Tour du Mont Blanc, Aravis Range and Lake Annecy - 10 Days
Mont BlancTour du Mont Blanc

Tour du Mont Blanc, Aravis Range and Lake Annecy - 10 Days

10 Days
Challenging

Tour du Mont Blanc, Aravis Range and Lake Annecy - 10 Days

from $4,120 / person

Overview

This trek combines two of the finest walking regions in the French Alps, linking the Aravis mountains and Lake Annecy with the iconic trails of the Tour du Mont Blanc. The route passes through Chamonix, Le Flegere, Les Houches, and Les Contamines, taking in well-preserved villages including Grand Bornand, Chinaillon, La Clusaz, and Talloires along the way.

The Aravis Range is where locals come to hike, far from the crowds of the better-known routes. The Haute Savoie region unfolds across alpine meadows, past the striking Pointe Percee and the village of Megeve, before the route descends to the shores of Lake Annecy. Mountains, glaciers, epic views of Mont Blanc, and centuries-old villages make this one of the most varied treks in the region.

Highlights

  • Visit and stay in quaint authentic alpine villages in 3 and 4-star hotels
  • Hike the Alps and glorious alpine meadows and soak up the amazing views
  • Hike 3 days on the Tour du Mont Blanc and enjoy staying in the stunning alpine village of Chamonix
  • End at stunning Lake Annecy, one of the most beautiful panoramic views in all of the Alps
  • Walk worry-free with a company with over 30 years of experience in providing self-guided holidays

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

4-star Hotel (4 nights), 3-star Hotel (5 nights)

Meals

9 breakfasts, and 4 dinners

Transfers

  • Private transfers day 4 and day 9
  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

5

Auswalk Walking Grade

Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

9

Days on the trail

7-18 km

Daily distance range

735-1155 m

Daily ascent range

8/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Accommodation on this tour spans three and four-star properties, with five nights in three-star hotels and auberges along the route and four nights in four-star hotels in Annecy and Chamonix. All properties are well-suited to welcoming hikers and properly equipped to keep you comfortable, whatever the conditions outside. Rooms are well-appointed throughout, and the hotels offer everything you would expect at their respective ratings, including spas and, in some cases, pools. Specific options will be discussed with you during the booking process.

What You'll Eat

Good food is never far away on this route, and nine breakfasts and four dinners are included to keep you well fuelled throughout. For lunch, the towns and villages along the way offer some of the finest French food you are likely to encounter on a walking holiday. Specialty cheeses and meats, many produced by hand, are available in numerous places before you set off each day, and a local farmers' market is worth every minute spent browsing. Some properties can also prepare a picnic lunch at an additional cost.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in the mountains.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Chamonix and finishes in Annecy, in the French Alps. The closest airport is Geneva (GVA), with good international connections. Shared transfers from Geneva Airport to Chamonix are available at your own cost, operating between 10.00am and 7.30pm Saturday to Wednesday, and until 9.00pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Chamonix is also accessible by train from Paris and other French cities.

The walk ends in Annecy, which has good onward connections by train and bus to Paris, Geneva, and other European destinations. Book French rail tickets in advance through SNCF.

This walk is available from 14 June to 9 September, with no fixed start days. June offers quieter trails and wildflowers coming into bloom, though some higher passes may still require care early in the season. July brings warm temperatures, long days and wildflowers at their peak, though afternoon thunderstorms are a regular feature. August is the warmest and busiest month; early starts and advance booking are advisable. Early September brings cooler, more stable conditions and fewer walkers. Pack warm layers and waterproofs whatever the month.

This walk is graded challenging. Daily walks average 16.2 kilometres with around 1,014 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 8 out of 10. Trails cover varied terrain including high alpine pastures, rocky mountain paths, and mountain and lake towns, with prolonged ascents and descents, rough surfaces, and steps throughout. Those taking the more demanding options may climb up to 1,400 metres on some days.

Sturdy walking boots with excellent ankle support and grip are essential. An exercise regime of three to four times per week is recommended in preparation.

Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on our self-guided European Alps walking trips. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

Each morning, it will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 8.00 am. This generally will be at reception or where you pick up your luggage the night before. Please consult your hosts if you need any details. Bags must be no more than 15kg (this is French legislation)

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Tour du Mont Blanc reviews

5.0
10 reviews
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Alex
10 months ago

We booked this trip and I didn't really know just what I was getting myself into. I was a bit anxious not going on a guided tour but when we received the travel pack my worries were alleviated. All the maps, GSP and Auswalk App made the hike easy to prepare and plan for. All the accommodation, walk notes and bag picks up were seamless and comfortable. I enjoyed this experience much more than I expected and that was to do with feeling confident in our routes and being able to plan each evening what we needed to do the next day. Thanks so much Auwalk for a professional, caring and adventurous adventure preparation! We are already looking at our next European walk.

Jane L
11 months ago

It was an absolute life highlight to hike in this beautiful and unique part of the world. Great group of people and our guide ensured we all had a unique and memorable adventure, taking us off the main trail whenever possible. His knowledge of the region's flora, fauna and history was exceptional. Highly recommend this challenging but rewarding hike.

Jane L
11 months ago

It was an absolute life highlight to hike in this beautiful and unique part of the world. Highly recommend this challenging but rewarding hike.

Catherine S
11 months ago

I would highly recommend booking with AusWalk. This was my 2nd walk with them. Information is good, the accommodation was excellent which include amazing breakfasts.

Deanna L
last year

Tour du Mont Blanc is no doubt one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world but also very challenging. It is incredibly stunning and beautiful from every angle & I would definitely recommend this trip to those who love a challenge and are physically prepared to meet the challenge.

Juliet B
last year

When we first received the information pack, with so many booklets and documents, we thought we'd have information overload. Particularly with the Universal Hikes App as well. But once we started walking, everything fell into place and the various information all made perfect sense. In the end we used the books to plan our day and know where to head, then we could use the trail signage as our primary guide. The booklet was then a useful backup (and information source) and if we were really unsure, the App pointed us in the right direction. We absolutely loved the options provided and the flexibility to shorten or extend our hike each day - brilliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chamonix. There is an abundance of great walks on Chamonix’s doorstep. You can also take the cable car to Aiguille du Midi (a panoramic cable car which takes you from Chamonix, 1035m to 3842m with an excellent view point up to the summit of Mont Blanc). Courmayeur Like Chamonix, Courmayeur has a number of great trails on its doorstep. It’s pedestrianised town centre has plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can sample wood fired pizza with a Monte Bianco beer. From Courmayeur you can also spend the day journeying across the Mont Blanc massif via a mountain train and series of panoramic cable cars. Champex As there is very little to do in Champex it is perfect for resting the legs and hanging out by the lake with a Mont Blanc biere and lunchtime fondue.

Of course, there are several sections you can omit to complete the circuit in a shorter distance. If you are looking for a shorter tour but without losing the experience our ‘Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc’ completes the tour in 8 days by employing a sensible combination of local transport links with the best sections of walking.

Your main luggage is collected each morning and delivered to your next accommodation while you walk. It must be ready for pick-up by 8:00 AM and will typically arrive at your next stop by 4:00 PM. A few important rules: only soft duffel bags or packs are accepted — no suitcases. The strict weight limit is 15kg per person, and bags are weighed on the first day. Don't tie bags together or attach loose items like shoes or umbrellas, as these will be removed. Keep your passport, medication, valuables, and fragile items in your daypack — never in your transferred luggage. Attaching an AirTag to your bag is a good idea in case of delays.

A comfortable daypack of at least 25–30 litres is recommended. It should have a waterproof cover or liner, as mountain weather can change fast. This is what you'll carry on the trail each day with your layers, rain gear, water, snacks, navigation, and valuables.

At least 12 months in advance. The TMB is one of the world's most popular long-distance walks and accommodation fills up fast — particularly during the main alpine summer season. During major trail running events in the area, availability becomes even tighter.

A good waterproof jacket and over-trousers are non-negotiable — mountain weather can turn quickly at any time of day. Other essentials include walking boots (not trainers), warm layers, a hat and gloves, sun protection, at least 2–3 litres of water, food for the day, a headtorch, your passport, cash in both Euros and Swiss Francs, a personal first aid kit, and your phone. Walking poles are strongly recommended — the TMB involves 1,000–1,500m of ascent and descent each day, and poles make a real difference. Bring a battery pack to charge your phone and camera during the day.

The TMB reaches a maximum of around 2,665m, which is below the threshold where altitude sickness typically becomes a serious concern. That said, the combination of altitude and sustained daily exertion means you should be well-prepared physically. Travel insurance must cover trekking above 2,500m and helicopter rescue — in the event of an evacuation, costs can run to several thousand Euros without adequate cover.

The TMB crosses three countries — France and Italy use the Euro (€), Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). You'll need both. Cards are widely accepted, but carry cash at all times, as many smaller villages have no ATMs. Some establishments are cash only. You can withdraw Swiss Francs at Geneva Airport on arrival. Note that Swiss bars and cafés may accept Euros, but often at an unfavourable rate.

Yes. Most days have options to reduce the distance using cable cars or local public transport. Your daily walk notes detail all available options. Public transport in the region is generally efficient, though schedules can reduce later in the season. Taxis are an option too — Mont Blanc Taxis contact details are included in your walking notes — but they are expensive in the mountains.

Yes. Please flag any allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking and reconfirm with your host on arrival. Alpine cuisine is hearty and ingredient-led — heavy on potatoes, cheese, beef, and bread. Vegetarian options have improved, but can be limited in smaller villages, and gluten-free requests can be problematic given how central bread and pasta are to the local diet. In Chamonix and Courmayeur, there is much more variety. If your requirements are complex, bring supplementary snacks to cover yourself on the trail.

Want to Know More?

The Mont Blanc Experience

Wonder
Auswalk rugged mountain trails through France, Italy and Switzerland around Mont Blanc
Straddle Col de la Seigne, then descend beneath tumbling glaciers into Val Veny
Traverse Courmayeur’s cobbled streets and the high Balcony Route towards Grand Jorasses
Wellness
Rejuvenate, restore & recharge. Tour du Mont Blanc, where big mountains change everything
105 miles. Three countries. One transformative journey. Circle the roof of Europe, one mindful step at a time
Unwind in Chamonix chalet gardens with pool, sauna and Aiguille du Midi views
Nature
Follow the Lac Blanc Balcony Trail with cobalt water and Mont Blanc vistas
Watch ibex, chamois and marmots across sheer rock faces and alpine pastureswalk under La Ville des Glaciers amid alpine pasture
Cross Grand Col Ferret past flower-filled Swiss hamlets, glaciers and lush valleys