In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration5 days
-
LevelConfirmed
-
DestinationMont Blanc Massif / Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
-
AgeFrom the age of 18
-
CO₂-Emissions38.64 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages🇫🇷French
In a few words
This is "the" classic, the most famous of all hikes. It must be said that the Tour du Mont Blanc unfolds in a magnificent setting, a stone's throw from glaciers, through three countries with distinct cultures and landscapes. This legendary hike was once reserved for experienced walkers. For many years now, we have offered it without carrying our packs. Our unique approach is to make this route accessible to average hikers, in two stages . We invite you to discover the first of these stages, linking Chamonix to Courmayeur.
This grand " round-the-mountain " trek begins in the Val Montjoie , an example of well-managed tourism development. Next comes the Vallée des Glaciers, where pastoralism remains a vibrant tradition. We take every precaution to avoid processionary caterpillars and overcrowding. Luggage is transported from stage to stage by a support vehicle, allowing you to fully enjoy the pleasures of discovery and explore the most interesting variations of the route. If you choose the room option, you can stay in small dormitories for 2 to 4 people in the mountain huts.
The highlights
-
The discovery of two Alpine countries with different cultures
-
An essential route for any hiker's life
-
The view of the glaciers of the Mont Blanc massif every day
Subscriber benefit
save 5%
by joining
our community
Decathlon Travel Benefits
Best price guaranteed:
We offer twice the difference
Free cancellation more than 30 days in advance
Payment in 2 installments
Learn more
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to hike for up to 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in a sporting activity once a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 9h
- Average distance/day: 16 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 893 m
- Average daily descent: 945 m
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Band :
1 supervisor for 6 to 14 people
Languages spoken:
🇫🇷
French
Supervisor
Supervisor
State-certified mountain guide.
As a mountain professional, he is committed to:
- Manage your hike safely and efficiently: route selection, pace of progress, logistics, health, adapting to weather conditions and snow conditions.
- To ensure the group's dynamics and cohesion.
- To make it easier for you to approach the mountain environment and to passionately share its knowledge of nature with you.
- To be available and attentive to your needs.
Program
-
Chamonix - Bionnassay
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 1030 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Meet at Chamonix SNCF train station at 09:15 sharp.
Please dress in hiking gear, with your backpack ready, water, and hiking boots on. We will leave our luggage with the taxi driver.
For our first picnic, we encourage each participant to bring a specialty from their home region, so we can begin the hike with some fruitful cultural exchanges. We set off for the Petit Balcon Sud , facing Mont Blanc and its famous peaks, and then head to Les Houches to take the Bellevue cable car. This takes us away from the hustle and bustle of the Chamonix valley to the tranquility of the Bionnassay valley , at the foot of the Aiguille du Goûter and the normal route up Mont Blanc.
Night in Bionnassay , at the end of the Contamines valley.
Day 1 -
Bionnassay - Nant Borrant
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h15
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 970 m
- Negative elevation 830 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The route leads us through forests and clearings for a traverse along the mountainside above the Gruvaz Gorge. 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 passage, mistakenly called the Roman Road, you cross above 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). We reach the Chalet du Nant Borrant via the ancient Roman road. You are in the Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve. Vehicles can only enter before 7:00 AM or after 7:00 PM. You will only be able to collect your luggage around 7:30 PM.
Day 2 -
Nant Borrant - City of Glaciers
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 1020 m
- Negative elevation 930 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
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.
Day 3 -
City of Glaciers - Val Veny
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 18h
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 1080 m
- Negative elevation 990 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
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. We spend the night at the Monte Bianco Refuge, facing the Peuterey ridge—our favorite spot!
Day 4 -
Val Veny - Chamonix
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
In the morning, transfer by bus or taxi and return to France via the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
Expected arrival at Chamonix train station around 9:30 a.m.
Day 5
Note
The times were calculated based on a pace of 300 meters of elevation gain per hour uphill, 500 meters of elevation loss per hour downhill, and 4 km per hour on flat terrain, in order to allow for a comparison of the different hikes on the same basis. They only include actual walking time; all meal breaks, rest stops, or periods of quiet contemplation must be added.
We may sometimes need to slightly modify the indicated itinerary: either due to organizational issues (overbooked accommodations, changes in trail conditions, etc.) or directly at the guide's discretion (weather, group level, etc.). Rest assured, these modifications are always made in your best interest, for your safety and comfort!
Accommodation
🏔️ Mountain refuge - Days 1 to 4
Access
Departure
Gare SNCF de Chamonix
Day 1
: 09h15
End of stay
Gare SNCF de Chamonix
Day 5
- 09h30
Go to the starting point
Take the train toGare de Chamonix
The nearest airport isAéroport de Genève Cointrin
Tip : No fewer than 15 shuttle companies operate between Geneva Airport and Chamonix. They offer low-cost transfers that are more convenient and cheaper than the train. They serve all the sites in the Chamonix Valley.
Travel to the place of stay
Find out about parking options nearby
All parking options in Chamonix: www.chamonix.net/francais/transport/parking
Three car parks offer a flat rate: St Michel, Entrève and Mont-Blanc (approximately €77 for 10 days). Reservations are not possible.
Would you like to travel on other dates?
Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.
Price details
The price includes
- Organization and supervision costs.
- Food and full board accommodation.
- The transfers planned in the program.
- The ascent via the Bellevue cable car.
- Luggage transport at each stage.
- The return transfer between Courmayeur and Chamonix, on the last day.
The price does not include
- Wine during meals.
- Drinks and personal expenses.
- Personal equipment.
- The buses used to shorten the stages.
- The room package
- Lunch on the last day.
- Cancellation insurance - assistance - repatriation - trip interruption
- Everything that is not listed under "The price includes".
Options
- Mini-dormitories for 2 to 4 people : CHF68.40 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
They traveled with us
Discover the authentic experiences of our travelers
5/5
(5 reviews)
Reviews displayed in reverse chronological order
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Karine & Emma team
4.6/5
(304 reviews)
• 96 stays
Fort d'une expertise de plus de 25 ans, notre partenaire local est le spécialiste de la randonnée au cœur des Alpes du Nord, du Jura et des Vosges. Il propose des itinéraires variés, à parcourir en toute autonomie avec un topoguide ou en petits groupes conviviaux de 8 à 12 personnes. Sa véritable valeur ajoutée ? Un encadrement assuré par des professionnels diplômés qui vivent et travaillent à l'année dans ces massifs, offrant une connaissance intime du terrain. Engagé pour un tourisme durable, l'ensemble de ses séjours est pensé pour être facilement accessible en train, alliant simplicité logistique et respect de l'environnement.
Are you satisfied with this page?
Subscriber benefit
save 5%
by joining
our community
Decathlon Travel Benefits
Best price guaranteed:
We offer twice the difference
Free cancellation more than 30 days in advance
Payment in 2 installments
Learn more
