Overview
Mont Blanc is one of the highest mountains in Europe (4,807m) and generous in its greatness, reaching into France, Italy and Switzerland. The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), which circumnavigates the massif, is also one of Europe’s greatest long-distance trails. On this Tour du Mont Blanc eastern section, you walk in a clockwise direction from Martigny to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, via Courmayeur over seven days. Stay in 3-star hotels and guesthouses, in double or twin en-suite rooms, with just one night at Refugio Elena if hotels book out. Luggage transfers throughout.
You may also enjoy our informative TMB blog, giving you plenty of other options and information.
- Champex
- Val Ferret
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice
- Martigny
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Martigny
The small of Martigny lies in an idyllic spot close to the River Rhône. Go for a walk and visit the castle La Batiaz or enjoy some of the fine local restaurants.
- Accommodation: Hotel Vatel or similar
Day 2: Martigny – Champex | 15km
Early transfer by bus or private car to Trient. Your first hiking day starts by trekking up to the legendary Col de la Forclaz, an important junction between Rhônetal and Chamonix. From the top of the pass, a beautiful forest trail guides you up and over Collet Portalo to the mountaineer station, Alp Bovine. Take a rest on the alpine pasture before heading on a spectacular descent along high mountain terrain A traditional farmhouse with homemade products awaits you in the valley where you stop for another break. A gentle climb through small villages and woods takes you to Lac de Champex.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5h ↑900m ↓700m
- Accommodation: Hôtel du Glacier or similar
Day 3: Champex – La Fouly | 15km
Good forest roads take you down to the Dranse river valley, which you follow through typical Valais villages. Follow a path until you are overlooking a mountain brook and continue to the upper end of Swiss Val Ferret at La Fouly. The cliffs and massive glacier flanks here are astounding. A cable car ride to the panoramic viewpoint is a tempting option in the afternoon, or just enjoy total relaxation in these fine alpine surroundings.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 4-5h ↑600m ↓450m
- Accommodation: Hôtel Edelweiss or similar
Day 4: La Fouly – Val Ferret | 14km
After climbing Alpe Peule, where you can stock up on supplies, you hike on good forest roads to Grand Col Ferret (2,537m), with views of the Italian Val Ferret, which is flanked by greenery on one side and has rock edges and glaciated walls on the other. Descend to Refuge Elena, a great spot for a coffee break overlooking the glacier from its terrace. A beautiful hiking trail along the stream finally leads you to the valley, where you spend the night.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 5-6h ↑1,000m ↓800m
- Accommodation (depending on the availability): Chalet Val Ferret; Refuge Elena (dormitory room with shared bathroon facilities) or Hotel Courmayeur (with bus transfer down to the valley)
Day 5: Val Ferret – Courmayeur | 16-19km
Your first ascent in the morning brings you to a tremendous alpine path leading to Refuge Bonatti, another legendary rest stop. At this point, you have two options: take the shorter and more levelled route along the mountain flank, or cross two more passes and hike across the summits. Both offer a great alpine experience and both meet in the cosy Rifugio Bertone, where the best cappuccino and cakes await. You reach the pretty Italian town of Courmayeur in the afternoon. It’s famous for its great alpine history and its panoramic views of Mont Blanc.
- Walking for the day: 19km, 7-8h ↑1,100m ↓1,600m (easier alternative route: 16km, 4-5h ↑550m ↓1,100m)
- Accommodation: Hotel Berthod or similar
Day 6: Courmayeur – Ville des Glaciers – Bourg-Saint-Maurice | 15km
In the morning, transfer/by bus (depending on the season) to Chalet du Miage. Hike through the Veny Valley, a landscape of lateral moraines, bizarre limestone formations and hidden glacial lakes. Hike through the valley to you will hike to Rifugio Elisabetta, with another great terrace to have coffee. Continue via Col de la Seigne (2,516m) to the Hoch-Savoyen region of France. Your destination is Vallée des Glaciers, where you can grab a quick bite surrounded by numerous herds of cows. In the afternoon, you are transported from Ville des Glaciers to Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5h ↑850m ↓750m
- Accommodation: Hotel Arolla or similar
Day 7: Departure
Departure or extra nights in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. We recommend a walk through the typically French Alps location, a ride on the funicular into the hiking region of Arcs and a visit to the Isère River before heading back home.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in 3-star hotels and guesthouses in private en-suite double/twin rooms. One overnight in a mixed gender dormitory with shared bathroom facilities (Val Ferret). They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism.
Click to view default hotels
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included as well as one dinner in Val Ferret. Lunch packs for the next day can be pre-ordered at each accommodation. For dinner, you can visit one of the restaurants in the villages or order from the a la carte menu in your accommodation. Dinner in Val Ferret is included.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for experienced walkers and requires an excellent level of fitness; you will walk 5-6h a day (up to 8h on some days if you do not use the shorter alternatives). Though there are almost no exposed sites, one needs to be sure-footed for the treks across the high mountain passes (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available on any date from early July till the beginning of September. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date in the season – so please indicate desired beginning date when booking.
Please note that availability may be limited during big events such as the UTMB trail running event at the end of August.
Regularly updated weather forecasts for the area are available here and here. Detailed month-by-month climate info is available here.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice on Switzerland, France and Italy.
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this holiday is Geneva (GVA).
By train or bus
- The direct train journey takes 1.5-2h from Geneva. From Zurich, it is approximately 2.5–3.5h via Visp.
- Limited amount of parking spaces close to the railway station in Martigny are available, approx. CHF10. per day. We advise you to park your car in Geneva instead.
- On departure by train from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Chambéry and direct train to Geneva, approx. 5.5h journey. Optional transfers can be organised by request. Another option would be by FLIXBUS from Chambéry.
- Martigny is reachable from London by train – see more details or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights in a mix of 3-star hotels and comfortable guesthouses (private en-suite rooms), 1 night in a dormitory with shared facilities (Val Ferret)
- 6 breakfasts and 1 dinner (Val Ferret)
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (one piece of luggage per person, max 15kg)
- Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps (1 set per room)
- Private transfers as listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners (except in Val Ferret), drinks and snacks
- Eventual bus transfers and cable cars to shorten the walks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights in Martigny and Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Gallery
