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8 Day itinerary in France, Europe

Mont Blanc Huts Across France, Italy & Switzerland

This 8-day Mont Blanc hike starts in Chamonix and circles the range through France, Italy, and Switzerland, following historic alpine trails, high passes, meadows, valleys, and Lac Blanc, with maps, reservation vouchers, a roadbook, and GPS app access for a private self-guided trip.

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NolwennJulie

By Nolwenn and Julie

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Demanding
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, French

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Chamonix

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Rural home stays

Hiking

Meet local people

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Hike a classic multi-day circuit around the Mont Blanc Range

2

Cross France, Italy, and Switzerland and discover three alpine cultures

3

Reach Lac Blanc on a high balcony trail above Chamonix

4

Sleep in spectacularly located mountain huts

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Day 1: Arrive in Chamonix | Easy start before the hike

Travel to the mountain town of Chamonix Mont Blanc by train or shuttle. After you arrive, take time to stroll through Chamonix's quaint cobblestone streets and relax before the through-hike begins.


Chamonix Mont Blanc is one of the best-known alpine towns in the French Alps.


Day 2

place Day 2: Les Houches to Contamines | Bus, tram, pass, and valley descent

From Chamonix, take the bus to Les Houches, then continue on the Bellevue aerial tram. At the top, at 1,780 m (5,840 ft), you stand below the standard route for climbing Mt. Blanc and at the trailhead for day 1 of your tour, with the high peaks rising above you.

Begin with a traverse to the Bionnassay Glacier. Then hike across alpine meadows to Col de Tricot Pass at 2,120 m (6,955 ft). After a short break with views over the Contamines-Montjoie Valley, descend a steep trail to the rural chalets in Miage at 1,559 m (5,115 ft). Continue around Mt. Truc at 1,811 m (5,941 ft), then hike down into the village of Contamines-Montjoie.

Please note: you can shorten this hike by bypassing the ascent to Col du Tricot Pass. An alternate route is described in the roadbook.

Distance: 11 km (7 mi).
Ascent: 650 m (2,132 ft).
Descent: 1,250 m (4,101 ft).
Hiking time: 5 hours.

The Bellevue aerial tram gives access to one of the main trail areas above Les Houches on the Mont Blanc circuit.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

place Day 3: Contamines to Les Chapieux | Transfer, church, passes, and pastures

After a short morning transfer to Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge at 1,210 m (3,970 ft), take time to visit the renowned baroque church that marks the start of the Roman road, the historic trade route once used to travel from one mountain valley to another.


Climb steadily to Col du Bonhomme Pass at 2,329 m (7,641 ft), on a beautiful section of trail along the far southern end of the range. Here, the route follows the boundary between the Mt. Blanc Range and the Beaufortain Mountains. Continue ascending to Col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme Pass at 2,433 m (7,982 ft), where you get spectacular views of Mt. Pourri at 3,779 m (12,398 ft).


On the descent, hike through alpine pastures to the small hamlet of Les Chapieux at 1,549 m (5,082 ft), which is typical of the area.


Distance: 19 km (12 mi).

Ascent: 1,250 m (4,101 ft).

Descent: 950 m (3,117 ft).

Hiking time: 6.5 hours.


Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge is a well-known baroque church on a historic alpine route between valleys.


Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4

place Day 4: Les Chapieux to Courmayeur | Border pass and Val Veny descent

Take a transfer to Ville des Glaciers at 1,800 m (5,905 ft). Along the way, stop at the local farm to learn how world-famous Beaufort cheese is made.

Continue uphill through alpine meadows to Col de la Seigne Pass at 2,516 m (8,254 ft) on the Italian border. From the pass, take in the jagged and steep side of the Mt. Blanc Range. Legendary summits, including Mt. Blanc de Courmayeur, Noire de Peuterey Spire, and the Grandes Jorasses, appear very close.

Descend through Val Veny to the foot of the Miage Glacier, where you pass its peaceful lake and unique alpine flora. Then make the short transfer by local bus to the upper to Courmayeur.

Distance: 15 to 25 km (10 to 16 mi).
Ascent: 750 to 1,250 m (2,460 to 4,101 ft).
Descent: 850 to 1,800 m (2,788 to 5,905 ft).
Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours.

Col de la Seigne is one of the main passes on the Tour du Mont Blanc and marks the border between France and Italy.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

place Day 5: Courmayeur to La Fouly or Champex | Halfway day over Grand Col Ferret

This shorter day at the halfway point on your tour gives you a chance to take it easy and recuperate. Start the hike with an ascent to Grand Col Ferret Pass at 2,537 m (8,323 ft), where you cross from Italy into Switzerland. Take one last look back into Italy before descending through Switzerland's gentle alpine meadows all the way to the small hamlet of Ferret at 1,740 m (5,708 ft). Then transfer by bus to Champex, a charming village along a lake.

Please note: it is possible to add a balcony traverse to the village of La Fouly. This alternate route is described in the roadbook.

Distance: 15 km (9.3 mi).
Ascent: 850 m (2,789 ft).
Descent: 1,000 m (3,280 ft).
Hiking time: 5.5 hours.

Grand Col Ferret is one of the main passes linking the Italian and Swiss sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6

place Day 6: Champex to Trient | Bovine route or Fenêtre d'Arpette

From Champex, begin by hiking through Swiss mountain pastures and alpine meadows known for the grazing cows that produce some of the Alps' most famous cheeses. Via Bovine, you get incomparable views of the Rhône River Valley.

An alternate hike is also available. Please be aware that this option is much longer and more committing. Fenêtre d'Arpette at 2,665 m (8,743 ft) is a spectacular high-mountain notch located near the Grands Glacier. Finish the day in the village of Trient at 1,280 m (4,199 ft).

Distance: 14.5 to 15.5 km (9 to 9.5 mi).
Ascent: 700 to 1,200 m (2,297 to 3,937 ft).
Descent: 800 to 1,400 m (2,625 to 4,593 ft).
Hiking time: 5 to 8 hours.

Fenêtre d'Arpette is one of the highest and most demanding alternate crossings on the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7

place Day 7: Trient to Le Tour | Cross back into France at Col de Balme

From Trient, hike up to Col de Balme Pass at 2,191 m (7,188 ft) to cross the French-Swiss border. At the top, take in wide views over Chamonix and the valley below, along with a sweeping panorama that includes Mt. Blanc, the Mer de Glace glacier, and the Argentière Glacier.

From the pass, hike down the dirt roads and trails through meadows and pastures to Le Tour at 1,453 m (4,767 ft), or take the chairlift/gondola for the descent.

Distance: 12 to 13.5 km (7.5 to 8.5 mi).
Ascent: 900 to 1,150 m (2,952 to 3,773 ft).
Descent: 850 to 900 m (2,788 to 2,952 ft).
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours.

Col de Balme is a key crossing on the Tour du Mont Blanc between Switzerland and France.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8

place Day 8: Le Tour to Chamonix | Final hike to Lac Blanc

This is the final day of your tour. Hike through the Aiguilles Rouges with the Mont-Blanc Range directly across the valley, where you get remarkable views of the glaciers and summits rising high above Chamonix.

From Col des Montets Pass at 1,461 m (4,793 ft), follow the balcony trail to Cheserys Lakes, known for reflecting some of the Alps' most famous peaks in their clear blue waters. Continue to Lac Blanc at 2,352 m (7,716 ft). As you take in the surroundings, watch for one of the area's many alpine ibex.

From Lac Blanc, walk down to Argentière, or continue on the balcony trail to Planpraz, where a gondola takes you down to Chamonix, marking the end of the tour.

Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi).
Ascent: 1,050 m (3,445 ft).
Descent: 600 m (1,968 ft).
Hiking time: 6.5 hours.

Lac Blanc sits in the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve, opposite the Mont Blanc massif.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (7)
  • Dinner (5)

Extras expand_less

  • Map
  • Roadbook for a 2 to 4 person group
  • Reservation vouchers
  • Access to the new mobile phone application
  • GPS guidance

Not Included expand_less

  • Mandatory travel insurance
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Transportation to the meeting point at the start of the trip
  • Transportation from the point where the trip off
  • International flights to and from destination
  • Lunches
  • Drinks
  • Public transportation during the tour
  • Chairlifts during the tour
  • Gondolas during the tour
  • Tickets to visit monuments & museums

About Nolwenn

TEAM LEAD

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Expertise: 

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Skiing/Snowboarding

Hiking

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

From Sea to Summit Born in Normandy, Bred in different places in France and overseas, Studied in London, Worked in Australia, Settled in the French Alps.

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