Tour du Mont Blanc

The trek starts in Chamonix: on your first day you can spend your day wandering through the streets of this lively city, do a little shopping in the many shops of the city centre or maybe spoil yourself with a visit to the spa.

Today's walk starts with a bus from Chamonix to Les Houches, followed by the Bellevue cable car, up to 1800m. From here, instead of going up the "French normal route" of Mont Blanc (up to the Gouter hut at 3800m and to the summit at 4810m) you follow the edge of the mountain to Col de Voza and then start descending to the valley.
Here you can see the typical mountain's way to make the roof of the houses, with large flat stones. Later you go through several small villages on the valley floor with Mont Blanc peeking out again from the sky. The last part of the trail is along the Bon Nant river, to Les Contamines.
You then continue along an ancient Roman path and one of Europe's most famous trails, across blooming meadows and striking woodland to the refuge, a typical mountain chalet with a breathtaking view. Walkers are accommodated in small dormitories for between six to nine people and a hearty evening meal is served in the chalet's cosy dining room.

Distance: 20,5-18 km km

Today's walk takes you through the Plan des Dames up to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) then still a bit further up to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2479m). You'll see a peculiar combination of stones marking the top of the pass from where you can admire the valleys stretching out for miles around you. From the pass you make a long descent through the open meadows of the Vallee des Chapieux, criss-crossing small brooks and passing mountain huts. At the bottom of the descent you reach the tiny village of Les Chapieux. Your accommodation tonight is a simple mountain hotel.

Distance: 15 km

Today is the longest and most demanding day of the holiday but definitely very scenic, with surprising landscapes all the way. After two days spent walking in France, today you go over the Col de la Seigne (2516m) and enter into Italy through the Val Veny. The day starts off with a climb through a deep gorge surrounded by vast pastures with lunar-like scenery as backdrop.

The Col de la Seigne and the Aiguille des Glaciers mountains loom large in the distance on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Once over the top of the pass you descend into the Val Veny Valley on the opposite side of Mont Blanc, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks.

Depending on avaibility, today you may be booked at a nice Rifugio in La Lex Blanche or at Courmayeur: if you are booked here, you will walk 5,5 kilometres to reach a bus stop in La Visaille where you will take a bus to Courmayeur.

Distance: 14-19 km

Today’s walk is divided into 2 parts; if you have slept in Rifugio Elisabetta, in the morning you will walk 5,5 km to the bus stop and descend towards the famous city of Courmayeur by bus. Courmayeur is a renowned ski resort where you can have a welldeserved rest before starting off again with a steep ascent followed by a level walk through meadows and conifer woods to Val Ferret, passing many small brooks, with the wonderful, aweinspiring silhouette of the Grand Jorasses standing out. If you feel tired, or if you prefer to stroll through the streets of the centre, you can stop in Courmayeur and then take a bus directly to Val Ferret.

Distance: 5,5-12 km

This morning's walk will take you up a steep ascent and past ruined farmhouses. This marks the start of your journey into Switzerland.
The first 4 or so kilometres are a gradual 150m ascent along a surfaced road. If you wish, you can avoid this section by taking the SAVDA bus that stops in front of the hotel.
From Waypoint 4 a steep and rewarding climb takes you to Rifugio Elena then on to the border crossing with Switzerland, at the top of the Col du Gran Ferret (2537m). The views of the receding Glacier and the perennial snow of Triolet and Pre de Bar are imposing. The descent is through vast open meadows with very few traces of human settlement. You pass a couple of mountain huts then nearing the small hamlet of Ferret and on to La Fouly, the trail passes through idyllic scenery of forests, creeks and picturesque wooden bridges. You spend the night in the village of La Fouly.

Distance: 18 km

After the efforts of the last few days, today offers you an easier walk. This section is quite long, but the elevation gains and losses are not so pronounced. Starting off from La Fouly, you follow the river encountering a succession of woods, interrupted by cliff walls and small streams. You then walk through meadows to reach Les Arlaches, a beautiful hamlet with many traditional wood and stone houses. The last stretch is up a long winding climb, it's not too steep and there are interesting wood sculptures along the way to look at. At Orsieres the trail descends to Champex-Lac, a pretty mountain village situated on the lake. You continue past the lake and up the ski area of Arpette where you spend the night. From La mm Breya ski area you follow the trail to Relais d’Arpette.

Distance: 18 km

From Arpette to Trient via Fenêtre d'Arpette a spectacular walk over the Fenêtre d'Arpette (2665m) from where you descend along the Glacier du Trient. Trient (1300m) is a village on the pass road from Martigny to Chamonix.

In bad weather, there is an alternative route, From Arpette to Trient via Champex-d'en Haut, through cool forests and beautiful alpine meadows that take you to Col de la Forclaz, which is an important link between Switzerland and France. This walk enjoys breathtaking panoramas and reaches 2050m.

Distance: 15,7 km

Today you'll get to have your last views of Mont Blanc and enjoy your final walk to Argentiere. You are above the ski resort of Le Tour from where you hike towards Lake Charamillon (2271 metres). You then continue on to the immense Glacier du Tour and back into France. An exhilarating rocky trail along the mountain crest allows you to enjoy astounding views of the glacier and the surrounding valleys. As you reach the border between Switzerland and France, you can see Mont Blanc shining white, especially on sunny and bright days. You descend among pastures for the last section of the walk until you arrive at Argentiere.

Distance: 14,5 km

The walk today is quite long so start early! You begin walking through the pretty little village Les Frasserands, with the typical wooden houses of the French alps. After going through the botanic path you start climbing uphill, into the Aiguilles Rouges Natural Park. You can decide if you want to continue to climb up to Lac Blanc (it involves the climb of an iron ladder, so if you suffer from vertigo you better not do that) or start descending to La Flegere. The route is very panoramic, in front of you the Mont Blanc massif, with the Aiguille Verte, the Drus, the Aiguille du Midi, Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Blanc, untill you arrive at Planpraz, where the cable car will take you down to Chamonix (last one is at 5 pm). If you are tired or in short of time you can also take the cable car at La Flegere.

There are 2 Options for today’s walking
Option 1 is slightly shorter. The 17,5 kilometre walk is expected to take around eight hours to complete and you will ascend a total of 1443 metres and descend 789 metres.

Option 2 is longer. The 19,5 kilometre walk is expected to take around around nine hours to complete and you will ascend a total of 1500 metres and descend 1380 metres.

Distance: 19,5-17,5 km

The trip and our services end after breakfast unless you have booked extra services or extra nights.

This tour is perfect for those ready for a grand adventure: it's an epic and beautiful journey, among the most beloved by mountain enthusiasts. Due to its length and altitudes, it ranks among our most challenging trips, and we recommend it only to those with significant experience in multi-day mountain excursions and a flexible mindset.

Accommodations involve dormitories and shared facilities in mountain huts.

It is absolutely not recommended for individuals with vertigo or even minor difficulties walking on uneven terrain, as a substantial portion of the route takes place on rocky terrain and mountain trails.

For our trips, we always select accommodations with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be included, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation provided for the trip you’re interested in.

We place great importance on the choice of lodging and select hotels with care and attention. We know how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We prefer welcoming and charming accommodations, ideally family-run, that truly embody the spirit of the place and can welcome you with comfort and warmth.

Where, due to the nature of the route, the choice of accommodations is limited, we select the option that best aligns with our standards.

Hotel La Vallée Blanche - Chamonix

Hotel La Vallée Blanche is a family run hotel situated in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, on the Arve river shores, housed in a 17th century building. Rooms are comfortable and welcoming with private bathroom, free Wifi, mini-bar, air conditioning/heating and some of these have a private balcony. Staff is kind and helpful. Hotel also have a pub with live music and a large terrace.

www.vallee-blanche.com

Refuge Nant Borrant - Les Contamines-Montjoie

This refuge is surrounded by green and the beautiful landscape of Dolomites. It has 5 little dormitories with 5 or 9 beds, very simple. The restaurant offers homemade dishes. Owners are welcoming and courteous. 

www.refuge-nantborrant.com

Hotel Les Chambres du Soleil - Bourg Saint Maurice

This Hotel is situated in Les Chapieux, a little hamlet located at 1554 m on the Route of the Great Alps which connects the Geneva Lake to the Mediterranean. Rooms are basic, but clean and well-finished with private bathroom. Homemade breakfast is very good. The restaurant is very good and proposes typical dishes. 

www.leschambresdusoleil-montblanc.com

Rifugio Monte Bianco - Courmayeur

The hut is located in the Aosta Valley at the foot of Mont Blanc a few kilometers from Courmayeur. It has 56 beds in rooms for 2-4 people and a dormitory with 14 beds. The restaurant proposes typical dishes and drinks of the Aosta Valley cuisine. 

www.rifugiomontebianco.com

Albergo Lavachey - Courmayeur

Hotel is located in the heart of Val Ferret at 1642 m above the sea level and 11 km from Courmayeur Mont Blanc city center. Rooms are basic, but spacious and well-finished with rustic style and running hot and cold water. There are 5 shared bathrooms. The restaurant is very good and proposes regional and Italian products and dishes.

www.lavachey.com

Hotel Edelweiss - La Fouly

Hotel Edelweiss*** is centrally located in the alpine hamlet of La Fouly. Rooms are basic with TV, free Wifi, telephone, private bathroom and a little balcony. The restaurant offers typical local dishes. 

fouly.ch/Lafouly

Relais d'Arpette - Orsières

Relais d'Arpette is strategically located and it offers spacious and clean dormitories with common bathroom. The restaurant offers local dishes. Breakfast is normal.

www.arpette.ch

Hotel La Grande Ourse - Trient

Hotel La Grande Ourse is completely renovated located at 1300 m above the sea level at the foot of two different glaciers and Col de la Forclaz. Rooms are basic with wooden furniture. There are common bathrooms and changing rooms. Breakfast and restaurant are normal. 

www.la-grande-ourse.ch

Hotel L'Olympique - Argentiere

Hotel L'Olympique overlooking the beautiful views of Chamonix Valley and offers well-furnished rooms, clean and well-finished with mountain style and TV, free Wifi. Highly recommended the restaurant that proposes a simple and varied menu with fresh, quality products prepared with traditional methods. Owners are welcoming and helpful.

www.hotel-olympique-chamonix.com