Tour du Mont Blanc Hut to Hut

Click to view map

Day 1: Arrival Les Houches

Welcome to the village of Les Houches, just 6km from Chamonix.

• Accommodation: Hotel Saint-Antoine or similar, half-board

Day 2: Les Houches – Les Contamines | 7-8h

The first stretch of the TMB begins with a walk up to Col de Voza (although this can be shortened by taking the Bellevue cable car from Les Houches). From Col de Voza (1,653m) there are two options for the route to Les Contamines. The shorter, easier option is via Bionnassay or you can cross a suspension bridge over the glacial torrent from Glacier de Bionnassay and take the scenic high route over Col de Tricot (2,120m). Finish in Les Contamines in the Montjoie valley, famous for its cheese dairies which are worth a visit if time allows.

• Walking for the day: 17.5km, 7-8h ↑1,040m ↓860m (easier option by cable car: 13km, 5-6h ↑380m ↓1,010m)
• Accommodation: Chalet-Hôtel Gai Soleil or similar, half-board

Day 3: Les Contamines – Refuge des Mottets | 8-9h

Today the route reaches the highest point on the TMB (matched with the Fenêtre d’Arpette later in the trip) and begins with the ascent of three cols. Begin the ascent at La Balme, climbing Col du Bonhomme (2,329m), bearing left at Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,483m) and hiking to the high point of the day, Col de Fours (2,665m). After enjoying spectacular views across the Aiguille des Glaciers to Mont Blanc, descend steep slopes (and possibly snow patches) to reach the converted dairy farm of Refuge des Mottets (1,870m).

• Walking for the day: 21km, 8-9h ↑1,675m ↓965m
• Accommodation: Refuge des Mottets (Mixed gender dormitory room with shared facilities), half-board

Day 4: Refuge des Mottets to Plan Chécrouit | 7-8h

Depart Refuge des Mottets and climb Col de la Seigne (2,516m) which marks the French-Italian border, and gives amazing views in all directions, including as far as Grand Col Ferret, which the route will cross in a few days. Descend into Vallon de la Lée, passing Rifugio Elisabetta (2,195m) and following streams to Lac Combal. The route climbs steeply to Col Chécrouit, offering tremendous views across the valley to the wall of peaks surrounding Mont Blanc.

• Walking for the day: 19km, 7-8h, ↑1,135m ↓1,250m
• Accommodation: Rifugio Maison Vieille (Mixed gender dormitory room with shared facilities) or similar, half-board

Day 5: Plan Chécrouit – Rifugio Bonatti | 6-7h

Descend into the mountain town of Courmayeur via the village of Dolonne, or alternatively, take the cable car down to shorten the walk. Heading out of Courmayeur along the grassy flanks of Mont de la Saxe, the route gives incredible views across Val Ferret to the rising mass of rock, snow and ice. This stage finishes at Rifugio Bonatti.

• Walking for the day:15.4km, 7-8h ↑1,100m ↓825m
• Accommodation: Rifugio Bonatti (Mixed gender dormitory room with shared facilities), half-board

Please note: If Rifugio Bonatti is full, accommodation will be booked in Courmayeur. If this is required, a supplement will be added to the cost of the trip.

Day 6: Rifugio Bonatti – La Fouly | 5-6h

Today’s hike takes you over Grand Col Ferret (2,537m), with the route heading out of Italy and into the rolling pastures of Switzerland. Take a break at one of the mountain lodges along the route before continuing on through idyllic Swiss scenery to La Fouly.

• Walking for the day: 18km, 6-7h ↑870m ↓1,300m
• Accommodation: Hôtel Edelweiss (Mixed gender dormitory room with shared facilities) or similar, half-board

Day 7: La Fouly – Relais d’Arpette (Champex) | 6-7h

Today marks the easiest day of this TMB, with much less elevation change than previous walks. The Dranse River accompanies you on your leisurely hike past high mountains, through forests, meadows and traditional mountain villages towards the valley. At the end of the hike, the Murmeltierweg (Marmot trail) takes you up to Champex-Lac, a mountain location famous for its expansive forests and crystal clear lake. Continue on beyond the village to reach your overnight stop, in the shadow of two mountains.

• Walking for the day: 17km, 5-6h ↑695m ↓665m
• Accommodation: Relais d’Arpette (Mixed gender dormitory room with shared facilities), half-board

Day 8: Relais d’Arpette (Champex) – Trient | 5-7h

Today’s journey take you to the highest point of your TMB adventure as you traverse Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665m). Enjoy breathtaking panoramas as you continue along the remarkable Trient glacier. In the event of inclement weather, an alternative route via the scenic Col de Bovine is highly recommended and offers a shorter yet equally rewarding days walk.

• Walking for the day: 8-9h, approx. 15km, ↑1,195m ↓1,350m, or 5-6h ↑770m ↓945m (shorter option via Col de Bovine, especially during bad weather)
• Accommodation: La Grande Ourse (Mixed gender dormitory room with shared facilities), half-board

Day 9: Trient – Le Tour | 5-6h

A morning trek over Col de la Balme means that you are rewarded with tremendous views back over to France as well as a panoramic vista of Mont Blanc and Aiguille Verte. There are two options for your descent to Le Tour, a higher route along the crest of Aiguillette des Possets, or a more direct route from Col de Balme following the Charamillon gondola line down to le Tour.

• Walking for the day: 10.5km, 5-6h ↑975m ↓810m
• Accommodation: Chalet du Tour (Mixed gender dormitory room with shared facilities), half-board

Day 10: Le Tour – Refuge La Flégère | 5-6h

This is the most spectacular leg of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Using a combination of well-secured ladders and timber braced steps, climb steep rocks to reach Refuge du Lac Blanc. Enjoy panoramic views across the Vallée de l’Arve as you make your way to your overnight stop, perched high above the villages below.

• Walking for the day: 10.6km, 5-6h ↑1,150m ↓750m
• Accommodation: Refuge La Flégère (Mixed gender dormitory room with shared facilities), half-board

Please note: If the refuge is full, we can arrange accommodation in Chamonix, but this will incur a supplemental cost. A cable car can be taken from La Flégère down to the valley floor, where you can catch a bus into Chamonix.

Day 11: Refuge La Flégère – Les Houches | 6-7h

Follow the path across the Grand Balcon, one of the most scenic of all alpine paths, to Planpraz, which has a café at an altitude of 2,000m. Continue on to le Brevent, here it is possible to climb to the peak of Brévent, considered to be one of the best lookout posts for viewing Mont Blanc and to take in amazing panoramas of glaciers and peaks. Continue on the hiking trail to pass Lac du Brévent and descend to Refuge Bel-Lachat, a good rest spot before resuming the steep descent. The final section of the day skirts the Parc de Merlet forest before finishing in Les Houches.

• Walking for the day: 16.5km, 6-7h ↑750m ↓1,650m
• Accommodation: Hotel Saint-Antoine or similar, half-board

Day 12: Departure

Departure or extra nights in Chamonix.

Click to view default hotels

• Hotel Saint-Antoine
• Chalet-Hôtel Gai Soleil
• Refuge Des Mottets
• Rifugio Maison Vieille
• Rifugio Bonatti
• Hôtel Edelweiss
• Relais d’Arpette
• La Grande Ourse
• Chalet du Tour
• Refuge La Flégère

Accommodations are subject to availability. In the event of a particular accommodation being fully booked for your chosen dates, we aim replace it with an accommodation of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.