The complete Tour du Mont Blanc at your own pace
In summary
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Sports
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Duration9 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationMont Blanc Massif - France / Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions41.2 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
The Tour du Mont Blanc is an essential loop for lovers of long-distance alpine hiking . This legendary route crosses three countries – France , Italy , and Switzerland – amidst spectacular landscapes blending glaciers, alpine pastures , and majestic peaks . From Les Houches , you take the Bellevue cable car to begin this multifaceted adventure with its diverse atmospheres : the tranquility of the Savoyard valleys , the ruggedness of the high mountain passes, the wild beauty of the Val Ferret , the Swiss forests, and the stark, mineral splendor of the Aiguilles Rouges .
Each day, the trail leads you to discover breathtaking panoramas , charming villages , and mountain refuges . Crossing the Bonhomme , Seigne , and Grand Col Ferret passes marks the transitions between different regions, offering spectacular views of the mountain range. The route culminates in the stunning Lac Blanc , a jewel suspended in the distance opposite Mont Blanc. A challenging but accessible trek for experienced hikers , offering a complete immersion in the high mountains .
The highlights
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A digital roadbook that will be your guide throughout your journey
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The spectacle and proximity of the great glaciers
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Luggage transport every day (depending on the option chosen)
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Trekking
- Average duration/day: 7h30
- Average distance/day: 17 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 1001 m
- Average daily descent: 937 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
Your roadbook consists of:
- a full day/day description of the accommodation
- all the digital records of the various hikes offered
- information on the fauna, flora, and history of the various places you will encounter
- our advice
Program
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Les Houches - Les Contamines-Montjoie
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 410 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We'll meet at 8:20 am in front of the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches, at the entrance to the Chamonix valley. From the top of the cable car (not included), there's a magnificent panoramic view of the Mont Blanc massif, the Aiguilles Rouges, the Fiz mountain range, and the Aravis range. Our hike begins along a balcony trail at 1800m and takes us to the foot of the Bionnassay glacier before descending to Les Contamines-Montjoie. We'll cross the Col du Tricot at 2120m if conditions permit.Day 1 -
Contamines - Valley of the Glaciers
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 1550 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You will leave your accommodation and head towards Notre Dame de la Gorge, a landmark of Baroque Romanticism. A long climb leads us to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m). This pass has been traversed for centuries by shepherds and their flocks, armies and soldiers, pilgrims, peddlers, and hikers on the Tour du Mont Blanc. The view then opens up to the Beaufortain region at our feet. You will then head towards the Crête des Gittes ridge to descend into the alpine pastures amidst Tarine and Abondance cows. The milk from these cows provides us with a variety of cheeses, notably Beaufort, which we recommend you try during the week.
Day 2 -
Valley of the Glaciers - Val Veny
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 8km
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 21 km
- Positive elevation gain 1000 m
- Negative elevation 1150 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After a transfer (included) to Ville des Glaciers, you will cross your first border between France and Italy today at the Col de la Seigne (2516m). Frequented since antiquity, it is marked by a large cairn and lies on the watershed between the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. The view is breathtaking: a panorama of snow-capped peaks stands out against the Italian side of Mont Blanc. You enter the Val Veny, and the Aosta Valley unfolds before you. You will spend the night in a mountain refuge in this valley, at the foot of the Brenva Glacier, beneath the impressive Aiguille Noire de Peuterey.
Day 3 -
Val Veny - Courmayeur - Refuge Val Ferret (Bonatti / Elena)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 1415 m
- Negative elevation 590 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
This morning you'll descend to Courmayeur, where you can enjoy a refreshing ice cream before continuing our hike up the Italian Val Ferret, in the shadow of the impressive Grandes Jorasses. After La Vachey, you'll reach either the Walter Bonatti refuge* (2025m) or the Elena refuge* (2061m) for your last night on the Italian side. No need to carry your pack if you're staying at the Bonatti refuge; vehicles don't go up to the refuge so you can better appreciate the unspoiled natural surroundings. This journey through the Val Ferret will undoubtedly leave you with a sense of the history of our great guides... *Subject to availability at the refuges at the time of final confirmation. An alternative will be offered if necessary. Alternative: +900m / -740m Maximum altitude: 2537m
Day 4 -
Val Ferret Refuge - Grand Col Ferret - La Fouly
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 740 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Today, you continue your ascent of the Italian Val Ferret to reach the Grand Col Ferret, which marks the border between Italy and Switzerland. You hike while admiring the Pré de Bar Glacier and Mont Dolent, the summit that forms the border between the three countries. You descend towards the village of Ferret. You will stop at a gîte/inn and enjoy a sublime setting in the heart of Switzerland!
Day 5 -
La Fouly - Champex
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 7h30
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 790 m
- Negative elevation 750 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
From this charming cottage, you'll begin your descent along a stream. You'll pass several very photogenic and beautiful hamlets. A final push will be needed to reach Champex and its magnificent little lake.
Day 6 -
Champex - Trient
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You leave Champex and begin the climb that takes you to the Bovine alpine pastures, amidst the Hérens cows, those beautiful black breeds that are the pride of the Valais region. This balcony trail with panoramic views encompasses the Rhône Valley and the Rhône bend on the Swiss side, as well as the Grands Combins massif to the southeast. A descent through a lovely forest leads to the Col de la Forclaz pass. Then, following the Bisses path (a Valaisan term for a water channel carved into the rock or wood), you reach the village of Trient to spend the night. Alternative (Fenêtre d'Arpette): Elevation gain 1110m / Elevation loss 1190m. Maximum altitude: 2201m
Day 7 -
Trient - Col de Balme - Montroc
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 990 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Today you return to France by crossing the border at the Col de Balme (2191m). You hike to the Col des Posettes before traversing along a balcony trail to Tré-Le-Champ. Finally, you descend to Argentière to spend your last night.
Day 8 -
Montroc - Lac Blanc - Chamonix
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 1150 m
- Negative elevation 1400 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
For this final day, you will explore the Aiguilles Rouges mountain range and nature reserve, which face Mont Blanc. The hike ascends to the Chéserys lakes and then to Lac Blanc, where the panoramic views are breathtaking. The descent follows a scenic trail along the mountainside, passing through La Flégère and Le Brévent, back to Chamonix (or you can take the cable car down from La Flégère). The day concludes in Chamonix around 4:30 pm.
If you have parked your vehicle in Les Houches, bus No. 1 will take you back to the Bellevue cable car (1 bus approximately every 30 minutes).
Day 9
Note
The itinerary may be modified for reasons of safety, weather, or unforeseen circumstances. Events beyond our control may alter the itinerary: road closures, flooding, strikes, local festivals, etc. Local guides will always do their best to find the best solution, even if it means changing the route.
Accommodation
You will be sleeping in guesthouses, hostels and mountain huts during this stay:
- In mountain huts : overnight stays are generally in dormitories . Dormitories are equipped with blankets. Be sure to bring a sleeping sheet and a pillowcase. Nowadays, almost all huts have showers (tokens are sold at reception): bring toiletries (soap, towel, etc.).
- In hostels and guesthouses, rooms are shared and bathrooms are communal.
Depending on availability, accommodations may be changed and replaced with other accommodations of the same category.
Access
On the last day, if you have parked your vehicle in Les Houches, bus No. 1 will take you back to the Bellevue cable car (1 bus approximately every 30 minutes).
Go to the starting point
🚂 Rail network to Saint Gervais les bains le Fayet, then take the Saint Gervais - Martigny connection, stop at the Les Houches station (then about 20 minutes walk to reach the departure of the Bellevue cable car).
🚂 Possibility to go to Chamonix by train and take bus No. 1 to reach Les Houches - Bellevue stop.
If you are coming by car: please park before reaching the meeting point. Allow plenty of time if you want to find free parking.
The Prarion car park is now subject to a fee starting this summer, as are all car parks in Chamonix. Consequently, all car parks fill up very quickly. There are also very few parking spaces in Les Houches (a handful in the Bellevue car park).
Price details
The price includes
- The technical organization of the stay
- Accommodation in guesthouses, hostels and mountain huts
- Half-board in each accommodation
The price does not include
- Transfers to and from the meeting point.
- Lunchtime picnics
- Breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 9
- Race drinks and food
- The Bellevue and Flégère cable car, depending on the route taken
- Luggage transport
Options
- Luggage transfer - Group of 2-3 people : CHF201.26 / person
- Luggage transfer - Group of 4-5 people : CHF182.96 / person
- Luggage transfer - Group of 6-8 people : CHF164.66 / person
- 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.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- A small flashlight (with spare batteries)
- Telescopic walking poles (recommended)
- A 1.5L water bottle or hydration pack
- A pocket knife
- An individual plastic Tupperware container for lunch salads + cutlery and cup.
- Sunscreen cream (skin and lips) + after-sun lotion
- Toilet paper + lighter (to burn it).
- Optional: camera, binoculars…
Clothing to bring
- A cap or a hat,
- A pair of sunglasses,
- A hat or a headband,
- T-shirt (carline type, quick-drying material),
- A warm shirt or a thin fleece,
- A warm jacket (fleece type),
- A windproof jacket (like a Kway or Gore-Tex),
- A closed rain cape with sleeves, without snaps, made of polyamide.
- Lightweight canvas trousers
- Windproof trousers (like Kway or Gore Tex),
- Shorts or capri pants
- Socks (100% wool: warm, absorbs and wicks away moisture, prevents foot overheating; synthetic fibers: very good resistance, absorbs and wicks away moisture, but be careful if 100% synthetic as it can cause foot overheating; cotton: absorbs moisture but doesn't wick it away well)
- Trekking shoes: they are a hiker's best friend! They must combine three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support (high tops) and waterproofing.
- Choose shoes with non-slip soles, cleats and relatively rigid soles.
- A pair of long gaiters (optional depending on the weather and conditions of the TMB)
- A pair of gloves,
- Spare underwear,
- A pair of lightweight canvas trousers and a spare pair of shorts,
- Spare socks
They traveled with us
