Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights Trek

A charming mountain town of Chamonix is the starting point for your adventure. Spend the day as you wish—wandering its cobblestone streets or tasting French fondue. You’ll meet your guide and your group at around 6 p.m. for a briefing about the trip, followed by your first dinner together. Make sure to ask the reception to give you the Guest Card, since it entitles you to free trains and buses in the Chamonix Valley.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or chalet

Start your day with a ride on the historic Mont Blanc Express train to the hamlet of Montroc. From there you’ll hike up to Lac Blanc, a tranquil Alpine lake with spectacular views of Mont Blanc. Now you’re in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, which means there’s a good chance of spotting ibex, chamois, and marmots. After you’ve taken in the beauty of the lake and had a break, descend to Flégère, take the cable car back down to Les Praz, then hop on the train or bus back to Argentière. 

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or chalet
Hiking: 6 hours
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9 km
Ascent: +3,280 ft / +1,000 m
Descent: -1,805 ft / -550 m

Start early with a transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge, above Les Contamines. Trek up the old Roman road from the chapel, believed to have been a route taken by Hannibal. It’s a steep uphill to start with, but you’ll soon get into your stride, and if you’re making good time, have a coffee break. Head up to the Col du Bonhomme for a well-earned lunch. What follows is a climbing traverse, often with snowy patches until mid-July, to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme at an elevation of 2,479 m (8,135 ft). Enjoy great views of the Vanoise National Park before a 2-hour descent to Les Chapieux.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Auberge or chambre d’hôte
Hiking: 7-8 hours
Distance: 10.5 miles / 17 km
Ascent: +4,423 ft / +1,348 m
Descent: -3,150 ft / -960 m

Take a newly cut path up to Ville des Glacier. If the farmer is available, you might even be able to try the Beaufort cheese that is produced there. After passing the Refuge des Mottets, start climbing more steeply towards the Col de la Seigne—standing at 2,516m (8,255 ft), it’s the second highest pass on the Tour du Mont Blanc. You have now reached the Italian border! From there descend past the Rifugio Elisabetta to La Visaille, where you take the bus to the vibrant Italian mountain town of Courmayeur.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Hiking: 6 hours
Distance: 13 miles / 21 km
Ascent: +3,295 ft /+1,004 m
Descent: -2,790 ft / -850 m

Start the day with a steep walk up to the Rifugio Bertone and the Mont de la Saxe ridge. If the weather is nice, you can take the lesser-trodden variant to the ridge by ascending the Tête de la Tronche, followed by a steep descent to the Col Sapin. After descending, climb again to the Col Entre Deux Sauts. It’s a long day, but the scenery is incredible and the route is more tranquil. Stay at Rifugio Bonatti and watch the sun set behind Mont Blanc.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Mountain refuge
Hiking: 7-8 hours
Distance: Longer route: 10.5 miles / 17km | Shorter route: 7.5 miles / 12km
Ascent: Longer route: +5,200 ft (+1,584m) | Shorter route: +2,820 ft (+860m)
Descent:Longer route: -3,085 ft (-940m) | Shorter route: -2,296 ft (-700m)

*There is a chance that you will not be staying at Rifugio Bonatti and in this case, you will have an extra night at a 4* hotel in Courmayeur. Shuttles back and forth will be provided and no hiking will be missed.

Kick off your day with a rising traverse, before descending to the head of the Val Ferret. Your climb up the Grand Col Ferret begins, which is the highest col on the route, standing at 2,543m (8,345 ft). You’ll see panoramic views of Grandes Jorasses, the Grand Combin, and Mont Dolent. At the top of the col you’ll cross the border to Switzerland, where—yet again—the scenery changes. Following a coffee break, leave the signposted TMB and head to La Fouly via a higher balcony path. La Fouly is a quaint Alpine village with traditional ‘chocolate box’ chalets. Transfer to the Swiss lakeside town of Champex.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 12.5 miles / 20 km
Ascent: +3,700 ft /+1,128 m
Descent: -5,185 ft /-1,580 m

You have two options today. If you’re feeling energetic and the weather serves you, take the Fenêtre d’Arpette, the highest col of the trip at 2,665m (8,745 ft). It’s a fantastic route with views of the Trient Glacier. Alternatively, you could take the normal route—via Bovine, to the Col de la Forclaz. Continue down to the valley of Trient, your Swiss base for the night.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Auberge
Distance: 9.3 miles / 15km
Hiking: 6 hours
Ascent: via Fenêtre d’Arpette: +4,870 ft (+1,484m) | via Bovine: +1,870 ft (+570m)
Descent:via Fenêtre d’Arpette: -5,775 ft (-1,760m) | via Bovine: -1,970 ft (-600m)

Today you’re taking another variant from the official Tour du Mont Blanc—a lesser-traveled route via Les Tseppes. The views are, once again, spectacular, and it’s a lot quieter. If the weather is bad, you’ll take the normal TMB route. Both of them take you to the Col de Balme and back into France. If you’re still feeling strong, you might do the Aiguillette des Posettes, and descend into the Chamonix valley at Tré-le-Champ. From there it’s an hour’s walk to Argentière along the river and through the old town. Another option is descending directly to Le Tour, where you’d take the Petit Balcon Nord into Argentière. Transfer to Chamonix. 

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or chalet
Hiking: 7 hours
Ascent: +3,940 ft / +1,200 m
Descent: -4,920 ft / -1,500 m

The adventure has come to an end. Say goodbye to your guide and your team. Leave Chamonix or stay a bit longer to explore it!

Meals: Breakfast