Embark on a 12-day journey through the heart of the Alps and trek the high-altitude trails around Mont Blanc. With this classic and self-guided version of the Tour du Mont Blanc, you'll be aided by comprehensive trip notes, luggage transfers, comfortable lodgings (including a scenic hut!), and dedicated office support, ensuring a seamless experience. Along the way, savor delightful meals and immerse yourself in the rich cultural and historical tapestry of this three-country juncture. From Chamonix to Mont Blanc, this iconic route offers the quintessential Alpine adventure, making it an absolute must for any passionate hiker!
The itinerary below is a non-definitive outline of the adventure that may be altered depending on your desires and things like accommodation availability. It should also be noted that this trek follows the classic Tour du Mont Blanc route, which can be shortened/prolonged. You can contact us to make arrangements.
Your trip begins in the mountain town of Chamonix, famous for being the adventure capital of the Alps. Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, its cobblestone streets breathe adventure while also exhibiting Alpine small-town charm combined with French sophistication. Settle into your hotel and spend the evening exploring the town.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chamonix
After a hearty breakfast you will take a cable car connecting Les Houches with the Bellevue Plateau, during which you get to enjoy the panoramic views of the Mont Blanc Massif. After crossing the suspension bridge at the foot of the Bionnassay glacier, you’ll start trekking to Les Contamines. This usually includes passing the Col de Tricot (6,955ft / 2,120m), with a coffee stop at the Chalet de Miages at the foot of the mighty peak Dome de Miages (3,675m / 12,055ft), but a lower level route may be utilized. Spend the night in a charming local hotel in the French village of Les Contamines.
Distance: 15km / 9.3 miles
Ascent: 837m / 2,746ft
Descent: 1,520m / 4,985ft
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Les Contamines
Day 2 begins with trekking up the old Roman road to the picture-perfect 17th-century church of Notre Dame de la Gorge. From here your path goes uphill, past the Chalet de Barme (a perfect coffee stop!) and all the way to the Col de Bonhomme (2328m / 7,635 ft), where you will take a lunch break. Another climb—this time gentler—will take you to Col de la Croix de Bonhomme (2478m / 8,130ft), offering a great view towards the Vanoise National Park. After an additional 2 hours, you will have reached Les Chapieux, the location of your lovely chambre d’hôte (bed and breakfast).
Distance: 19km / 11.9 miles
Ascent: 1,348m / 4,450ft
Descent: 960m / 3,150ft
Walking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Bed and breakfast in Les Chapieux
A minibus ride will take you to the Ville des Glaciers. After crossing a river, you will head to the Refuge des Mottets, followed by a climb to the Col de la Seigne (2516m / 8,255ft). You are now stepping into Italy! Relish in the great views of Val Veny and Val Ferret, and see the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the other Chamonix giants. A descent past the Elisabetta hut takes you to La Visaille, where you will take a transfer down to the traditional Italian town of Courmayeur, where you will stay in a hotel.
Distance: 21km / 13 miles
Ascent: 1,004m / 3,300ft
Descent: 850m / 2,800ft
Walking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Courmayeur
Start the day of hiking with a steep walk up to the Bertone hut and the Mont de la Saxe ridge. If weather permits, you can opt for the lesser-traveled variant to the Mont de la Saxe ridge (2,555m / 8,380ft), up the Tête de la Tronche (2,584m / 8,475ft), followed by a steep descent to the Col Sapin (2,435m / 8,000ft). After another descent, you will also climb to the Col Entre Deux Sauts (2,055m / 6,740ft). It’s a long day of hiking, but you will be rewarded with stunning scenery, crowdless hiking paths, and great Italian-style dinner at the Rifugio Bonatti. You can also watch the sunset behind Mont Blanc before a good night’s sleep.
Distance: 17km / 10.5 miles + 12km / 7.5 miles
Ascent: 1,584m / 5,200ft + 860m / 2,820ft
Descent: 940m / 3,080ft + 700m / 2,296ft
Walking time: 7-8 hours + 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Rifugio Bonatti
Trekking over the Grand Col Ferret (2537m / 8,320ft), you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Grand Combin and Mont Dolent (the summit which stands at the juncture of France, Switzerland, and Italy). At the top of the col, your group will enter Switzerland. After a coffee stop at La Peule (time permitting) you will head to La Fouly, an Alpine village distinguished by traditional Swiss “chocolate box” chalets where you will stay overnight in a simple hotel.
Distance 20km / 12.5 miles
Ascent: 1,128m / 3,700ft
Descent: 1,580m / 5,180ft
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Simple hotel or bed and breakfast in La Fouly
A shorter day of hiking awaits you on Day 6. Winding through picturesque Swiss Alpine meadows and tiny villages, you will finally reach the resort of Champex, nestled alongside the eponymous glacial lake. You will lodge in a traditional hotel offering great local delicacies.
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Ascent: 711m / 2,330ft
Descent: 855m / 2,805ft
Walking time: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: 3* hotel in Champex
If you feel fit on Day 7, the path will take you to Fenêtre d’Arpette, the highest col on the Tour du Mont Blanc standing at 2665m (8,710ft)—a fantastic route famous for stunning views of the Trient glacier. Alternatively, you can decide to take the more laidback route via Bovine to the Col de la Forclaz (1,527m / 5,010 ft)—depending on the weather conditions and fitness of the group. You will stay overnight either at Col de la Forclaz or at Trient, depending on availability.
Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Ascent: 1,480m / 4,790 (or 570m / 1,870ft via Bovine)
Descent: 1,760m / 5,775ft (or 600m / 1,980ft via Bovine)
Walking time: 8 hours (or 6 hours via Bovine)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Simple hotel, usually with shared bathrooms
Today’s plan is to take another lesser-traveled variant which diverges from the official Tour du Mont Blanc—either via Les Grands or Les Tseppes, depending on where you stayed the night before. The alternative routes are worth the extra time and effort not only because few other hikers take them but also because of the truly spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes. Either route takes your group to the Col de Balme (2,195m / 7,200ft) at the head of the Chamonix valley (welcome back to France!). Going either via the Aiguillette de Posettes down to Tré-le-Champ, or straight down to Le Tour, followed by the Petit Balcon Nord, you will have reached Argentière—the location of your accommodation—in the afternoon.
Distance: 18km / 11 miles
Ascent: 1,200m / 3,940ft
Descent: 1,450m / 4,760ft
Walking time: 7-8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* hotel in Argentière
Taking a short stroll back to Tré-le-Champ, you will hike up to the Lac Blanc passing the beautiful Lacs des Chéserys (2,130m / 6,990ft), providing the best views of Mont Blanc found anywhere. While enjoying one of the best walks in the Chamonix valley, you will make use of a series of ladders and chains to skirt the cliffs—this is nothing to worry about and is not difficult at all! From the Lac Blanc, you will take the Flégère cable car down to Les Praz, followed by either a walk along the river or a train ride to Chamonix.
Distance: 9km / 5.6 miles
Ascent: 1,000m / 3,280ft
Descent: 550m / 1,800ft
Walking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Chamonix
Taking the cable car back to the Flégère, your hiking resumes at the same point you finished at the day before. Start the famous Grand Balcon Sud linking the Flégère with Planpraz. From here, you will climb up to the Col du Brévent and then up to the Brévent summit (2,525m/ 8,285ft), where you get to enjoy excellent views of Mont Blanc one more time. To complete the Tour du Mont Blanc, descend via Bel Lachat and Merlet in Ogre to reach Les Houches, followed by a transfer back to your hotel in Chamonix. After 10 days of hiking, you can finally call yourself a TMB hiker! You can celebrate your great achievements over dinner or by going for drinks somewhere in town.
Distance: 17km / 10.5 miles
Ascent: 772m / 2,530ft
Descent: 1,546m / 5,070ft
Walking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Chamonix
Your alpine adventure finishes after breakfast. Catch a flight back home or continue exploring the Chamonix area!
Meals: Breakfast
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
Even though Tour du Mont Blanc is not technically difficult, it is generally recommended for those with at least an extensive experience of longer day hikes on mountain trails and great fitness. You can expect up to 3,000ft of daily ascent and descent and hiking 10 miles on average for 6 or 10 consecutive days. Keep in mind that hiking can be made more difficult because of changing weather. Obviously, you will be able to take many breaks. Due to some more exposed sections, the tour is not recommended for those with severe fear of heights.
If you think you may not be ready for this trek at the moment, 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. By adequately preparing both physically and mentally for this adventure, the vast majority of the hikers can fully enjoy the challenges and rewards that this remarkable trek has to offer.
If you’re looking for a guided TMB adventures suitable for advanced hikers, check out this high-level Tour du Mont Blanc adventure and this more rugged version of the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Here’s a list of the equipment and clothes you need to bring:
Typically, the weather along the route is warm and fairly stable, requiring minimal extra gear. However, it’s crucial to bring all the items from the list due to unseasonal conditions that can occasionally occur. At least once every summer hikers witness unseasonal snow and heavy rainfall, with temperatures plummeting from mid-30s°C (86°F) to below zero (0°C/32°F).
For rain, waterproof jackets and trousers are essential, along with multiple pairs of gloves. In the event of snow, quality hiking boots, walking poles, warm clothing, and gloves are necessary. Sometimes hikers experience heatwaves, meaning that they need to be equipped with rehydration salts, 3-4L of water, and a sun hat.
Don’t underestimate the importance of proper gear; be well-prepared for any situation. You’ll be able to discuss your packing list with the adventure company prior to your trip.
One of the best things about this Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided hiking trip is that luggage transport is organized during the entire trip. You’ll have access to your luggage in the evenings, except for the night spent at Rifugio Bonatti. Keep in mind that your luggage (a travel bag or a small suitcase) may not exceed 15kg (33lbs).
Group sizes and prices:
Self-guided hiking along the Tour du 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% non-refundable deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 10 weeks (70 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
To get to the Chamonix, France—your starting point—most people fly into Geneva Airport in Switzerland 1.5 hours away. Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. If you’re looking to make the airport transfer hassle-free, we suggest checking out Mountain Drop-Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles.
The specific location of your hotel will be communicated prior to the trip. You’ll get a chance to discuss your arrival options with the adventure service during the booking process or prior to the trip.
It is obligatory for this adventure that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.
Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in France, Switzerland, and Italy please refer to the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affair travel information on France, Switzerland, and Italy.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!