Fast, secure, risk-free booking guaranteed.
June through September
Your tour starts in Chamonix, France
8 days
Intermediate
5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
770 million years ago the earth’s crust lifted up schist, gneiss and limestone to form what would become the Mont Blanc massif. On this 8-day tour around the Chamonix Valley, #funfacts meets day hikes for a 360-tour through history, geology, and culture, which is exactly what most people miss when they visit—they’re both too close to the action to get the best views and not close enough to understand the heritage of this place. That’s what inspired this National Geographic guide to create an exclusive trip based from a 5-star residence to showcase what the massif is really about. One day you’re stepping along 240-million-year-old dinosaur tracks, next you’re learning about the history of mountaineering, and then you’re soaking it all in over an Aperol Spritz with a view of Grandes Jorasses. Walk away with a full gallery of photos, memories for life, and a new appreciation for the Alps.
Experience the Mont Blanc massif through time with day hikes strewn across France, Italy, and Switzerland
The charming Chamonix and a five-star residence with wellness facilities are your home for the week
Try out Italian gelato, revel in the delicious fondue, and savor Alpenglow cocktails
Day 1 of your hiking tour in Mont Blanc is reserved for arriving and settling in. Make sure to reach Chamonix by 6 pm, because that’s when you’re meeting your guide and your group at your accommodation. Once you’ve all gathered, have a welcome dinner at 7 pm. Get a good night’s sleep—the adventure begins!
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Kick off the trip by stepping through history—hike the geological trail of old Émosson, a trail with panoramic views and two high dams featuring traces of dinosaurs dating from 240 million years ago. Departing from the VerticAlp funicular, continue onto Lake Émosson and walk along it for about 1.5 km (1 mile). After the lake, go towards Gorge de la Veudale, where spectacular views await and very soon you’ll reach the famous traces of the dinosaurs. The return is via Vieux Émosson Lake to return to the same path to finish the hike at the top of the Émosson dam. Learn about the environmental context and the melting of glaciers. Return to Chamonix.
Meals: Lunch package or Barrage d’Émosson restaurant
Distance: 12,4 km / 7.7 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: 833 m / 2,733 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Today you’re doing a beautiful, 10.5-kilometer (6.5 miles) loop hike near Cordon in Haute-Savoie. You’ll appreciate the whole massif from afar and move into the pre-Alps area. Listen to your guide talk about the valley, the times of settlement, and how it grew popular. You’re going to avoid the crowds by going on this moderately challenging route, but still get those otherworldly views. Retreat back to Chamonix for the night.
Meals: Lunch package or Le Refuge, Cordon
Distance: 10.5 km / 6.5 miles
Hiking: 5 hours
Elevation gain: 819 m / 2,687 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Today you’re going to Lake Pormenaz surrounded by pastures and a mountain overlooking Servoz and Passy near the Moëde-Anterne Refuge. From a fountain, take the Route de la Côte until the first bend. Continue walking towards Gorges de la Diosaz and cross the Souay torrent. Go up, leaving the paths of the Tête de la Fontaine and the Bajulaz on the right. Follow a long, steep slope to a pyramid-marker to reach the Chalets des Alpages de Pormenaz. Cross on over towards the Chalets de Chavanne-Neuve towards the peak Pointe Noire de Pormenaz—where you’ll find geological curiosities— and then towards the Lac de Pormenaz.
Meals: Lunch package
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Elevation: +1,061 m / +3,481 ft | -839 m / -2,753 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Today you will start in Val Ferret and end up in Courmayeur. Stop along the way at the Bonatti hut, where you’ll have an Aperol Spritz with a view of Grand Jorasses! The hut was named after a legendary Italian mountaineer who helped set it up. You’ll have a leisure afternoon in Courmayeur’s downtown—don’t miss out on the local Focaccia and gelato! After a banger panorama of the whole Chamonix, it’s time to return to your accommodation in Chamonix.
Meals: Lunch at Refuge Bonatti
Distance: 7.2 km / 4.5 miles
Hiking: 4 hours
Elevation gain: 545 m / 1,788 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Starting from Col de la Fenêtre, today you’re touring around Les Contamines-Montjoie—the only Nature Reserve in the whole Mont Blanc! Apart from strolling along quintessential Alpine scenery, you’re also visiting the charming village of Les Contamines-Montjoie. Set at the heart of a Nature Reserve, the village has preserved its historic appearance, its Baroque churches, and traditional architecture. More than 70% of old farmhouses have been renovated to honor the typical Savoyard style. Return to Chamonix.
Meals: Lunch at Refuge de Pres
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: 423 m / 1,388 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
The last hiking day takes you in front of the massive Bossons Glacier, Needles of Chamonix, Vallée Blanche, Les Drus, going towards the seracs of the Argentière Glacier and ending in Montroc. You’ll constantly be moving in nature reserves—their historical significance of being gaming reserves—and learning about their protection. Return back with a Planpraz telecabine and then a train from Montroc to Chamonix. Enjoy your last evening in this charming town.
Meals: Lunch at Refuge du Lac Blanc
Distance: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Elevation gain: 520 m / 1,706 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
It’s time to say goodbye to Mont Blanc and the Chamonix area. If you’d like to stay longer, your guide will be happy to give you recommendations!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
While hiking the hidden gems of Mont Blanc doesn’t require any special skills, you still need to be fit enough for hiking 10 km (6 miles) per day on average for 6 days in a row, while carrying a daypack filled with things you’ll need throughout the day. You can expect the elevation gain to be between 500 and 800 m (1,640-2,625 ft). Your guide can always make the day hikes easier or harder depending on the group.
If you’d like to take on one of Europe’s most iconic routes, check out our guided Tour du Mont Blanc trek or Haute Route trek. The Alps are also world-renowned for trail running, so maybe you’d be interested in this Tour du Mont Blanc trail running adventure or women’s trail running camp in Chamonix.
More of a winter type? Go off piste skiing in Mont Blanc or if you’re up for a real challenge, check out ski touring in Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc or alpine climbing the Mont Blanc massif.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in Mont Blanc can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
Due to many factors, the price isn’t final.
The starting point of your adventure is Chamonix in France. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport, about 1.5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a train or bus. Meet your guide and your team at your accommodation at 6 pm on day 1.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in France and Italy, please refer to France Diplomacy’s advice for travelers and foreign nationals, Italy’s COVID-19 travel regulations, and COVID-19 information by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
Day 1 of your hiking tour in Mont Blanc is reserved for arriving and settling in. Make sure to reach Chamonix by 6 pm, because that’s when you’re meeting your guide and your group at your accommodation. Once you’ve all gathered, have a welcome dinner at 7 pm. Get a good night’s sleep—the adventure begins!
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Kick off the trip by stepping through history—hike the geological trail of old Émosson, a trail with panoramic views and two high dams featuring traces of dinosaurs dating from 240 million years ago. Departing from the VerticAlp funicular, continue onto Lake Émosson and walk along it for about 1.5 km (1 mile). After the lake, go towards Gorge de la Veudale, where spectacular views await and very soon you’ll reach the famous traces of the dinosaurs. The return is via Vieux Émosson Lake to return to the same path to finish the hike at the top of the Émosson dam. Learn about the environmental context and the melting of glaciers. Return to Chamonix.
Meals: Lunch package or Barrage d’Émosson restaurant
Distance: 12,4 km / 7.7 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: 833 m / 2,733 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Today you’re doing a beautiful, 10.5-kilometer (6.5 miles) loop hike near Cordon in Haute-Savoie. You’ll appreciate the whole massif from afar and move into the pre-Alps area. Listen to your guide talk about the valley, the times of settlement, and how it grew popular. You’re going to avoid the crowds by going on this moderately challenging route, but still get those otherworldly views. Retreat back to Chamonix for the night.
Meals: Lunch package or Le Refuge, Cordon
Distance: 10.5 km / 6.5 miles
Hiking: 5 hours
Elevation gain: 819 m / 2,687 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Today you’re going to Lake Pormenaz surrounded by pastures and a mountain overlooking Servoz and Passy near the Moëde-Anterne Refuge. From a fountain, take the Route de la Côte until the first bend. Continue walking towards Gorges de la Diosaz and cross the Souay torrent. Go up, leaving the paths of the Tête de la Fontaine and the Bajulaz on the right. Follow a long, steep slope to a pyramid-marker to reach the Chalets des Alpages de Pormenaz. Cross on over towards the Chalets de Chavanne-Neuve towards the peak Pointe Noire de Pormenaz—where you’ll find geological curiosities— and then towards the Lac de Pormenaz.
Meals: Lunch package
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Elevation: +1,061 m / +3,481 ft | -839 m / -2,753 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Today you will start in Val Ferret and end up in Courmayeur. Stop along the way at the Bonatti hut, where you’ll have an Aperol Spritz with a view of Grand Jorasses! The hut was named after a legendary Italian mountaineer who helped set it up. You’ll have a leisure afternoon in Courmayeur’s downtown—don’t miss out on the local Focaccia and gelato! After a banger panorama of the whole Chamonix, it’s time to return to your accommodation in Chamonix.
Meals: Lunch at Refuge Bonatti
Distance: 7.2 km / 4.5 miles
Hiking: 4 hours
Elevation gain: 545 m / 1,788 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
Starting from Col de la Fenêtre, today you’re touring around Les Contamines-Montjoie—the only Nature Reserve in the whole Mont Blanc! Apart from strolling along quintessential Alpine scenery, you’re also visiting the charming village of Les Contamines-Montjoie. Set at the heart of a Nature Reserve, the village has preserved its historic appearance, its Baroque churches, and traditional architecture. More than 70% of old farmhouses have been renovated to honor the typical Savoyard style. Return to Chamonix.
Meals: Lunch at Refuge de Pres
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: 423 m / 1,388 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
The last hiking day takes you in front of the massive Bossons Glacier, Needles of Chamonix, Vallée Blanche, Les Drus, going towards the seracs of the Argentière Glacier and ending in Montroc. You’ll constantly be moving in nature reserves—their historical significance of being gaming reserves—and learning about their protection. Return back with a Planpraz telecabine and then a train from Montroc to Chamonix. Enjoy your last evening in this charming town.
Meals: Lunch at Refuge du Lac Blanc
Distance: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Elevation gain: 520 m / 1,706 ft
Accommodation: 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade
It’s time to say goodbye to Mont Blanc and the Chamonix area. If you’d like to stay longer, your guide will be happy to give you recommendations!