France - Tour du Mont Blanc - the full route, 12 days

You arrive in Les Houches, where you check into your first accommodation. Dinner is included.

Note: Under "Practical info" below, you can get an overview of the entire route as well as the elevation profile of the tour.

Hotel (example): Hotel du Bois*** (double rooms)

The tour starts when you leave the cosy village of Les Houches. Take the gondola lift to Bellevue to avoid the first climb, for an easier start to the tour. The TMB route (Tour du Mont Blanc) passes through the forest area high above the Bionnassay valley and on through idyllic Alpine villages with stunning views of Mont Blanc and the foothills of the Alps. The view is dominated by the Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnassay mountains and the impressive glacier between them. Then it's first up the Col de Tricot and then down through a series of hairpin bends to the Chalet de Miage. The day ends with a beautiful riverside walk to Les Contamines.

Walking time: approx. 4-5 hours
Distance: 11km
+640m / -1275m
Hotel (example): Hôtel La Gélinotte** (double rooms)

The tour starts when you leave the cosy village of Les Houches. Take the gondola lift to Bellevue to avoid the first climb, for an easier start to the tour. The TMB route (Tour du Mont Blanc) passes through the forest area high above the Bionnassay valley and on through idyllic Alpine villages with stunning views of Mont Blanc and the foothills of the Alps. The view is dominated by the Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnassay mountains and the impressive glacier between them. Then it's first up the Col de Tricot and then down through a series of hairpin bends to the Chalet de Miage. The day ends with a beautiful riverside walk to Les Contamines.

Walking time: approx. 4-5 hours
Distance: 11km
+640m / -1275m
Hotel (example): Hôtel La Gélinotte** (double rooms)

After a short drive to Notre Dame de la Gorge, the hike continues up the Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme to the Chapieux Valley. The climb over the Aiguille des Glaciers offers magnificent views. You stay overnight in a mountain hut, where dinner is included*.

Walking time: approx. 6-7 hours
Distance: 15km
+1266m / -914m
Hotel (example): Auberge-refuge La Nova (dormitory or double room)

*In cases where double rooms in Les Chapieux are sold out, we will book a double room in a 2-star hotel in Bourg St Maurice instead.
From 1 July to 25 August there is a shuttle bus from Les Chapieux to Bourg St. Maurice. It costs about €6 per person each way. and takes about 25 minutes.
On other dates, a private transfer will be necessary. This costs € 190 per booking, and will be necessary for the trip to be feasible.

Hotel (example) in Bourg St. Maurice:  Hôtel Arolla**  (double room)

Today's route goes from Ville des Glacier over Col de la Seigne to the Italian side of the border. The views on this stage are unique, especially on the descent where there are panoramic views of the Aiguilles de Peuterey and Mont Blanc de Courmayeur. On this stage, you will have to carry your own luggage for the following day - your main luggage will meet you at the accommodation for day 5.

Note: This night it is only possible to stay in the dormitory.

Note: Luggage cannot be transported to Refuge Elisabetta on day 4. On this day it is necessary to bring what you need for the night. This means that it is necessary to bring a sleeping bag on this trip regardless of whether you stay in dormitories or in double rooms.

Walking time: approx. 5 hours
Distance: 15km
+730m / -315m
Hotel (example): Refuge Elisabetta (only dormitory)

This stage takes you up to one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the tour and on to the Chécroui Pass, after which you descend to Courmayeur, either on foot or by gondola lift. If you're staying in dormitories on the way, take the bus from Courmayeur to Val Ferret, from where it's an hour's hike to Rifugio Elena.

Vandretid ca. 4½ hours (if you stay in double rooms) - 5½ hours (if you stay in dormitories)
Distance: 16-21km
+550 eller +800m / -980m
Hotel (example): Hôtel Bouton d'Or Courmayeur*** (double room) / Rifugio Elena (dormitory)

If you have stayed overnight in Courmayeur on day 5, first take the bus to Val Ferret and then walk for an hour to get to Rifugio Elena. After crossing the Col Ferret, you will reach the cosy and very beautifully situated village of La Fouly in Switzerland, where you can enjoy the impressive views of the Grand Combin massif to the east and the Italian side of Mont Blanc.

Walking time: approx. 4½-5½ hours
Distance: 14-18km
+475m / -930m
Hotel (example): Hotel Edelweiss* in La Fouly (double room or dormitory)

Today's stage offers an idyllic hike in one of Valais' most beautiful valleys, where you can admire the characteristic architecture of the cosy villages. Then it's up to the village of Champex with the Lac de Champex and on to Val d'Arpette. On today's route you will walk for 5-6 hours, 600 metres up and 500 metres down.

Walking time: approx. 5-6 hours
Distance: 16km
+600m / -500m
Hotel (example): Relais Arpette in Champex (double room or dormitory)

On today's stage, you'll reach the highest point of the hike, as the route takes you over the Fenêtre d'Arpette (2,750 m). The reward, however, is the mountainous view as you descend along the Trent glacier. This stage will take you 7-9 hours, 1,050 metres up and 1,385 metres down.
If the weather forecast is bad, we suggest you take a shorter route via the Col de Bovine pass. If you choose this route, you will walk for about 5.5 hours, 800 metres up and 1,135 metres down.
If you are staying in a dormitory, there is an extra 20 minutes' walk to Trento*.

Walking time: approx. 7-9 hours
Distance: 13-16km
+1050m / -1385m
Hotel (example): Hotel de la Forclaz* (double room or dormitory)

*If you are staying in Trento, it's another 20 minutes from La Forclaz. hike -230m and 1,5 km. This distance is deducted from the hike on day 9.
Hotel (example): Auberge du Mont Blanc (double room or dormitory)

Today's stage takes you over the Col de la Balme and back to France with stunning views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte. On the descent you can choose between two different routes: one to Le Tour and the other to the village of Argentière.

Walking time: approx. 6-7 hours
Distance: 13-19km
+1000m / -1050m
Hotel (example): CAF du Tour (dormitory) or Hotel Le Dahu** (double room)

Dinner is included in dormitory accommodation.
For double rooms, only breakfast is included - and you must buy your own dinner locally.

Enjoy the view from the Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges before heading up to Lac Blanc and a string of unique natural experiences: Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, La Mer de Glace, Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Aiguille du Goûter and, last but not least, Mont Blanc. Then it's downhill to Chamonix via Le Praz. You can also choose to take the bus from Argentière or Le Tour to Chamonix.

Walking time: approx. 6 hours
Distance: 20-21km
+1235m / -1463m
Hotel (example): Hotel du Clocher Chamonix*** (double rooms)

This day is set aside for exploring Chamonix. If the weather is good and it's not early in the season (when there is a risk of snow), you can take the gondola lift from Chamonix to Planpraz and walk to Les Houches via the "Col du Brévent". You can also take a gondola lift from Planpraz to "Le Brevent" and hike down to Les Houches. Then you can take the train or bus from Les Houches to Chamonix.

Walking time: approx. 6 hours
Distance: 11,6km
+401m / -1477m
Hotel (example): Hotel du Clocher Chamonix*** (double room)

Departure after breakfast.