This 7-day high-altitude Tour du Mont Blanc trek is a more rugged, less-traveled, and shorter variation of the classic TMB. Offering the advantages of zero crowds and higher elevations, the 60-mile journey includes glacier crossings and a sense of accomplishment for experienced hikers. Imagine yourself climbing up a 9,450 ft (2,880 m) mountain pass, descending into a hamlet-dotted valley, crossing a glacier—and finishing the day in a premier mountain hut perched right below snow-capped peaks! Trekking through France, Italy, and Switzerland, treat yourself to a feast for the senses with crisp mountain air infused with the vibrant scent of wildflowers and whiffs of authentic local dishes—all paired with a quintessential Alpine backdrop.
The trek features less-trodden and higher paths than the classic TMB
Stay in remote scenic mountain huts perched at +9,000 ft altitudes
Experience the thrill of navigating icy terrain while crossing some of the most awe-inspiring glaciers in the Alps
Spend 7 days hiking along mountain paths, crossing high passes, and descending into picturesque valleys on a section of the Tour du Mont Blanc from Les Combines to Le Tour. Moving away from the well-trodden paths, you’ll walk at higher elevations and cross several glaciers. Another highlight are premier mountain huts you'll stay at each night, making for a more authentic mountain experience. You’re in for an all-inclusive hiking trip—you just have to show up! So lace up your boots and experience the Alps in a more challenging and unique way.
Meet your guide and fellow hikers at 9am in the car park for the Le Cugnon cable car in Les Contamines. We’ll start hiking along a small path through the forest; it will take us to the traditional Tré la Tête refuge. Depending on the conditions, we will then either take the high-level traverse or cross the glacier to reach the Les Conscrits refuge at the end of the day. We’ll enjoy a delicious meal at the refuge and spend time with the trekking squad in a more laid back atmosphere.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Tré La Tête mountain hut
Hiking: 6 hours
Elevation: 1,350 m (4,430 ft) ascent / 1,180 m (3,871 ft) descent
Start your day with a hearty breakfast. Our trekking today starts with crossing a glacier, followed by a scenic climb up to the Col du Tondu (2,880 m / 9,450 ft). The descent is a little more technical, albeit still enjoyable, with a few cables. Afterward, our group will head toward the Robert Blanc refuge, perched at 2,750 meters (9,020 ft) in the Vallée des Glaciers.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Robert Blanc refuge
Hiking: 8 hours
Elevation: 650 m (2,133 ft) ascent / 350 m (1,148 ft) descent
We’ll start hiking by following a beautiful high-level route leading us all the way to the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m / 8,255 ft) and a section along the classic TMB route. We’ll descend to Lac Combal and its distinct milky-blue waters before taking the traverse path to the refuge where we’ll stay for the night. Rising up proudly in front, we’ll be able to see the back of Mont Blanc, famous for its mountaineering history. Take in the spectacular views before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Mountain refuge
Hiking: 6 hours
Elevation: 850 m (2,790 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent
The fourth day of the walk starts with a descent into Courmayeur, a charming Italian town famous for quaint stone architecture and its scenic location. We’ll pass through the historic center of the town, eat a gelato and then climb back up to Val Sapin and the Bertone refuge. We’ll finish our hiking for the day with a beautiful panoramic traverse to the Bonatti refuge, one of the most famous mountain huts in the Alps, named after the famous Italian mountaineer.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Bonatti refuge
Hiking: 6 hours
Elevation: 1,100 m (3,600 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent
Ahead of us on today’s trail stands Mont Dolent, a famous peak on the border between France, Switzerland, and Italy. We’ll reach Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m / 8,320 ft) and enter Switzerland. This stage ends with a pleasant descent to the mountain pastures of La Peule and the village of La Fouly, nestled in the heart of the Valais canton. Today we’ll stay at an inn in the village with typical Swiss mountain architecture.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Inn in La Fouly
Hiking: 6 hours
Elevation: 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent
After a short transfer to Praz de Fort, we will embark upon a beautiful climb to the Cabane d’Orny, situated at an elevation of 2,800 m (9,185 ft). Enjoy the high-mountain atmosphere of this small mountain refuge nestled at the foot of the glaciers! Celebrate your achievements with your guide and fellow trekkers over dinner—our adventure ends tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Cabane d’Orny
Hiking: 6 hours
Elevation: 1,600 m (5,250 ft) ascent / 300 m (985 ft) descent
The high glaciers await you on the last day. There will be time to enjoy views of many lofty peaks surrounding you during our approach to the Le Tour glacier. Afterward, it’s time for the final descent above the Chamonix Valley that will take us to the village of Le Tour, the final stage of our trek. End the Tour du Mont Blanc in the village around 3pm. Say goodbye to your guide, fellow hikers and to the Alps—or continue touring on your own.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 7 hours
Elevation: 500 m (1,640 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
To participate in this high-level Tour du Mont Blanc guided adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You’ll be trekking 7 days in a row for up to 8 hours each day—with an elevation gain of up to 5,250 ft (1,600 m). There will be a couple of glacier crossings on this tour as well (a different high-mountain guide will accompany you during those). You should have strong experience of hiking in hilly and mountainous terrain and a good stamina. We suggest you adopt a training regiment in the weeks leading up to the trip, with long daily hikes in hilly terrain, as well as activities like jogging, swimming, playing squash, or circuit training. In short, you should practice by doing various endurance activities multiple times a week. However, you won’t be expected to walk at a fast pace, you will be taking multiple breaks each day.
If you are an intermediate hiker, you can check out the classic Tour du Mont Blanc Trek. If you are looking for a hiking adventure in the Alps suitable for beginners, check out the Mont Blanc hiking tour from Chamonix and the hiking adventure in the Julian Alps.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Keep in mind that the weather will most likely be warm and fairly stable, so there is a high chance that you’ll be able to hike in shorts and T-shirts and only occasionally put on other layers. However, there is always a possibility of unseasonal weather conditions with heavy rain, low temperatures and even snow. In short, being well-prepared is a prerequisite for a safe hiking experience during the high-level TMB trekking trip. You’ll be able to discuss the packing list with your guide before the adventure.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking the high-level version of the Tour du Mont Blanc can be arranged for larger and for private 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.
To get to Les Houches, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA). You will meet your guide at 9am in front of the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches. We suggest you arrive in the village the day before and stay in one of its hotels or chalets.
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, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Mont Blanc areas in France, Switzerland, and Italy please refer to France Diplomacy’s advice for travelers and foreign nationals, Switzerland’s official COVID-19 travel guidelines, and Official Italian Tourism Website.
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!
A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 1 month (30 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
