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8 Day itinerary in France, Europe

Tour du Mont Blanc in Huts

Circling the Mt. Blanc Range means hiking as close as possible to this legendary alpine giant without actually climbing it. Every day, enjoy so many new discoveries as you explore the different sides, cultures, and landscapes of the range: first through France, and then through Italy and Switzerland... Read More

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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

Hiking

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Outdoors & Nature

Food & Drink

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

A classic multi-day mountain hike.

2

Learn all about three alpine cultures as you hike through France, Italy, and Switzerland.

3

Hike to "Lac Blanc" lake included.

4

Overnights in spectacularly located mountain huts!

Itinerary

Standard ($) expand_more

Day 1

place Welcome in Chamonix !

Getting to the mountain town of Chamonix Mont Blanc is easy by train or shuttle. Once you arrive, settle into your comfortable hotel, stroll through Chamonix's quaint cobblestone streets, and relax before embarking on what will be a truly amazing through-hike.

Day 2

place From les Houches to les Contamines Montjoie

Distance : 11 km (7 mi) - Ascent : 650 m (2132 ft). Descent : 1250 m (4101 ft). 5 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.

From Chamonix take the Bus to Les Houches and then the Bellevue aerial tram. At the top (1,780m/5,840ft), stare in awe at the high peaks looming above as you stand at the foot of the standard route for climbing Mt. Blanc and the trailhead for day 1 of your tour. Start with a traverse to the Bionnassay Glacier. Next, hike through the beautiful alpine meadows that lead up to Col de Tricot Pass (2,120m/6,955ft). After a short break to admire the views of Contamines-Montjoie Valley, hike down a steep trail to the quaint rural chalets in Miage (1,559m/5,115ft). Finally, contour around Mt. Truc (1,811m/5,941ft) and then hike down into the village of Contamines-Montjoie, where you will spend the night.

Please note: it is possible to shorten this hike if you bypass the ascent to Col du Tricot Pass. An alternate route is described in the roadbook.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

place From les Contamines to les Chapieux via Bonhomme pass

Distance : 19 km (12 mi) - Ascent : 1250 m (4101 ft). Descent : 950 m (3117 ft). 6,5 hrs of hiking.

Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.


After a short transfer in the morning to Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge (1,210m/3,970ft), take the time to visit the renowned baroque church that marks start of the Roman road, the historic trade route used to travel from one mountain valley to another. The steady climb to Col du Bonhomme Pass (2,329m/7,641ft) presents a beautiful section of hiking along the far southern end of the range. The trail marks the boundary between the Mt. Blanc Range and the Beaufortain Mountains. The ascent continues to Col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme Pass (2,433m/7,982ft), which offers spectacular views of Mt. Pourri (3,779m/12,398ft). On the descent, hike through alpine pastures to the small hamlet of Les Chapieux (1,549m/5,082ft), typical of the area, where you will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4

place From les Chapieux to Courmayeur

Distance : 15 to 25 km (10 to 16 mi) - Ascent : 750 to 1250 m (2460 to 4101 ft). Descent : 850 m to 1800 m (2788 to 5905 ft). 5 to 7 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : Private room in Hotel. Included meals : breakfast. Meals not included : lunch, dinner. 

Transfer to Ville des Glaciers (1,800m/5,905ft). Make sure that you stop at the local farm along the way to learn about how world-famous Beaufort cheese is made. Continue your ascent through beautiful alpine meadows to Col de la Seigne Pass (2,516m/8,254ft) and the Italian border. From here, admire the jagged, steep side of the Mt. Blanc Range; the views are simply breathtaking! Legendary summits like Mt. Blanc de Courmayeur, Noire de Peuterey Spire, and the Grandes Jorasses appear close enough to touch. The descent takes you through Val Veny down to the foot of the Miage Glacier, with its peaceful lake and unique alpine flora. Make the short transfer by local bus to the upper to Courmayeur. 

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

place From Courmayeur to la Fouly or Champex

Distance : 15 km (9,3 mi) - Ascent : 850 m (2789 ft). Descent : 1000 m (3280 ft). 5,5 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain inn. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.

This short day at the halfway point on your tour offers the opportunity to take it easy and recuperate. After spending an unforgettable night at the foot of the Pré-de-Bar Glacier and Mt. Dolent (3,823m/12,542ft), start the day's hike with an ascent to Grand Col Ferret Pass (2,537m/8,323ft), where you cross from Italy into Switzerland. Take one last look back into Italy before starting the descent through Switzerland's gentle alpine meadows as you hike all the way down to the small hamlet of Ferret (1,740m/5,708ft). 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6

place From Champex to Trient via Bovine (option via Fenêtre d'Arpette)

Distance : 14.5 to 15.5 km (9 to 9.5 mi) - Ascent : 700 to 1200 m (2297 to 3937 ft). Descent : 800 to 1400 m (2625 to 4593 ft). 5 to 8 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain inn. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.

From Champex, start by hiking through the Swiss mountain pastures and alpine meadows known for the grazing cows that produce some of the Alps' most famous cheeses! From Bovine, enjoy incomparable views of the Rhône River Valley. We also offer an alternate hike: please be aware that this option presents a much longer and more committing adventure. Fenêtre d'Arpette (2,665m/8,743ft) is a spectacular high-mountain notch located near the Grands Glacier. Finish the day in the village of Trient (1,280m/4,199ft), where you will eat dinner and spend the night in a guest house.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7

place From Trient to le Tour via Col de Balme pass

Distance : 12 to 13.5 km (7.5 to 8.5 mi) - Ascent : 900 to 1150 m (2952 to 3773 ft). Descent : 850 to 900 m (2788 fto 2952 ft). 5 to 6 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain inn. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.

From Trient, hike up to Col de Balme Pass (2,191m/7,188ft) to cross the French-Swiss border. At the top of the pass enjoy great views into Chamonix and the valley below, as well as the spectacular panorama that includes Mt. Blanc, the Mer de Glace (glacier), and the Argentière Glacier. Hike down (or take the chairlift/gondola) the dirt roads and trails through the meadows and pastures to Le Tour (1,453m/4,767ft).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8

place From le Tour to Chamonix via lake Blanc

Distance : 12 km (7.5 mi) - Ascent : 1050 m (3445 ft). Descent : 600 m (1968 ft). 6,5 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast. Meals not included : lunch, dinner.

Enjoy a truly unforgettable hike on last day of your trip. Scrambling through the Aiguilles Rouges, with the Mont-Blanc Range just across the valley, means incredible views of the many glaciers and summits high above Chamonix. From Col des Montets Pass (1,461m/4,793ft), follow the balcony trail to Cheserys Lakes, all known for reflecting in their clear blue waters some of the Alps' most famous peaks. Continue to Lac Blanc (2,352m/7,716ft). Open your eyes, observe your surroundings, and look for one of the area's many alpine ibex. From here, walk down to Argentière or hike the balcony trail to Planpraz, where a gondola takes you down to Chamonix.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (7)
  • Dinner (5)

Extras expand_less

  • - The roadbook (as well as a map and reservation vouchers) for a 2 to 4 person group.
  • - Access to the new mobile phone application (including GPS guidance).

Not Included expand_less

  • - Transportation to the meeting point at the start of the trip and from the point where the trip off
  • - Transportation of your bags from an accommodation to another
  • - Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, lost/stolen baggage, or assistance.
  • - Lunches: at grocery stores or huts for your picnic lunches. As well as drinks.
  • - Public transportation and chairlifts/gondolas during the tour.
  • - Tickets to visit monuments or museums.

About Nolwenn

TEAM LEAD

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Expertise: 

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Skiing/Snowboarding

Hiking

Outdoors & Nature

Food & Drink

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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