Full Tour of Mont Blanc 12 days – Self Guided
A Bucket-list Trek Through France, Italy & Switzerland
One of the most famous multi-day mountain hike in the Alps!
Trek through France, Italy, and Switzerland: Experience unique Alpine Cultures Along the Way.
Embark on a thrilling 12-day full circuit hike of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) in Europe, beginning 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 Martigny
The little town Martigny lies in an idyllic spot close to river Rhône. Go for a walk and visit the castle La
Batiaz or indulge yourself in one of the many restaurants.
Accommodation: Martigny: Boutique Hotel 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 2: Martigny - Argentière
Early in the morning by bus or transfer (depending on season) to Trient. Your first hiking day starts by climbing the Col de Balme (2191 m) pass, where you can rest in a quaint mountain lodge. It offers fantastic views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley. You will then descend into the grassy Sattel, where you can see grazing livestock and leisurely mountain pastures. The impressive Kammweg (ridgeway) over the summit of l'Aiguillete des Posetes will now take you through a rocky terrain with a phenomenal panoramic view of the surrounding glaciers. You will cope with the descent on a steep trail, which later takes you along the mountain brook to your destination. A fantastic day amidst the highest, gigantic mountains!
Hiking Distance: 15 km
Accent: 1000m - 1200m
Decent: 900 - 1100m
Hiking time: approx. 4.5 - 5 hrs
Accommodation: Argentière: Hotel La Couronne 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 3: Argentière - Chamonix
Day 3 is the most spectacular leg of the Mont Blanc tour: on well-secured ladders, you will climb steep rocks to reach the light-blue shining mountain lake called Lac Blanc. In the afternoon, the path across the “Grand Balcon”, a great alpine path, will take you along the mountain slope and through blueberry fields to Plan Praz, which has a café at an altitude of 2000 m! Here you can take the cable car and glide down to the legendary mountaineer location of Chamonix. A stroll through the magnificent pedestrian area with colorfully decorated houses is a treat for the eyes! These stretches can be made easier if you wish and you can leave out the adventurous climbing routes.
Hiking Distance: 14 km
Accent: 1050m - 1300m
Decent: 350 - 600m
Hiking time: approx. 4.5 - 5.5 hrs
Accommodation: Chamonix: Oustalet 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 4: Chamonix – Les Houches
On day 4, you will ride the cable car to climb up 2000 m without any efforts. You are not very far from pass Col du Brévent (2368 m), from where you will climb the impressive boulders of the panorama peak of Brévent. From the panorama platform which is known as the “best lookout post on Mont Blanc”, you can study the glaciers and corn snow peaks of the ice giant very well. A beautiful hiking trail passes the bizarre shaped mountain lake Lac du Brévent and descends into the shelter called Bel-Lachat. You can take some rest here before resuming the steep climb, which will take you past the Alpen-Wildpark Merlet through the forest and into the valley. You will stay the night in one of the many small hamlets in the municipality of Les Houches situated in the valley of the river Arve, which gets its water from the glaciers.
Hiking Distance: 14 km
Accent: 1050m - 1300m
Decent: 350 - 600m
Hiking time: approx. 4.5 - 5.5 hrs
Accommodation: Les Houches: Les Campanules 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 5: Les Houches – Les Contamines
Experience the famous “Mont Blanc tram” from close quarters and walk along its tracks for a stretch of the hike! From Bellevue, you can view the imposing end station of the daringly constructed rack railway next to the ice field. An interesting alpine path guides you to an adventurous suspension bridge that you need to cross to walk over a rustling glacial stream. You will then hike through mountain meadows to the Col de Tricot (2120 m) pass and climb down to the Miage huts. After a further climb, you will reach the cosy resting destination of Truc-Alpe. Grab a bite while listening to the bells of grazing cows. Your destination, Les Contamines, is situated in the Montjoie valley, which is famous for its delicious cheeses from the numerous surrounding alpine pastures. Don’t forget to visit one of the cheese dairies and taste the Savoy
cheese with red wine and a fresh baguette.
Hiking Distance: 10-18 km
Accent: 550 m - 1350 m
Decent: 1150 m
Hiking time: approx. 4 - 7 hrs
Accommodation: Les Contamines: Gai Soleil 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 6: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux - Bourg Saint-Maurice
The last leg of the tour will make your heart beat faster: you will hike on the paths tread by Romans over gurgling ravines, see stone types of varied colours, get views of glacial lakes and climb two high pass crossings! The path passes the southernmost point of the Mont Blanc massif, where you can enjoy unending vistas of the southern part of the mountain massif of the French Alps. You will first walk leisurely along the river to the baroque pilgrimage church Notre Dame de la Gorge, from where you can start with the long climb to the top of the passes: on a rocky alpine path from Col du Bonhomme (2329 m) to pass Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2450 m). Replenish yourself at Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, a traditional shelter of the French Alpine Club. The last descent across alpine pastures with mountain brooks flowing through them leads you to Vallée des Glaciers (valley of glaciers), where you can toast to your successful hiking week in the small hamlet of Les Chapieux! A short transfer from Les Chapieux will bring you down to your overnight accommodation location - Bourg- Saint-Maurice. You can now relax on the last evening of your tour and relive the week-long hike over a glass of wine!
Hiking Distance: 17 km
Accent: 1300m
Decent: 900m
Hiking time: approx. 6.5 hrs
Accommodation: Bourg St. Maurice: L'Autantic 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 7: Bourg Saint Maurice – Courmayeur
A short journey takes you back to the Vallée des Glaciers, the valley of the glacier. From there you climb up to the Col de la Seigne pass, where you cross border from France to Italy and enjoy fantastic panoramic views. You then hike through fields studded with flowers to the Rifugio Elisabetta, a traditional Italian mountaineering lodge. A side trip to the turquiose glacier lake Lacs de Miage is enticing, before you take the bus or the transfer from Chalet du Miage (depending on season) to Courmayeur, the home of famous mountain guides and alpine mountaineers.
Hiking Distance: 15 km
Accent: 750m
Decent: 850m
Hiking time: approx. 4.5 hrs
Accommodation: Courmayeur: Hotel Crampon 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 8: Courmayeur – Val Ferret
Passing by Rifugio Bertone, you walk on a very scenic mountain path along the mountain flank. The Rifugio Bonatti mountain lodge receives you to rest on the terrace, directly opposite the massive Mont- Blanc. The path takes you further over bridges and brooks to Arnouva, located at a height of 1800m in the valley head of the idyllic Val Ferrets.
Hiking Distance: 16 km
Accent: 1000m
Decent: 550m
Hiking time: approx. 5 hrs
Accommodation: Val Ferret: Chalet Val Ferret 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 9: Val Ferret – La Fouly
Today, you will hike over the 2500m high Col Ferret pass in Switzerland and reach beautiful Wallis. Rest in
one of the mountain lodges and enjoy fresh milk products and the ringing cow bells on your way further
towards your destination of La Fouly.
Hiking Distance: 14 km
Accent: 800m
Decent: 1000m
Hiking time: approx. 4.5 hrs
Accommodation: La Fouly: Hotel Edelweiss 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 10: La Fouly – Champex
The blue alpine river Dranse accompanies you on your hike past high mountain walls towards the valley through forests and meadows. Small traditional mountain villages
with their typical stone houses and corn fields are a feast for the eyes on the relaxed hike through the valley. In the end, Murmeltierweg (groundhog route) takes you up to Champex, a mountain location famous for its extensive forests and crystal clear lake.
Hiking Distance: 15 km
Accent: 450m
Decent: 600m
Hiking time: approx. 4 hrs
Accommodation: Champex: Hotel du Glacier 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 11: Tag: Champex – Martigny
Beautiful forest and meadow paths take you diwn to Alpe am Plan de l´Au, where a long ascent begins to
the higher pastures. You climb up to the Bovine lodge with gigantic views of the Rhone valley and bizarre
shaped rocky peaks, where you can rest among gentians and alpine roses . Now you climb down to Trient,
famous for its rose-pink church and impressive glaciers on the surrounding mountain peaks. By bus or
transfer (depending on season) down to Martigny.
Hiking Distance: 15km
Accent: 700m
Decent: 900m
Hiking time: approx. 5 hrs
Accommodation: Martigny: Boutique Hotel 3* Star hotel or guest house (subject to availability)
Day 12: Departure or extra nights
Additional Trip Info
Your 11-night package includes:
- Accommodation in 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).
- Scheduled transfers as per the itinerary.
- Comprehensive route guide and offline maps via exclusive hiking app
- Detailed travel and tour documents (provided on arrival).
- Access to a 24/7 service hotline for assistance.
- 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
- Lunches & Dinners (allow approx. 10-15 Euro per day for each meal)
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