cards)
- Sunscreen
- Pocket fork and knife
- Headlamp
- Survival blanket
- Garbage bag for your waste
