Tour of Mont Blanc in 6 days, fast walking version

This morning, you're walking in the footsteps of the Romans. From Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge , a Baroque sanctuary nestled at the bottom of the valley, the ancient Roman road climbs steadily towards the heights. There's something breathtaking about the idea that this path carved into the rock has existed for centuries, long before the Tour du Mont Blanc was even conceived.

The climb to the Col du Bonhomme (2,329m) is long, sustained, and magnificent. The landscape gradually unfolds: forests give way to alpine pastures, pastures to scree slopes, and the air becomes thinner and purer. But the effort doesn't end there; this is what distinguishes this full version from the others. The traverse to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme takes you into the wildest, most rugged, and most striking section of the Tour.

Up there, the silence is almost absolute. The world stretches out at your feet in every direction, a breathtaking panorama that rewards every meter of effort.

The descent into the Chapieux valley is a gradual return to life, to greenery...

Today, you're crossing a border, and not just any border. The Col de la Seigne , at 2,516 meters, is one of the most historically and emotionally charged passes on the entire route. On one side, the familiar slopes of Savoy; on the other, the Italian side of Mont Blanc, which suddenly reveals itself as more rugged, more dramatic, almost intimidating. The south face of the massif doesn't have the same gentleness as the French side; it commands respect.

The descent into the Val Veny is like stepping into another world. Glaciers plunge directly into the valley, and the moraines tell the slow, powerful story of the ice. Walking here gives you a unique feeling, that of standing at the foot of something far greater than yourself.

Lake Combal, at 2,000 meters, marks the beginning of the most spectacular section of the day. The ascent towards the Arp Vieille alpine pastures takes you along an exceptional panoramic trail, facing some of the most legendary peaks in the history of mountaineering: the Noire de Peuterey, the Dent du Géant, and the Grandes Jorasses. Names that evoke dreams, silhouettes that awe.

The long descent towards Courmayeur is a gentle transition between two worlds. The medieval village welcomes you with its cobbled streets, lively terraces and Italian way of life.

Tonight, Courmayeur is yours.

Just like yesterday, we're on a long 30-kilometer stage. This time, 1,900 meters of elevation gain await us. These figures, which might seem daunting, become, once on the trail, a source of pride with every kilometer covered, because this day is also one of the most beautiful , the most rewarding, the most complete of the circuit.

It begins in the forest. The larches of Courmayeur envelop you in their golden light and resinous scent as you climb towards the Bertone Refuge . Then the trail drops onto an exceptional balcony, suspended above the Italian Val Ferret , with the imposing Mont Blanc massif constantly in view. It's one of those sections where you involuntarily slow down, not because your legs are giving out, but because your eyes don't want to miss a thing.

The Bonatti Refuge , halfway along the route, is a stop steeped in symbolism. Named in homage to the legendary mountaineer Walter Bonatti, it embodies the spirit of the mountains in its most authentic form. A well-deserved rest, a breathtaking view, and the road continues.

The Grand Col Ferret, at 2,537 meters, takes you into Switzerland amidst a magnificent high-mountain landscape. The descent that follows is long and rolling, traversing vibrant green alpine pastures to the village of La Fouly , nestled at the end of the Swiss Val Ferret . Tonight, you've completed another demanding stage of the Tour, and that calls for a celebration!

After the intense efforts of the previous days, this stage offers a different, more varied, more contemplative, but equally rewarding pace. It begins with a traverse of the Swiss Val Ferret from end to end, dotted with small hamlets boasting well-preserved architecture where time seems to have stood still. This is a hidden Switzerland, far removed from the postcards, authentic and captivating.

The village of Issert marks the beginning of the ascent to Champex-Lac , a jewel nestled in the mountains: a mountain lake with emerald reflections, surrounded by forests and chalets, inviting you to pause and contemplate. A stop you won't forget and that you'll leave with regret.

But the best is yet to come. The steep and challenging climb to the Bovine alpine pastures rewards you with one of the most breathtaking panoramas of the entire route. Here, your gaze extends far beyond the Mont Blanc massif: the Rhône Valley stretches out in all its breadth, vineyards trace geometric lines across the hillsides, and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland close the horizon to the north. It's an unexpected view, making it all the more precious.

The long descent to the Col de la Forclaz and then the village of Trient beautifully concludes a 28-kilometer day. The penultimate night. Tomorrow, it's back to Chamonix.

The final day. The one we dread from the very first, and which always arrives too quickly. But what a way to finish. This last stage is the most demanding of all on paper: 28 kilometers, 2,000 meters of elevation gain, 2,500 meters of descent. A finale worthy of a full Tour, befitting the week you've just experienced.

The departure from the Col de la Forclaz marks your last hour in Switzerland. The Catogne alpine pastures lead you uphill in an almost solemn morning silence, as if the mountain itself knew it was the last day and wanted to offer you the very best for the end.

The Posettes alpine pastures , at 2,000 meters, signal your return to France. And suddenly, the Chamonix valley unfolds before you in all its grandeur, the Mont Blanc range unmistakably yours, familiar and majestic. You've circled it for six whole days, seen every slope, every glacier, every pass. Now you see it head-on, and something in your gaze has changed.

The final descent along the balcony overlooking the massif is a gift. Each step brings you closer to Chamonix , and the church, your starting point six days ago, finally appears below. Completing this entire Tour du Mont Blanc, entirely on foot, without any transport, is a victory you carry in your legs and in your heart forever.