tour du mont blanc 12 day itinerary

Well and Good Travel

The Foolproof Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary: 10-Days

10 days of hiking in the Alps – the ULTIMATE wellness trip if you ask me. This Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided itinerary follows the traditional TMB route, includes tips, daily trail specs, and accommodation suggestions, and addresses some of the most common questions you might be asking yourself as you begin planning your tour.

The Tour du Mont Blanc, or the TMB, is a 105-mile (170 km) trail that circumnavigates Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe. The TMB is often considered one of the most beautiful through-hikes in the world, introducing hikers from around the globe to the exquisite and dramatic scenery of the Alps.

👉 Don’t forget travel insurance for this trip! I always use SafetyWing !

Want to save yourself a lot of planning time? Check out Skyhook Adventures’ 10-day guided trek if you want all of your accommodations, food, and transportation taken care of!

Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary 10 Days

This itinerary does not include, but I recommend, staying in Chamonix for a couple of days before and after your tour, first to acclimate and then to relax.

The TMB is broken up into “stages”. Traditionally, there are 11 stages but depending on how many days you want to trek you can find different versions of the stages.

During your planning, and your trekking, take all distance, time, and elevation markers or estimations with a grain of salt. Mileage on GPS and in guidebooks and blogs rarely match up, and there are a lot of variables that affect the accuracy of the time estimations. The trail markers seem to allot 30 minutes for every mile, but depending on your age, the weather, and what shape you’re in, that will be different for every person. For your own sake, just always assume you’ll have an additional mile or 30 minutes 🙂

Tour du Mont Blanc Trek Specs:

• Distance: 105 miles / 170 kilometers
• Route Type:  Loop
• Starting Point: Les Houches (traditionally)
• Direction: Counter-clockwise (although it can also be hiked clockwise)
• Total Elevation Gain/Loss:   33,632ft / 10,251 m
• Maximum Altitude: 8,500 ft / 2600 m
• Days To Hike: 7-12 days
• Countries: France, Italy, Switzerland
• Difficulty: Difficult (never flat, always up or down)

Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary Disclaimers:

• Most stages have alternative route options, or “variants”, as they are called. This itinerary follows the traditional TMB route, except for day 10. Refer to the recommended guidebooks for variant options.
• Some stages have options to use public transport and lifts/gondolas to accelerate and shorten the path. This itinerary discloses any shortcuts by calling out *SHORTCUT*.
• There are many mountain huts/refuges along the TMB to choose from. This allows for total personalization of your trek. The huts recommended in this 10-day tour du mont blanc itinerary are huts that I stayed in and will provide my honest opinion about.

Day 1: Les Houches to Les Contamines

Do not get off at the first stop in Les Houches – stay on until you see the Office de Tourismo (on your left). Here you will see the TMB starting point arch. Take a photo and walk onward for about 10 minutes until you see the “Telecabine Bellevue”. *SHORTCUT* This will cut off a 2600 ft / 800 m climb through the forest. Begin your trek at the top of this cable car.

You’ll pass through many towns and villages today, and you won’t feel very “out there”. The signage is decent, just make sure you pay attention and don’t pass any turnoffs. Use the guidebooks and GPS for support.

✔ Mileage: 9 miles / 14.5 km (if you take the cable car, 11 if you don’t)

✔ Elevation Gain: ~ 1000 ft / 300 m (if you take the cable car, 3550 ft if you don’t)

✔ Estimated hiking time: 5 hours (with cable car)

💤 Where to stay: Gai Soleil

Gai Soleil is a quaint and quiet hotel just off the main road in Les Contamines. There is a lovely yard to relax in after hiking all day. The rooms are basic but very comfortable with amazing views. Breakfast was great and there is wifi. I would recommend staying here.

Day 2: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

💪 This is one of the most challenging days of this 10-day tour du mont blanc itinerary.

Today you will climb over two Cols (mountain passes). You will see fewer towns and be pleasantly surprised by the beauty that is everywhere. Be prepared for lots of elevation gain and possible weather. It can get very cold (and wet!) at the top of the cols.

When you begin to descend from the second col, you’ll pass Croix du Bonhomme – a refuge. Stop here for hot chocolate or coffee but DO NOT stay here (outhouses, flies, no showers, etc).

BONUS: Look out and listen for lots of Marmots as you descend from Croix du Bonhomme!

✔ Mileage: 14 miles / 22.5 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 4500 ft /3000 ft down

✔ Estimated hiking time: 7 hours

💤 Where to stay: Auberge de la Nova

You will see the Auberge immediately as you descend into Les Chapieux (there isn’t much else here!). Try to get a private room if you can – unless you are fully comfortable sleeping in dorms. The dinner was one of the best dinners of the trek! Hot showers but no wifi or service.

Day 3: Les Chapieux to Rifugio Cabane du Combal

🌀 One of the most beautiful days of the trek!

Today you will get your first view of Mont Blanc from the trail and cross over into Italy via Col de la Seigne. To begin, take a bus from Les Chapieux to Les Mottets (NOT Ville des Glaciers).  *SHORTCUT* This will cut about an hour and a half of walking on a skinny paved road which made sense to us (and most others).

There is a small wooden information center in Les Chapieux, just outside Auberge de la Nova. You can buy bus tickets here – try and buy them the night before in order to get the first bus, otherwise, you may have to wait until the 9 am bus (or just walk).

BONUS: When you get to Cabane du Combal, continue on another 10 minutes to see Lac Miage and the adjacent moraine – you’ll see the signs outside the rifugio. If you sit and listen at the top, you’ll hear small rockslides happen every few minutes as a result of the melting glacier.

The All Trails map linked below maps you to Rifugio Elisabetta. A lot of people like to stay here but I saw the sleeping area and would highly recommend continuing on to Cabane du Combal. It’s another 30 minutes and 1.5 miles on FLAT gravel road. Definitely stop at Elisabetta for a cappuccino though. You’ll have to climb up their long and steep driveway but it is worth it!

✔ Mileage: 10 miles / 16 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 3400 ft / 1036 m

✔ Estimated hiking time: 5.5 hours

💤 Where to stay: Cabane du Combal

Cabane du Combal is a very sweet rifugio with large, clean rooms and the dinner was really very good. They tend to get herds of ibex hanging around (hence their logo), so be on the lookout! We saw several here 🙂 Lastly, there is no wifi or service here.

Also read: Tour du Mont Blanc Refuges: Everything You Need to Know

Day 4: Cabane du Combal to Rifugio Maison Vieille

🌀 One of the most beautiful days of this tour du mont blanc itinerary!

This was one of my absolute favorite days. It was a short day but SO beautiful. On several days you trek through villages and towns, but this day you are just in the mountains the entire time. You’ll be walking at eye level with glaciers and alongside grazing sheep and cows. Take your time and admire the beauty in every direction.

ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY: As much as we loved Maison Vielle, I recommend continuing past Rifugio Maison Vielle and booking a hotel in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is the largest town you will go through and a great opportunity to stay somewhere nicer, and it will balance out the distances on days 4 and 5. The Alltrails map below goes to Courmayeur.

✔ Mileage: 6 miles / 9.6 km (to Maison Vieille)

✔ Elevation Gain: 1900 ft / 600 m

✔ Estimated hiking time: 3 – 4 hours

💤 Where to stay: Rifugio Maison Vieille

As I mentioned, I would continue on to Courmayeur. However, if you choose to stay at Maison Vieille you can spend the afternoon lounging in lawn chairs and sipping on cold beers. This is a popular lunch stop for day hikers so it’s very busy and fun. They only have dorms – no private rooms, FYI. But, they do have wifi.

Day 5: Rifugio Maison Vieille to Rifugio Walter Bonatti

Maison Vieille is situated at the top of a ski lift. When you depart on day 5 you can either sleep in and wait for the ski lift to open at 9 am to take you down to Dolonne or you can walk down the very steep descent which will take you about 2 hours. * This is another reason to stay in Courmayeur because you can take the ski lift down in the afternoon the day before.

*SHORTCUT* We chose to save our knees and took the ski lift as soon as it opened. You have to take a Gondola following the lift which drops you in Dolonne. You’ll walk about 10 minutes to Courmayeur. Build in some time to walk around and get some coffee if you can because it’s very cute here.

Next, begin your ascent through a paved neighborhood and then into a popular wooded hiking area. Stop at the top at Rifugio Bertone for a snack and beverage and then continue on. Today is another day of hiking eye to eye with massive glaciers… in fact, you’ll be sleeping directly across from one at Rifugio Bonatti!

✔ Mileage: 9 miles / 14.5 km (from Maison Vieille)

✔ Elevation Gain: 3600 ft / 1100 m

✔ Estimated hiking time: 6 hours

💤 Where to stay: Rifugio Walter Bonatti

Rifugio Bonatti is situated directly across from a massive glacier – it is an unbelievable location. The rifugio is a little newer and offers dorms and private rooms that are quite comfortable and clean. The dinner was pretty good. You have to get a coin for the shower and only get 4 minutes. There is no wifi, but some service. Although, if you ask nicely the staff might share the wifi password.

Day 6: Rifugio Walter Bonatti to La Fouly

On day 6 of this Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, you’ll cross over into Switzerland. This is an absolutely stunning day of hiking, especially the climb to Grand Col Ferret (tough!). Prepare to see lots of rolling green hills, glaciers, cows, and sheep.

✔ Elevation Gain: 3200 ft. / 975 m

💤 Where to stay: Auberge des Glaciers

This Auberge is right in the center of town – as soon as you enter La Fouly you will see it. The rooms were cute (private) and the showers were hot! Dinner was delicious but it was an expensive auberge/refuge. Conveniently, there is a market right next door if you need to stock up on snacks.

Day 7: La Fouly to Champex

Day 7 is one of the easier days of this Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary. You will be in the forest most of the time. Look for wooden animal carvings along the whole trail. This day was very rainy for us – several people ended up taking the bus from La Fouly to Champex to avoid hiking in the rain. We were soaked by the time we got to La Fouly but ultimately we were glad we didn’t take the bus. You’ll pass through some really interesting and tiny Swiss towns today – not the most exciting day though.

✔ Mileage: 9 miles / 14.5 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 2000 ft. / 609 m

✔ Estimated hiking time: 4.5 hours

💤 Where to stay: Hotel Splendide

I had originally booked Hotel Belvedere, but when we arrived I was informed I accidentally booked it for the night before. They didn’t have room for us the night we needed it but it ended up being a BLESSING IN DISGUISE. Belvedere was very dark and dingy and the husband of the husband-wife combo was RUDE. We went next door to Hotel Splendide which happened to have a cancellation. It was such a treat to stay there. The rooms are sweet and gorgeous – amazing views and breakfast!!

Day 8: Champex to Trient

This day was challenging for us, mentally. Not incredibly tough but it felt very long. This was the easiest stage to get lost, in my opinion. When you leave Champex Lac, stay on the main road through town, following the TMB signs. If you turn off the road too soon you’ll find yourself in a maze of trails and the GPS is unreliable here. You’ll see a large boulder with “bovine TMB” painted on it. This is where you turn off.

When you reach Trient, continue on another km (15 minutes) to reach Le Peuty – it’s on the map.

BONUS: If you do the main route and not a variant, you’ll pass by Alp Bovine, a small unassuming rustic restaurant in the hills. The homemade tarts are AMAZING. The views and atmosphere are warm and authentic. A must-stop.

✔ Mileage: 12.5 miles / 20 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 2800 ft. / 853 m

💤 Where to stay: Le Peuty

I booked Le Peuty on a whim because it looked unique and fun and wow am I so glad I did. This was one of, if not the top place of all the places we stayed in this tour du mont blanc itinerary. The atmosphere and vibes here are unbeatable. There is a dorm above the kitchen, a huge field for camping, and one private yurt. I booked early enough that I was able to get the yurt and it was awesome. The BEST part of our stay though was hands down the food. Dinner was cooked fresh from scratch and could have come from a multi-star restaurant. Breakfast was equally as delicious. Best food and best vibes of the trip.

Day 9: Trient to Tre le Champ

This was one of our favorite days of the TMB. Our bodies felt conditioned to the daily grind and the weather and views were gorgeous. You’ll return to France today, via Col du Balme. It’s a steep ascent to the top so stop at the top for a coffee or beer (and photos!). As you reach the top you regain an unobstructed view of Mont Blanc and it remains in site the rest of the trek.

✔ Mileage: 10.5 miles / 17 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 3400 ft. / 1036 m

💤 Where to stay: Auberge la Boerne

The location of this Auberge is great, it’s very cute and rustic, unique, and has a very cool history. However, the dorm we stayed in was literally the size of a closet (not joking see pictures). It was fine – just funny. The dinner was also not very good – maybe the worst of the whole trip. All part of the experience though! I’d probably choose to stay here again versus hiking down into Argentiere if that’s any consolation.

Day 10: Tre le Champ to Chamonix

The final stretch! Today you will go through the “ladder section” which you will hear about during your TMB planning. It is a little nerve-wracking, but totally doable so don’t be deterred. If you have an intense fear of heights, you can avoid the ladders by doing the Col Des Montets variant.

We decided to take our first variant today and go to Lac Blanc. It adds on another hour or so and a bit of elevation gain but the views are worth it in my opinion. And the hike out of Lac Blanc is very cool and different from much of the rest of the path.

When you reach the ski lift, take it down to La Flegere, then continue on the TMB path to the Plan Praz gondola. This will drop you in Chamonix! Below is the trail map to La Flegere. If you want to do the Lac Blanc variant, just follow the signs once you get to the top of the ladder section.

There are a number of options to descend into the Chamonix valley (i.e. at La Flegere, Plan Praz, or further along) so decide what is best for you. We felt strong when we reached La Felgere so we decided to continue to Plan Praz. You do NOT need to buy lift cable car tickets ahead of time. However, make sure you get there before they close (5 pm).

✔ Mileage: 11.5 miles / 18.5 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 3200 ft. / 990 m

💤 Where to stay: Grand Hotel des Alpes

Treat yourself! Stay at the Grand Hotel des Alpes , in the center of Chamonix. They have an amazing spa with a gorgeous sauna and hot tub area (this was the major selling point for me). The rooms are stunning and the beds are amazing just stay here!!

Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary Planning Resources

Blog posts, facebook groups, the official TMB website, GPS and weather apps, and guidebooks are all of the resources you will need to plan and hike your tour du mont blanc itinerary.

This Facebook group is very active and super helpful. People share their experiences, share all sorts of tips, and provide a decently accurate picture of what the current conditions and situation is on the trail.

I carried Jim Manthorpe’s Tour du Mont Blanc guidebook (2nd edition) with me and while it is not always 100% accurate, the detailed maps and elevation and distance charts were really helpful. He also covers all of the different variants available to you.

The official TMB website is a somewhat helpful planning resource. It is also the only way to book some of the refuges so if you plan on staying in mountain huts you will need to utilize this site.

Meteoblue is a helpful weather app to have – again, not always accurate of course but it’s more detailed than weather.com.

Tour du Mont Blanc Alltrails

While not always accurate, alltrails was the best GPS app for us. There are a number of route options that are downloadable. This way, if you don’t have service (which you won’t) you can still use the map. Alltrails has all of the traditional stages mapped out, as well as variants, alternative stages, and the entire loop even.

You will need to create an AllTrails account. Search for your desired stage, crosscheck it with guidebooks to make sure it’s accurate, and then download it. While you are hiking you will be able to go into the app and click on the respective stage and the app’s GPS will follow along the route.

FAQs About the Tour du Mont Blanc Hike

If you are just getting started with your TMB planning, I’m sure you have a LOT of questions. Don’t worry, everything will start to make sense and come together. It seems more daunting than it actually is. Hopefully, this FAQ gets you off to a good start!

What is the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?

August. I hiked this tour du mont blanc itinerary August 13th-22th and it rained two of those days. Earlier August you may see less rain, but I think generally anytime in August is a great time to hike the TMB. It was in the 80s in Chamonix, but higher up on the trail it was perfect hiking weather (60s and 70s).

If you go in June, you may encounter remnants of winter, in July it may be scorching hot, and in September it could snow. That being said, the trail will be busy June through September.

How much water should I carry on the TMB?

At least two liters. Although, you may need three liters during the hottest months or if you are planning on hiking longer distances than most people each day.

I carried two 1 liter Nalgene’s (I am not a fan of camelbacks) and never ran out of water. There are several water troughs along the route to refill if you are running low, although I recommend that you never begin the day with less than two liters just in case.

There are some occasions, particularly towards the end of summer, when the water is not flowing in all of the troughs along the trail. That being said, we found at least one water refill trough at every stage – and usually several.

How far in advance should I plan my Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary?

Approximately, 6 to 10 months. If you plan on staying in refuges/mountain huts along the trail, you’ll need to book them well in advance. I booked all of our accommodations about 7 months ahead of our trip. If you plan on camping you have some more freedom to start your planning later.

Do I have to start the TMB in Les Houches, Chamonix?

No, absolutely not! Les Houches is the “official” starting point, and made the most sense for us because we wanted to spend time in Chamonix before and after our trek. However, there are several other starting points – pretty much any main town along the path can be a starting point. The only other starting point I would consider, personally, is Courmayeur.

How do I book the refuges?

The refuges, also called mountain huts, rifugios, and auberges, depending on what country you’re in, can be somewhat challenging to reserve. They need to be booked early if you want a guaranteed spot, and they all have different booking processes. For more information on how to book the refuges, refer to my post Refuges: Everything You Need to Know .

What gear do I need for the TMB?

See Tour du Mont Blanc Packing List [COMING SOON].

What To Expect on The Trail

• A variety of weather! Make sure you pack for every condition.
• Wildlife! Specifically, marmots, ibex, chamois, vultures, deer, sheep, cows, and goats.
• Crowds. The TMB is one of the most famous treks in the world, you are going to be hiking with a lot of people. There are days when you may not see many people, but most days you will see a lot. One positive is that it makes the trek feel very safe and is a great option for solo female hikers.
• Wild berries! You will find wild blueberries along much of the route, and occasionally some wild raspberries.
• Water refill stations. As I mentioned earlier, there are several water refill troughs along each leg of the hike. Make sure to always pack enough water for the day in case they are dry. Check Facebook groups to know the status of the water before you go.

Wrap-Up: Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary 10 Days

So, if you are on the fence about hiking the TMB, let me just give you a little push. Allow yourself to breathe in the freshest of air, to gravel at the massive glaciers all around you, to sleep in places so remote that the stars seem brighter and more abundant than any place you’ve ever been. Give yourself a screen break, clear your head, and meet amazing people from around the world. Eat fresh homemade food every day, and drink untouched mountain spring water.

Use this Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary as a starting point – take what works for you and customize the rest to your needs.

Jade Gershen is the founder of Well and Good Travel. She has lived on three continents and explored more than 20 countries in the past 10 years. U.S. based, she also shares her favorite places to go and things to do in the States. Having experienced the impacts of chronic stress Jade has a particular interest in using travel and outdoor adventure to improve well-being and shares that with her readers.

The Ultimate Guide to the Tour du Mont Blanc

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the world’s most iconic treks. Frequently referred to as the ‘TMB’ for short, the Tour du Mont Blanc circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif and takes trekkers through France, Italy, and Switzerland over the course of 11 stages. Along the way you’ll experience stunning valleys, high-mountain passes, incredible cuisine, and some of the best hiking in the world.

This guide is designed to be the perfect planning companion for your own Tour du Mont Blanc adventure. We’ve included everything you need to know to have a spectacular trip in one place, so you can be sure you’ve thought of everything. Read it through in a single go or jump to a specific section below, but rest assured knowing you’ve found the best resource on the internet for planning your Tour du Mont Blanc trek. Let’s get started!

In this Tour du Mont Blanc Guide

• How long is the Tour du Mont Blanc?
• How difficult is the Tour du Mont Blanc?
• Which direction should I hike?
• When should I hike the TMB?
• Designing your TMB Itinerary
• Shortcuts, detours, and rest days on the TMB
• Stage-by-stage Itinerary for the Tour du Mont Blanc

Tour du Mont Blanc Accommodation

• Getting to Les Houches from Geneva
• Getting to Champex from Geneva
• Luggage storage and transfer on the TMB
• Weather on the TMB
• Food and drink on the TMB
• Maps & Guidebooks
• Budgeting and money
• What to pack for the TMB
• How to train for the Tour du Mont Blanc

Everything you need to plan your TMB – all in one place.

Whether you prefer mountain huts or hotels, fastpacking or meandering, or something in between, we’ve got you covered.  Our Guide to the Tour du Mont Blanc  is the ultimate tool to help you plan your perfect trip.

When you purchase a guide, you’ll get instant access to all the information you need to plan your trip in our planning portal as well as in a downloadable PDF eGuide.

• Planning Portal Access: Get instant access to our online trip planning portal complete with 9-day, 11-day, and 12-day TMB itineraries.
• Accommodation Insights:  You’ll get information on accommodation options for every stage, including where to book when popular huts are fully booked!
• GPS Maps:  Every guide comes with custom GPS maps for three different itineraries. Download the maps for offline use so you’ll always be able to find your next campsite.
• Expert Advice:  Find detailed maps for every stage, accommodation & booking information, packing lists, and much more.

We’re confident this is the best resource available for camping on the Tour du Mont Blanc.  Pick up your guide below and if you’re not satisfied for any reason we’ll give you a full refund!

( 100% Money Back Guarantee )

About the Tour du Mont Blanc

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is a 170-km trek that circles the Mont Blanc massif. The route is traditionally walked in the anti-clockwise direction over 11-stages. The TMB starts and finishes in the French village of  Les Houches , which sits adjacent to the popular mountain town of  Chamonix . Along the way the trail passes through seven unique and beautiful valleys, where charming hamlets and regional delicacies abound. Between the valleys, the route traverses   a rugged mountain landscape and stunning high alpine scenery.

 The TMB is one of the most popular long-distance treks in Europe, with over 10,000 hikers per year embarking on their own walk around Mont Blanc. It is easy to understand why when considering the  ease of access to the trek , plentiful  accommodation options , and the fact that the route is  achievable by most reasonably fit walkers . The closest major city to the TMB is Geneva, Switzerland, located  just a few hours north by train or bus . 

The route passes through seven mountain valleys (Val d’Arve, Val d’Montjoie, Vallee des Glaciers, Val Veny, Italian Val Ferret, Swiss Val Ferret, and Vallee du Trient) and visits charming alpine hamlets as it winds its way around Mont Blanc. Contrary to what many believe, the TMB does not go through the iconic French mountain town of Chamonix, instead taking a trail high-above this famed destination.

Want to see the entire TMB in three minutes? The fly through video below will take you along the entire circuit, providing a helpful overview of the trek.

How Long is the Tour du Mont Blanc?

The short answer: it depends!  The Tour du Mont Blanc has many variations and route options as it makes its way around Mont Blanc.  These variations include options to tackle challenging mountain passes (see the  Fenetre d’Arpette ), visit crystal clear mountain lakes (such as  Lac Blanc ), or to simply avoid some of the more challenging sections of the hike. However, the classic TMB route is approximately 170-kilometers long. Taking alternate routes may lengthen or shorten your total distance, depending on the routes chosen.  Throughout the trek, you’ll have options to walk less or more depending on the weather, your preferences, and the conditions encountered on the trail.

How Difficult is the Tour du Mont Blanc?

If you are  reasonably fit and have some trekking experience , you should be well-suited to the physical challenges of the TMB. It is a tough trek that involves  long, steep ascents and descents on nearly every stage , but it isn’t too technically demanding. Remember, the Tour du Mont Blanc is a hike not a climb! Trekkers should be prepared for long days of hiking with plenty of elevation change, but frequent services along the route make it more approachable.  Weather can add to the challenge , and hikers should be prepared to encounter rain and even snow at any time.

Many of the  stages of the TMB  are structured such that you’ll begin your hike from the valley floor, trek up and over a mountain pass, and then descend into the next valley to finish the day. This provides a nice rhythm to the Tour du Mont Blanc but can also make for some difficult days. Make sure you have healthy knees, as the downhill sections can take their toll! All that being said we truly believe that most  walkers who  invest a bit of time in training and preparation  can complete the Tour du Mont Blanc with no problems and have a great time doing it!  Our best advice is to be sure you are in good physical condition and also make sound decisions when you encounter bad weather or snow.

Get The FREE TMB Essentials Handbook

Our free PDF guide covers all the basics – when to hike, accommodation, typical costs, and more!

Your TMB Essentials Booklet will be emailed to you shortly. 

Planning Your Perfect Tour du Mont Blanc

Now that you have a bit of background on the TMB let’s get to the heart of this guide: helping you plan your perfect Tour du Mont Blanc! First, we’ll start with some basics such as  which direction  you should hike in and  what time of year  will be best for you to tackle the TMB. Then we’ll dive into some more in-depth considerations such as  designing your perfect itinerary  and selecting your  accommodation . Let’s get started!

Which Direction Should I Hike the TMB?

The TMB is traditionally hiked in an anti-clockwise direction beginning in the French town of Les Houches, adjacent to Chamonix. It is also possible to walk the route in a clockwise direction, and trekkers headed this way typically start in the Swiss town of Champex-Lac . Below we’ve outlined some pros and cons of hiking in each direction.  

Anti-Clockwise (starting in Les Houches, France)

• Follows the classic route, good if you’re a sucker for tradition.
• Begins near Chamonix, which is easier to get to from the Geneva Airport than Champex.
• Rewards hikers with jaw-dropping views of Mont Blanc on the final stage.
• More people hike in this direction, so the trail could feel more crowded throughout the day.

Clockwise (starting in Champex, Switzerland)

• Fewer hikers walking in the same direction as you.
• The first few stages are a bit mellower, allowing you to get acclimated before tackling the tougher sections.
• You’ll meet different people at each stop along the way.
• You’ll pass a large wave of people walking in the opposite direction each day, which can get tight on narrow trails.
• Champex (your starting point) has fewer amenities and is less conveniently connected by public transport than Les Houches. If you want to start in Les Houches and hike clockwise, be warned that the first day involves a very challenging climb, which can be a tough way to begin your trek.

All things considered, you will be sure to have a great time on the TMB regardless of which direction you choose to hike in. Think through your options and make the best decision for yourself!

When Should I Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?

The hiking season for the TMB generally lasts from late June through mid-September. July and August are the busiest months, and  accommodation  (with the exception of camping) must be booked in advance. There’s a chance you could get away without advance bookings in June and September, but we still wouldn’t recommend it.

June : Early in the season, you are likely to encounter snow on the trail. Depending on the snow levels, there could be sections that will be impassible and you may need to reroute. Otherwise, expect cool evenings, bright sunny days, and less crowded trails. Keep in mind that most mountain refuges don’t open until late June.

July : Hikers could still encounter some snow along the trail, but chances of significant snow will diminish as the month wears on. Expect beautiful warm days and abundant wildflowers. This is a popular month to hike.

August : Another busy month on the trail, hikers can expect snow-free paths and warm, sunny weather. The end of August brings the  Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc trail race . Although the atmosphere during the race week is incredible, we recommend you try to avoid hiking during the UTMB to avoid crowds and logistical challenges.

September : Expect shorter days and increasingly chilly weather. This is a beautiful time to be on the trail and less crowded, although some accommodation providers may be closed for the season.

The bottom line : The best (and safest) time to hike the TMB is from late-June through early September. You’ll need to make advance bookings if you plan to hike during this time frame.

Designing Your TMB Itinerary

Now that you have a sense of which direction you’ll plan to hike in as well as which month you’ll embark of your trip it’s time to start thinking about your specific itinerary! As we’ve mentioned, the Tour du Mont Blanc in traditionally hiked over the course of 11 days, which will be a great pace for many hikers. However, there are certainly those who will want to tackle the trail in fewer days or savor their time in the Alps and extend their hike over the course of two weeks or more! 

Whatever you choose be sure to consider your personal abilities, how much time you’ll have, and what you want your typical days on the TMB to look like. Given the amount of  accommodation options  on the TMB your itinerary possibilities are nearly endless! Checkout our general guidelines below as well as our  stage-by-stage itinerary  for the traditional 11-day Tour du Mont Blanc circuit to get some ideas of your own. Here are our general guidelines for thinking about how many days you’ll need to complete the TMB:

• 8-10 days : Fast pace (8 – 10 hours of hiking each day)
• 10-11 days : Average pace (without a rest day) (6-8 hours of hiking each day)
• 11-12 days : Average pace (with a rest day) (6 – 8 hours of hiking each day)
• 12-14 days : Leisurely pace (6 – 7 hours of hiking each day)

Shortcuts, Detours, and Rest Days on the TMB

One of the great things about trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc is the ability to alter your route based on the conditions encountered. Bad weather, injuries, fatigue, burnout, limited time; there are countless reasons why you may need to use alternative means of transportation to get from one point of the TMB to another. Fortunately, the trail rarely strays too far from civilization, meaning you have tons of options along the way for when you need them. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common detours and shortcuts used on the TMB, as well as a few great resources for problem-solving your unique situation.

Bellvue Cable Car:  This option allows you to eliminate the lion’s share of the climb out of Les Houches on the traditional (anti-clockwise)  first stage of the trek . Once you get to the top, follow the signs a short way to rejoin the main trail.

La Maison Vielle Cable Car (and chairlift):  If you’d like to avoid the knee-wrenching descent into Courmayeur ( Stage 4 ), you can take a chairlift from La Maison Vieille down to Plan Chécrouit, where there’s a cable car that terminates in the town of Dolonne, across the river from Courmayeur. You can take a bus from Dolonne to Courmayeur if needed, otherwise it’s just a short walk.

La Flégère Cable Car:  This gondola departs directly next to Refuge la Flégère and ends in the village of Les Praz. From there, it’s possible to take a bus or taxi back to Chamonix. This is a good option if you need to  cut out the final day of the TMB , or if you want to hike in reverse and avoid the long, long climb out of Les Houches. You could also take the cable car down into Les Praz for more accommodation and services at this stage, and then take it back up the next morning to continue your trek.

La Chapelle to Notre Dame de la Gorge Navette : This free shuttle bus, or “navette,” runs from La Chapelle (a short walk from the trail on the outskirts of Les Contamines) to  Notre Dame de la Gorge  (at the beginning of  Stage 2 ). This means you can pick it up at the end of  Stage 1  to cut out the last hour or so of walking before reaching Les Contamines, and you can also take it from Les Contamines to Notre Dame de la Gorge on the next day to get a bit of a head start (30-60 minutes, depending on where you stay in Les Contamines).

Les Chapieux to Refuge des Mottets Navette : This shuttle allows you to avoid about 2 hours of road walking at the beginning of  Stage 3 . It only costs a few euros to ride, and you can pick it up at the tourist information office in Les Chapieux. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance (do so the previous day, at the tourist office), as the shuttle fills up quickly in the mornings!

Arriva Bus-In and around Courmayeur:  This is the bus network you’ll use if you need to take any alternative transportation in Val Ferret or Val Veny (the two valleys in the surrounding area). You can take a bus from La Visaille to Courmayeur to cut out the final hour of walking on  Stage 4 . This bus can also be used to reach  campgrounds  that are not located directly on the TMB route. Additionally, you can use the Savda bus to get to either La Fouly or Champex (although you will need to transfer in Orsières and take a Post Bus the remainder of the journey).

TMR/SBB Bus La Fouly to Champex:  You can get from La Fouly to Champex (effectively cutting out all of Stage 7) by bus. You’ll need to take line 272 from La Fouly to Orsières, where you’ll transfer to the 271 that will take you to Champex. Service is relatively frequent and easy to navigate.

SBB Train from Champex to Trient:  It’s relatively easy and straightforward to take the Swiss SBB train from Champex to Trient, effectively cutting out all of Stage 8. You need to utilize the local bus in Champex and may need to transfer a few times on the way, but Swiss trains really do live up to their reputation for being timely and efficient. 

Keep in mind that there are many more transportation options along the TMB!  We’ve simply listed a few of the most common and straightforward ones. If you need to find a specific detour, we recommend using  Rome2Rio  or  Google Maps  as a starting point. PostBus and SBB also have excellent apps that can be used to plan trips and buy tickets. 

NOTE: Many of the buses and cable cars only run during the peak months of the hiking season (July and August). Make sure that you check the websites and timetables before planning to use any of the options listed above.

Stage-by-Stage Itinerary for the Tour du Mont Blanc

We recommend most hikers take between 10-12 days to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, depending on their hiking ability, pace preferences, and weather conditions.  The classic itinerary described below takes 11 days to complete and will be the best option for the majority of hikers.  We’ve given you a brief overview of each of the classic eleven stages, as hiked in the anti-clockwise direction. While your specific itinerary may look different, it’s still helpful to look over these stage descriptions to get an idea of what you can expect on the trail.

Be sure to check out our interactive map and elevation profile to get a comprehensive understanding of all of your options!

Stage 1: Les Houches to Les Contamines

• Distance & Elevation:  17 km // +1,112 m, -902 m
• Estimated hiking time:  5 – 6 hours
• Where to stay:   Chalet-Hôtel La Chemenaz

Description:  This stage is a perfect introduction to the TMB. It’s not too technical or demanding, yet it still gives walkers a decent challenge. You’ll start by climbing fairly steeply up out of Les Houches and past a ski area before topping out at  Col de Voza . From the Col, you’ll descend along dirt then paved roads while enjoying incredible views of the surrounding glaciers and aiguilles. Continue along the road through some very quaint hamlets, before veering off onto a trail (pay attention-this is easy to miss). You’ll end this stage by walking along a mellow riverside path all the way to Les Contamines.

Stage 2: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

• Distance & Elevation:  19 km // +1,440 m, -1,024 m
• Estimated hiking time:  7 – 8 hours
• Where to stay:   Auberge de la Nova

Description:  Start this stage by passing by the  Baroque chapel of Notre Dame de la Gorge . From there, you’ll follow an old Roman road steadily uphill before getting a break when the trail levels out and passes through open meadowland. After that, prepare for another steep climb, much of it on stony steps and scree, up first to the saddle of Col du Bonhomme, and then even higher to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. Here you’ll find the  Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme , which makes a great spot to enjoy a break and small meal. Early in the season, it’s common to encounter snow on this section.

Upon reaching the summit of Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, begin your descent towards Les Chapieux. The trail on the way down begins as a steep footpath, eases to join a jeep road for a bit, and then finishes with steep zigzags through a pasture above Les Chapieux.

Stage 3: Les Chapieux to Rifugio Elisabetta

• Distance & Elevation:  14 km // +1,079 m, -480 m
• Where to stay:   Rifugio Elisabetta

Description:  Choose to begin this stage with either a couple of miles of road walking, or by short-cutting it on a bus to  Refuge des Mottets . From the refuge, you’ll begin a relatively short and easy climb to the Col de la Seigne. Reaching the Col is special for a few reasons. First it marks the first of three international borders that you’ll cross on your trek. Standing at the top of the Col, you can look back towards France while also gazing ahead into Italy. Additionally, the wide-open views here are downright marvelous. From Col de la Seigne, enjoy a mellow descent to Rifugio Elisabetta.

Stage 4: Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur

• Distance & Elevation:  16 km // +603 m, -1,536 m
• Where to stay:   Maison La Saxe

Description:  As indicated by the elevation statistics, this stage is dominated by a very long and steep descent into Courmayeur. Before beginning that section, however, you’ll cross through the expansive Vallon de la Lee Blanche, where Lac Combal reflects the magnificent surrounding peaks. From there, you’ll climb for awhile on an undulating path to reach Col Chécrouit, where the path begins its long downhill trajectory.

After passing a few ski areas (options to take the cable car down may be available), you’ll complete numerous switchbacks through the woods until you reach the quaint town of Dolonne. Walk through the town of Dolonne and cross the river to enter Courmayeur. Enjoy a wide arrange of excellent food and luxurious accommodation in Courmayeur. This is also a great place to take a rest day.

Stage 5: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti

• Distance & Elevation:  12 km // +1,225 m, -415 m
• Estimated hiking time:  5 hours
• Where to stay:   Rifugio Bonatti

Description:  The views along this stage are some of the most spectacular of the entire walk, but you have to earn them with a very steep climb at the outset. You’ll enjoy the satisfaction of watching Courmayeur grow ever smaller down below you as you zigzag your way up the hillside to Rifugio Bertone.

From the Rifugio, you’ll enjoy an undulating, mellow walk with unparalleled views of Col de la Seigne, Aiguille Noire, Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses. It’s an incredible experience to look back and see Col de la Seigne far in the distance, knowing you’ve traversed such an expanse in just a few days with your own two feet. The beautiful views continue to abound all the way until you reach Rifugio Bonatti, an atmospheric and memorable place to spend the night.

Stage 6: Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly

• Distance & Elevation:  19 km // +1,032 m, -1,456 m
• Estimated hiking time:  6 – 7 hours
• Where to stay:   Hotel Edelweiss

Description:  This stage rewards hikers with another border crossing and more tremendous views. The walk begins with a relatively flat path that crosses a lovely hillside. Eventually, you’ll descend into Val Ferret (the Ferret Valley) before beginning a steep climb past Rifugio Elena and up further until you finally reach the Grand Col Ferret. At the top of the pass, you’ll enjoy your first views of Switzerland as well as phenomenal views of majestic peaks in every direction. It’s all downhill from there, much of which is pretty manageable, save for a few steep sections. There’s a rather uninspiring stretch of road walking at the very end of the day, but the charming town of  La Fouly  makes it all worth it.

Stage 7: La Fouly to Champex

• Distance & Elevation:  15 km // +729 m, -860 m
• Estimated hiking time:  4 – 5 hours
• Where to stay:  Au Vieux Champex

Description:  All of the guidebooks will tell you that this is the easiest day of the TMB (which is technically true), but don’t expect this stage to be completely effortless. Sometimes the “easiest” days can end up feeling really tough if we go into them with too cavalier a mindset. The first two thirds of this stage are quite mellow indeed; you’ll wind your way gently downhill through a quintessential Swiss valley filled with small farms and picturesque hamlets.

A substantial climb to Champex waits for you at the end of the stage, however. Even though it really is much less strenuous than the ascents of previous stages, it can be a shock to the body at the end of the day. Fortunately, the trail stays in the shade of the trees for much of the way up, and you’ll also get to experience the many wooden sculptures that are interspersed throughout the woods.

Stage 8: Champex to Col de la Forclaz

• Distance & Elevation:  14 km // +1,125 m, -1,066 m
• Where to stay:   Hotel de la Forclaz

Description:  On stage 8, the main TMB route follows an undulating path up to the Alp Bovine and then descends to Col de la Forclaz, but there are quite a few options to consider here. The Fenêtre d’Arpette route is a popular variant for those seeking challenge and adventure. With either route, you’ll also have a few options to choose from when it comes to your stopping point. For a shorter day, you can stop at  Hotel de la Forclaz  or you can continue on further to either Le Puety or Trient. There isn’t a clear “best” choice for what to do on stage 8, but it is important to think about what is best for you in terms of challenge, distance, and accommodation.

Stage 9: Col de la Forclaz to Tré-le-Champ

• Distance & Elevation:  14 km // +1,112 m, -1,229 m
• Where to stay:   Auberge la Boerne

Description:  This stage isn’t without physical demands, gaining and losing quite a bit of elevation in a relatively short distance. While most of the climb maintains a grade that isn’t crazy steep, the descent is another story. Even if you don’t love the arduous nature of stage 9, you’ll almost certainly be smitten by the scenery. Not only does summiting Col de Balme mean you’ll celebrate your third and final border crossing (back into France), but you’ll also get incredible views of Mont Blanc, back in sight for the first time in several days. Seeing Mont Blanc again and being back on French soil will likely remind you that your trek is nearing its end. Make sure to savor the final two stages of this incredible experience!

Stage 10: Tré-le-Champ to La Flégère

• Distance & Elevation:  7 km // +892 m, -446 m
• Estimated hiking time:  4 hours
• Where to stay:   Refuge de la Flégère

Description:  Allow yourself to sleep in on this stage, as you’ll have just a short walk ahead of you. Better yet, get to Refuge la Flégère early and enjoy a walk to the nearby Lac Blanc and a meal or beverage at the refuge. The final two days of the TMB follow the Grand Balcon Sud, a balcony trail with unrivaled views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks. To reach the high point, you’ll need to climb a series of ladders, catwalks, and platforms that go on for longer than you might expect. If you have a fear of heights, we recommend taking the Col des Montets variant. This route takes about the same amount of time and still has great views. Upon reaching Refuge la Flégère, join in the festive revelry of your fellow hikers marking their final night on the trail.

Stage 11: La Flégère to Les Houches

• Distance & Elevation:  17 km // +969 m, -1,821 m
• Where to stay:   Hotel Le Morgane  (Chamonix)

Description:  The final stage of the TMB is a big one in every way. Even though it’s dominated by downhill walking, the physical demands shouldn’t be overlooked. Start the walk on a very mellow uphill grade, before beginning a steeper climb past a ski area until reaching Col du Brevent. Take in the scenery (and catch your breath) here, but keep in mind that the best is yet to come. Climb further on more rugged terrain until you reach the almost-summit of Le Brevent (you can take a 5-minute detour to get to the actual top if you’d like).

From Le Brevent you’ll have an unobstructed and totally breathtaking vantage point from which to take in the entire Mont Blanc range. Take time to study every intricate glacier and craggy spire before finally tearing yourself away to make your way down towards Les Houches. Fortunately, you’ll continue to enjoy the scenery for awhile as you descend on a very long and very steep path. As you near Les Houches, the trail enters the woods where it passes a zoo and the large Christ Roi statue. Finally, the path ends at a road and perhaps the least scenic part of Les Houches. Keep walking to reach the more charming part of town, then stop and toast to your remarkable accomplishment!

There are accommodation options along the TMB to suit every budget and travel style. While not all of these options are available at every stage of the route, you can certainly customize your itinerary to fit your needs. It’s nearly inevitable that you’ll need to stay in a mountain refuge on at least one stage of your trek. Be prepared for basic, communal facilities, but don’t fear! These special places often yield the most memorable stays of the entire trip.  We’ve provided a brief explanation of each of the options below:

Hotels on the Tour du Mont Blanc

Typically small and independently owned, the hotels along the TMB serve up a dose of luxury to the weary hiker. Unless otherwise noted by the hotel, expect all of the usual amenities (hot shower, private bathroom, breakfast offered, linens and towels provided, etc). Hotels typically cost upwards of €65 per person. For an additional fee, many hotels offer half-pension (AKA half-board or demi-pension ) which includes dinner and breakfast. A few hotels along the route have dortoirs in addition to private rooms. Dortoirs are dormitories that offer a good budget option. 

Read More: TMB Accommodation and Refuge Guide

Refuges on the Tour du Mont Blanc

We consider a stay in a mountain hut to be a highlight of any TMB trek. Set in stunning and remote locations, the ambiance at the refuges (or rifugios in Italian) can’t be beat. Half-pension gets you a bed in a dorm (linens not provided), a delicious communal dinner, and a basic breakfast. Some refuges also offer private rooms (with shared bathrooms). Expect to pay around €55 per person for half-board in a dorm.

Gites d’Etape and Auberges

These are simple guest houses offering basic, dorm-style accommodation. Half-pension (dinner and breakfast) is typically included in the price. There are shared bathroom facilities with hot showers. Bed linens are usually provided. These are a good option for those who want to stick to a smaller budget, but don’t want to carry camping gear. Expect to pay around €50 per person for half-pension.

Camping on the Tour du Mont Blanc

Although they are the cheapest accommodation option along the TMB, the campgrounds on the route are quite luxurious. All provide sinks and toilets, and many offer hot showers and even WiFi! Expect to pay around €15 per person to camp. Note: you cannot camp on every stage of the TMB.  Be sure to check out our Complete Guide to Camping on the Tour du Mont Blanc for a full camping itinerary.

Do I Need to Book my Accommodation in Advance?

This is a question that creates stress and anxiety for many hikers as they are planning for their TMB adventure. The short answer is that you should try to book your accommodation as early as possible, but the longer answer is a bit more nuanced. We’ve broken it down for you here, so you can plan with more confidence and less worry.

• Mountain refuges  are the most important to book ahead of time. Many of these huts are quite small, so they fill up quickly. Many refuges accept reservations year-round, typically allowing you to book up to 12 months in advance. Some, however, do not respond to reservation requests during the winter months (September-March, typically). You should still try to email or call the refuge to reserve your spot as soon as you know your itinerary, even if it’s prior to March.
• Gites, auberges, and guesthouses  should be your next priority when it comes to advance bookings. This is especially true in the smaller villages where accommodation options are limited, and/or if you have specific preferences for your lodging (ex; private room, linens provided, etc). As soon as you’ve made your travel plans, reach out to the gite/guesthouse (or book online). For peak summer months, it’s optimal to have these bookings made by the end of March.
• For larger hotels,  you have a bit more wiggle room when it comes to making reservations. You should definitely still try to do it as early as possible, but they have more rooms and are often located in places with greater availability of lodging options.
•   You do not need to make advance reservations for any of the campgrounds on the TMB.  In fact, we recommend that you don’t. This will allow you to maximize the freedom and flexibility that camping provides, and it will make it much less complicated to check in at the campgrounds.

Booking your Accommodation for the Tour du Mont Blanc

When it comes to booking your TMB accommodation, there’s good news and bad news. Let’s get the bad news out of the way first.  There’s no single, streamlined booking platform for all of the refuges and/or accommodation providers along the route.  In fact, the way you book will vary greatly from place to place. The good news is that most (but not all) can be booked using the Autour du Mont Blanc platform . Many refuges, hotels, and gites also have their own websites with easy online booking platforms. Some require that you send an email or complete a contact form on their website.

The TMB is relatively easy to get to given its close proximity to Geneva, Switzerland. Flight connections from the rest of Europe, the US, and other international destinations are frequent. Travel by train to Geneva is also straightforward, if not a bit more time consuming than air travel. We recommend booking you flights as soon as you are able, as fares during the peak summer season can be quite high.

Getting to Chamonix/Les Houches from Geneva

The vast majority of walkers will get to the start of the Tour du Mont Blanc by first flying into the Geneva Airport (GVA). There are frequent flights to Geneva from the rest of Europe as well as a good number of flights from the U.S. Once you’ve landed in Geneva, you’ll have several options for getting to Chamonix/Les Houches:

• FlixBus   – This is one of the least expensive and highest rated options. The service departs directly from the Geneva Airport and will take you to the Chamonix Sud bus station, in the heart of Chamonix. Expect the journey to take about two hours.
• AlpyBus  – AlpyBus runs a door to door transfer service from the Geneva Airport to hotels in the Chamonix Valley. It is more costly than FlixBus, but also more convenient since they’ll drop you directly at your hotel or campground.
• Mountain Drop-offs  – Similar to AlpyBus, Mountain Drop-offs runs a door-to-door transfer service for walkers arriving in Geneva. Very highly rated.

All of the options above will also be able to transport you back to the Geneva Airport at the end of the TMB. Many also offer discounts for booking a return ticket.

Getting to Champex from Geneva (for clockwise TMB hikers)

If you plan on walking the Tour du Mont Blanc in the clockwise direction, you may be choose to start your hike in the Swiss town of Champex. You’ll likely begin your travel by first flying into the Geneva Airport (GVA).  Once you’ve landed in Geneva, you’ll need to connect via train and local bus to reach Champex. Unlike Chamonix, you have few options other than public transportation to reach Champex. However, Swiss trains are renowned for being on time and generally pleasant. Here are the instructions for reaching Champex from the Geneva Airport:

• Step One – Train to Martigny : Upon exiting the airport in Geneva you’ll need to catch a train to the Swiss town of Martigny. Most of these trains will be signed in the direction of Brig, so be sure to inquire that the train you are boarding stops in Martigny. The journey should take around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Step Two – Train to Sembrancher : From Martigny you’ll take a 15-minute train ride to the town of Sembrancher.
• Step Three – Train to Orsières : From Sembrancher, you’ll catch another train to the town of Orsieres. This is a short, 10-minute ride from Sembrancher.
• Step Four – Local bus to Champex : Unfortunately, Champex is not on a train line so you’ll have to complete the final leg of your journey via the local bus. From outside the Orsieres train station, you’ll need to catch bus #271 to Champex. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes and will drop you conveniently in the center of Champex.

The Swiss train provider,  SBB , has an excellent website to help you plan your journey. We also recommend downloading the SBB app to your phone, which is very helpful for viewing timetables while traveling.  Rome2Rio  is also an excellent resource for mapping out your specific trip. 

Luggage Storage and Transfer on the Tour du Mont Blanc

Many walkers will be traveling with more luggage than they might want to carry for the entire TMB. Storing extra luggage or having it transferred to your next stop is a great way to avoid carrying excess weight on your trek, while still allowing you to have everything you need for the remainder of your trip. This is especially true if you plan on traveling elsewhere on your holiday.

Luggage Storage on the TMB

Unfortunately, there are no luggage storage facilities at the train station in Chamonix. Walkers can store their extra luggage at the  Gite le Chamoniard , which charges €4-6 per day, depending on the size of the bag. Other hotels and accommodation may store your baggage if you have a reservation before and after you walk, but you’ll want to confirm this ahead of time.

Luggage Transfer on the TMB

If you’re concerned about the difficulty of the TMB and have room in your budget, using a luggage transfer service can be an excellent way to reduce your effort on the trail and make your trek more enjoyable. Both of the companies we’ve recommended below come highly rated and allow you to customize services to your itinerary and preferences. Each morning of your trek, you’ll simply leave your bag in the designated storage location to be picked up by 8:00am. Your luggage carrier will deliver your bags to the next stop on your itinerary by 6:00pm each evening. Keep in mind that they will not be able to deliver your luggage to any of the mountain refuges that are inaccessible by road (including Rifugio Bonatti and Rifugio Elisabetta). Additionally, they will not drop your luggage at private residences or AirBnB’s.

• Besson Taxi Mont Blanc : This carrier typically charges between €150-€300 per bag for transfers, depending on how many days you use their services and how many people are in your group. They charge per bag and have a strict policy that bags may not exceed 15kg. This company also can provide shuttle services between stops on the TMB, if needed.
• Chamonix Valley Transfers : This company offers a variety of customizable luggage shuttles that range in price from €400-€800 for up to eight bags. The price increases with the number of stops added to your itinerary. They get good reviews for their reliability and friendly service.

Tour du Mont Blanc Weather

Mountain weather is always volatile, and what you’ll experience on the Tour du Mont Blanc is no different. Conditions can change very rapidly in the Alps, meaning that you can find yourself in the middle of a whiteout blizzard or on an exposed ridge during a thunderstorm without much warning. However, for the most part the weather during the hiking season is ridiculously lovely. Expect warm, sunny days, cool evenings, and not too much rain. You should also need to be prepared for very hot temperatures, very cold temperatures, rain, and storms (and you could even see all of these in the same day!)

Getting caught high up in the mountains during a storm or without the right gear is extremely dangerous, but you can greatly minimize your risk by taking a few important precautions:

• Meteoblue  is arguably the best resource for predicting the weather.  It allows you to see the forecast for specific peaks or coordinates, plus it has excellent radar displays and wind predictions. Check it every time you have cell service.  Chamonix-meteo  also gives detailed and accurate forecasts for the Mont Blanc region.
• If you’re ever unsure about whether you should hike in the current conditions, it can be helpful to  ask the warden at the nearest mountain refuge.  When in doubt, it’s usually better to air on the side of caution and give the mountains the respect they deserve. You can almost always find a detour or shortcut to get back on track the following day.
• Start hiking early in the day!  This will allow you to avoid hiking in the heat of the day and greatly reduce your risk of getting caught in afternoon thunderstorms.

Food & Drink on the TMB

One of the many wonderful things about the Tour du Mont Blanc is that you don’t need to worry about carrying (and eating) eleven days’ worth of underwhelming freeze-dried backpacker meals.  Due to the fact that the trail passes through many towns and villages, you will be able to resupply every few days.   For budget travelers,  it is possible to self-cater and keep your food and drink costs quite reasonable.  You’ll need to bring your own camp stove and cooking equipment if you plan on fixing most of your own meals along the TMB. You can purchase baguettes, good local cheese and charcuterie, fresh fruit, and delicious pastries for very reasonable prices.

Most of the shops along the route have convenient foods like instant noodles and canned soups, as well as dried fruits, nuts, energy bars, and other snacks so you should have no problem putting together quick and delicious meals and snacks along the route. Some hikers choose to use some backpacker meals and supplement with foods they purchase along the way.

Additionally (for those with slightly deeper pockets),  nearly all of the hotels, gites, and refuges offer the option of purchasing meals.  You can just show up for lunch or a snack, but  you’ll need to order ahead of time for dinner.  Most refuges and many hotels and gites offer the option of half-board ( demi pension ), which includes dinner and breakfast.

Dinners at the mountain refuges are typically indulgent, multi-course affairs. Expect a soup or salad as a starter, a hearty pasta dish as the main, and either a cheese course or dessert to finish. Breakfast is much simpler, typically consisting of a selection of breads, cold cereals, juice, and coffee or tea.

Whichever way you approach your food and drink strategy, we think you’ll find that trekking in the Alps is every bit as much a culinary delight as a natural one!

Dietary Restrictions

The restaurants and accommodation providers along the TMB are generally quite willing to provide a vegetarian option.  Those who are vegan, gluten-free, or have a specialized diet will have a harder time finding suitable meals.  While certain places will be able to accommodate your needs, that will be the exception and not the norm. Make sure to inform all of your lodging providers of your dietary needs in advance, as they will be much more likely to accommodate you. That being said, we’d recommend bringing along plenty of your own food as a back up.

All of the hotels, gites, and campgrounds provide potable water ( eau potable ). You will pass through many villages with public drinking fountains, but make sure to plan ahead and carry 1-2 liters of water each day. Due to the presence of agricultural activity near large swaths of the trail, we do not recommend drinking any water from natural streams without filtering it first.

If you need to purchase fuel for a camp stove, your best bet is to get this in Chamonix or Les Houches. Both towns have outdoor retailers that sell a few different kinds of fuel, and will be able to accommodate most standard stove types. It is unlikely that you’ll be able to find it at most of the stops you’ll pass through along the TMB, so plan on getting enough fuel to last your entire trek.

Maps & Guidebooks for the Tour du Mont Blanc

Carrying a good map is essential on the Tour du Mont Blanc.  While the trail is generally well-marked and easy to follow, there are countless trail junctions, detours, and confusing sections that require some form of navigation.

When we hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc we did not rely on traditional, paper maps that are available for the route. Instead,  we preferred utilizing GPS maps on our phones to ensure we knew where the trail was as well as where we were in relation to it . Cell phone service is very limited along the TMB, so  it is critical to have a good offline mapping app such as  Gaia GPS  to ensure you’ll be able to view the map at any point along the route.

You can learn more about how to navigate on the Tour du Mont Blanc here. 

With all this considered,  we still recommend carrying a paper map.  While technology has done a tremendous amount to make navigating while hiking easier, there is simply no replacement for carrying a physical map with you. We recommend bringing the  IGN 3630 OT Chamonix  and  IGN 3531 ET St-Gervais  with you, as they provide a detailed view of the TMB route. A weatherproof carrying case  like this one  wouldn’t hurt to have either.

Find everything you need to know about Tour du Mont Blanc maps here.

As for guidebooks, you’ll have two excellent options to choose from. The first, and the one we recommend, is Kev Reynolds excellent  Tour of Mont Blanc: Complete two-way trekking guide  published by the renowned guidebook company, Cicerone. Another good option is the  Trailblazer Guides Tour du Mont Blanc guidebook . Trail Blazer guides are known for their excellent maps and exhaustive list of accommodation options. 

Budgeting & Money on the Tour du Mont Blanc

At first glance, the Tour du Mont Blanc might seem physically daunting, but many might find it even more financially intimidating.  The beautiful thing about the TMB, however, is that it’s pretty much up to you how expensive you want to make it.  There are hikers who choose to spend more to take guided tours, stay in private rooms at upscale hotels and huts, and buy all of their meals at restaurants along the way. Others take a more frugal approach, camping as much as possible, cooking their own meals, and minimizing expenses wherever they can.

Regardless of your budget and travel style, it’s important to get an idea of what to expect in terms of expenses so you can plan accordingly and avoid any stressful situations when it comes to money.  Additionally, you might find that an experience like the TMB is more within reach than you originally thought, if you just make a few intentional decisions when planning your travel.

In this section, we’ve broken down the typical costs for things like transportation, accommodation, and food. Obviously, prices will vary from place to place, but this should give you a good starting point.

• Average Hut Price: €65 (per person)
• Average Campsite Price: €15 (per person)
• Hotel in Chamonix for before and after the hike: €140 (per night)
• Hotel in Courmayeur for rest day: €150 (per night)
• Bus from Geneva to Chamonix: €50 (round trip)
• Bus from Chamonix to Les Houches: €3 (each way)
• Shuttle Bus from Les Chapieux to Refuge Des Mottets: €3
• Average one-way cable car ticket: €25
• Bottle of Wine: €10
• Baguette: €2
• Breakfast/Lunch Mountain Hut: €15
• Dinner at Mountain Hut: €25
• Coffee/Tea: €3
• Sandwich: €10
• Stove Fuel: €7
• Laundry: €4 for wash and dry

Find more detail on how to budget for the Tour du Mont Blanc here. 

Cash or Credit?

While an increasing number of accommodation providers, shops, and other services are beginning to accept credit cards,  cash is still the primary payment method used along the TMB . It is important to carry enough cash to cover all of your expenses for several days, as   ATMs are infrequent along the trail . Below we’ve provided a list of stops along the TMB that have ATMs:

• Les Houches
• Les Contamines
• Argentiere*

*These stops require a short detour from the main TMB route.

Currency on the TMB

The TMB crosses the borders of three different countries, meaning that  you’ll need to switch from using Euros in France to Swiss Francs in Switzerland then back to Euros upon entering Italy . While most places in Switzerland will accept Euros, you’ll be better off using Francs if you can.

What to Pack for the Tour du Mont Blanc

Making smart choices about what to pack (and what to leave behind) is a vital part of setting yourself up for a successful and enjoyable Tour du Mont Blanc experience.  It’s simple- the heavier your pack, the harder your effort . However, with a little thoughtful planning, you can keep your pack weight manageable while still ensuring you have everything you need to be comfortable on the trail and while relaxing at the refuges, campgrounds, and villages along the way.

Find our complete Tour du Mont Blanc Packing List here.  

Our best advice for packing for the Tour du Mont Blanc is to adopt the mantra  less is more . Here’s a few tips for ensuring you pack weight is manageable:

• You only need a couple of shirts. Same goes for underwear and socks. You’ll have plenty of time and sunshine to wash and dry laundry Second, clothes are heavy, so cutting out everything but the absolute essentials will make a huge difference.
• Plan out when/where you’ll restock food provisions and don’t carry more food than you need. This is especially true for those camping along the route.
• Consider leaving your bulky camera equipment at home. Unless photography is your passion, most smartphones take great photos and save a ton of space and weight.

  A few of our essential items for the Tour du Mont Blanc are outlined below:

• Trekking poles : You (and your knees) will be so glad to have them on steep sections, and this is especially true for campers who are carrying heavier loads
• A good backpack:  Backpacks need to be broken in through use, and your body needs to get used to the feeling of wearing it for extended periods of time. In terms of size, most campers will need between 45 and 65 liters. Those staying in refuges will find that 30-40L is perfect
• Down jacket:  We’ve found this to be a perfect piece of gear for the Tour du Mont Blanc. It can be quite chilly in the Alps in the early morning and evenings, but a heavy fleece or bulky jacket can really sabotage a lightweight pack.
• Ear plugs:  A must for sleeping in mountain refuges!
• Good base  layers:  A good base layer is an essential part of any complete TMB gear list. We always bring a high-quality merino wool base layer and recommend all TMB hikers do the same.
• How to Train for the Tour du Mont Blanc

With just a bit of advance work and preparation, you can make sure you’re physically ready to have your best experience on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Because of its relatively low elevation and minimal technicality, the TMB is a pretty approachable long-distance trek for the casual hiker. That being said, it’s still a serious physical challenge that will push your body to new limits. You will enjoy your trip infinitely more if you train ahead of time. Here is a rough outline of a training plan to get you in shape for the TMB:

• Six Months Before Your Trip: Build the Base  Obviously, everyone will approach the TMB with varying levels of fitness, past injuries, and overall health needs. You’ll know your individual situation best, but you should generally focus on building your aerobic endurance in the months leading up to your trip. Start to incorporate longer bouts of walking or running into your regular fitness routine.
• Three Months Before Your Trip: Go Uphill  Ideally, at this point in your training you should increase the frequency and intensity of your hiking. If possible, try to hit the trails once a week and select hikes that would take two hours or longer with at least 1,500 feet of elevation gain.
• Two Months Before Your Trip: Put on Your Pack  In the eight weeks or so before your trip, try get in as many longer hikes (or walks) with your gear as possible. Think of it as a “dress rehearsal” for your trek. The benefits of breaking in your gear at this point are twofold. First, you’ll be able to test your boots, backpack, socks, and so on to ensure that they fit well during longer hikes. Second, you’ll begin training your body to hike while wearing a heavy backpack.
• One Month Before Your Trip: Time for a Test Run  If at all possible, try to take a 1-2 night backpacking trip in your local woods. If you aren’t planning on camping along the TMB you don’t need to take an overnight trip, but you should still try to fit in two back-to-back days of long, hard hiking. This important step allows you to try out different ways of packing your backpack for maximum fit and comfort, practice setting up camp, and get your body used to hiking for consecutive days in a row.

Follow our outline above and you will be able to enjoy every moment of your incredible trip so much more. Plus, the time and effort you spend working towards your goal will make the real thing that much sweeter!

For more details on how to train for the Tour du Mont Blanc check out our comprehensive guide here. 

Let Us Make Your TMB Trip A Success

We have used our experience, research, and passion to create effective and trail-tested resources for all TMB hikers. If you plan to trek without the support of a tour company, our resources can help you with the logistics of preparing for the trip of a lifetime.

• Camping Guide (Our Best Seller): If camping is more your style, our dedicated camping guide is just for you. It includes detailed campground descriptions and camping-specific itineraries.
• GPS Digital Downloads (2nd Best Seller): Navigate the TMB with ease using our GPS files, updated yearly and compatible with most devices. The files cover the entire trek, including common alternate routes.
• Guide to the TMB:  Our comprehensive guide includes everything you need to know about the TMB. It’s available on our online planning portal and as a downloadable eGuide. The guide includes accommodation recommendations, offline GPS & maps, and video fly-throughs of the trail.
• Custom Itineraries:  We’ll help you design a TMB itinerary that fits your specific needs, including your trip length, accommodation type, hiking ability, budget, and more.
• Custom GPS Files:  For a truly personalized experience, we can create a GPS file customized to your specific itinerary, including your accommodations and route preferences.

As passionate hikers, we’ve made it our goal to empower you with all the information you need for your best TMB experience. We’ve helped over 2,500 hikers prepare for their trips, navigate on the trail, and simplify the planning process.

What’s Next?

If you’ve made it through our post above, you’re well on your way to having an incredible experience on the Tour du Mont Blanc. However, you still have lots of preparation before you’re truly ready! Be sure to read our entire series on the TMB to learn everything you’ll need to know to prepare for your trip and don’t hesitate to comment with your questions below!

• Tour du Mont Blanc Packing List – Be sure you’ve got everything you need!
• Tour du Mont Blanc Logistics – Don’t forget the small details!
• How to Navigate on the TMB – Turn your smartphone into a GPS!
• How to find all of your campgrounds on the TMB – Know where you are and where you’re going!
• TMB Trip Report – Know what to expect!
• 10 Essentials for the Tour du Mont Blanc- The quick and dirty basics
• Guide to Camping on the Tour du Mont Blanc – The essential resource!
• Tour du Mont Blanc Photo Galley – Find some inspiration!
• How to hike the TMB for (nearly) free – save BIG on your TMB costs!
• How Much It Cost Us to Hike the TMB
• Tour du Mont Blanc Map
• Tour du Mont Blanc Accommodation and Refuge Guide

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

We’re Emily and Ian, outdoor lovers and planning nerds who live in Boulder, Colorado. The only thing we love more than researching and mapping out our next adventure, is actually being out there on the trail. Between the two of us, we’ve been to over 30 countries, and much of our travel in these countries has been on two feet or two wheels. When we’re not in a far-flung destination, we spend a lot of time exploring the amazing camping, hiking, and biking destinations in our home state of Colorado. Learn More About Us

Tour du Mont Blanc

West highland way, laugavegur trail, walker's haute route, coast to coast walk, national parks.

Let Us Help Plan Your TMB!

We’re here to help! We offer comprehensive TMB planning support so you can plan your perfect trip!

TOP 5 CAMPING FAVORITES FOR 2023

1. Rumpl Puffy Blanket - The coziest camp blanket out there.

2. Solo Stove - Elevate your campfire with this smoke-free fire pit.

3. Solar Power Bank Charger - Keep your gadgets charged with the power of the sun.

4. Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler - The ultimate camping cooler.

5. Gaia GPS - Download offline maps for easy navigation! Get 20% here .

[email protected]

+1 206-892-8877

Send Us a Message

France, italy, switzerland, full tour of mont blanc 12 days – self guided, a bucket-list trek through france, italy & switzerland.

Experience one of the Alps' most renowned multi-day mountain hikes! Traverse through France, Italy, and Switzerland, immersing yourself in distinctive Alpine cultures along the way.

This thrilling 12-day full circuit hike of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) in Europe, begins in the picturesque village of Martigny, Switzerland. As you traverse the TMB, you'll pass through renowned alpine destinations like Chamonix and Courmayeur, conquering numerous mountain passes along the way.

Be captivated by the shimmering glacial lakes and sweeping mountain vistas that adorn your path. This epic journey spans three countries, offering up-close encounters with Europe's most spectacular peaks. The Tour du Mont Blanc is an unparalleled adventure in the heart of the Alps, delivering an unforgettable experience amidst breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: arrival in chamonix.

Upon arriving in the charming town of Chamonix, you'll be welcomed to your comfortable 3* hotel. Take the opportunity to settle in, and at your convenience, collect your travel pack, which contains all the essential information to make your upcoming adventure memorable.

• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Lunch not included)
• ‍ Accommodation: 3* Hotel
• ‍ Meal: None

Day 2: Chamonix to Les Houches via Brévent

Embark on a spectacular journey as you take the Planpraz gondola to Planpraz. Hike to the Col du Brévent Pass, reaching the summit of Brévent Peak (2525 m - 8,282 feet). Marvel at the breathtaking views of Mt. Blanc and the sweeping glaciers. Descend to Les Houches, passing through Bellachat Hut and summiting Aiguillette des Houches along the way.

• Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi.)
• Ascent: 650 m - 2,132 feet
• Descent: 1650 m - 5,413 feet
• Hiking: 6 hrs
• Lodging: 3* Hotel ‍

Day 3: Les Houches – Les Contamines Montjoie

After a transfer to Bellevue cable car, stand in awe at the foot of the standard route for climbing Mt. Blanc. Traverse the Bionnassay Glacier and cross a thrilling "Nepali hanging bridge." Ascend to Col de Tricot Pass, with a short break to admire the panoramic views of Contamines-Montjoie Valley. Descend to the charming village of Contamines-Montjoie, where you'll spend the night.

• Distance: 11 km (7 mi.)
• Descent: 1300 m - 4,265 feet
• Hiking: 5 hrs.
• Accommodation: 3* Hotel
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner ‍
• Transfer: 30 minutes

Day 4: Les Contamines-Montjoie - Col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme Pass - Les Chapieux

Following a brief morning transfer to Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge (1210m) via the complimentary local shuttle (available during the high season), take a moment to explore the renowned baroque church, signaling the beginning of the Roman road—a historic trade route connecting mountain valleys. Embark on a gradual ascent to Col du Bonhomme Pass (2329m), showcasing a picturesque stretch along the southern end of the range and delineating the boundary between the Mt. Blanc Range and the Beaufortain Mountains. The climb persists to Col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme Pass (2433m), providing breathtaking vistas of Mt. Pourri (3779m). Descend through alpine pastures, culminating in Les Chapieux (1549m), before a private transfer to your accommodation in the quaint village of Bourg St Maurice.

• Ascent: 1250 m - 4,101 feet
• Descent: 950 m - 3,117 feet
• Hiking: 6.5 hrs.
• Accommodation: Hotel - 3 Star
• Transfer: 45 minutes

Day 5: Les Chapieux to Courmayeur

Transfer to La Ville des Glaciers and commence the day's hike from this picturesque location at 1800 meters (5906 feet). Ensure a stop at a local farm along the route to gain insights into the art of Beaufort cheese-making. Continue the ascent through scenic alpine pastures, reaching the majestic Col de la Seigne Pass (2516 meters or 8251 feet) at the Italian border. Revel in the awe-inspiring views of the rugged Mt. Blanc Range, where iconic peaks like Mt. Blanc de Courmayeur, Noire de Peuterey Spire, and the Grandes Jorasses seemingly beckon at a touchable distance. The descent guides you through Val Veny, leading to the base of the Miage Glacier with its serene lake and distinctive alpine flora. Conclude the day with a brief transfer to Courmayeur (1226 meters or 4022 feet), the capital of the Italian Alps.

• Distance: 15 to 25 km (10 to 16 mi.)
• Ascent: 750 to 1250 m - 2,461 to 4,101 feet
• Descent: 850 to 1800 m - 2,789 to 5,906 feet
• Hiking: 5 to 7 hrs.
• Accommodation: 2* Hotel ‍
• Meals: Breakfast only
• Transfer: 45 min

Day 6: Courmayeur to Bonatti Hut

Embark on one of the most enchanting segments of the journey. Stroll into Courmayeur, the focal point of the Italian Alps, for a brief exploration. Ascend to the Bertone Hut (2000 meters or 6562 feet) for an unparalleled vantage point, offering captivating views of the legendary Grandes Jorasses and an awe-inspiring panorama—undoubtedly one of the trip's most breathtaking moments! Proceed along the scenic balcony trail to the Bonatti Hut (2025 meters or 6640 feet), where you'll spend the night and be treated to one of the most unforgettable sunsets ever experienced.

• Distance: 12.5 km (8 mi.)
• Ascent: 1050 m - 3,445 feet
• Descent: 250 m - 820 feet
• Hiking: 5 hrs
• Lodging: Mountain Hut ‍

Day 7: Bonatti to La Fouly

Enjoy a leisurely day at the midway point of your journey, providing an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. The trail gently descends to the Elena Hut (2061 meters or approximately 6762 feet), nestled in the upper reaches of Val Ferret, beneath the formidable Mt. Dolent (3823 meters or around 12,543 feet). From there, ascend and traverse the border from Italy into Switzerland, choosing between the Grand Col Ferret Pass (2537 meters or about 8320 feet) or the more rugged Petit Col Ferret Pass (2490 meters or roughly 8169 feet). Take a final glance back into Italy before commencing the descent through Switzerland's serene alpine meadows, culminating in a hike down to the quaint village of La Fouly (1600 meters or approximately 5249 feet).

• Distance: 20.5 km (12.5 mi.)
• Ascent: 900 m - 2,953 feet
• Descent: 1250 m - 4,101 feet
• Lodging: Mountain Inn ‍

Day 8: La Fouly to Champex Lac

Savor a leisurely day, allowing ample time for relaxation by the enchanting Champex Lake. Begin with a gentle hike from La Fouly, gradually making your way to Praz le Fort (1151 meters or approximately 3776 feet). The scenic trail traces the Ferret River to the charming hamlet of Issert, followed by an enjoyable ascent through the forest, leading you to the picturesque Champex Lake (1477 meters or around 4846 feet).

• Distance: 15.5 km (9.5 mi.)
• Ascent: 450 m - 1,476 feet
• Descent: 550 m - 1,804 feet
• Hiking: 4 hrs.

Day 9: Champex Lac to Trient

Embark from Champex, initiating your hike through the Swiss mountain pastures and alpine meadows renowned for hosting cows that contribute to crafting some of the Alps' most celebrated cheeses! From Bovine, relish unparalleled vistas of the Rhône River Valley. Alternatively, for those seeking a more challenging adventure, consider the extended option. This route leads to the magnificent Fenêtre d'Arpette (2665 meters or approximately 8743 feet), a striking high-mountain notch near the Grands Glacier. Conclude the day in the village of Trient (1280 meters or around 4199 feet), where you'll enjoy dinner and spend the night in a guest house.

• Distance: 14.5 to 15.5 km (9 to 9.5 mi.)
• Ascent: 750 to 1200 m - 2,461 to 3,937 feet
• Descent: 900 to 1350 m - 2,953 to 4,429 feet
• Hiking: 5 to 8 hrs
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Lunch not included)

Day 10: Trient to Argentière

Ascend from Trient, hiking up to the Col de Balme Pass (2191 meters or about 7192 feet) to traverse the French-Swiss border. Revel at the summit with sweeping views of Chamonix and the valley below, alongside a spectacular panorama featuring Mt. Blanc, the Mer de Glace (glacier), and the Argentière Glacier. Descend by foot or opt for the chairlift/gondola, traversing dirt roads and trails through meadows and pastures, ultimately reaching Le Tour (1453 meters or approximately 4764 feet). From there, indulge in a leisurely stroll leading you to Montroc (1370 meters or around 4495 feet) and Argentière.

• Distance: 15 to 16.5 km (9 to 10 mi.)
• Ascent: 900 to 1100 m - 2,953 to 3,609 feet
• Descent: 1050 to 1150 m - 3,445 to 3,773 feet
• Hiking: 5 to 6 hrs

Day 11: Argentière to Chamonix

Today's ascent through the Aiguilles Rouges, offers panoramic views of numerous glaciers and summits above Chamonix, with the Mont Blanc range visible just across the valley. Commencing from the Col des Montets Pass, traverse the balcony trail leading to the Cheserys Lakes, renowned for their pristine blue waters reflecting the surrounding peaks. Proceed to Lac Blanc, keeping an eye out for alpine ibex along the path, and continue towards La Flégère. Descend to the valley floor via a gondola in the hamlet of Les Praz, providing the option to either hike back through the Bois du Bouchet forest or take a bus back to Chamonix city.

• Distance: 10 km, 6.5 miles
• Included Meals: Breakfast ‍
• Meals not included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Au Revoir Chamonix

After an incredible and challenging journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Mont Blanc region, enjoy your last breakfast in Chamonix before bidding farewell to this alpine paradise. Reflect on the memories and experiences of the past eleven days as you prepare to continue your adventures or return home with a sense of accomplishment. Safe travels!

• Last Breakfast before heading out

Additional Trip Info

Your 11-night package includes:

• Accommodation in 2 & 3-star hotels and guest houses, with daily breakfast & Dormitory lodging in Val Ferret (Half-board arrangement in Val Ferret).
• Luggage transfer (up to 33 pounds or 15 kg per person - Additional cost please inquire)
• Scheduled transfers as per the itinerary.
• Comprehensive GPS route guide and offline maps via exclusive hiking app
• Access to a 24/7 service hotline for assistance.
• Breakfast provided for days 2 through 12.
• Dinners included for days 2 through 10 (excluding day 5 in Courmayeur).
• Comprehensive roadbook, map, and reservation vouchers for a 2-to-4-person group.
• Airport Transfers
• Rides in public transport, cable cars, etc.
• Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
• Travel Insurance - We recommend   World Nomads , or Global Rescue (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
• International Flights
• Luggage transfers (Please inquire to add on)
• Some meals (allow approx. 10-15 Euro per day for each meal)

Have Questions?

Related trips, tour du mont blanc – 7 days – self guided (private hotel rooms), tour of mont blanc 8 days – self guided (shared refugios), guided - tour du mont blanc – 7 days (hotel), related blog posts, interested in building a custom trip we want to help you travel to places you have dreamt about..

Hidden Gems of the Tour du Mont Blanc Trek

July through August

Geneva, Switzerland is less than 2 hours away

12 days (10 days of trekking)

Things to know

If you’re the type of person who always tries harder (you know who you are), this ultimate TMB tour is for you. Upgrading the regular route, local guides have altered the classic Tour du Mont Blanc so that you can go higher, farther and harder. Over 12 days and across 120 miles, walk more demanding and less trodden paths, along dramatic ridges and balcony trails, beside mighty glaciers and hidden lakes, inside cow-speckled valleys and quaint towns. Some things stay the same though. The same vibrant scent of wildflowers, the same Swiss cheeses and French wines—the same irresistible charm of living in the heart of the Alps. So lace up your boots, it’s time to take your TMB adventure to new heights!

Unique TMB adventure with more elusive, more demanding, and more scenic routes!

Experience off-the-beaten-path Alpine life and spend 3 nights in remote refuges

Sublime scenery merged with cultural and gastronomic experiences of France, Switzerland, and Italy

Created for hikers that want a more challenging version of the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc, this adventure will take you beyond the typical routes in search of more demanding, more spectacular, and more isolated paths. You’ll be joined by a local IML guide and spend 12 days exploring the fascinating areas around Europe’s most famous peak, coupled with cultural and gastronomic insights into France, Italy, and Switzerland. The experience includes top-notch accommodation in quality hotels and chalets, but it’s also spiced up with three overnights in authentic mountain huts. Come and see what happens when one of the world’s best hiking routes is made even better!

Your Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc hiking trip begins in a chalet in Argentière. You will meet your IML guide and fellow trekkers at 6pm and go over the plan for the next eleven days and do a gear check. Meet your Alpine squad over dinner before getting a good night’s sleep in your comfy room. Meals : Dinner Accommodation : Chalet

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to start hiking! Your trek today starts with a climb up through the forests, on the way to the Col de Vosa—where you’ll stop for a lunch break. This is followed by a short descent to the beginning of the Bionassay Glacier, with the Aiguille de Bionassay soaring above. Take the suspension bridge across the torrent, followed by an easy climb to the Col de Tricot. Enjoy the views of Dômes de Miage while descending to the Chalet de Miage below, where your group can stop for a drink. A further 30-minute descent takes you down to the pretty village of Les Contamines, and the hotel. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Hotel Walking : 8-9 hours Distance : 13.7 miles (22 km) Elevation : +4,920 ft / -4,430 ft (+1,500 m / -1,350 m)

Leaving the hotel, you’ll take a pleasant route, alongside the river, to the church of Notre Dame de la Gorge. A little further on is a Roman bridge, evidence of a Roman road, as you make a steady climb to the first of today’s 3 cols; Col du Bonhomme (2,329 m / 7,641 ft). A further climb takes your group to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,483 m / 8,146 ft) and, if the weather is good, you’ll be able to take a less-traveled path up to the Col des Fours (2,655 m / 8,743 ft). Afterward, drop down into the scenic Vallée des Glaciers, and on to your base for the night at the Refuge des Mottets. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Guest house Walking : 8-9 hours Distance : 13.7 miles (22 km) Elevation : +5,250 ft / -3,084 ft (+1,600 m / -940 m)

Today’s hiking starts with a short but steady climb along a series of switchbacks leading you to the Col de la Seigne—and the border with Italy (2,513 m / 8,245 ft). Make an easy descent past the Rifugio Elisabetta, and down into Val Veny, with the Miage Glacier on your left. Afterward, take a variant route high along the northern slopes of Mont Favre, for show-stopping views of Mont Blanc. After the Rifugio Maison Vieille on the Col Checrouit (1,960 m / 6,430 ft), it’s a quick descent on a narrow path, amongst the ski slopes and forests of Courmayeur. If your legs start betraying you, there is the option to take a ski lift down from here (not included). From the center of Courmayeur, your group will catch a bus up to La Palud, and to the hotel. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Hotel Walking : 8-9 hours Distance : 15 miles (24 km) Elevation : +3,937 ft / -6,080 ft (+1,200 m / -1,850 m)

Leave the hotel and head up to Leucheney, then on to the Monte Saxe ridge that boasts stunning panoramic views from Mont Blanc across to the Jorasses—certainly one of the highlights of the whole trip. As your group reluctantly leaves the ridge, traverse to the Tête de la Tronche (2,584 m / 8,478 ft), then drop to the Col Sapin, followed by another variant up to the Col Entre Deux Sauts (2,521 m / 8,270 ft). A high valley descent brings you back down, as far as the Rifugio Bonatti, where you’ll spend an evening on the terrace (soaking up the million-dollar views) and eventually spend the night. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Mountain refuge Walking : 7-8 hours DIstance : 10.6 miles (17 km) Elevation : +5,184 ft / -3,084 ft (+1,580 m / -940 m)

Today you’ll trek over the Grand Col Ferret, which is one of the highest cols on the trip at 2,537 m / 8.323 ft. Start the day with a mid-height traverse above Val Ferret, before dropping down to the head of the valley. Pass by the Rifugio Elena mid-morning and stop for one of their famous cappuccinos. From here, a stunning climb takes your group to the Grand Col Ferret, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the nearby mountains. The col is also the border with Switzerland, where the scenery will change yet again. Descend past the Refuge de la Peule and head to La Fouly via a higher balcony path. La Fouly is a traditional Alpine village with Swiss “chocolate box” chalets, and will be your group’s base for the night. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Hotel Walking : 7-8 hours Distance : 12.4 miles (20 km) Elevation : +3,412 ft / -4,920 ft (+1,040 m / -1,500 m)

Today is the most physically demanding of the trek, but is a little shorter than previous days. Start your hike with a gentle stroll along the valley, to the village of Praz-de-Fort. Your group will then take a variant route, starting with a sharp left into the Val Saleina. The Glacier d’Orny lies ahead, and above you’ll see the dramatically located Cabane d’Orny (2,831 m / 9,288 ft). Brace yourself for a long ascent to the refuge along a series of well-placed switch backs. The last section is a spectacular path on the moraine above the glacier. Settle into the hut and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the unique surroundings. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Mountain refuge Walking : 6-7 hours Distance : 10 miles (16 km) Elevation : +5,643 ft / -1,640 ft (+1,720 m / -500 m)

This is technically the most difficult day of the trek, as your group begins with a descent of the moraine, followed by a lovely balcony path to the top of the Breya cable car. From the Brenva station, take a rugged road down to the pretty Val d’Arpette, followed by another climb up through the rocks and boulder fields to the spectacular Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665 m / 8,711 ft), where, you can enjoy fabulous views of the Trient Glacier. Afterward, descend to the Chalet des Glaciers for a well-earned drink, before another, more relaxed descent through the woods to your base for the night in Trient. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Auberge/guest house Walking : 9-10 hours Distance : 13 miles (21 km) Elevation : +3,346 ft / -8,202 ft (+1,020 m / -2,500 m)

There are a few options for different routes today, and the guide will make a decision depending on the conditions on the day. A less-traveled trail leads up through Tseppes to the Col de Balme, at the top of the Chamonix Valley. Take in the dazzling Mont Blanc views as while descending to the Col des Posettes, followed by a relatively easy ascent of the Aiguille des Posettes; a small ridge with, again, epic views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Rouge mountain ranges. Afterward, descend into Argentière and back to your chalet, where we will be based for the next 2 nights. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Chalet Walking : 8 hours Distance : 12 miles (19 km) Elevation : +4,265 ft / -4,430 ft (+1,300 m / -1,350 m)

Today is another great day, with stunning views of the highest peak in Western Europe and some interesting technical sections. Your group will take a route from Argentière that climbs steadily up through the larch and spruce trees and to the cliffs of the Chéserys. At the Aiguillette d’Argentière, there is an easy Via Ferrata section with short ladders and cables. Later, take a meandering path to the hidden lakes beneath the Aiguilles des Chamois. A final short ladder brings your group to Lac Blanc; a beautiful mountain lake with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Descend back to our chalet via a different route. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Chalet Walking : 7 hours Distance : 8,7 miles (14 km) Elevation : +3,937 ft / -3,937 ft (+1,200 m / -1,200 m)

Your trekking today starts at the end point of the previous day’s hike, using the cable car to get back up to Flégère. Take a great trail up to the Col de Brévent, and on to the summit of Brévent (2,525 m / 8,284 ft). Savor the incredible vistas of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley once again. The following descent will take you to les Houches, via Merlet. From here, get transferred back to your chalet for the last dinner with your guide and fellow hikers. Party mode one—it’s time to celebrate your achievements—the adventure ends tomorrow. Meals : Breakfast and dinner Accommodation : Chalet Walking : 7 hours Distance : 10,6 miles (17 km) Elevation : +2,854 ft / -5,840 ft (+870 m / -1,780 m)

Your ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc guided trip comes to an end after breakfast. Say goodbye to fellow hikers, your guide, and to the Alps—or continue touring on your own! Meals : Breakfast and dinner

Meet your guides

What you get on this adventure:

• An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
• A 12-day Tour du Mont Blanc trekking adventure adapted for advanced hikers
• Accommodation in hotels (3 nights), chalets (3 nights), mountain huts (3 nights), and a guest house (1 night)
• Daily luggage delivery (except for two days)
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• All cable cars and other transport mentioned in the itinerary

What’s not included:

• Transportation to Chamonix Valley
• Airport transfers — we recommend Mountain Drop-Offs
• Any personal expenses
• Any transport, accommodation or additional expenses due to a participant being unable to complete the itinerary
• Trip and mountain rescue insurance — it can be arranged with the help of your guide
• Guide gratuities — optional

To participate in this Tour du Mont Blanc guided adventure which focuses on more off-the-beaten-path routes, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You’ll be trekking 10 days in a row for up to 10 hours each day—crossing between 10 and 15 miles (16-24 km) with an elevation gain of up to +5,000 ft (1,720 m). You should have strong experience of hiking in hilly and mountainous terrain and good stamina. We suggest you adopt a training regiment in the weeks leading up to the trip, with long daily hikes in hilly terrain, as well as activities like jogging, swimming, playing squash, or circuit training. However, you won’t be expected to walk at a fast pace, you will be taking multiple breaks each day, and there will sometimes also be an option to shorten your hiking and take a gondola.

If you are looking for a hiking adventure in the Alps suitable for beginners, check out the Mont Blanc hiking tour from Chamonix and the hiking adventure in the Julian Alps .

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support and a good sole
• Hiking trainers — optional
• Walking poles
• Lightweight waterproof jacket and trousers (ensure that you do not need to remove your walking boots in order to put on your waterproof trousers)
• Socks and underwear
• Lightweight trekking trousers
• Hiking shorts T-shirts
• Mid layer — fleece jacket is good
• Lightweight warm jacket – we recommend bringing a synthetic belay jacket – just in case it gets cold
• Warm hat and a sunhat
• Gloves – we recommend bringing 2-3 pairs (liner, waterproof, and warm ones)
• Suncream (small bottle), lip protection (with sun protection)
• Lip protection (with sunscreen)
• Water bottles (you should be able to carry 3L of water)
• Sheet sleeping bag – only needed for the mountain refuges
• Travel towel – only needed for the mountain refuges
• Wash kit (toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste, mini contact lens solution, wet wipes, travel-size soap, antibacterial handwash)
• Lightweight Head torch
• Plastic bags / dry sacks
• Basic first aid kit – containing plasters, blister treatment, painkillers, and diarrhea treatment
• Thermal base layer — optional
• Thermal leggings — optional
• Buff – optional
• Camera — optional
• Lightweight sandals / flip flops — optional
• Umbrella — optional
• Earplugs — optional
• Swimwear — optional
• Boot dryers — optional
• External battery pack – for charging your phone in a hut

Keep in mind that the weather will most likely be warm and fairly stable, so there is a high chance that you’ll be able to hike in shorts and T-shirts and without using a lot of equipment and wearing any of the warm clothes. However, you must bring all the items which aren’t specified as being optional. There is always a possibility of unseasonal weather conditions with heavy rain, low temperatures and even snow. In short, being well-prepared is a prerequisite for a safe hiking experience during the Hidden Gems of TMB trekking trip.

Group sizes and prices:

• For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
• It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate.
• The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

Hiking along the Tour du Mont Blanc can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA) , one hour away. Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make the airport transfers hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop Offs —they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!

You will meet your Tour du Mont Blanc guide at your chalet in Argentière at 6pm. To get to Argentière (located in the northern part of the Chamonix valley), you can take a 20-minute train ride from Chamonix (there is a line operating on an hourly basis). Make sure to book a flight that will land in Geneva by 2-3pm so that you don’t miss the initial trip briefing with your guide.

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Mont Blanc areas in France, Switzerland, and Italy please refer to France Diplomacy’s advice for travelers and foreign nationals , Switzerland’s official COVID-19 travel guidelines , and Official Italian Tourism Website .

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

A 30% non-refundable deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 10 weeks (70 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

• If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to seventy (70) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client’s deposit will be forfeited.
• For cancellations thirty-one (31) to seventy (70) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total price of the trip.
• For cancellations thirty or less days in advance, Client is not entitled to any refund.
• Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

Secure your spot for 2025 with a 10% deposit!  This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you can rest assured you’ve booked your dream adventure in time.

• Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you. This can be done by the end of the year.
• Another 20% needs to be paid by the end of this year.
• The remaining balance is due 10 weeks (70 days) prior to departure.

Other things to do in Mont Blanc

All-Women Snowshoeing at the Foot of Mont Blanc

Luxury Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc

Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc Trek

Haute Route Tour du Mont Blanc Trek

Classic Hiking or Fastpacking of Tour du Mont Blanc

Women’s Hiking Tour of Chamonix & Mont Blanc

Hidden Mont Blanc: The 5-Star Hiking Tour

Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights Trek

Self-Guided Week-Long Tour du Mont Blanc

View all (37) adventures in France

Choose a currency

• USD - $ US Dollar
• EUR - € Euro
• AUD - AU$ Australian Dollar
• CAD - CA$ Canadian Dollar
• GBP - £ British Pound Sterling
• CHF - CHF Swiss Franc
• JPY - ¥ Japanese Yen
• SGD - S$ Singapore Dollar
• HKD - HK$ Hong Kong Dollar
• DKK - Dkr Danish Krone
• NOK - Nkr Norwegian Krone
• SEK - Skr Swedish Krona

Tour Du Mont Blanc 12 Day Itinerary

Imagine embarking on a breathtaking adventure through the stunning landscapes of the Tour du Mont Blanc. This 12-day itinerary is carefully crafted to provide you with an unforgettable journey, filled with awe-inspiring mountain views, charming Alpine villages, and exhilarating hiking trails. From the picturesque town of Chamonix to the pristine glaciers of Courmayeur, you will immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps. With carefully planned activities, precise timings, convenient modes of transport, and a perfect mix of relaxation and exploration, this itinerary ensures that every moment of your journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Get ready to experience the magnificence of Tour du Mont Blanc like never before!

Table of Contents

Arrival in Chamonix

Welcome to Chamonix, the starting point of your Tour Du Mont Blanc adventure! As you arrive in this picturesque French town nestled in the heart of the French Alps, take a moment to soak in the stunning mountain views that surround you. Chamonix is known for its vibrant atmosphere, charming streets, and numerous outdoor activities. Settle into your accommodation and prepare for an exciting journey ahead.

Explore Chamonix

After arriving in Chamonix, take some time to explore the town and familiarize yourself with its unique blend of alpine charm and cosmopolitan buzz. Stroll through the pedestrianized center, lined with boutique shops, cozy cafes, and restaurants offering delicious French cuisine. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the famous Aiguille du Midi, the iconic cable car that takes you to an altitude of 3,842 meters, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Accommodation

Find a comfortable accommodation option that suits your preferences and budget in Chamonix. From luxury hotels to cozy chalets and budget-friendly hostels, there are plenty of options to choose from. Make sure to book in advance to secure your preferred accommodation.

Chamonix to Les Houches

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to embark on your first day of hiking. Today’s destination is Les Houches, a charming village located just a few kilometers south of Chamonix. The route offers a fantastic introduction to the natural beauty of the Mont Blanc region, with stunning views of snow-capped peaks and lush valleys.

Hiking Route

The hiking route from Chamonix to Les Houches is approximately 10 kilometers long and takes around 4-5 hours to complete, depending on your pace. The trail winds through alpine meadows, dense forests, and offers panoramic viewpoints along the way. Keep your camera handy to capture the breathtaking landscapes that unfold before you.

In Les Houches, you’ll find a range of accommodation options to suit your needs. Choose from cozy guesthouses, family-run hotels, or mountain refuges. Rest and recharge for another day of hiking ahead.

Les Houches to Les Contamines

Today’s hike takes you from Les Houches to Les Contamines, another picturesque mountain village. This section of the Tour Du Mont Blanc offers magnificent views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and alpine meadows.

The hiking route from Les Houches to Les Contamines is approximately 16 kilometers long and requires around 6-7 hours to complete. The trail meanders through lush green valleys, crosses rustic wooden bridges, and passes by charming alpine hamlets. Be prepared for some uphill sections, but the rewarding views make it all worthwhile.

In Les Contamines, you’ll find cozy accommodations ranging from mountain lodges to boutique hotels. Enjoy a warm shower and a well-deserved rest before continuing your journey.

Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

As you continue your adventure, today’s hike takes you from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux, a small hamlet nestled in the Mont Blanc Massif.

The hiking route from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux is approximately 15 kilometers long and takes around 6-7 hours to complete. This section of the trail offers stunning views of towering peaks, glacial valleys, and cascading waterfalls. Get ready to have your breath taken away by the incredible beauty of the surrounding nature.

In Les Chapieux, you’ll find rustic mountain refuges offering basic amenities. These refuges provide a cozy and authentic experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the mountain lifestyle.

Les Chapieux to Courmayeur

Today, you’ll be crossing over into Italy as you make your way from Les Chapieux to the charming town of Courmayeur, located in the Aosta Valley.

The hiking route from Les Chapieux to Courmayeur is approximately 20 kilometers long and takes around 7-8 hours to complete. This section of the trail offers diverse landscapes, including rocky paths, lush meadows, and stunning alpine lakes. Take your time to enjoy the beauty of the Italian side of the Mont Blanc region.

In Courmayeur, you’ll find a range of accommodation options, from cozy lodges to luxurious hotels. Unwind and indulge in some Italian cuisine after a rewarding day of hiking.

Courmayeur to Rifugio Elisabetta

Today’s hike takes you from Courmayeur to Rifugio Elisabetta, a mountain refuge located at an altitude of 2,195 meters.

The hiking route from Courmayeur to Rifugio Elisabetta is approximately 15 kilometers long and takes around 5-6 hours to complete. This section of the trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain range and allows you to immerse yourself in the peacefulness of the alpine environment.

Rifugio Elisabetta offers basic yet comfortable accommodation in dormitory-style rooms. Enjoy a cozy evening in the refuge and connect with fellow hikers from around the world.

Rifugio Elisabetta to Les Contamines

Today, you’ll retrace your steps as you make your way back from Rifugio Elisabetta to Les Contamines, completing a loop of the Mont Blanc region.

The hiking route from Rifugio Elisabetta to Les Contamines is approximately 18 kilometers long and takes around 6-7 hours to complete. Enjoy panoramic views as you descend back into the lush valleys and charming alpine villages.

Return to Les Contamines and choose from a variety of cozy accommodations to spend the night. Reflect on the incredible landscapes you’ve experienced so far and prepare for the next leg of your journey.

Les Contamines to Refuge de la Balme

Today’s hike takes you from Les Contamines to Refuge de la Balme, a mountain refuge nestled at an altitude of 1,705 meters.

The hiking route from Les Contamines to Refuge de la Balme is approximately 14 kilometers long and takes around 5-6 hours to complete. This section of the trail offers diverse landscapes, including alpine meadows, tranquil forests, and rocky terrains. Enjoy the peacefulness of the surroundings as you make your way towards the refuge.

At Refuge de la Balme, you’ll find comfortable dormitory-style rooms and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Rest and recharge for the next day’s adventure.

Refuge de la Balme to La Flégère

Today’s hike takes you from Refuge de la Balme to La Flégère, located high above the Chamonix valley.

The hiking route from Refuge de la Balme to La Flégère is approximately 16 kilometers long and takes around 6-7 hours to complete. This section of the trail offers magnificent views of the Mont Blanc range and the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. Be prepared for some uphill sections as you ascend towards La Flégère.

In La Flégère, you’ll find a range of accommodation options offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere after a challenging day of hiking.

Trient to Chamonix

Today marks the final leg of your Tour Du Mont Blanc adventure as you make your way from Trient back to Chamonix.

The hiking route from Trient to Chamonix is approximately 16 kilometers long and takes around 6-7 hours to complete. This section of the trail offers breathtaking mountain views and a sense of accomplishment as you complete your journey. Take the time to reflect on the incredible experiences and memories you’ve gained along the way.

As you arrive back in Chamonix, it’s time to bid farewell to the stunning Mont Blanc region. Take some time to explore the town one last time, buy souvenirs, and reminisce about the incredible adventure you’ve just completed. Whether you choose to depart immediately or stay a few more days to explore the area further, the memories of your Tour Du Mont Blanc will stay with you for a lifetime.

Hi there! I'm itineraryy, the author behind itineraryy.com, Your Journey, Our Itinerary! Here at itineraryy.com, we offer curated travel itineraries that are designed to create the ultimate adventure for you. With our meticulously crafted plans, we promise to transform your trips into extraordinary experiences worth cherishing forever. Whether you're a wanderlust seeker, an explorer at heart, or simply looking to make the most of your vacation, I've got you covered. On our website, you'll find a collection of handpicked destinations, insider tips, and seamless plans that will take the hassle out of travel planning. Join me on a journey of discovery, one curated itinerary at a time. Let's embark on your next remarkable escapade together!

6 Days In Rome Itinerary

Madagascar 10 day itinerary, you may also like, is 10 days enough for spain unveiling..., bali travel guide: how long should you stay..., discover 10-day malaysia itinerary: adventure of tropical wonders, wanderlust unleashed: how many countries should you visit..., unforgettable travel tips: how many days to explore..., ultimate 5-day switzerland itinerary: glacial marvels, ultimate tokyo 5-day itinerary: unveiling the vibrant heart..., a perfect 10-day portugal itinerary: portugal’s best-kept secrets, an epic 10 days sicily itinerary: the ultimate..., plan your trip: best months to visit spain..., adblock detected.

• RATES & REMARKS
• SEND ENQUIRY
• BOOK ONLINE

Tour du Mont Blanc (12 days; private rooms)

The self-guided hiking tour around Mont Blanc is among the most iconic classic must-do treks. The Mont Blanc massif is without a doubt one of the most beautiful sights in the Alps. Even though the route does not take you all the way to the top of the emblematic summit, it guides you from France to Italy and Switzerland revealing its many faces. Do not let this fool you, the walk is fairly demanding but undoubtedly rewarding. You will contemplate alpine peaks and beautiful glaciers during the day and enjoy French and Italian cooking and Swiss hospitality as you rest in the comfort of your accommodations along the way. The trails are well-marked with red and white stripes in France and higher parts in Switzerland and a black diamond shape on a yellow background in the valleys of Italy and Switzerland. The markings are with good density and facing both directions. Even so, you will be walking under the guidance of a well-elaborated Roadbook to ensure a marvelous experience.

Why we have chosen the clockwise direction? The first Cicerone guide book to the Tour of Mont Blanc described the route in the anti-clockwise direction, which made this course more popular for years afterwards, although its later editions described the circuit in both directions. Walking in clockwise direction has loads of merits, the most persuasive being that by travelling ‘against the flow’ one meets different people at each night’s rest, while during the first hour or two of the walking day the path is virtually empty, then comes a wave of trekkers followed by another period of calm. Further to that when following the original anti-clockwise trend there are nearly always other walkers in view. For many hikers this is distracting. As for the steepness or otherwise of ascents and descents, there’s little to choose between the two options.

Walking Grade/ Difficulty

See more here

• Destination Switzerland
• Duration 12 Days I Level: 4 (of 5)
• What is included 7 nights in hotel (including 2 (or 3) in Chamonix) and 4 nights in hotel or very comfortable gîte; breakfasts included everywhere, 8-9x dinners (excl. Chamonix); private rooms (no shared dorms!); luggage transfers (1 piece, 10kg per person; options to drop additional luggage in Chamonix); transfers as per program; detailed travel and tour documents (incl. maps) - 1 set per reservation (incl. GPS tracks); emergency support
• What is not included Drinks, other meals and transfers (picnic lunches can be ordered on spot in the accommodations the previous evening at the price of 12-17 Euros/person), local bus tickets (appr. 30 Euros per person), lift tickets (appr. 20 Euros per person), personal expenses, mountain insurance, entry fees;
• Best period mid-June, July, August, mid-September

FROM OUR GALLERY

Self-guided trekking tour around the Mont Blanc

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN CHAMONIX

Day 2: chamonix - argentiere (11-13km; 6.30hrs; +600/-950km), day 3: le tour – col de balme - trient (13km; 5hrs; +840m/-920m), day 4: trient – champex (13-16km; 6hrs; +1100m/-750m or 6,30hrs; 1300m/-970m), day 5: swiss val ferret - la fouly (15km; 5hrs; +600m/-700m), day 6: grand col ferret - la vachey (17km; 6hrs; +850m/-800m), day 7: mont de la saxe - courmayeur (16km; 5.30hrs; +650m/-1200m), day 8: col de la seigne – les chapieux (15-20km; 6.30hrs; +850m/-650m), day 9: les chapieux – les contamines (15km; 6.30hrs; +850m/-1500m), day 10: les contamines - montjoie - les houches /chamonix (13-16km; 5hrs; +750m/-800m or 6.30hrs; +1100m/-1250m), day 11: the aiguillette des houches (brevent) or mer de glace (13-16km; 5.15hrs; +1230m/-250m or 3hrs; +250m/-600m), day 12: departure, tour location.

Single room & Solo Traveler supplement

Accommodation, send an enquiry about this tour.

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Message

• Best Hikes In The World
• Appalachian Trail
• European Hikes
• Nepal Hikes
• Patagonia Hikes
• See All Hikes
• Mount Kenya
• Mount Kilimanjaro
• Mount Toubkal
• See All Mountains
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Packing Lists

Tour du Mont Blanc (Expert Guide)

Europe , France , Hikes , Italy , Mountains , Switzerland

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular treks in Europe. It covers a distance of roughly 170 kilometres and gains more than 10,000 meters of altitude over 11 stages.

In this guide we cover: what weather to expect and the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, which huts to book, what gear you might need, and much more...

Join a Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights Hike

Book with our recommended local guide

Tour du Mont Blanc

Route overview.

The Tour du Mont Blanc covers a distance of roughly 170 kilometres and gains more than 10,000 meters of altitude over 11 stages. Most people start their hike in Les Houches, France going in an anti-clockwise direction.

During this trek you will hike in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps and spend the night in mountain huts. This is one of Europe's best hikes and is a classic alpine trek. On the hike you will get splendid views of some of the highest mountains in Western Europe, as well as glaciers and alpine meadows.

The highest point reached is 2,665 meters.

The hike passes seven valleys along the way, which means there is a lot of altitude to be gained, making the Tour du Mont Blanc a physical challenge.

Fortunately, walkers are rewarded with some of the best views you can get of Mont Blanc . The route is not only one of the most beautiful long-distance treks in Europe (up there with the Walker's Haute Route ), but one of the most popular ones as well.

Nights can be spent in either mountain huts along the route or back in the valley, where you can have the luxury of a warm bed in a hotel.

What we like and dislike about the hike

• Incredible views of the Mont Blanc massif
• Hike in three countries
• Visit the beautiful villages of Chamonix and Courmayeur along the way
• Spend the night in some of Europe's most iconic mountain huts
• More expensive than other treks in Europe due to the cost of mountain huts
• Physically challenging
• Can be crowded during the summer months

Join the full Tour du Mont Blanc Hike (10-Days)

Tour du mont blanc circuit.

Source: chamonix.net

This map illustrates the Tour du Mont Blanc route. It starts off at Les Houches, France close to the Swiss and Italian border before heading west towards the Italian side of Mont Blanc.

There are 11 stages depending on your physical level. The route is circular around the Mont Blanc Massif, crossing the borders of France, Switzerland and Italy.

In terms of a trekking map we recommend:

• Chamonix, Mont-Blanc ~ IGN Top25 3630OT 2012 (English and French Edition)

And in terms of a trekking guide we highly recommend: 

• Cicerone's The Tour du Mont Blanc: Complete two-way trekking guide

Altitude Profile

In the chart below you see the altitude profile of the full hike. It is quite clear there is a lot of altitude to be gained over the 11 stages, with the highest point reached just above 2500 meters. You can see that there are a few strenuous stages reaching high mountain passes that will require great effort.

Mont Blanc Route Itinerary

Below we have laid out the most popular version of the Tour du Mont Blanc Route – 11 days, starting and finishing in Les Houches. The itinerary includes approx. distances, hiking times and elevation changes.

Day 1:  Les Houches – Les Contamines

Distance: 16 km Ascent: 646m Descent: 633m Hiking time: 5hrs

Easy first stage along, this is the most roadway you will see during the trek. The best views are to be seen at Col de Voza, where you get a look at Dome du Gouter and Aiguille de Bionnasay, with the glacier splitting it in half.

Day 2:  Les Contamines – Les Chapieux

Distance: 18 km Change in elevation:  1316m+, 929m- Hiking time: 7.5hrs

A bit tougher than the first stage. Especially, since there is quite some altitude to be gained and distance covered.

Day 3:  Les Chapieux – Rifugio Elisabetta

Distance: 15 km Change in elevation: 1004m+, 258m- Hiking time: 4.5hrs

This is the day you will leave France and enter Italy via Col de la Seigne. Despite being a short day, there still is some elevation to be gained as you will pass Col de la Seigne. At the highest point, you will gain some great views of both France and Italy and gaze into Val Veni. This is the first night you will spend in a mountain hut.

Day 4:  Rifugio Elisabetta – Courmayeur

Distance: 18 km Change in elevation: 460m+, 1560m- Hiking time: 5hrs

Another short day, since you will mainly be descending. Still, some great views will be shared before reaching Courmayeur, the Italian equivalent of Chamonix.

Day 5:  Courmayeur– Rifugio Bonatti

Distance: 12 km Change in elevation: 860m+, 101m- Hiking time: 4.5hrs

Often described as the most scenic stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc. With views on the glaciers of Planpincieux and Frebouze it’s not hard to see why. The high route along the Mont de la Saxe Crest is thought of as one of the best viewpoints of the southside of the Mont Blanc.

Day 6:  Rifugio Bonatti – La Fouly

Distance: 20 km Change in elevation: 895+, 1410m- Hiking time: 6.5hrs

Today will cross another border and enter Switzerland. Cowbells and tiny villages that have been stuck in time are your scenery for the next few days.

Day 7:  La Fouly - Champex

Distance: 15 km Change in elevation: 420m+, 565m- Hiking time: 4hrs

This probably is the easiest stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc since there are no cols to be conquered. This stage mainly is a valley trek with some great charming villages along the way. However impressive views of the mountains remain.

Day 8:  Champex – Col de la Forclaz

Distance: 16 km Change in elevation: 742m+, 682m- Hiking time: 4.5hrs

There are two ways to reach Col de la Forclaz. A lower route via Alp Bovine, or the more scenic and higher route along the Trient Glacier. This latter passes the Fenetre d’Arpette, the highest point on the Tour du Mont Blanc, and should only be considered in good weather.

Day 9:  Col de la Forclaz – Tre le Champ

Distance: 13 km Change in elevation: 1069m+, 1168m- Hiking time: 5.5hrs

From this point you re-enter France via Col de Balme. A lot of elevation is to be gained and lost, which makes the stage a strenuous one.

Day 10:  Tre le Champ – Refuge Flegere

Distance: 8 km Change in elevation: 733m+, 257m- Hiking time: 3.5hrs

Short stage, but with some ascent. You will spend another night in a mountain hut. Refuge Flegere offers great views and is a perfect last night in the mountains before arriving in Les Houches the next day. There are some ladders to be climbed before reaching the refuge however.

Day 11:  Refuge Flegere – Les Houches

Distance: 17 km Change in elevation: 772m+, 1546m- Hiking time: 6.5hrs

This last stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc goes along Le Brevent in the Aiguille Rouge. There are some splendid views of the Chamonix Valley before finally descending and arriving back in Les Houches.

Video Overview

A beautiful video overview, filmed with a GoPro, of the Tour du Mont Blanc by Eugenio psnt .

Join a Tour du Mont Blanc Hike

Frequently asked questions, how much does the tour du mont blanc trek cost.

The cost of the Tour du Mont Blanc trek is dependent on whether you plan to do a self-guided hike or join a planned tour. Self guided hikes cost in the region of $1500 (estimate of $50-$75 dollars a day). Most mountain huts / gites are around $50 (incl. breakfast). 

Guided trekking tours can be quite expensive since not only do you pay for the guiding service, but you eat and spend most nights in hotels or mountain huts. This mostly includes a luggage transfer to your next accommodation as well, so you can hike with a small backpack. Guided tours range from $2000-$3500, depending on the company / season / size of the group.

Self guided is the cheaper option, however, it does mean you carry more weight in your backpack and some planning of logistics in the weeks / months before.  

Are permits required for the Tour du Mont Blanc trek?

No permits are required for the Tour du Mont Blanc trek.

When is the best time to trek the Tour du Mont Blanc Route?

The best time to trek the Tour du Mont Blanc is between July-September, but exact start and end dates depend on the amount and timing of the previous winter’s snowfall and the onset of cold weather in the Autumn. 

Since the Tour du Mont Blanc crosses high passes, snow could create problems / dangerous conditions. Therefore in a normal year it is not advisable to set out before July. In the summer months, mid-July through to end of August, are the busiest, and temperatures during the day can rise to 25 degrees. Nonetheless, thunderstorms or a dump of snow is possible as well. 

By the end of September, huts will close and it might get a lot harder to complete the trek.

Is altitude sickness a risk?

No, you will cross passes slightly higher than 2500 meter and since you’re hiking slowly to this altitude, you have more than sufficient time to acclimatize. Most people don’t feel any symptoms of altitude sickness before reaching 3000-3500 meter.

How difficult is the Tour du Mont Blanc trek?

Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc comes with great rewards. Rewards that will be more easily gathered when physically fit and mentally attuned. There are many steep and uphill sections to conquer, so exercising regularly at home before the trek is necessary to get in shape for the physical demands of this route. Mental fitness is as important and often go hand in hand. 

The Tour du Mont Blanc is doable for any fit mountain walkers who are able to hike between 5h and 7h30 min per day for several days in a row.

If you are finding the trek tough there are a few sections where you can use public transport to shorten your hike.

What gear do I need?

To do a serious trek like the Tour du Mont Blanc, appropriate clothing and equipment is a must.

Some comfortable lightweight trekking boots are a must to enjoy this trek, while good waterproofs might be essential, not only to protect you against rain or snowfall but to double as wind-proofs. Since you’ll be crossing passes of more than 2500 meters, gloves and several layers will prove useful. Trekking poles are a good way to not overload your knees and ankles

To help you plan and prepare for your trek we recommend our Tour du Mont Blanc packing list .

What travel insurance do I need?

Trekking insurance is important when going into the mountains. See our  article on insurance for more information.

Do I have to carry my own gear all the way?

It’s up to you. There are many organisations offering guided trips for this hike, meaning they do all the logistics for you. This often includes a luggage transfer to your next accommodation in the valley, so you only need to carry a small backpack with some lunch, snacks and clothes.

Browse more hikes in Europe

See our top European hikes picks, or check out these popular hikes.

• Tour de Monte Rosa
• Walkers Haute Route
• Camino de Santiago Routes
• Cinque Terre Hiking
• West Highland Way Hike
• El Caminito del Rey
• Laugavegur Trail
• Kungsleden Trail
• Rota Vicentina
• Slovenian Mountain Trail

About the author 

Mark Whitman

Mark has trekked extensively in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He founded Mountain IQ in 2014 with the sole aim to be the best online information portal to some of the most popular mountain destinations around the world. When not writing for Mountain IQ, Mark is out exploring the outdoors with his wife!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Hi Dempsey,

I’ve been thinking about doing that hiking for a long time and I think, after this pandemic crisis, it’s the time to see my dream coming true. I hope to do it as soon as possible, and to see it how beautiful the nature around is. Stay safe,

João Leite.

Wife and I are interested in doing this in last half of August. I know it is (too) late to reserve now. We plan to show up and hope for the best, perhaps taking advantage of late cancellations on a guided/luggage transfer arrangement. Any advice?

Hi Mike, there are a few dates available on this TMB highlights tour, which is amazing if you’re looking for a short circuit: https://www.skyhookadventure.com/trips/tour-du-mont-blanc-highlights

We work with local guides to offer great value adventures at unbeatable prices

• Festival 'Montagne en Scène' this Thursday 2 May 2024 in Chamonix
• Mont Blanc Tunnel closed from 2 Sept to 16 Dec 2024
• Skier 25, dies on Aiguille Verte after 500 meter fall
• Magic Mont-Blanc, from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 April 2024
• In Chamonix, which ski resorts are open for spring skiing?

At the foot of Mont Blanc (4808m or 15,770ft), the highest mountain in western Europe, Chamonix's alpine town atmosphere

The resort of Chamonix has three 5 star hotels, eleven 4 star hotels, twenty two 3 star hotels, thirteen 2 star hotels

TransferFix, we help you find your Chamonix transfer

Since 1934, Snell Sports has been the largest mountain shop in the Chamonix Valley.

Compare & Book Online with Chamonix.net

Tour du mont blanc hiking - routes, maps and itineraries.

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is a 170 km trek that encompasses the whole of the Mont Blanc Massif; with nearly 10 000m of cumulative descent and ascent it is usually completed in a number of days.

The TMB has a variety of accommodation facilities along the route (hotels and mountain huts with possibility for vehicle support) that allow you to really enjoy the scenery, take lots of photos and walk each day with just a light pack.

Alternatively, the TMB can be done completely self-sufficiently: you carry all your own food and camping gear. This gives you a better sense of freedom and the ability to go where you please whenever you want.

Tour of Mont Blanc General Information

Mont Blanc Tour mountain huts are open, in general, from mid-June until the first or second week in September. It is advisable to reserve a bed, particularly in the high season of mid July to mid August.

Early in the season is the quietest and most beautiful, but beware of old snow on the higher paths which could be icy and dangerous and would make an ice axe essential.

For additional safety or to just show you the way you could hire an Independent Trek Leader .

Wildlife on the Tour du Mont Blanc

Have a look at the Chamonix.net nature, fauna and flora page  for more information on wildlife you might encounter on the Tour of Mont Blanc. Chamois, deer, eagles and a range of beautiful alpine flowers can all be seen and photographed.

Tour du Mont Blanc Maps, Kit List and Equipment

Lightweight boots and shorts are sufficient as long as there are warm clothes in your backpack. Waterproofs are essential and trekking poles useful. Here are some of the best mountain equipment shops in Chamonix .

Do not forget sunglasses, skin and lip protection. Always carry drinking water and check the Chamonix weather forecast before starting your journey.

Maps for the Tour of Mont Blanc:

Tour of Mont Blanc - Route Descriptions

You have plenty of options: from 4 day sportive hikes to leisurely 12 day cultural experiences; there is not only one way to do the Tour of Mont Blanc. Here are a couple of different suggestions which may help you make up your mind on your particular style.

• You can go on your own with your own GPS track, or benefit from a mountain leader's experience
• You can carry your own gear or hike with a light pack with vehicle support
• You can sleep and eat in the refuges or carry a tent

Here is a list of contact information for the various mountain huts .

4 day trip: Not quite racing - but fast enough: For the hardcore hiker

This itinerary follows pretty much in the footsteps of the Ultra Trail race (which varies slightly from year to year). This is for very fit hikers and is done with only a light day pack, eating and sleeping in huts and is basically the run/walking version of the Tour du Mont Blanc. The times noted are for fit spandex-wearing (not obligatory!) hikers.

7 day trip: Hiking the Tour of Mont Blanc - hiker

Start with the previously mentioned itinerary and break up the days a bit depending on where you would like to spend the night.

For people who carry their own gear, plan on a 7 day trip.

9 to 11 day trip: Taking the time to look at the scenery

Of course if you really do have time, you can expand the experience. Here's an example of a slower pace, with time to veer a little off the path. This is described as an 11 day trip, but it would be really easy to knock off the first and last days as those days are dedicated to trekking in the Chamonix Valley.

Each year, in the last days of August, the trails around the Mont Blanc get really busy. This is because of one of the most amazing human competitions ever organized on this planet - The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc - so keep this in mind when planning your hike of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Social Networks

Latest News

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary in 12 days

Join UIMLA mountain leader Emma on this 10-day classic version of the Tour du Mont Blanc. It's an experience no avid hiker should miss out on!

Intermediate

* Join a full on Tour du Mont Blanc hike in the Alps.

* Spend 10 days exploring some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe.

* Complete a unique hiking feat in the company of an experienced certified guide.

Description

Come join me on this classic Tour du Mont Blanc for an experience that every avid hiker should have at least once! I’m a TMB expert and I’ll be happy to be your guide during these 10 days.

During our hike, we’ll visit three different countries — France, Switzerland, and Italy — and trek around western Europe’s highest mountain (4810m). You’ll get to enjoy some stunning views on some of the mountains that have shaped the history of mountaineering: Domes de Miages, Aiguille Verte and Grandes Jorasses, among others.

Along the way, we’ll choose some off-the-beaten-path variants to stay away from crowds . We’ll sleep at some of the coziest and most comfortable mountain huts in the Alps. I’m sure you’ll particularly enjoy Bonatti Hut , with its great Italian food and fantastic atmosphere.

You will need a good fitness level to enjoy this hike. The trekking is relatively strenuous and challenging but we’ll follow good quality trails all the way round. However, it’s mandatory to have some previous and regular experience in this kind of outdoor activity.

You’ll find the full itinerary at the end of this description. Nevertheless, I can adjust this trek to your wishes, availability and skills. So  don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss any changes. Let’s trek this classic Tour du Mont Blanc together!

You can also check my classic Haute Route hiking traverse , from Chamonix to Zermatt!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lift tickets

- Transport during the trip

- Luggage transfer

Price details

The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).

Day 1 : MEETING POINT

Arrive in Chamonix. Our trip begins in the famous mountain town of Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. We meet the group at 6 pm for a trip briefing followed by our evening meal.

Accommodation in a 3-star hotel, dinner included (Luggage access).

Day 2 : TREK TO LES CONTAMINES

We start in Les Houches (after being transferred to there) with a cable car ride on the Bellevue lift. We then cross the spectacular suspension bridge at the foot of the Bionnassay glacier, and we have several route choices to take us to Les Contamines. We usually cross the Col de Tricot, with a coffee stop at the Chalet de Miages at the foot of the mighty Dome de Miages. But if the weather is bad we can take a lower level route.

Accommodation in a lovely 3* hotel in Les Contamines.

Day 3 : TREK FROM LES CONTAMINES TO LES CHAPIEUX

Today we trek up the old Roman road to the chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge. From here it’s uphill, past the Chalet de Barme (if we’re doing well for time, it’s a perfect coffee stop!) and up to the Col de Bonhomme (2328m) for a well-earned lunch stop. We then have a gentle climb to the Col de la Croix de Bonhomme (2478m), from where we have a great view towards the Vanoise National Park. After that, we have a 2-hour walk down to Les Chapieux, and stay in a lovely chambre d’hôte, a guest house with dinner included.

Day 4 : COURMAYEUR

Firstly we take a minibus to avoid walking the tarmac section up to the Ville des Glaciers. From here we cross the river and head to the Refuge des Mottets, from where we start the climb up to the Col de la Seigne (2516m). Once in there, the scenery changes again – you’ve reached Italy! We have fantastic views down into the Val Veny and over to the Val Ferret, and you start to see the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the other Chamonix giants. A descent past the Elisabetta hut takes us to La Visaille, where we take a bus down to the traditional Italian town of Courmayeur, where we spend the night.

Accommodation in a hotel with dinner included.

Day 5 : BONATTI HUT

We start a steep walk up to the Bertone hut and the Mont de la Saxe ridge. If the weather is good and there is not too much snow, we can take the lesser-traveled variant to the Mont de la Saxe ridge, up the Tête de la Tronche, and then down steeply to the Col Sapin. We then have a descent, followed by another climb to the Col Entre Deux Sauts: it’s a fairly long, but really stunning day – not many people, plus breathtaking scenery. We overnight at the delightful Rifugio Bonatti, from where you can watch the beautiful sunset behind Mont Blanc. Tonight is the only night of the trip with no luggage access.

Day 6 : TREK FROM BONATTI TO LA FOULY

Today we trek over the Grand Col Ferret (one of the highest cols on the trip at 2537m). We are rewarded with stunning views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Grand Combin and Mont Dolent (the summit of which is on the border of France, Switzerland and Italy). At the top of the col we cross over into Switzerland, where the scenery changes yet again. If we’re doing well for time we might stop for a coffee at La Peule. Here we leave the signposted TMB and head to La Fouly via a higher balcony path. La Fouly is an alpine village with traditional Swiss “chocolate box” chalets, and we stay in a hotel (dinner included).

Day 7 : LA FOULY TO CHAMPEX

A much shorter day today has us winding through beautiful Swiss alpine meadows, tiny rural villages and finally up to the beautiful alpine resort of Champex, nestled alongside the lake that gives it its name. Here we stay in a traditional 3-star hotel, with simple rooms but wonderful food.

Day 8 : HIKE FROM CHAMPEX TO TRIENT

There are 2 options for today. If we’re feeling fit and the weather is good, we can take the Fenêtre d’Arpette, the highest col on the TMB at 2665m. It’s a fantastic route with stunning views of the Trient glacier. If we want to be a little more relaxed, we can take the normal route via Bovine to the Col de la Forclaz – I or a guide in charge will make the decision according to the weather conditions and fitness of the group. We then continue down to the valley of Trient, our Swiss base for the night.

Accommodation in a hotel with dinner included and luggage access.

Day 9 : TRIENT TO ARGENTIERE

Today our plan is to take another variant from the official TMB – a lesser-traveled route via Les Grands. There are much better views from this route, and there are usually not many people, so it’s worth the extra time and effort. If the weather is bad then we might just take the normal TMB. Either route takes us to the Col de Balme, where we are back in France at the head of the Chamonix valley. From here we have a short climb to the Aiguillette des Posettes, and we descend to Argentière via the hamlet of Tré-le-Champ.

Accommodation in a hotel (dinner included).

Day 10 : TREK FROM ARGENTIERE VIA THE LAC DES CHESERYS TO CHAMONIX

We make the short walk back to Tré-le-Champ and hike up to the beautiful Lacs des Chéserys, with simply the best views of Mont Blanc. This is one of the best walks in the Chamonix valley, and we use a series of ladders and chains to skirt the cliffs – this is nothing to worry about and is not difficult! We then traverse to the Flégère and finish the day with the Grand Balcon Sud – a wonderful balcony walk with endless Mont Blanc views. We take the Planpraz cable car down to Chamonix and our comfortable hotel.

Day 11 : CHAMONIX TO LES HOUCHES

Today we take the cable car back up to Planpraz to resume walking at the same point we finished at yesterday. We climb up to the Col du Brévent and then up to the Brévent summit with excellent views of Mont Blanc. To complete our Tour du Mont Blanc, we descend via Merlet to reach Les Houches, and take a transfer back to our hotel in Chamonix.

Day 12 : DEPART CHAMONIX

Our trip finishes after breakfast.

Group size: 4-10 Price: £1945 per person All breakfasts & evening meals included

Meeting point

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

About the guide

-Emma & Guides' team

Mountain Leader

I'm a qualified International Mountain Leader (IML) and I have been leading expeditions for the last 15 years. I have led the Tour du Mont Blanc over 40 times, the Everest Base Camp trek 27 times, Kilimanjaro 10 times, and I have also led trips in Nepal, Peru, Cuba, India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand, the Alps, the Pyrenees, Russia, Uzbekistan and Madagascar, amongst others. I work together with qualified mountain leaders like me, If I'm not available to guide you, one of my colleagues will take care of you.

I'm a passionate skier, in 2009 I made the first ski descent of Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world (8156m).

Fluent in French, Russian and Spanish, I also work as an interpreter and love to chat.

Russian | French | English

Certificates

What people are saying about -Emma & Guides' team

Emma was a very sweet and knowledgeable guide. She was adaptive to the different personalities and skill level of our group. Easygoing, talkative, friendly and pleasant to be around! Couldn't be happier with our guide!

Emma was very easy to communicate with (once we we able e in the same time zone, of course!). Our guide Phil was fabulous. Thanks to all.

We were Very pleased With Emma guiding us through the hikes. We really enjoyed the entire trip:) As we were just our family we would have loved a little more flexibility hiking in our own pace - felt we were rushed a bit too much. We should have informed Emma about this but we were too compliant:) The explore-share platform was a bit rigid/ formel - it was not clear that exploreshare hired another firm to do the job. Also quite a High fee to explore share We were first told to have an (expensive) extended travel insurance (with mountain rescue) up to departure / after we had plaid. We should have been told this before signing up. Another mistake were that explore share had told us last payment were due closer to departure - so in a rush we had to pay up 60 days before as this is cloud9advenures policy. This made us uncertain if it was fraud. But it wasn’t:) overall pleased with our trip

Bruno our guide was very helpful and profesional

AMAZING! This was a last minute decision and my first multi day trekking tour and it far exceeded my expectations. The communication and preparation was comprehensive and accurate. Our guide (Lindsay) was phenomenal. The route was the perfect mix of challenge and comfort. I will definitely be booking my next hiking trek thru Emma.

You may also like

Best of Tour du Mont Blanc Trek

1-day Hiking Fenestre Lake and Pass in Mercantour National Park

Mercantour National Park, France, Guided Hiking Lakes Adventure

Hiking to Baudon Peak from Peille, near Nice and Monaco

Hut-to-hut ‘Vues du Mont Blanc’ Trekking Tour

Best of the Matterhorn Trek

Saorge perched village hiking, in French Riviera, Southern Alps

One day experience on the Glacier around Chamonix Mer de Glace

Hiking in Vence country in the French Riviera (Southern Alps)

Find more trips in Italy

Join our newsletter.

Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.

+44 208 144 8102

[email protected]

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc Trek

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc

One of the best treks in the world

Trek around western Europe's highest mountain

Visit France, Italy & Switzerland

Stunning scenery every day

Fully guided trip with luggage support

Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure

We are the TMB experts

Outstanding fully-qualified guides

Off-the-beaten path on little-travelled variants

Excellent quality hotels with private rooms

We stay in the wonderful Bonatti hut

Tour du Mont Blanc Trek: Dates and Prices

AT A GLANCE

10 days' trekking

Luggage delivery

Group size 4-10

Join: Chamonix

Nearest Airport: Geneva

ACCOMMODATION

8 nights in hotels

1 night in a guest house

1 night in an auberge

1 night in a refuge

DIFFICULTY GRADING

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc Trek: Overview

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the classic trekking journeys in the world, covering 166km with 10,000m of ascent and descent.  Standing on the border of France, Switzerland and Italy, at 4810m above sea level, Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in western Europe. Our route takes us over varied terrain including rugged cols, high alpine meadows and conifer forests.  You will see plenty of alpine flowers, and are likely to see marmots, chamois, ibex and birds of prey.  As well as Mont Blanc, you should have fantastic views of many other famous peaks in the area: the Domes de Miage, the Aiguille Verte, the Aiguille du Chardonnet, the Grandes Jorasses, Mont Dolent and the Grand Combin amongst others.

Which Tour du Mont Blanc trek shall I book?

We offer the Tour of Mont Blanc in a number of different options:

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc - The classic itinerary completes the circuit over 10 days' trekking and uses cable cars and occasional transfers to offer the most comfortable version of this trek. We take variants whenever possible in order to leave the crowds behind - and it is for this reason that we start on a weekday rather than at the weekend - it makes a huge difference.

Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc - we use vehicle transfers to link up the Highlights of the TMB, enabling you to complete the circuit over 7 days. Perfect for those who are short of time but who don't want to compromise the best bits - our Highlights version still does some of the exciting variants, and we also stay in the Bonatti hut, a true highlight.

"Best of" the Tour du Mont Blanc - shorter and easier than our Highlights Trip, this version stays in hotels only, and takes 6 days. We use vehicle transfers to shorten some of the days.

Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc - for fit, experienced trekkers only. This is the most challenging version of the Tour du Mont Blanc that we offer. We take little-known variants and climb optional summits on this truly exceptional 10 day itinerary.

Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc - we book all your accommodation and provide suggestions on the best places to eat, buy your lunches, and our favoured route options and recommendations. We can provide anything from Every Step of the Way over 10-12 days, our 10 day Classic trip with a couple of bus transfers, a 5-9 day Highlights trip, a Tour du Mont Blanc East, or West, or even a 3 or 4-day mini TMB from Chamonix to Courmayeur. We can add rest days to your itinerary wherever you like.  And we can cater for all budgets - anything from luxury hotels, to a more budget trip staying in mountain huts, or a comfortable mix. You can choose whether or not to have luggage delivery, whether you'd like your meals included, and we can arrange airport transfers if need be.

Private Tour du Mont Blanc  - If you would like an independent trip on dates to suit you, then just let us know. We can offer any number of itineraries for groups of all sizes and budgets from a luxury Tour du Mont Blanc to a budget trip staying entirely in huts, or a trek with a good mix of hotels and huts. You can travel clockwise or anti-clockwise, and take anything from 5 days to 2 weeks, with or without a rest day in Courmayeur, and be guided or self-guided.

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc Trek: Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Chamonix

Our trip begins in the famous mountain town of Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. We meet the group at 6pm for a trip briefing  followed by our evening meal.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Day 2 - Transfer to Les Houches. Trek to Les Contamines

We start in Les Houches with a cable car ride on the Bellevue lift.  We then cross the spectacular suspension bridge at the foot of the Bionnassay glacier, and we have several route choices to take us to Les Contamines. We usually cross the Col de Tricot, with a coffee stop at the Chalet de Miages at the foot of the mighty Dome de Miages, but if the weather is bad we can take a lower level route.  We stay in a lovely 3* hotel in Les Contamines.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Walking: approx 6 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: +837m / -1520m

Day 3 - Trek from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

Today we trek up the old Roman road to the chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge.  From here it’s uphill, past the Chalet de Barme (if we’re doing well for time, it’s a perfect coffee stop!) and up to the Col de Bonhomme (2328m) for a well-earned lunch stop.  We then we have a gentle climb to the Col de la Croix de Bonhomme (2478m), from where we have a great view towards the Vanoise National Park.  Next we have a 2 hour walk down to Les Chapieux, and stay in a lovely chambre d’hôte.

Accommodation : Guest house, dinner included

Walking: Approx 7 - 8 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: + 1348m / -960m

Day 4 - Trek over the Col de la Seigne to Courmayeur

Firstly we take a minibus to avoid walking the tarmac section up to the Ville des Glaciers.  From here we cross the river and head to the Refuge des Mottets, from where we start the climb up to the Col de la Seigne (2516m).  From here the scenery changes again – you’ve reached Italy!  We have fantastic views down into the Val Veny and over to the Val Ferret, and you start to see the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the other Chamonix giants.  A descent past the Elisabetta hut takes us to La Visaille, where we take a transfer down to the traditional Italian town of Courmayeur, where we stay in a family-run, central hotel.

Walking: Approx 5-6 hours

Altitude gain / loss: +867m / -1015m

Day 5 - Trek from Courmayeur to the Rifugio Bonatti

We start the steep walk up to the Bertone hut and the Mont de la Saxe ridge.  If the weather is good and there is not too much snow, we can take the lesser-travelled variant to the Mont de la Saxe ridge, up the Tête de la Tronche, and then down steeply to the Col Sapin. We then have a descent, followed by another climb to the Col Entre Deux Sauts: it’s a fairly long, but really stunning day – not many people, plus breathtaking scenery.  We overnight at the delightful Rifugio Bonatti, from where you can watch the beautiful sunset behind Mont Blanc.  Tonight is the only night of the trip with no luggage access.

Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included

No luggage access

Walking: Approx 7 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: +1584m / -940m

Day 6 - Trek from the Bonatti hut to La Fouly

Today we trek over the Grand Col Ferret (one of the highest cols on the trip at 2537m).  We are rewarded with stunning views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Grand Combin and Mont Dolent (the summit of which is on the border of France, Switzerland and Italy).  At the top of the col we cross over into Switzerland, where the scenery changes yet again.  If we’re doing well for time we might stop for a coffee at La Peule. Here we leave the signposted TMB and head to La Fouly via a higher balcony path. La Fouly is an alpine village with traditional Swiss “chocolate box” chalets, and we stay in a simple hotel.

Walking- approx 6-7 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: +1128m / -1580m

Day 7 - La Fouly to Champex

A much shorter day today has us winding through beautiful Swiss alpine meadows, tiny rural villages and finally up to the beautiful alpine resort of Champex, nestled alongside the lake that gives it its name.  Here we stay in a traditional hotel, with wonderful food.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, dinner included

Walking - approx 5 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: +711m / -855m

Day 8 - Hike from Champex to Col de la Forclaz or Trient

There are 2 options today. If we’re feeling fit and the weather is good, we can take the Fenêtre d’Arpette, the highest col on the TMB at 2665m.  It’s a fantastic route with stunning views of the Trient glacier.  If we want to be a little more relaxed, we can take the normal route via Bovine to the Col de la Forclaz - our guide will make the decision according to the weather conditions and fitness of the group.  We either stay at Col de la Forclaz or at Trient, depending on availability. If we are staying in Trient we continue down to the valley floor for a further 30-40 minutes.

Accommodation: Auberge, dinner included.  We aim for en-suite rooms here but they are subject to availability.

Walking: approx 6 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: +1484m / -1760m

Day 9 - Forclaz or Trient to Argentière

Today our plan is to take another variant from the official TMB – a lesser-travelled route, either via Les Grands or Les Tseppes, depending on where we stayed last night. There are much better views from both of these routes, and there are usually not many people, so it’s worth the extra time and effort. If the weather is bad then we might just take the normal TMB. Either route takes us to the Col de Balme, where we are back in France at the head of the Chamonix valley. From here we have more options: either via the Aiguillette de Posettes down to Tré-le-Champ, or straight down to Le Tour, followed by the Petit Balcon Nord to reach Argentière. 

Accommodation: 3* Hotel or chalet, dinner included

Altitude gain / loss: +1200m / -1500m

Day 10 - Trek from Argentière via the Lac Blanc to Chamonix

We make the short walk back to Tré-le-Champ and hike up to the Lac Blanc via the beautiful Lacs des Chéserys, with simply the best views of Mont Blanc. This is one of the best walks in the Chamonix valley, and we use a series of ladders and chains to skirt the cliffs – this is nothing to worry about and is not difficult! From the Lac Blanc we descend via the Flégère cable car to Les Praz and either walk along the river or take the bus or train to Chamonix.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel, dinner included

Walking: Approx 7-8 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: +1000m / -650m

Day 11 - Chamonix to Les Houches

Today we take the cable car back up the Flégère to resume walking at the same point we finished at yesterday. We start with the famous Grand Balcon Sud linking the Flégère with Planpraz. From here we climb up to the Col du Brévent and then up to the Brévent summit with excellent views of Mont Blanc.  To complete our Tour du Mont Blanc, we descend via Bel Lachat and Merlet to reach Les Houches, and take a transfer back to our hotel in Chamonix. It's a long day but there are various places where you can take a cable car to ease the journey.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel, dinner included

Walking: Approx 8 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: +870m / -1770m

Day 12 - Depart Chamonix

Our trip finishes after breakfast.

All accommodation 

All breakfasts & evening meals

All cable cars and transport as detailed in the itinerary

Luggage transfers on all but 1 night

Qualified & experienced International Mountain Leader

Not Included

Travel insurance

Airport transfers

Packed lunches

Personal drinks & snacks

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc Trek: Book Online

9.9 out of 10 of our customers say they would recommend us to their family and friends

Alpenventures UNGUIDED

Responsible adventure travel, tour du mont blanc self guided 15-day relaxed itinerary tmb-15.

• GO take in the food and culture in three different countries: France, Switzerland, and Italy
• GO enjoy breathtaking views and high passes while circling the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc
• GO enjoy more comfortable accommodation than what is available on most multi-day hiking tours in the Alps

We love the Tour du Mont Blanc, but it is not for everybody. This is a very demanding hike with a lot of elevation gain over high passes. There is also an exposed section of ladders that is not everybody's cup of tea. Thanks to its popularity, the Tour du Mont Blanc is becoming increasingly crowded and expensive. We do encourage you to take a look at our other Trekking Tours before deciding for the TMB.​

Length        15 days

Season         mid-June to mid-September

Airport        Geneva, Switzerland alternately, Zurich or Milan

Read more about difficulty ratings

Responsible Travel Score: 11/15 Responsible Traveler (detailed summary available in Tour Documents)

Safety Briefing Packing List Responsible Travel Scorecard

Packages and Pricing

Included in all packages ​

• Exclusive access to tours in a navigation app , even when offline
• Custom eGuidebook containing maps, daily itinerary, accommodation information and more
• Carbon offsetting for your tour (1 metric ton per customer)
• Optional Airport to Airport full service booking
• Booking and logistics assistance during your tour
• Unlimited time spent answering your questions
• Peace of mind by leaving the planning and booking to local experts
• More time for the important things in life

Comfort Package Almost Luxury .line{font-size:20px;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:0}.body

Not available.

All Prices are Per Person

No Fees Apply

Classic Package BEST DEAL .line{font-size:20px;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:0}.body

3,220€ tax included*.

Double/Triple Occupancy Single Occupancy +470€

What's Included:

-4 nights in 3-star hotels*

-4 nights in rooms** at mountain huts

-2 nights in dormitories

-14 breakfasts

Customization and Last-minute Booking Fees Apply

Ultralight Package Best for Budget Adventurers .line{font-size:20px;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:0}.body

2,660€ tax included*.

Single Occupancy Included

-5 nights accommodation dormitories in mountain huts

-7 nights accommodation in hostels or budget hotels

-2 nights accommodation in budget hotel in Courmayeur

-12 dinners

**Private rooms are in high demand at mountain huts and they do book out quickly. When there is no availability for a private room, you may end up in the dormitory. Should this happen, we will adjust pricing accordingly. We can book the best itineraries for customers who provide us a flexible date range to work with.

Not included

-Paper map -Emergency response and rescue -Flights -Beverages -Any meals not specified -Sheets at mountain huts (a sleeping bag liner or travel sheet is normally required) -Fees for any additional transportation used during the hiking tour, such as lifts, gondolas, and buses -Some accommodations charge tourist or city taxes that must be paid on site. These rarely exceed 2€ per person per night

Airport to Airport Package from Geneva Public

2 nights 2- or 3-star hotel in Chamonix

Transportation between Geneva Airport and hotel (public transportation)

The Airport to Airport Package is not customizable

Airport to Airport Package from Geneva Private

2 nights 3-star hotel in Chamonix

Transportation between Geneva Airport and hotel (private transportation)

7-Sack Lunches

Luggage Transportation

10x - 350€*

*Rate is per 15 kg bag . Lower rates available based on group size.

Luggage transportation is available to all but 3 accommodations (pending availability).

Luggage transportation availability and prices will vary based on the accommodations booked on the final itinerary.

This add-on lowers the  Responsible Travel Score  from  11  to  8  points

All prices are per person

*Private transportation packages require a minimum of double occupancy

Accommodation

While not all accommodations on the route are equal, we hear great feedback about every hut on the route. Of course, there’s variation amongst our customers regarding the most, and least, favorite huts on the route. It’s really a matter of personal preference. If there are specific huts that you would like to stay in, you can share that with us in your booking, and we’ll do our best to honor your request.

Breakfast and dinner will always be available at, or near, your accommodation. It is not necessary to carry your own food for these meals. The mountain huts allow us (and usually require us) to book half-pension for our customers, which includes a multi-course set menu for dinner (usually with a vegetarian and non-vegetarian option) and breakfast. Drinks are never included. In the towns, where a selection of restaurants is available, we typically do not include dinner.

Read about dietary restrictions at the huts

For lunches, there are three options. We recommend planning a combination of these:

• There are so many huts along the way, that depending on your itinerary, you’ll likely have options to sit down for a warm lunch on each day. While this sounds appealing, it is also very expensive and time-consuming. This is not a great option on long hiking days or for slower hikers who are already concerned about covering the planned route.
• Most huts offer sack lunches that you can bring with you on the trail. We find these to be overpriced, repetitive to breakfast, and this option generates a lot of trash. At the mountain huts, we are able to book these in advance for you. But, there is no advantage to that, and our recommendation is to decide on-site when you want to purchase a sack lunch. Sack lunches should be requested immediately upon arrival at the hut for the next day. There are a couple of huts that require sack lunches to be ordered the day prior. We will include this information for you in your eGuidebook on the Service Provider Summary, along with a phone number. Huts are generally not very flexible in honoring dietary restrictions with their sack lunches. Note that we are not able to book these in advance for you at hotels. So, if your itinerary has more hotels than mountain huts, there will be less sack lunches that we are able to book for you.
• The third option, and our favorite option, is to bring your own food. Since this route travels through so much civilization, there are plenty of opportunities along the way to resupply.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is likely to have the best conditions between mid-July and the end of the August. Huts are generally open from mid-June until mid-September, which defines the hiking season for the Tour du Mont Blanc for most of our itineraries . Some lifts and shuttles and lifts only operate in July and August, which limits the season of our itineraries that use these shuttles and lifts.

Here's what conditions to expect at different times of year:

Late June: Huts are open and routes from the valleys to the huts are clear. Problematic snow is likely on the passes and at high elevations, but it is usually tracked. The higher elevation variants, and the approach up the back side of Le Brevent (at the end of our itineraries) usually are not doable. Some form of traction for your shoes is advisable. Even if the passes are clear in time for your hike, they usually clear at the very last minute, and June hikers always have a couple of stressful weeks leading up to their hike as they check webcams and eagerly wait for the snow to melt in time for their hike. In almost every year, it is not possible to predict what trails are going to be like in June until one or two weeks before. The shuttle between Les Chapieux and Mottets, as well as the chairlift down from Maison Vieille are not operating.

July and August: Problematic snow can remain on the route through the first two weeks of July, but it is less likely than in June. By mid-July, trails are almost always clear. Summer settles in and on some days there may be afternoon thunderstorms. These thunderstorms rarely interfere with hiking itineraries and are not usually problematic. Of course, thunderstorm safety should be practiced. The wildflowers at the higher elevations should be all out by mid-July. Hiking conditions during this time are often favorable, and it’s a great time to be on the trail.

Early September: The first snow of the winter usually falls in the first week of September. The snow rarely sticks around for more than a day, but the visibility can be very low, making navigation problematic on this one day. Most days in early September are beautiful and perfect, and the thunderstorms are less, but there is a higher risk of snowstorms and conditions that may prevent you from completing your hike during this time. Many hikers have incredible weather in September, but some do not. It’s simply a matter of luck. The later you push into September, the higher the risk that unfavorable conditions (usually snow, but sometimes extremely cold temperatures) can interfere with your hiking itinerary. We notice that customers who are on the trail beyond September 15 th are much more likely to quit their hike early due to conditions. In early September, the wildflower season is mostly over, with the exception of brilliant bursts of fireweed that mark the end of summer. The shuttle between Les Chapieux and Les Mottets, as well as the chairlift descent from Maison Vieille, do not run at all in September. Other buses and lifts start to close down as the month goes on, and some buses begin to operate reduced schedules.

In all months, it’s reasonable to expect 1 to 2 rainy days on the trail.

To research more detailed information about average temperatures, precipitation, etc., we recommend checking Meteoblue (go to “History & Climate” and then “Climate (modelled)”) for Le Brevent , Col de Voza and Col de la Seigne . These are high points on the tour. The low points on the tour are Chamonix and Courmayeur .

Important note about availability on the Tour du Mont Blanc: Many authors and blogger s have published information that June and September are the shoulder seasons and are less crowded on the Tour du Mont Blanc than other times of the summer . The word is out and now huts tend to fill up early in June and September . July also fills up early. F or the past couple of year s , August has had the most availability for last-minute bookings , which is somewhat unexpected . The UTMB race takes place on the trail, usually right at the end of August and beginning of September. This may increase prices for hotels in places like Chamonix, Les Houches, and Courmayeur, but it generally does not affect availability at the huts. While we have heard of many people wanting to avoid the route during the time, the hikers we have spoken with who actually have done the route during the race have said that it was not a hindrance to hiking and that they actually enjoyed the energy of the event while they were on the trail. It’s not for everyone though, and some hikers may want to avoid the trail during this time.

The Tour do Mont Blanc is a very popular route, and the huts are going to be full during the entire season. If your goal is to avoid the crowds (although in most places the trail does not feel crowded at all), then we recommend choosing a route that is less famous, but just as, if not more, incredible. There are well over 800 mountain huts in the Alps, and hut to hut possibilities are endless. Here are some great tours to look at:

Best of the Dolomites Trek Culinary Delight Hut Hiking Tour Hut to Hut Light in the Austria Alps Tour of the Vanoise Hut to Hut in Switzerland

We accept bookings up to 21 days prior to the start date of the tour

Only 20% payment due at the time of booking!

Current Availability

Updated: March 4, 2024

This tour is no longer available for booking in summer 2024 due to availability. Please refer to our other Tour du Mont Blanc Itineraries . Tour of similar difficult that still have availability include our 12-day Best of the Dolomites Trek , Hut to Hut in Switzerland Relaxed Itinerary , and our Hut to Hut Light in the Austrian Alps .

Useful Links

Booking process.

• Initiate the booking process by selecting the green button labeled, GO Book the Tour
• Complete the fields in the booking process and continue on to process the deposit (usually 20%, sometimes 30%) via Paypal (Paypal account not needed)
• We'll start checking availability and working on your bookings. As long as there is availability, we will book the accommodations and send you your eGuidebook within 21 days of the booking (this may take longer for custom tours and last-minute tours). This will include GPS waypoints of the accommodations and will be in a format that can be saved on your smartphone for convenient use on the tour. If any changes need to be made during the tour, there will be a phone number available to you during the tour, although additional charges may apply

If there are any issues with availability, we will contact you and work with you to find an alternative solution. If we are unable to find one, we will refund the deposit in full.

The remaining balance for the tour is due 30 days prior to the first date of the tour.

Group Discount

Only one discount will be applied per tour participant. Discounts are only applicable to tours. Discounts are not applicable to fees or additional services, such as Airport to Airport Packages or bicycle rentals.

Groups of 6 or more: 15% discount for all participants & customize an existing tour without Customization Fees

The Best 5 Treks in the Alps FREE eBook

Get the 32-page eBook for FREE

Access logistics and itinerary information, as well as overview maps, for the Best 5 Treks in the Alps. This eBook includes the Tour du Mont Blanc, Alta Via 1, and more.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Customer Reviews

Privacy Overview

Check out our yard sale to get a 20% off discount on confirmed tours that were canceled by other customers.

Tours must be booked as is. No modifications can be made. These itineraries are very limited and are first-come, first-served.

We have a limited selection of Guaranteed Itineraries for the Tour du Mont Blanc

These itineraries are pre-booked and reservations are guaranteed. There are very few of these itineraries remaining, and when they are gone, they are gone.

Vegetarians: There are always vegetarian options available at the huts. It is important to remind the hut upon arrival of your dietary preferences.

Other Dietary Restrictions: The huts do try to honor all dietary restrictions, but their ability to do so may vary greatly. Several huts receive their food deliveries by helicopter, and at some huts, the staff carry the food supplies to the hut on foot. The kitchens at the huts are small, and many huts are unable to take measures against cross-contamination. Try to be as flexible as your health will allow. Keep in mind that food sensitivities in your home country may not apply abroad, as different regions of the world have different qualities of ingredients and different processes.

When you book a tour with Alpenventures UNGUIDED, we'll ask you about your dietary restrictions and inform the huts in advance. We are not able to promise that any hut will honor a dietary restriction. We advise all customers to remind the hut immediately upon arrival.

On occasion, we have huts who refuse to honor vegan diets , as this is extremely challenging for them, and it may be seen as more of a choice than a health measure (their words, not ours). Sometimes, they may refuse a reservation for a guest requiring a vegan diet. It may be necessary for vegans to accept a vegetarian meal at one or more of the huts to make their itinerary feasible.

• Financial Protection
• Tel: +44 1273 256753
• Itinerary on the Tour Du Mont Blanc

Anti-clockwise route

The traditional route starts in Chamonix and heads anti-clockwise to Les Houches and then on to Les Contamines. During a two week trek, you might stop in Les Contamines for an extra night and climb Mont Joly (2525m) on your day off. You then make the massive climb over the Col du Bonhomme and on to Les Chapieux and then the Col de la Seigne to Courmayeur. However, by following the traditional direction you complete the three biggest days of the trek at the beginning of the trip and many people find it quite stressful: there is consequently a nervous atmosphere is the hotels in Les Contamines and people don’t really enjoy these parts of the trek.

Clockwise route

As an alternative, many people now follow a clockwise direction which means that the first five days of the trek are relatively easier and allows you to build your fitness and confidence before tackling the last three big days. It also means that the last three days – over the high mountain passes – are much more enjoyable. Whichever direction you choose to travel makes little or no impact on the quality of the views – it is still a wonderful trek, whichever way you go.

How long will it take to do the TMB?

Once you have decided which way to go around the Mont Blanc massif , you need to consider the length of your trip. At a minimum, you need a week, but this would mean covering some sections by public transport – unless you walk extremely fast! And the length of your trip will also influence the cost of the trip: the longer it takes, the more it will cost. Most people settle on completing the trek without the use of much public transport and walk the eight or nine sections in the same amount of days. It is also sensible to include a rest-day at some time: most people choose to stay in Courmayeur, but Champex Lac is a very nice alternative.

Travel and rest days

If you trek for eight days, with a day off in the middle of the trek, you also need to allow a day at the beginning and end to travel to and from the Chamonix Valley . Therefore, eleven or twelve days in total is a sensible amount of time to allow for your trip. It can be worth building in a spare day in case of poor weather or if you are unable to continue due to a small injury or blisters.  You may also consider one or two days extra so that you can sightsee in the Chamonix Valley . There is a lot to see and it is a great place to relax and bask in the success of your trek around Mont Blanc.

The Demi TMB

For those who are really strapped for time, you can split the trek into two halves and complete one half this year and then the next half the next year! Some tour operators offer this as the north and south routes and can be a useful compromise for those who are time-poor.

Finally, the normal route followed in a clockwise direction is Chamonix , Argentiere , Col de la Forclaz, Champex Lac, La Fouly , Courmayeur, Les Chapieux, Les Contamines, Les Houches and/or Chamonix .

Information Directory

• Cost of the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Advice for the Tour du Mont Blanc
• How hard is the Tour du Mont Blanc?
• Attractions on the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Hotels on the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Food Recommended on Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Accomodation on the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Airports Near the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Temperatures on the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Weather Conditions on the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Location of the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Altitude on the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Highest Point of the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Gear List for the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Equipment for the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Packing for the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Shoes & Boots for the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Luggage for the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Navigation on the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Fitness Levels Needed for the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Distance on the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Walking, Hiking & Trekking
• Guides on the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Villages on the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Trails on the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• The Mountain – Tour du Mont Blanc
• Dangers on the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Tour du Mont Blanc Safety
• Route of the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Planning for the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Organiser of the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Length of the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Info About the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Highlights of the Tour Du Mont Blanc
• Eccles Refuge

11-Day Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary

Striking blue alpine lakes, snow-capped jagged peaks, grazing cattle, ancient glaciers, rugged landscapes, pretty meadows, rustic mountain refuges and jaw-dropping viewpoints. here is the ultimate 11-day tour du mont blanc itinerary..

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a magnificent multi-day hike encircling the Mont Blanc Massif usually in around 9-11 days and covers between 140 km and 170 km. It takes its name from the tallest mountain in the Alps,  Mont Blanc, standing proud at 4,809 metres.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is an incredibly rewarding and challenging trip of a lifetime and a real bucketlist experience for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts as it passes through some of France, Italy and Switzerland’s most stunning mountain scenery!

Landscapes are noticeably different in each country and characterised by rugged ancient glaciers, pretty alpine flowers, jagged snow-capped peaks, quaint towns and villages, rolling green mountains, waterfalls, rivers and many more diverse sceneries.

Planning your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary can be quite daunting so this guide and this guide on everything you need to know before hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc will tell you everything you need to know.

The Tour du Mont Blanc Hike technically starts and ends in Les Houches although there are different options on where to finish. The entire route is 170 km but this will vary depending on your route, variants and where you finish.

Our Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary finishes in Flégère where we took the cable car to Les Praz and bus back to Chamonix. The last section is a gruelling 1500-metre rocky descent, so, we decided to skip this as none of us have great knees going downhill.

Traditionally, the Tour du Mont Blanc Hike is completed anti-clockwise, but you can hike clockwise if you’d like quieter trails in the mornings and afternoons. The views are spectacular in either direction.

For everything you need to know before hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc including how to book, accommodation types, the best time of year, tips for staying in refuges, what to pack, weather, food and ATM stops and so much more, head to the post below.

Read: Everything You Need to Know Before Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc

Here, we’ll focus on our 11-day Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary. We’ll break each day into sections and share timings, distance and elevation gain and loss between various points so you know what to expect on each day.

We’ve detailed refuges, restaurants and water-fill-up points on our route. We’ve mentioned a couple we know about on the variations, however, there may be other ones we aren’t aware of.

The distances of refuges and restaurants in brackets are the distances from the day’s starting point.

The first section of this post will be the detailed Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary and then we’ll share everything else you need to know that’s relevant to the hike and not shared in the post above. Feel free to use the contents as required.

No time to read this 11-day Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary now? No worries, save this post for later.

11 Day Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary

Day 1: les houches to les contamines-montjoie.

Day 1 of your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary starts in Les Houches at the starting point of the TMB Hike (950 metres).

The first section takes you to Col de Voza (1657 metres) from the Bellevue Cable Car covering 680 metres of elevation gain over 6.5 kilometres. It’s pretty gruelling. I actually found it one of the toughest parts of the entire TMB Hike.

Sections of the trail are under the shade of the trees; a nice respite from the heat and when the trees open up, you’re treated to beautiful views across the valley.

Our Top Tip: to save your energy, you can also take the Bellevue Cable Car which has incredible views of the Mont Blanc Massif and Aiguille du Midi. The cost is €17.50 one-way.

From Col de Voza, follow signs for Col de Tricot. You’ll traverse picturesque meadows with wonderful views of Bionnassay Glacier; the smallest of the great glaciers on the French side of Mont Blanc with a length of almost 5 km!

Cross the suspension bridge over the Torrent de Bionnassay; a thundering river fed by the Bionnassay Glacier.

From here, the path ascends through the trees then a meadow, before rising sharply to Col de Tricot (2120 metres); the highest point you’ll reach on day 1 of your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary.

Col de Tricot is the perfect spot for lunch with views into the valley with Refuge de Miage (1550 metres) at the base of Mont Truc.

Although Refuge de Miage doesn’t look far, the steep switchbacks took us just over an hour to get down. Stop at the refuge for a break, some refreshments if needed and a water refill. The outside tables have a breathtaking view of the Dômes de Miage.

The distance from Col de Voza to Refuge de Miage is 7.2 km and will take around 3 hours.

Follow signs to Les Contamines-Montjoie which should take around 2 hours. As you hike up the steep grassy hill through the forest to the Truc Plateau, you’ll be treated to more amazing views of the Dômes de Miage. You may also see grazing cattle.

The last section of today is on dirt roads and forest trails through La Frasse, a neighbourhood above and about 20 minutes away from the pretty town of Les Contamines-Montjoie (1164 metres).

• Distance: 17.9 km
• Elevation gain: 1410 metres
• Elevation loss: 1260 metres
• Approximate time: 7.5 hours
• Variations: Contamines Valley – reduces the ascent and it’s advised as a safe alternative to the Col de Tricot if the weather is bad. This route is 1.2 km shorter, 2 hours faster and passes through picturesque hamlets and farmland.
• Refuges and restaurants: – Col de Voza (5.9 km) – snack bar, water, toilets and accommodation – Refuge de Miage (13.1 km) – accommodation, lunch restaurant, refreshments, water and toilets – Auberge du Truc (14 km) – accommodation, lunch restaurant, refreshments, water and toilets.
• Water fill-up: Refuges above
• Where to stay:  Les Pierres Blanches – Les Contamines-Montjoie

Day 2: Les Contamines-Montjoie to Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme

Day 2 of your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary begins on a gentle path along a river until you reach Notre-Dame de la Gorge. Here, the climb starts through the trees and then out into the open just before Refuge de Nant Borrant (1459 metres).

This section from Notre Dame will take about 30 minutes. This is a good spot to fill up on water, have a snack and admire the views sitting on the bean bags at the front of the refuge.

Approaching Refuge de la Balme was one of my favourite sections of our Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary . It’s relatively flat so you can enjoy the striking scenery ahead of the jagged peaks of Aiguille de la Pennaz towering above you.

After half an hour, you’ll reach Refuge de la Balme (1706 metres); a great spot for lunch with impressive views above the forest and into the valley.

From here, the incline really begins but the views are magnificent!

Ahead, lie the imposing spikes of Aiguille de la Pennaz making you feel incredibly small and behind the views keep getting better over the forest and into the valley as you make your way higher.

The steep ascent to Col du Bonhomme (2,329 metres) sees an elevation gain of just over 600 metres from Refuge de la Balme and will take you a couple of hours. 

Have a bit of a break at the Col and appreciate the stunning views over Val Montjoie as you see just how far you’ve come today.

Follow signs to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. The landscape here is wild and rugged and the path is loose rock and dirt. The views are striking, and, looking behind, you’ll see a tranquil alpine lake nestled peacefully amongst mountains.

From the Col du Bonhomme to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme should take about an hour. The elevation doesn’t change much but it’s a bit of an effort hiking over the rocks and boulders.

At the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, there’s a sign pointing to the refuge 5 minutes away. Descending slightly and sitting overlooking the valley below is Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,443 metres).

Our Top Tip:  treat yourself to a beer and watch the sunset light up the mountains with a fiery glow.

• Distance:  13.2 kilometres
• Elevation gain:  1300 metres
• Elevation loss: 10 metres
• Approximate time:  6.5 hours
• Variations: None
• Refuges and restaurants: – Refuge de Nant Borrant (5.4 km) – lunch restaurant, refreshments, accommodation, water and toilet. – Refuge de la Balme – (7.9 km) – facilities are as above
• Where to stay: Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme

Our Top Tip: each refuge has a stamp so make sure you ask each one to stamp something for you.

Day 3: Refuge De La Croix Du Bonhomme to Refugio Elisabetta

Your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary will leave France today and cross into Italy. The main route is via Les Chapieux (detailed below), however, the more scenic and quieter route is over Col des Fours (2,665 metres).

We hiked this section on 11th July and weren’t sure whether we could due to snow. Col des Fours is the highest section of the Tour du Mont Blanc and the last to lose snow.

If we’d been here 2 days before, we wouldn’t have been able to cross without crampons. However, it had melted significantly, and although there was a lot of snow, it was very manageable with hiking poles.

Col des Fours has some of the most scenic and wild landscapes on the TMB Hike. It’s often also one of the quietest routes as people usually descend into Les Chapieux rather than taking this higher route. If the weather’s terrible, don’t attempt Col des Fours.

The climb to the saddle of Col des Fours isn’t too strenuous and should take around half an hour from Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme. 

From here, it’s a steep descent on loose scree, crossing over multiple streams.

Our Top Tip: if you suffer from knee pain downhill, now is a good time to put on a brace.

The views as you descend are wonderful! Jagged snow-capped peaks soar high above you with streams weaving their way through the mountains.

Eventually, the path evens out and follows Les Tufs, a narrow stream, through the valley and becomes more compact dirt than loose rocks.

After a while, the path descends to the right where there’s a sign for Ville des Glaciers (1,855 metres). Head towards the steep sloping mountains that look like you’ve stepped into Jurassic Park.

The descent from the summit of Col des Fours to Ville des Glaciers is 810 metres of elevation loss and will take approximately 2.5 hours.

Please note

From Ville des Glaciers, Andy and I got a shuttle to Les Chapieux and a taxi to Courmayeur as Andy was suffering badly from altitude sickness so we had an extra rest day for him to recover.

This part of the TMB Hike is described through a lot of research and speaking to our friends who continued and we met them in Courmayeur the next day as planned.

From Ville des Glaciers, it’s around 30 minutes to Refuge des Mottets (1,864 metres). If you’ve gone down to Les Chapieux and back up, this is where the routes join up. You’re about 3 hours away from Rifugio Elisabetta.

Follow the trail from Ville des Glaciers through Vallée des Glaciers; a very fitting name as you have amazing views of Aiguille des Glaciers standing at 3815 metres.

Follow this until you reach Refuge des Mottets, a former dairy farm and now one of the most popular refuges on the TMB and a great spot for lunch.

Continue on to Col de la Seigne (2,516 metres) which will take around 2 hours to reach. It’s completely in the open with no shade so, make sure you refill your water at Refuge des Mottets.

Col de la Seigne marks the crossing into Italy and from here you’ll start the steep descent to Rifugio Elisabetta (2,195 metres) which will take about an hour. 

• Distance: 14.8 kilometres
• Elevation gain: 953 metres
• Elevation loss: 1305 metres
• Approximate time:  8 hours
• Variations: Col des Fours is the variant. The main route descends from Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme to Les Chapieux then to Ville des Glaciers where the routes meet. This is recommended when Col des Fours is impassable due to snow and if the weather’s bad. The elevation loss to Les Chapieux is 920 metres and the gain to Ville des Glaciers is 20 metres. The total route distance is 19.5 km. To save some energy and cut time, there are regular shuttle buses between Les Chapieux and Ville des Glaciers/Refuge des Mottets. The hiking route is along a road that the shuttle drives down so it’s not the most scenic. The bus costs €4 per person for a return journey.
• Refuges and restaurants: – Refuge des Mottets – (7.1/11.8 km) – lunch restaurant, accommodation, water and toilets. – Les Chapieux has a couple of options for food, water and toilets.
• Water fill-up: as above
• Where to stay: Rifugio Elisabetta

Day 4: Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur

After leaving Rifugio Elisabetta, the trail starts quite a steep descent before flattening to a nice straight path.

After a couple of kilometres, you’ll reach a wetland area and then Lago Combal (1,951 metres); a striking alpine lake nestled beneath magnificent mountain peaks.

Use this flat path to recover as you’ll soon be heading up a steep ascent. Just after Lago Combal, the trail veers to the right and the ascent towards Col Checrouit begins up the grassy Val Veny.

The elevation gain today is only 500 metres, however, it’s done over a short distance so it’s very steep. This section will take around 1 hour before the path evens out for another hour and a half with little up and down bits.

In this flat stretch, you can soak up the stunning views of Val Veny and Mont Blanc as you pass pretty alpine lakes before reaching Rifugio Maison Vielle at Col Checrouit (1,956 metres). 

Lago Combal to Rifugio Maison Vielle is 7 km.

From here, follow the signs to Courmayeur (1,224 metres) which should take between 1.5 to 2 hours. Continue on the trail for 15 minutes, past a cluster of houses where you’ll reach Rifugio le Randonneur.

20 minutes on a gravel road will lead you to Dolonne Gondola Mountain Station where you can take a gondola to Courmayeur. Alternatively, descend into the residential streets of Dolonne Village, where you’ll see Courmayeur straight ahead.

This descent is really steep so again, if your knees suffer, brace up!

• Distance: 15.4 km
• Elevation gain: 500m 
• Elevation loss:  1430m 
• Approximate time:   7 hours
• Refuges and restaurants: – Rifugio Maison Vieille (10.4 km) – lunch restaurant, toilets, water and accommodation – Gite le Randonneur – (11.5 km) – as above and Wifi 
• Where to stay:   Chalet Blanc “Coeur Sapin”

Day 5: Rest Day in Courmayeur

Now on your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, it’s time for a well-deserved rest day!

We’d recommend staying somewhere you can wash your clothes. The link to the lovely apartment we stayed in is below and this was a great homely base for a couple of nights.

Courmayeur is a picturesque alpine resort town in Italy at the foot of Mont Blanc and surrounded by mountains on all sides. The town has narrow charming streets lined with cosy bars and restaurants and pretty terraces looking out to the surrounding mountains.

A lot of things to do in Courmayeur involve hiking, however, there’s a scenic alpine pool which is perfect for your rest day!

Sitting at 1,704 metres and surrounded by the mountains and ski fields of Courmayeur, the pool is incredibly relaxing and just what your muscles need after the first 4 days of your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary.

Although the pool is heated, it’s still fairly cold which is lovely and refreshing on a hot day. There’s also a sauna, solarium, changing rooms and a bar. Is there a better location for a recovery beer?!

To reach the alpine pool, take the cable car from Dolonne and it’s a short walk from the station. You can buy tickets for the cable car and pool together for €27 per adult or €20 to arrive after 1:45 pm. These can be booked at the gondola station in Dolonne.

Alternatively, you can walk 1.5 hours from Courmayeur, although, as it’s your rest day, we wouldn’t recommend this.

The pool is open in July and August and comes on a first-come-first-serve basis. During school holidays it can get extremely busy. Swimming caps are mandatory and can be bought at the pool for cheaper than in Courmayeur.

Courmayeur has some fantastic restaurants so treat yourself to a couple of meals out. We’d recommend La Boite which is a homely little pizzeria serving delicious pasta and pizza. 

• Where to stay:   Chalet Blanc Coeur Sapin

Day 6: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti

Time to continue your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary and day 6 was my  favourite day of the hike!

Today’s route starts from the Church of Saint Pantaleon and through residential streets until you get to a small car park which will take around half an hour.

From here, continue up the path through the forest. Shortly before reaching Rifugio Bertone, there’s an amazing viewpoint over Courmayeur in one direction and Mont Blanc in the other.

The elevation gain between Courmayeur and Rifugio Bertone (1,970 metres) is 746 metres over approximately 5.5 km.

At the junction, head left and follow the sign that says Rifugio Bonatti (2h15). This is the variation route as Andy was still recovering. The main route is a lot tougher as you ascend and follow the crest of Mont de la Saxe (2,246 metres).

This section between Rifugio Bertone and Rifugio Bonatti was my favourite section of our entire Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary! It was fairly gentle so you could actually take in the majesty of the views around you as you hike. This was a first!

For the first section of the trail, you have a great view of Mont Blanc and then Les Grandes Jorasses high above Val Ferret as you weave through the forest and meadows full of colourful alpine flowers.

This leisurely trail continues for just over 6 km until you reach a junction and Rifugio Bonatti (2,026 metres) is up on the right.

Some of the  best views of Mont Blanc are from this refuge. The clouds at sunset were particularly spectacular, made even better with a congratulatory beer at the end of the day.

• Distance: 12.1 km
• Elevation gain: 810 metres
• Elevation loss: 0
• Approximate time:  5.5 hours
• Variations: we hiked the variation as it’s quicker and easier than the main route and Andy was still recovering from altitude sickness. This route is also recommended on rainy days when you won’t be able to see the views. The main route follows the wide whaleback ridge crest of  Mont de la Saxe with a total distance of 14.6 km, elevation gain 1,580 metres and loss 760 metres. It’ll take approximately 7.5 hours. There’s another variation that turns off the route a while before Rifugio Bertone and ascends Col Sapin. This is a good alternative if the summits are shrouded in clouds as it saves a fair amount of unnecessary ascent. It’s also more sheltered from the wind. The total distance of this variation is 13.1 km, with an elevation gain of 1,350 metres and loss of 630 metres.
• Refuges and restaurants: – Rifugio Bertone (4.7 kilometres) – accommodation, lunch restaurant, water and toilets (after 10am)
• Water fill-up: Rifugio Bertone only
• Where to stay: Rifugio Bonatti

Day 7: Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly

Hike up behind Rifugio Bonatti then veer off to the left. Continue through meadows, crossing two streams until you reach two stone huts where the trail does a U-turn and descends towards the valley floor of Val Ferret (1,770 metres). This will take around 1.5 hours.

Continue along the valley road a little way until veering off right at the sign. From here it’s around an hour to Rifugio Elena (2,061 metres). The trail starts off quite steep with sections that level off giving you a little break.

Turn back occasionally to appreciate the gorgeous views over Val Ferret as you get higher.

Rifugio Elena sits at the bottom of the thousand-year-old Prè de Bard Glacier and is a good place to stop for water and the toilet before the big ascent up Grand Col Ferret (2,537 metres).

Grand Col Ferret is the highest point on today’s stage of the TMB Hike. It’s quite a gruelling incline but the views over Val Ferret are rewarding if you need a break.

From Rifugio Elena to the summit of Grand Col Ferret, it should take about an hour with an elevation gain of 476 metres.

Grand Col Ferret marks the crossing into your third country on the Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, Switzerland, and the scenery immediately changes. 

The rugged and dramatic landscapes and jagged mountains littered with glaciers make way for gentle grassy slopes and grazing cattle. 

The path to Gîte Alpage de la Peule follows an easy slope down from Grand Col Ferret and sits peacefully surrounded by towering mountains. This will take around 1 hour.

It’s 1.5 km to Les Ars down a mixture of roads and hiking paths. The last 4 km from Les Ars to La Fouly (1,600 metres) can either be done on the road which is the quickest, or, cross the river and follow the path along it before crossing back over in town.

• Distance: 19.2 km
• Elevation gain:  910 metres
• Elevation loss: 1310 metres
• Refuges and restaurants: – Chalet Val Ferret (4.9 km) – accommodation, lunch and dinner restaurant, toilet, WiFi and water – Rifugio Elena (7.3 km) – accommodation, lunch restaurant, all-day refreshments, toilet and water – Gîte Alpage de la Peule (13.3 km) – accommodation, lunch restaurant water and toilets – Alpage des Ars (15.7 km) – restaurant and toilets. – Hotel du Col de Fenêtre  (16.8 km) – accommodation, lunch restaurant, all-day snacks and refreshments, water and toilets 
• Water: as above
• Where to stay: Hotel Edelweiss

Day 8: La Fouly to Champex-Lac

On today’s section of the Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, you have the option of taking the bus from La Fouly to Issert to give your legs a rest. However, the TMB Hike is rather gentle between these two points.

Head out of La Fouly and cross over Dranse de Ferret; the river flowing through La Fouly. Join the trail that runs with the river on its right and follow the well-maintained flat path for a while.

It’ll start to gradually ascend into the trees and you’ll be able to look down on the river.

The trail through the forest continues for about 7.5 km which is nice on the legs.

Shortly before Praz-de-Fort, there’s a quaint cafe serving snacks and refreshments in a picturesque setting with views out to the Swiss Alps. A g reat stop to refuel!

You’ll soon reach Praz-de-Fort, a pretty Swiss village and although isn’t the dramatic mountain landscapes from Italy and France, is incredibly scenic. 

After Praz-de-Fort, the trail continues on and you reach another pretty little Swiss village, Issert. Cross over the river, follow the road a little way and veer left up through the forest. This is where the incline begins.

Today is the day on your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary with the least elevation gain at 510 metres, however, it’s all here. Issert to Champex-Lac is about 5.5 km. There isn’t much to see but occasionally the trees open up to reveal the villages below.

At the top of the hill, continue along the road to Champex-Lac (1,500 metres); one of the most scenic towns on your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary. There are plenty of drinking and dining options and, if you’re feeling brave, take a dip in the lake.

Our Top Tip: walk around the lake at sunset. It’s incredibly beautiful with the mountain backdrop reflecting in the peaceful water.

• Distance:  15.7 km
• Elevation gain: 510 metres
• Elevation loss: 610 metres
• Approximate time:  7 hours
• Variations:  None
• Refuges and restaurants: today’s route won’t pass any refuges but passes through a couple of villages with dining options: – Cafe La Kabana (7.5 km) – all-day snacks and refreshments and toilet – Cafe Restaurant Le Portalet (8.4 km) – lunch restaurant, refreshments and toilet – La Linaigrette (9.1 km)  – Café du Châtelet (10.1 km)
• Water fill-up:  we didn’t fill our water up this day as it was quite chilled and we didn’t need to, however, you can probably fill up at the cafes above if you buy some food or drinks. You’ll also pass a water trough on the side of the road in Issert.
• Where to stay: Hikers’ Rest and Rebalance

Day 9: Champex-Lac to Refuge Le Peuty

Today, you’ll be following signs most of the way to Col de la Forclaz.

The route starts off gently on the road through a little village before ascending into the forest. The path is quite rocky, there are a couple of streams to cross and there are some lovely views over the mountains when the trees open.

After about 8 km, you’ll be treated to beautiful views over Martigny nestled at the foot of imposing mountains before hearing the familiar cowbell just before Alpage de Bovine (1,975 metres) – our favourite place for lunch on our Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary!

This cosy little restaurant specialises in delicious homemade Swiss food , full of nutrients and known for its sweet treats. We had vegetable soup, bread and cheese.

Our Top Tip: try and get one of the tables at the front with the best views.

After lunch, continue the ascent a bit further before descending through meadows and forest towards Col de la Forclaz (1,527 metres) for just under 5 km.

The final descent from Col de la Forclaz will take you straight to Refuge le Peuty (1,328 metres) or, you can walk through the quaint village Trient which we did. Honestly, I wouldn’t bother. You get a lovely view from above and the town is a bit of an eerie ghost town.

From Trient, it’s 1.3 km up the road until you reach Refuge le Peuty in the shadows of the majestic Trient Glacier.

• Distance: 15.9 km
• Elevation gain: 844 metres
• Elevation loss: 901 metres
• Approximate time:   6.5 hours
• Variations: the variant from Champex-Lac to Refuge Le Peuty should only be considered in good weather. It’s one of the most challenging sections on the TMB. It’s a completely different route from Champex-Lac to Fenêtre d’Arpette, is a total of 14.8 km with an elevation gain of 1,199 metres, a loss of 1,139 metres, and an approximate time of 7 hours. It joins back up with the main route just before Trient.
• Refuges and restaurants:  – Auberge Gîte “Bon Abri” (2.3 km) – accommodation, lunch restaurant, water, toilet and free WiFi – Alpage de Bovine ( 8.5 km) – restaurant, water and toilet. Open 9am – 5pm every day except Tuesday – Hôtel du Col de la Forclaz (13 km) – accommodation, lunch restaurant, small groceries, refreshments, toilets, water and WiFi – Trient has a couple of dining and refreshment options
• Water fill-up: Refuges and restaurants above
• Where to stay:  Refuge le Peuty

Day 10: Refuge Le Peuty to Tré le Champ

Today was our  least favourite day on our Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary! We’d not had a good night’s sleep and the incline right at the start of the day was exhausting!

Begin up a gravel path before a steep ascent through the forest for approximately 6 km. It’s not very scenic as trees block the view for most of the way, but at least it’s shaded.

Above the tree line, you’ll see Trient peaking through the trees immersed by striking mountains.

Continue on the trail, aiming for the saddle and you’ll eventually reach Col de Balme (2,195 metres). This 6 km will see around 867 metres of elevation gain and take about 2 hours.

Col de Balme marks the entry back into France and is a great place to refuel after a tiring ascent. Soak up the views behind the refuge over Vallée de l’Arve at the base of Mont Blanc.

Between here and Tré le Champ, you’ll pass quite a few chairlifts and overhead cables which slightly detract from the incredible view which is a shame.

Descend to Col des Posettes (1,997 metres), which will take about an hour from Col de Balme.

For the rest of the Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, the trails will be a lot busier. As you’re getting closer to Chamonix and there are chairlifts and cable cars in the region, there are a lot of day hikers also enjoying these trails.

Hike up to the highest part of the day at Aiguillette des Posettes (2,201 metres), again about an hour. Continue and the trail becomes more rugged and wild. Follow signs to Tré le Champ and the trail will soon descend below the treeline and into the forest. 

This was probably the  worst part of our Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary . It’s a knee-crunching 2-hour descent through the forest over rocks, branches and trees and there aren’t any views to distract you.

When you reach the road, meander through the little town of Tré le Champ. Continue until you reach Gîte du Moulin (1,350 metres). You may need to use a navigation app to find this spot as it’s not obvious.

• Distance: 13.9 km
• Elevation gain: 1,100 metres
• Elevation loss: 1,000 metres
• Approximate time: 7 hours
• Variations: Col de Balme via Les Grands explores a wilder terrain and offers stunning views of glaciers. Only consider if you have a lot of energy as it ascends steeply and quickly. It adds on 1.4 km between Trient and Col de Balme but is around 20 minutes faster. A second variant is from Col de Balme direct to Montroc and is a direct and quicker route down the valley on bad weather days or when tired. It also passes next to chairlifts and cable cars which can be used if you wish. The Posettes Ridge on the main route is prone to lightning so use this variant when it’s stormy. This route is 1.4 km shorter and approximately 1 hour faster.
• Refuges and restaurants: – Refuge du Col de Balme (6 km) – accommodation, lunch restaurant, refreshments, snacks, toilet and water
• Where to stay: Gîte du Moulin

Day 11: Tré le Champ to La Flégère/Chamonix

The final day of your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary and some seriously epic mountain scenery awaits you!

Head back through  Tré le Champ and follow signs to Lac Blanc. For about an hour, ascend through the forest up an uneven and rocky path. This isn’t overly strenuous.

There are some amazing views over the surrounding mountains as you hike towards jagged peaks coming off a massive and rather daunting rock face.

After about 2.5 km, which will take about an hour, you’ll reach some ladders that’ll take you over this rock face. If, like me, you suffer from vertigo, this section may be quite scary.

There are quite a few ladders but huge amounts of people climb them every day so you’ll be absolutely fine!

Our Top Tip: if it’s raining, take the variation; do not attempt the ladders in the rain as it’s too dangerous.

There are multiple ladders with sections of trail in between. After approximately half a kilometre, you’ll reach Tête aux Vents (2,140 metres), marked by a large cairn with lots of signs.

You’re about 45 minutes away from Lac Blanc up rocky terrain. You’ll also pass a few beautiful alpine lakes named Lacs des Chéserys before reaching the last ladder which, luckily, isn’t quite as terrifying as the previous ones.

Follow the steps up to Refuge du Lac Blanc (2,352 metres) where you’ll be greeted by out-of-this-world scenery!!

A striking blue alpine lake nestled below jagged snow-capped mountains with magnificent views of Mont Blanc.

The trail will be extremely busy from this point as Lac Blanc is a popular day trip from Chamonix for day hikers and overnight hikers staying in the refuge.

To descend to Flégère, follow the signs. The descent is on uneven rocks but after about 20 minutes, the path is well-maintained and parts of the trail are on boardwalks. From Lac Blanc to the Flégère Gondola is about an hour.

From here, descend to Les Praz on the gondola and take the number 1 or 2 bus back to Rockypop where your adventure began.

Alternatively, if you have longer or you want to physically hike the entire Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, you can stay in Refuge de la Flégère and hike to Les Houches the next day. 

This is about 18.5 km and has an elevation loss of 1,590 metres which isn’t how we fancied ending this incredible experience!

• Distance to La Flégère: 7.4 km
• Elevation gain: 950 metres
• Elevation loss: 510 metres
• Approximate time: 5 hours
• Variations:  La Tête aux Vents via Col des Montets avoids the sections of ladders on the main route to Lac Blanc. This route adds on 1.1 km and is 15 minutes slower. A second variant takes you directly to Montage de la Flégère along Grand Balcon Sud which skips Lac Blanc, is 1 km shorter and 1 hour faster.
• Refuges and restaurants: – Refuge du Lac Blanc (5 km) – accommodation, restaurant, all-day refreshments, toilet and water
• Where to stay: Rockypop Chamonix-Les Houches

Anything Else You Need to Know Before Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc

How accurate are these distances and timings.

Distances and timings in this Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary are all approximate. Even TMB guidebooks and maps all differ slightly.

The Cicerone Trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc book and our paper map had different figures, though we found the map to be more in line with our smart watches, although these all also differed between the 3 of us who wore them. This guide is based on the map.

Timings will also vary by individual and group depending on your pace and number and length of breaks. The timings in the Cicerone book also don’t take breaks into account so bear this in mind. The timings in this guide are how long it took us with breaks.

Can I drink water from the streams and rivers?

There are a lot of cattle grazing on the TMB so we wouldn’t recommend drinking from the streams or rivers you’ll pass due to wildlife faeces. A stomach bug while you’re hiking is not what you need!

If you’re desperate as you’ve run out of water, make sure the water source is fast flowing and look upstream to see if there’s any wildlife currently grazing by or in the water and avoid drinking if so.

Can I leave my luggage anywhere while I hike the TMB?

If, like us, you plan on having a few chilled days somewhere after you’ve finished your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, you’ll want some clean and fresh clothes and maybe some outfits that aren’t activewear.

At Rockypop , you can leave your luggage for €5 per bag for the entire time which is great! There are a few other luggage storage services in Chamonix but these charge a minimum of €5 per bag a day and some will base it on the weight and size of the luggage.

How do I get to the starting point of the TMB?

The starting point of the Tour du Mont Blanc is in Les Houches and there’s even a sign marking the “official” starting line in front of the Tourism Office on the main street.

If you’re staying in Rockypop, jump on the number 1 bus in front of the hotel that’s going in the opposite direction of Chamonix and you’ll be there in a couple of minutes. 

If you stay in Chamonix, the number 1 bus goes from the centre of town and takes approximately 20 minutes.

Where can I relax for a few days after the TMB?

After you’ve completed your Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, you’ll no doubt be looking for somewhere to spend a few days to relax, let your muscles recover and take in the great achievement you’ve completed. 

Annecy is the perfect place to base yourself for a few days. It’s a gorgeous city that looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of a storybook located on France’s third-largest lake and you can be as chilled or active as you like.

Read: 12 Fantastic Things to do in Annecy and Complete Guide

We hope you’ve enjoyed this Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary. Remember to head to our post on everything you need to know before hiking the TMB for everything else you’ll need to know.

As ever, if you have any questions, please leave us a comment or get in contact. 

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Travel and Squeak

Privacy Overview

• Where to stay – Chamonix
• Geneva Airport to Chamonix
• Itineraries
• Tour du Mont Blanc Refuges
• Refuges ebook

TOUR DU MONT BLANC

Guided Itineraries

There are 11 stages to the Tour du Mont Blanc. Our classic Tour du Mont Blanc guided itinerary follows a stage a day so takes 11 days to complete. There are only a couple of dates still available for 2024 for the full 11 day guided trek.

We also offer the TMB highlights guided trek, which means you’ll see the best bits of the trail in just four days – perfect for those on a limited time frame.

Our guided TMB treks offer the best quality guides to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. Our guides are experts on the Tour du Mont Blanc with a wealth of knowledge on not only the flora and fauna of this incredible landscape, but also on the history and how the mountains were made.

If you want to trek in a social environment with a knowledge local guide, click on the itineraries below to see what dates are still available.

I work exclusively with Adventure Base to power my itineraries. Adventure Base are based in Chamonix and have a wealth of experience trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Guided Tour du Mont Blanc

What’s included.

• 4 nights accommodation
• 4 days trekking
• fully qualified local guide
• Dinner, bed & breakfast on the trail (3 nights)
• Breakfast in Chamonix on day 1

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

• Drinks, lunches or snacks
• Equipment rental
• Luggage transfer
• Evening meal on first night in Chamonix

Guided Tour du Mont Blanc Itineraries

Guided highlights tmb – 4 day.

4 days jam packed with the best bits of the TMB

Guided Traditional TMB – 11 days

the full circuit trekking a stage a day for 11 days

Tour du Mont Blanc Hike

Privacy overview.

Tour Du Mont Blanc Itinerary – 5 Days on the TMB with GPS Map & packing list

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Read more about us.

5 Day Itinerary for Lightweight Backpacking from Chamonix to Rifugio Bonatti

Explore the French and Italian Alps Hiking Actually Hiking AROUND Mont Blanc with this Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary.

Do you have a week of vacation and want to maximize your sense of WONDER by:

• Feeling the luscious burn of hiking around Europe’s highest peak –
• Hearing the tinkle of alpine cow bells –
• Tasting cheese from said cows munching wild herbs on the mountaintop –
• Seeing incredible and varied Alpine landscapes, wildflowers and wild animals –
• Sleeping in comfortable beds each night –
• Drinking locals wines and tasty beers on the top of a mountain –
• Experiencing French, Italian and Swiss culture all in one trek –
• and totally UNPLUGGING from the world below….

The Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary hike offers a chance to connect to what really counts and you don’t have to be a mountaineer to do it. Training ahead of time is adviseable, but I followed along a family last year that did it with 2 six year olds and a 2 year old toddler.

Read until the end where you can download and print a packing list with everything you need to do the trek, but keep your backpack light.

Protip: Staying in a mountain refuge is not exactly a hotel. Learn more with my detailed guide to the accommodations on the Tour du Mont Blanc and what the average costs of the TMB are.

A light backpack = A Happy hiker.

Final Verdict: Ways to Book a Hut to Hut Hiking Trip

Self-Guided Tour Planning Service

• [Self-Guided] - You're on your own once you start
• Must book in Oct to Jan of year prior to hike
• Fully done for you route
• Service finds and books your huts
• Maps provided on app

What we liked: The logistics of the TMB and other hut to hut hikes can be very daunting, especially if you don't speak Italian and French. 

Note: Lesser known trails are often easier to book.  

• Ease of route
• No finding or dealing with huts
• Tapping into expertise
• No waiting for slow hikers
• No feeling rushed if you're slower
• Less control of dates
• No guide on the trail
• Unknown - you didn't "plan"

Guided Group Tour : 4 Days

• small groups (<10 typically)
• local Chamonix guides
• all transfers/breakfast/dinner/accommodations included
• airport transfer included
• stay in the insanely beautiful Rifugio Bonatti and other huts at high elevation

What we liked:   Designed for busy people that want to experience the highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc without having to take 2 weeks of their precious vacation time.  Everything is done-for-you and you can show up and relax in the most stunning mountains. 

Note: The standard price includes shared rooms in the huts.

• All transfers included
• Best price for a guided trip
• Local Chamonix Guides
• At the mercy of group pace
• Not the full circuit

DIY: Book Your Own Huts

• Cheapest Option
• Most Freedom
• Take side excursions as you like

What we liked: The challenge of it.  It's so fun to route plan, find trails and the huts you want.  Often it's not the expense saved, but the learning of the trail while planning that is satisfying. 

Note: Be prepared to spend some time with spreadsheets and wait weeks for replies from hut owners.  BONUS:  Click on the link to watch my 10 part video series on HOW to book a hut to hut trip.  It's a Dolomites hut trip but it's basically the same process for TMB. 

• Cheapest option
• Most freedom
• Learn the Trail by planning
• You must be organized
• Map skills are essential

• campgrounds can be crowded
• reservations often needed in advance
• Wild camping is prohibited or limited by elevation

Not really my favorite thing for hut to hut trails in Europe. The huts are quite often the best part of the hiking trip and the rules are so complicated about wild camping.

• Price is good
• More Flexibilty
• Wild camping is tricky
• Rules change
• harder and heavier pack

5 Days Itinerary TMB Map

Magical 5 Day Backpacking Trip Around the highest Peak in Europe

Example tour du mont blanc itinerary.

Follow along my journey of planning my first time hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc. The past 3 years I’ve planned summer hiking treks in the Dolomites and this year I wanted to tackle the famous Tour du Mont Blanc that spans 3 countries. You actually start in France, walk to Italy and then Switzerland and back to France. Very Cool!

I got started in December to book mountain refuges and found limited offerings on this top-rated trekking trail in Europe . Next time, I would begin the work early in September to book refuges.

We were limited to less than a week for travel so I picked the best 5 days on the trail that made sense for our group of travelers.

Tour du Mont Blanc in 5 Days

Tour du mont blanc backpacking trek.

5 Day Section – 1st Half Location:  Mont Blanc, France & Italy Distance:  45.3 mile Loop with Bus Time: Approximately 5-7 hours daily Elevation:  🔼17,050 ft 🔽13,700 ft Difficulty:  Moderate due to rocky terrain and elevation gain Where to Stay on Final night: Armancette Hôtel, Chalets & Spa in Chamonix

Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary for 1 Week of Vacation

It would be so nice to do the entire circle around Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak. However, my friends and I work at jobs that prohibit taking off weeks at a time to go trekking. So the next best thing is to do the first half of the trail and plan it so that we spend the least amount of time on buses.

Fortunately, there’s a tunnel under Mont Blanc with bus service so it makes it easy to begin hiking at the traditional start in Les Houches and walk 5 days to Rifugio Bonatti and take a bus back to the start.

Getting to the Tour du Mont Blanc

Geneva is the closest airport where you can rent a car or take a regularly scheduled bus to Chamonix. Once inside Chamonix you can walk everywhere within the town.

2 Days in Chamonix

Chamonix is a nice place to relax before the hike because there are many hotels, restaurants and things to do and it’s a 15 min drive to the trailhead in Les Houches.

The day before the hike we will take two cars the end of our hike near Rifugio Bonnati and park the big car in a free public parking lot. Both drivers will then return to Chamonix and we’ll leave a car there.

Without cars you can utilize bus ARRIVA I59055 towards Funivia Sky Way (30) to return to Chamonix from Courmayeur. In effect you’ll walk one way and take the bus back to the start. There are many buses that connect Geneva to Chamonix and Chamonix to the trailhead in Les Houches. Check the bus timetables here .

Tour du Mont Blanc Difficulty

This hike is not especially technical but it’s certainly challenging due to the amount of elevation change. Prepare your knees and bring your trekking poles because 🔼17,050 ft 🔽13,700 ft is a lot over 5 days. I’m going to guess that the decent to Courmayeur at the end of the day will sting a bit.

Stages Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary 5 Days

From luxury alpine town in france to luxury alpine town in italy by foot.

Arrival Day: Get to Chamonix, France. Stay there the night before big hike and get a lot of sleep. There are many bus and private taxi or van connections from airports such as Geneva, Switzerland.

Tour du Mont Blanc Route

Get a hiking app for your Mont Blanc itinerary that is GPS enabled and download your track to your phone before the hike. This will ensure your phone can help you stay on the correct trail even without service. I like Komoot because you can plan day by day and have planned this TMB hiking trip here. But you can use whichever one is best for your TMB itinerary.

Tour du Mont Blanc Hike Map

If you are new to the world of hiking apps please read my article on how to use komoot app for hiking. It’s a total game changer and not really that hard to learn. I’m a huge fan of the multi-day option for paid subscribers. It gave me options on all the accommodations nearby the trail to make it really easy to plan distances.

Tour du Mont Blanc Trail

Stage 1: les houches to les contamines.

Monday July 10 – Day 1:

Hike 16.4 km

Enjoy a relatively easy warm up to the trail and we can use the gondola to shave off some elevation gain if we want. Stop at Auberge Truc for lunch.

Stage 2: Les Contamines to Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme

Tuesday July 11 – Day 2:

Hike 13.13 km

We will be going pretty much in one direction today, up.

Stage 3: Col de la Croix du Bonhomme to Cabana Combal

Wednesday July 12 – Day 3:

Hike 18.3 km

What a day! Views of glaciers and Mont Blanc almost all day.

Stage 4: Cabana Combal to Courmayeur

Thursday July 13 – Day 4:

Hike 14.4 km

We’ll descend into the Italian mountain town of Courmayeur and stay in a real hotel tonight and hopefully spend some time on the cobblestone town center eating delicious Italian food.

Stage 5: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti

Friday July 14 – Day 5:

Hike 11.6 km

We’ll climb uphill all day with incredible views to the Bonatti rifugio. It’s a short day so we may opt to do some dayhikes from Bonatti or side excursions.

I’m planning for us to park the second car at Parcheggio Lavachey near Bonatti prior to the hike. It is a 3.3 km walk from the rifugio to the parking lot. There’s a restaurant nearby so I’m assuming it’s passable in summer.

It’s a 45 min drive thru tunnel back to Les Houches where the other car will be parked.

Where to Stay Directly on the Tour Du Mont Blanc Trail

Accommodations on the tour du mont blanc trail.

What is a refuge? Generally speaking they are high elevation accommodations of varying amenities. They are called refuges, rifugios, huts, or hütten, depending upon which language is spoken.

They range from luxurious to very spartan. Some have water, some run out. It all depends. But what is universal is that they are a pain in the butt to book. However, they are perched in some of the most beautiful and isolated landscapes in the world. As an American, i can hardly believe that such a thing exists. And they usually serve delicious 3 course dinners and have a breakfast with yummy coffee and lots of bread.

TMB Mont Blanc

Day 0 – arrival day in chamonix.

You’ll want to find your own accommodations in Chamonix prior to the hike. I would recommend to book your hotel on this website as it’s reliable to find a comfortable stay within the town of Chamonix or nearby. It’s a compact Alpine town and you can easily walk to dinner along the stream. It’s very ritzy and fun.

Day 1 – Les Contamines Airbnb

As of December 5, I couldn’t find any huts, campgrounds or booking.com places available for our date in early July before the high season. Whew. But I did find a chalet to fit the 6 of us with 3 bedrooms somewhere near the town of Les Contamines. It’ll be an easier day of hiking but that’s good for warming up.

Day 2 – La Croix Bonhomme Refuge

Hopefully it’s not raining because this is a true mountain hut on the top of a mountain with panoramic views. The facilities are super basic but that’s the point. It’s a respite from the world below.

Dormitory style prices for 2023:

26.50 bed 32.50 breakfast and dinner 8.00 sack lunch

Contact La Croix Bonhomme Refuge

No credit cards. You’ll want to bring a sleep sac which is like a liner to protect against bed bugs, lice, etc. They don’t want your body grease on their pillows and blankets basically. They should have showers especially in early July but you’ll probably have to pay for them and it’ll be quick, like 90 seconds. Bring your own quick dry towel and mini tolietries.

Other refuges in the area: Les Mottets

Day 3 – cabane du combal refuge.

A nicer hut from online reviews, we’ll see. The prices are higher and I’m assuming it’s half board, their website is pretty basic and it’s hard to tell. They use the https://reservation.montourdumontblanc.com/ site to book but do reply to emails. I did not have pay a deposit but we got room 4 and room 6. We’ll have to do a competition to decide which couple gets the whole room to themselves.

4 person room prices for 2023:

90.00 euros per person.

They have towels and soaps here.

Other refuges in the area: Rifugio Elisabetta

Day 4 – courmayeur.

Here we’re in a glitzy Italian alpine town so there are hotel and airbnb options. I used Hotel Triolet because they offer a nice breakfast and comfortable looking rooms.

Double room prices for 2023:

160.00 euros per room including breakfast.

We should plan to have a nice dinner out in town and soak up the cobblestone pedestrian areas and maybe even do some shopping.

Other accommodations in the area: Check on this Hotel Website

Day 5 – rifugio bonatti.

A hut with great views and isolated up the mountain from the valley where Courmayeur is located. It’s likely not to have great services but it’s half board and there’s not a lot of other options. We have 1 private room for 2 people plus extra bed and one private room for 3 people. Girls and guys? Who snores the least?

L’équipe del Rifugio Alpino Walter Bonatti

3 person room prices for 2023:

85.00 euros per person half board.

Other refuges in the area: Chalet Val Ferret

Packing list for the tour du mont blanc.

💡 It’s not about what you bring, it’s about what you don’t bring.

Not sure what to bring?

Go lightweight. It’s not necessary to bring a lot of stuff on a hut to hut hike. The huts (refuges) provide the food, beds, toliets, etc. Most people wash out their hiking clothes and hang to dry each night.

The refuges or mountains huts allow you to bring very little in your backpack. The lighter your pack is the more happy of hiker you’ll be. There are some services to do luggage transport to the refuges, however this goes against the idea of responsible travel. There’s really no need to make someone drive your luggage up to a mountain hut, or worse, load up a mule with your crap.

You’ll be hanging out with other hikers each night in the refuges to have dinner. Realistically, you’ll need one set of lightweight clothes that don’t stink to enjoy the dinner and breakfast services.

It’s totally kosher to wash out your hiking clothing and hang them up on the railings or provided laundry lines (at some refuges).

Printable Tour du Mont Blanc Packing List

Click here to download free PDF Tour du Mont Blanc Packing List

Costs of the Tour du Mont Blanc

Accommodations on trail, you can go pretty lux in the towns of courmayeur and chamonix if you choose..

Please see the detailed Airtable towards the end of the article where I’ve documented the costs for the year 2023. But in summary inflation is hitting everywhere:

–in towns, you’ve got more options for hotels & airbnbs that run 135 euros for a double and up

–The mountain refuges with half board range between 67 to 90 euros per person per night

–Of course, the earlier you book you may find better deals.

–Sack lunches are quoted at 11 euros

–Meals in town at restaurants have increased recently to 15 euros and up per meal

When to Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc

Mid-june to mid-october is when the huts and trail are open., the alps in august can be crowded.

–August is Italian/French/German vacation time, so you’ll be in high season.

–July has the best weather for families that need to do this trek during school break.

–Early June is chilly you can run into some snow. Same for late September and early October.

If you aren’t going with kids, early September would likely be the best as it’s least crowded and still warm.

However, there are absolutely no guarantees on weather. You’ll probably hit thunderstorms in the late afternoons so most people tend to get to their rifugios before 3 pm.

Read my full guide on when to hike the tour du mont blanc .

Resources to Plan Your Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking Trip

1. I started with the Montourdumontblanc website to assess the high mountain refuges. However, not all of the options are on this site, but it’s a great starting point and has a nice interactive map. These places are only open mid June to Mid October.

https://www.montourdumontblanc.com/uk/index.aspx

2. Google maps. Duh.

3. A great itinerary to do the entire Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days . The author gives nice descriptions of the landscapes and it may suit more advanced hikers who want to move faster and cover more ground each day.

4. You can use travel sites like Airbnb and Booking to find hotels in Chamonix , Les Houches, Courmayeur and Les Contamines as they have offerings in the valleys.

5. The T our du Mont Blanc Facebook group is a wealth of inspiration and information.

6. Private car transfer Chamonix to Geneva Airport .

7. Customized Airtable TMB Planne r. I built this Airtable to keep myself organized and track the expenses. Copy and paste it to make it your own.

8. Detailed guide on how to use trekking poles and best budget trekking poles buying guide . You will definitely want them on this trek.

9. Plan your hiking time with a calculator.

10. Read my guide on how hard the Tour du Mont Blanc hike is.

Tour du Mont Blanc Self Guided Itinerary – Help

If it all seems to much to plan, you can hire a service to take care of the logistics but not have to utilize an in person guide.

Businesses such as Alpenventures Unguided will do the heavy logistical lift for you. You can simply just show up and hike. They will book your huts and provide maps and directions to do the hike on your own terms.

If I had a little more cashflow I’d use this to save about 20 hours of emailing back and forth and managing spreadsheets.

Guided Tour du Mont Blanc

There are also guided tours if you want a local mountaineer to walk with you for extra safety, context and fun. Cloud 9 Adventures and Mont Blanc Treks offer the Classic Tour du Mont Blanc, mini TMB treks and other variations that are led by a professional guide to ease your stress.

Other Great High Alpine Multi Day Hut to Hut Hikes in Europe

Italian Dolomites vs Tour du Mont Blanc? Are you curious about the other bucketlist hut to hut hiking trip in Europe’s high mountains? Our family has done the Alta Via 1 in summer 3 times so we’ve got a lot to say. Mostly about the food.

💞 Podcasts? Listen to our 3 different long form stories about hiking the Alta Via 1 on multiple trips that we’ve done with family and friends over the years. 🥾 Trails Worth Hiking Spotify , Apple , Website . He takes a deep dive into long distance trails and the history and mythology behind them. 🎧 Amateur Traveler focuses on the practical travel and highlights history : Website , Spotify , Apple . 🍻 Streets and Eats is all about the food and experience : Website , Spotify , Apple .

Author profile :  Morgan Fielder is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and passionate hiker who believes in exploring the world on foot with good food. Follow her journey as she shares science-based hiking tips and advocates for sustainable tourism.

Everything You Need To Know About Hiking The Tour du Mont Blanc

A s an avid hiker, you’ve probably heard of the Tour du Mont Blanc or TMB hiking trail. You might even have plans to conquer this popular hiking destination one day. If so, here’s everything you need to know before you go.

In 1760, a Swiss Geologist and physicist, Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, then living in Geneva, discovered the TMB hiking trail. Saussure wanted to explore the Mont du Blanc Mountains to examine and document plant specimens. Also called the Mont Blanc massif, the mountain range is 60 miles by 20 miles long, with 11 summits over 4,000 meters high. Though he discovered it in 1760, Saussure first walked around the entire TMB hiking path in 1767.

Unfortunately, the Swiss scientist failed to climb one of its peaks on that initial journey around the path. The first to achieve this feat were Michel Paccard and Jacques Balmat. The two found a path to the apex in 1786 through the Grands Mulets route. Sausurre became the third person to reach the summit shortly thereafter.

Trail Overview 

Though Pacard and Balmat first reached the peak of the Mont Blanc massif via the Grands Mulets route, the Gouter route is today’s standard path. This trail is 105 miles long and passes through 3 countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland . The Gouter Route (also known as the Voie Des Cristalliers and Voie Royale) is one of the two most commonly utilized routes to reach the summit of Mont Blanc in the Alps. Though the Gouter route reaches an elevation of 15,774 ft, it is considered the most straightforward ascent. The route lies on the north side of the mountain, in France, seeing thousands of mountaineers annually. 

The Tour du Mont Blanc difficulty level is somewhat subjective to the hiker. The Gouter route is relatively easy because it takes about two days to reach the ascent and does not require extensive technical skills. Nonetheless, it is physically demanding and mentally challenging if you lack athletic ability. The most difficult aspect of this route includes a narrow passageway of unstable rocks on the mountain’s edge. Seventy-four have died, and 180 were injured in accidents along this dangerous segment between 1990 and 2011. 

Once passing this tricky part, the Gouter route is smooth sailing. It steadily increases in steepness while crossing exposed terrain. Hazardous weather conditions are the most dangerous aspects that remain. Cold and wet conditions can cause hypothermia and frostbite. Therefore, visiting the Tour du Mont Blanc for Summer hiking, Mid-June to mid-September, is safest. During the summer, temperatures will range from 40 degrees at night to 80 degrees during the day. Some days require shorts beneath a warm, sunny sky ; others might entail brisk, wet conditions.

Permits And Regulations

No permits are required for the TMB and there are no regulatory restrictions. However, some believe a technical skills test could reduce deaths and injuries along the path. Additionally, residents are disturbed by the amount of trash that hikers inevitably abandon to lighten their loads on the ascent. What’s interesting about the Tour du Mont Blanc is that there are many comforts along the path in the form of hotels and huts. Several companies offer self-guided packages that include accommodations, detailed hiking guides, and set itineraries. 

Trail Highlights And Points Of Interest

The Tour du Mont Blanc hike is considered one of the world’s top ten “bucket list” hiking trails. In addition to the soothing sounds of waterfalls , there are glaciers, streams, high alpine meadows, and the natural beauty of the Mont Blanc landscape. Among the most beautiful and visible flora are the rare Slipper Orchid, the Martagon Lily, Aquilegia Alpha, the famous Edelweiss, and rare Campanula thyrsoides. Though heavily impacted by human presence, the animals that remain in the wilderness of the Mont Blanc massif include Marmots, Ravens, Goats, Mountain Hares, Vultures, and Eagles, among others. 

Safety Considerations

On the Tour du Mont Blanc hiking trail, the most important considerations will be comfortable shoes and a good quality backpack with appropriate dimensions and weight.  What qualifies as an appropriately sized bag will depend on whether you stick to hiking the trail or detour slightly to local huts and hotels. The former will require a 60L bag, and the latter will require a 30L bag. Remember to break in your footwear a few months in advance and buy shoes larger than usual to accommodate swollen, achy feet. Trekking poles will help lessen aches and pains experienced in the knee and leg muscles. Hiking crampons are a “better safe than sorry” item to add to your Tour du Mont Blanc packing list. They will help maintain balance and avoid slipping across waterways and snow patches, which might even save a life! 

In case of an emergency, administer first aid, note location and grid reference on a map, call for help (cell phone service is generally available along the TMB). If no phone is available, blow a whistle or flash a flashlight six times. If there is an injured person, carefully consider whether to go for help or stay with the injured. If the injured party stays behind, leave them with food, water, and warm clothes. 

Planning and Preparation

Being physically prepared for the TMB hike is a necessary safety precaution. Training should start at least three months in advance and should be in layered clothing, hiking boots, and a fully packed backpack to best simulate trail conditions. Other things that require planning include booking accommodations along the trail and deciding how many days to stay. An itinerary will vary depending on whether two days, two weeks, or even two months are set aside to experience the beauty of TMB. 

Most hikers can ascend the Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided if interested. The trail is easy to follow, with well-maintained paths, directional markings, and clearly understood signs. However, map reading skills are essential, and hikers should also carry a guidebook. 

People Ask: Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc

Q: What is the Tour du Mont Blanc hiking trail?

A: The Tour du Mont Blanc is a 170-kilometer hiking trail that circles the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps, passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Q: How long does it take to complete the Tour du Mont Blanc?

A: The entire trail takes about 10 to 12 days to complete.

Q: What is the best time of year to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?

A: The best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is from mid June to mid September, when the weather is typically mild and the trails are clear of snow.

Q: Are there any accommodations along the trail?

A: Yes, there are many accommodations available along the Tour du Mont Blanc, including hotels, hostels, and mountain huts.

Q: Is it necessary to hire a guide for the hike?

A: No, it is not necessary to hire a guide for the hike. The trail is well-marked and there are many resources available for hikers.

Q: How difficult is the hike?

A: The hike is considered to be moderately difficult, with some steep ascents and descents.

Q: What should I pack for the hike?

A:You should pack appropriate hiking gear, including sturdy boots, warm clothing, and rain gear. You should also bring a map, a compass, and plenty of water and snacks.

Q: Are there any safety concerns I should be aware of?

A: Yes, there are some safety concerns to be aware of, including potential hazards such as steep drops, loose rocks, and unpredictable weather. It is important to stay on the marked trail and to be prepared for changing conditions.

Q: Can I hike the trail in sections?

A: Yes, it is possible to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc in sections, with many hikers choosing to focus on one or two sections at a time.

Q: What are some of the highlights of the hike?

A: Some highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc include stunning views of the Alps, charming mountain villages, and the opportunity to experience the unique cultures of France, Italy, and Switzerland.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a renowned hiking trail accommodating hikers from across the globe. It is mentally and physically challenging, but efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking views along the route. The TMB is accessible with or without a guided tour, as there is food, water, emergency services, accommodations, and other modern amenities along the path. With a reasonable amount of advanced preparation, physical training, thoughtful packing, and a conscientious “Leave no trace” mindset, this unforgettable journey is worth experiencing for yourself.