Tour du Mont Blanc: Self-Guided

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a very popular walk and refuges sometimes get overbooked. This is just a guide to the route. Details may change and the actual refuges booked may vary from what is written here, dependent on client numbers, wishes and availability. This adjustment with refuges may alter the exact distance walked in a day so the itinerary should be used as an indication to overnight stops/distances.

We use long-established family run 2-star (equivalent) rustic hotels and refuges, which we have chosen for their stunning location. Most offer spectacular mountain views. They represent the country, culture and environment in which they are located. They are all clean, well-run and set up with the trekker in mind. The atmosphere is friendly and jovial – hikers from many nationalities gather to spend the night. Please be aware that room sizes (twin, double, triple or quadruple rooms) and facilities will vary from hotels to hotel and sometimes from room to room in the same hotel. On some nights, facilities are ensuite while others have the possibility, depending on availability and group size, of shared bathroom and toilet facilities. Some nights you may be in triple, quad or multi share depending on the size of your trekking group. Please refer to the itinerary for full details.

Arrive today in the mountain town of Chamonix. Dependent on your arrival timing you will meet either tonight or tomorrow morning with a RAW Travel representative for a briefing on your walk and what to expect. The day is free for you to explore the town and its amazing mountain surroundings. Take a cable car up the famous Aguille de Midi for spectacular views over the Alps or relax in the many street cafes offering excellent cuisine.

To commence your journey through the stunning landscapes of the Chamonix region, you will have the perfect vantage point to begin your adventure: the majestic Brevent. You will get there via the picturesque Col du Brevent, with your journey commencing by ascending the cable car to Plan Praz, a convenient and breathtaking start to your exploration. From the summit (2525 m), the view of the grandeur of Mont Blanc, is incomparable, however your day doesn’t end until you have descended the Brevent and hiked via Bel Lachat and Merlet before arriving in Les Houches for your overnight stay. Today includes some steep climbing, with some ladder and cable sections where careful footing is essential. For your effort you will be rewarded with some spectacular views.

Ascent 525m / Descent 1400m

Meals: B, D

Today you will start by taking the cable car to the Col de Bellevue, from where there are great views of the Aiguille du Gouter. A charming traverse passes right at the foot of the Bionnassay Glacier. A bridge across a river and then you will ascend up to the Col du Tricot (2120m) from where a zigzagging path leads you down to the Chalets de Miage before descending down to the Val Montjoie. If the weather is poor, you may decide to go via the Col de Voza and the low-level route to Les Contamines (this route is longer and easier, but definitely recommended in poor weather). Overnight in Les Contamines.

Ascent 1478m / Descent 1318m

Meals: B, D

From the village of Les Contamines, you will walk up to the Col du Bonhomme. The path at this stage leads gently up the valley to the beautiful church of Notre Dame de la Gorge, which will be a picturesque rest stop. The track that was originally constructed by the Romans is roughly paved with large slabs and flagstones. Once past the church, the path winds steeply through pines beside a narrow gorge, where the blue-tinged waters of the Torrent de Tré la Tête boil and thunder between smooth rock walls. You will leave the Val Montjoie to cross over to the Beaufortain Valley via the high Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and arrive at Les Chapieux via the Petit Mont Blanc pasture.

Accommodation this evening is in a refuge in a remote location and will be on a triple or quad share basis and bathroom facilities will be shared.

Ascent 1316m / Descent 929m

Meals: B, D

Climbing steadily through a narrow steep-sided valley you reach the summer cheese-making hamlet of La Ville des Glaciers. You will reach the Val d’Aosta via the Col de la Seigne (2516 m) where you can stand on the border of France and Italy and be rewarded with superb views in all directions. A path leads you around the Limestone Pyramids to reach the moraine of the Estelette Glacier. Rifugio Elizabetta is in a very dramatic location with glaciers spilling down the mountain behind it and amazing views of the Val Veny before you.

Your accommodation tonight is in a remote location with no public road access so, for today only, there is no luggage transfer possible. You will be self-supporting for this one night and reunited with your baggage in Courmayeur tomorrow. Travel as light as possible – just a change of clothes an a toothbrush!

Accommodation this evening is in a refuge and will be on a multi share basis (dependent on the number of trekkers in your group) and bathroom facilities will be shared.

Ascent 1004m / Descent 520m

Meals: B, D

Today begins with a small descent to reach Lake Combal. The way up to the Arp Vieille (2420 m) is easy and takes you onto a magnificent balcony. Mont Blanc sits enthroned above the Brouillard and Freney Glaciers and summits such as the Innominata and the Aiguilles de Peuterey – all epic names in alpinism. Descent to the col Checroui then onto Courmayeur for your overnight stay.

Ascent 460m / Descent 1560m

Meals: B

Today you have a full day to explore this Italian Alpine town, enjoy an espresso in one of the street cafes or take the incredible cable car ride from Le Palud to the point Helbronner at 3470m. There is also an excellent thermal bath and spa at Pre St Didier, just 5km away and easily reached by local bus. Or you could take a trip to the provincial capital of Aosta (1 hour by bus) with its Roman remains and medieval streets.

Meals: B

Leaving from the hamlet of Villair (1340m) is a charming forested ascent to the Bertonne refuge, then over a crest dominating the Val Ferret before reaching Tete Bernada (2534m). Here you will find yourself at the summit of one of the most beautiful lookouts on the whole Tour du Mont Blanc. There is also an alternative path which runs on the flank of the mountain to Refuge Bonatti on a glorious contouring trail with flower meadows, milky streams, and clanging cowbells while descending into the Italian Val Ferret.

Accommodation this evening is in a remote location and as a result, bathroom facilities will be shared.

Ascent 860m / Descent 700m

Meals: B, D

Today starts with an easy walk up the valley to Refugio Elena where the most demanding climb to the pass begins. The ascent to the Col Ferret (2537m) is steep but enjoyable. Crossing the Grand Col Ferret takes you out of Italy and into Switzerland along the eastern edge of the Mont Blanc Range. There are a few streams to cross today. The walk down into the Swiss Val Ferret is through pastureland and on a mixture of paths, tracks and through valais pastures to the charming village of La Fouly or hamlet of Ferret (1595m) where you will stay at either one overnight.

Accommodation this evening is in a remote location and bathroom facilities will be shared. Luggage transfers are also not included on this day so you will need to carry a spare set of base layer clothes and basic toiletries for the night.

Ascent 895m / Descent 1410m

Meals: B, D

After breakfast transfer via local buses from La Fouly to Champex, which is famous for its lake and the distant views of the Grand Combin. The classic Tour du Mont Blanc takes the Bovine route. This part of the trail passes near meadows, forests and then steeply up to the high alpine pastures and simple Alp building of the working dairy farm Bovine that overlooks the Rhône Valley. An hour and a half of easy walking followed by a rapid ascent in the forest and we are hanging over the Rhone valley and the town of Martigny. You will not be disappointed with this fabulous balcony and views of far-ranging mountains. Take a moment to enjoy spectacular views across to the Bernese Alps before a very pleasant and mostly downhill woodland walk that will take you to Col de La Forclaz.

There is a possible variation via the Fenêtre d’Arpette d’Arpette (2671m). This is the highest pass of the Tour du Mont Blanc at (2665m) and a tough climb up a valley and rocky slopes to reach the pass – reckoned by many to be the hardest part of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Spend the night in Trient (1271m).

Two local bus transfers required in the morning and accommodation this evening is in a refuge in a remote location and will be on a triple or quad share basis and bathroom facilities will be shared.

Ascent 742m /1199m, Descent 682m/1139m

Meals: B, D

The hike up to the Col de Balme (2131m) via les Herbageres brings us back into France and then you will continue with lengthy, yet gradual climb that leads to the Col De Balme, where a charming refuge sits at the pass. Superb Views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley stretched before you. Returning to the Chamonix Valley from here is a very pleasant walk. Col de La Balme is the furthest point from the summit of Mont Blanc enjoy panoramic views of lovely snow domes that will remain in sight for most of the descent into Argentiere.

Ascent 1069m / Descent 1778m

Meals: B, D

The path climbs mostly across forested slopes to the base of steep granite cliffs where in places a section of iron ladders are used to help negotiate the track. It is a superb walk along the Grand Balcon Sud, which is one of the most popular and famed sections of the path in the Alps with views of Glacier d’Argentière and the rocky spires of the Chamonix Aiguilles. This is the best place along the trek to see ibex which can be spotted from the path. The option to walk to Lac Blanc is well worth the additional climb as the refuge there offers incredible views and the glacial lakes are beautiful to relax by on a sunny day.

Return to Chamonix by cable car in the afternoon.

Ascent 1069m / Descent 1178m

Meals: B

The trip finishes today and you are free to stay on or make arrangements for your onwards travels.

Meals: B

• 2 nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix (with ensuite)
• 10 nights accommodation in small hotels or the best refugios available on the TMB (5 nights twin share accommodation & 5 nights triple or quad share)
• Meet and greet by local RAW Travel staff
• Breakfast & dinners as outlined above
• RAW Travel App and comprehensive track notes & map
• Luggage transfers all but 2 nights (you will carry only a day pack with spare clothes & minimal toiletries).
• Prices quoted are per person based on a group of 4 (minimum)

• Flights to/from your destination
• Transfers to and from Chamonix
• Cable Car on Day 2, 3 & 12
• Local bus fees on Day 10
• Dinners on Days 1, 6, 7, 12 and 13
• Lunches
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Travel insurance

Chamonix Valley Transfers is our preferred partner and bookings can be made via their website: https://chamonix-valley-transfers.co.uk/book/

This is for pick-up and drop-off at the international airport in Geneva to our base hotel in Chamonix.