Classic Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort – 13 Days

Bustling with outdoor enthusiasts, the French Alpine town of Chamonix is only a 90-minute transfer from Geneva Airport (see How to get there section on the website for conditions). Please supply flight details as soon as you can if you are arriving via Geneva. Relax in the garden of your hotel under the incredible Mont Blanc massif before exploring the streets, pavement cafes and bars of this famous alpine town.

Accommodation: Hotel L’Oustalet
Run by the Durban sisters, Agnes and Veronique’s 3* hotel is a typical timber alpine chalet located in the heart of Chamonix. From their spacious garden, relax poolside with exceptional views of the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc.

Meals included: None

Les Houches is the traditional start of the TMB. We suggest taking the cable car up to Bellevue (1802m) to start your walk. From Bellevue you have a choice of two routes to Les Contamines. Either take the high route over the Col du Tricot (2102m)  under the shadow of the Bionnassay Glacier to the picture-postcard Refuge de Miage (famed for their blueberry tart). Alternatively, take the low route through alpine pastures and enchanting woodlands via the hamlets of Bionnassay and Le Champel.

Trek via the Col du Tricot: 19km
Ascent: 1540m
Descent: 1390m

Trek via Bionnassay & Le Champel: 18km
Ascent: 1040m
Descent: 880m

By using the cable from Bellevue both route options are reduced by approx. 2 hours (6kms) and around 650m of ascent.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Gai Soleil
Built by a local farmer in 1823, the Hotel Gai Soleil became a family-run hotel around 1920. With a surge in climbers visiting the region, the Gai Soleil became a firm favourite with keen alpinists. Run by Valerie and David, they take immense pride in serving dishes created with local produce. In the warm summer evenings, dinner is often served in their peaceful garden.

Begin the day by walking south from Les Contamines along the River Bonnant to the 17th-century church of Notre-Dame de la Gorge, which marks the start of the mountain path. The road gives way to a steep and roughly paved track, which climbs to Refuge de la Balme (a very well-timed rest!). From here the steep rocky path climbs over the Col du Bonhomme (2383m) and contours around to pass over the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2443m). Then descend to the small village of Les Chapieux and your accommodation for the night.

Trek to Les Chapieux: 20km
Ascent: 1340m
Descent: 950m

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Auberge de la Nova

Serving up simple and delicious dishes, this rustic accommodation offers comfortable private rooms with en-suites. On arrival it’s worth grabbing a refreshing beer and kicking back to relax in the gardens before dinner. No wifi available.

Start gently from Les Chapieux to reach the village of La Ville des Glaciers. Then it’s a steady uphill on a winding track to Col de la Seigne (2516m). At the pass, straddle the border between France and Italy and soak up views of the southern side of the Mont Blanc massif with its dramatic, jagged peaks. Descend through the Vallon de la Lee Blanche to Rifugio Elisabetta, a fantastic spot for a rest break. Continue on under tumbling glaciers into Val Veny. From here you will leave the main TMB route for a few km to reach La Visaille for bus access to Courmayeur.

Distance: 21km
Ascent: 1130m
Descent: 1010m
The distance can be reduced by 5km by taking the shuttle bus from Les Chapieux.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Crampon
Run by the Grivel Di Addario family, this 3* hotel is located in a quiet street just a few minutes walk from the main centre. With a long heritage of mountaineers in the family, the hotel is well equipped to look after weary trekkers. A comfortable lounge, fireplace, a garden terrace and modest en-suite rooms all make for an enjoyable stay.

From La Visaille, rejoin the TMB near the Cabane du Combal. Follow the magnificent balcony trail to Rifugio Maison Vieille with many vantage points to soak up the stunning views over the Val Veny. Why not relax with a picnic lunch and look for marmots?  A long, steep descent to Courmayeur follows but you can save your knees by making use of the chairlifts and cable cars.

Distance: 15.5km
Ascent: 850m
Descent: 1310m
Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Crampon

Leave Courmayeur on foot and ascend onto the steep forested slopes of La Montagne de la Saxe. After arriving at Rifugio Bertone, you have two choices. Either follow the standard ‘Balcony Route’, which gives incredible unbroken views across Val Ferret to Mont Blanc and Grand Jorasses. Or take the High Route which is more challenging, but provides some of the most epic views on the walk. On reaching Rifugio Bonatti, the picnic terrace is great for sampling the famous Bonatti hot chocolate and taking in the majesty of the mountains around you. Then descend to Val Ferret and return by bus (30mins) to Courmayeur for the night.

Distance: 14km or 17km
Ascent: 1080m or 1730m
Descent: 580m or 1250m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Crampon

Begin the day with a bus ride back through the impressive Val Ferret. At Arnuva, the head of the valley, a straightforward but steep climb winds up to the Grand Col Ferret. Along the way, enjoy a break at the perfectly placed Rifugio Elena with a café latte and panoramic views back down Val Ferret. Crossing the Grand Col Ferret (2537m), you enter Switzerland. From this spot, views extend to the peak of Mont Dolent, which is shared between France, Italy and Switzerland. On your descent, pass typical Swiss chalets and flower-filled gardens as you enter the hamlet of La Fouly where you will spend the night.

Distance: 20km
Ascent: 980m
Descent: 1390m
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Edelweiss
The Baumeler family have run the Hotel Edelweiss since 1956. This charming wooden chalet hotel has retained its typical Swiss design but in recent years, the interior has been upgraded with contemporary mountain décor. With great views of Mont Dolent from the terrace, this is a great spot to relax with a cool beer on arrival.

A day of chocolate-box Swiss villages and one of the easiest stages of the circuit. The route passes through the timeless village of Arlaches. The medieval wooden houses adorned with bright flower boxes provide a window into a bygone era. A steep climb from the valley up to Champex follows. The beautiful lake with its picturesque cafes and bars is definitely worth a stop before heading to your hotel.

Distance: 15km
Ascent: 510m
Descent: 650m
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Glacier
The Bislex family have been welcoming walkers since 1895. Now in its fifth generation, the hotel has continued to provide comfortable ensuite rooms and an ever-changing menu of regional dishes to ensure trekkers are well fed. Located only a couple of minutes from the lakeside, its location is perfect for a post-dinner stroll.

A choice of two stunning routes today. The Standard Route follows the Bovine Trail which ascends steeply through pine forests to take you over glacial streams and across high alpine pastures where the famous ‘Swiss fighting cows’ graze through the summer. Mid-way be sure to stop off at the L’Alpage Bovine which serves delicious homemade apple cake (with excellent views over to the Swiss Bernese Alps).

The alternative is the High Route which heads over the challenging Fenetre d’Arpette (2665m). Considered by many as the toughest day on the circuit, the ascent and descent follows a steep, exposed rocky trail across boulder fields and scree slopes. Incredible views of the Trient Glacier and a day of real mountain adventure!

Trek the Bovine Route: 15.5km
Ascent: 850m
Descent: 1040m

Trek via Fenetre d’Arpette: 16km
Ascent: 1200m
Descent: 1390m

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: La Grande Ourse
A typical Swiss trekker’s hotel, La Grande Ourse is simple, comfortable and located in the heart of Trient village. The private rooms and shared bathrooms are immaculate. Before dinner, enjoy an aperitif on the sun terrace with fellow trekkers

It’s back into France today with a choice of two routes to the border at Col de Balme (2192m). The Standard Route takes a steep but relatively short climb up to the Col. The alternative route features a bit more climbing but loops around via the Refuge Les Grandes and offers good views of the Trient Glacier. From the Col de Balme, you’ll be rewarded with extensive views over Chamonix Valley and the familiar snow-capped peak of Mont Blanc. Relax on the terrace of the Refuge du Col de Balme and enjoy some refreshments. Then either continue on the Standard Route and tackle another ascent to the ridge summit of Aiguillette des Posettes before a long steep descent, or take the direct route into the valley. End the day with a short bus or train ride into Chamonix to reach your accommodation for the night.

Distance: 14km
Ascent: 980m
Descent: 840m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel L’Oustalet

A spectacular day of mountain walking. Begin with an ascent up forested slopes to the foot of a short section of fixed ladders. Continue upwards on steeper ground with a good chance of spotting small herds of agile Ibex (“bouquetin”). Deep into the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve at the Tete-aux-Ventes track junction, we recommend taking the trail up to the idyllic Lac Blanc where a charming refuge overlooks the cobalt waters of this much-photographed lake. From here there is the option of a short there-and-back walk to see stunning high alpine lake, Lac Perseverance. Continue on rocky trails to follow the famous “Grand Balcon Sud” path with its astounding vistas across the Chamonix valley to the Mont Blanc Range to the La Flegere cable car station. Descend by cable car to your hotel in Chamonix.

Distance: 8.5km (Add 3km for Lac Blanc and Lac Perseverance)
Ascent: 730m
Descent: 270m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel L’Oustalet

The last day of trekking starts by returning to La Flegere by cable car. Re-joining the TMB, continue on the Grand Balcon walk to Plan Praz. A steep climb to the Col du Brevent and Le Brevent summit (2525m) follow. At the Le Brevent “Le Panoramic” mountain-top restaurant, the snow-capped peaks and glaciers across the valley seem within touching distance. From here, you can take the easier option and descend to Chamonix via the Le Brevent and Plan Praz cable cars. Or  continue on foot along rocky ridgelines before descending through alpine woodlands into the village of Les Houches. Return to Chamonix via train or bus. With its many cosmopolitan dining options, Chamonix is a great place to celebrate and reflect on your completion of one of the world’s greatest treks.

Distance: 18.5km
Ascent: 900m
Descent: 1750m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel L’Oustalet

Depending on your onward travel arrangements, take a walk around Chamonix village or indulge in a morning of freshly baked patisserie cakes and coffee before your departure. If you have time and the weather is clear, we highly recommend taking the cable car up to Aiguille du Midi.

Meals included: Breakfast