Tour du Mont Blanc, the unmissable 8-day trek

On our way to Switzerland, we gain altitude via the balcony trail, with the option of climbing the Aiguillette des Posettes, then the eponymous pass (1997m). We cross the border via Catogne and then the Pas des Moutons. This more rugged route offers views of the Emosson dam and its surrounding peaks, such as the Cheval Blanc (231m), the Grand Ruan (3040m), and the Tour Salière (3218m). We end the day in Switzerland, traversing alpine pastures to the charming village of Trient, which offers a beautiful panorama of the Trient Glacier and the Fenêtre d'Arpette.

Another option is possible via the Col de Balme and the wild variant of Les Grands (19km & 1050m D+ - 1250m D-)

We reach the Col de la Forclaz. A lovely balcony route with a plunging view over Martigny and the Valais allows us to reach the Bovine alpine pasture and then our refuge at Arpette.

We hike to Lake Champex, then on to the charming little village of Issert with its traditional wooden chalets (raccars), where we take a taxi for a short transfer to La Fouly. From there, we turn off into the Combe des Fonds valley to reach the Petit Col Ferret (2459m) via a wilder, less frequented route. We then continue to the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) with a short, very steep section. The Grand Col Ferret marks the border between Switzerland and Italy, and it is Mont Dolent, just above it, that separates the three countries: France, Switzerland, and Italy.

At the Grand Col Ferret, we enjoy a panoramic view of legendary Alpine peaks such as the Grandes Jorasses (3825m). Then, we begin a beautiful descent into the Italian Val Ferret. From there, we can see our route until noon the following day!

From the Elena refuge, we head towards Arp Nouva and then follow the balcony path. We reach Mont de la Saxe for a magnificent traverse along the heights facing the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif, with views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Dent du Géant, and finally Mont Blanc itself. We arrive at the viewpoint just above the Bertone refuge, where we enjoy a breathtaking view overlooking Courmayeur. Then we begin a long descent to Courmayeur. A short visit to the town also allows us to enjoy a delicious ice cream before taking the bus to our hotel located at the gateway to the Italian Val Ferret.

After a short transfer by bus, then cable car and chairlift, we reach the Checroui Pass (1956m). From there, we follow a balcony path facing Mont Blanc and the largest glaciers on the Italian side: the Brenva Glacier and the Miage Glacier. We reach Lake Combal, which undoubtedly offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of Mont Blanc, with views of the Limestone Pyramids. We then take some back roads to the Seigne Pass (2515m). This pass marks our return to France and our entry into the Beaufortain region via the Valley of the Glaciers, unquestionably the wildest part of this tour. From here, tomorrow's objective is visible: the Fours Pass (2665m). We descend towards Les Mottets, where we stop for the night in this charmingly rustic, welcoming, and completely disconnected mountain refuge (no cell service available).

For this penultimate day without luggage transfer, we set off with our belongings for 2 days to the more isolated Prés refuge.

We descend towards Ville des Glaciers and then ascend via a variant of the Tour du Mont Blanc to the Col des Fours (2665m), the highest pass on this trek. From there, weather permitting, we can optionally make a round trip (+90m elevation gain) to the viewpoint at Tête Nord des Fours (2756m). We then begin the descent to the Col du Bonhomme and Plan Jovet, before climbing back up to our refuge perched on its promontory.

If the weather conditions are not optimal, we will take a shuttle to Les Chapieux to take the traditional route via the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme.

( option: +/- 90m and 1.5km with the North Peak of the Fours)

We set off early for a beautiful, long final day. Last but not least! We hike to Notre Dame de la Gorge to catch the shuttle to Les Contamines-Montjoie. From there, we ascend to Chalets du Truc and Les Pâturages de Miage, beneath the Dômes de Miage. From there, we take the alternative route and begin the beautiful climb to the incredible Col du Tricot (2120m). We cross the impressive footbridge over the stream flowing from the Bionnassay Glacier. We finish this loop at the Bellevue cable car. We descend to Les Houches for a well-deserved final photo at the finish line arch!

We take the bus back to our starting point and retrieve our luggage at the Youth Hostel.

Expected to end around 5pm at the Youth Hostel.