You can see more about this trip here.
Day 1:
Montroc Train Station - Refuge Lac Blanc
The first day has been planned so you can arrive in Chamonix the same day and be up snoozing in a high mountain hut on your very first night! This itinerary is perfect for a long weekend arriving Friday lunchtime (or even mid afternoon) as the hike time for today is only around 3 hours (4 hours if you take the alternative route to the ladders).
From Montroc train station, walk to the rear of the car park. Take the path to the right of the train tunnel – it turns left to go over the tunnel and an easy trail heads up to Tré-le-Champ (10 minutes). Once in Tré-le-Champ carry on the few minutes along the track up to the main Col des Montets road. Here you’ll begin the 3 hours climb up to Lac Blanc. You’ll see the trail head immediately opposite on the other side of the busy road. Take care crossing here. Note: this is the traditional TMB route up to Lac Blanc – it involves climbing ladders. If you are nervous of heights you can take an alternative route a little further up the main road next to the Aiguille Rouge National Park hut. This alternative route avoids any ladders but takes around an hour extra than the ladder route.
The traditional route climbs steadily for between 1.5-2 hrs until you reach the infamous TMB ladders – a series of 13 ladders and metal ware built into the rock. It’s the most exciting physical aspect of the entire Tour du Mont Blanc – teenagers will love it! See notes at the top of this page for how to avoid these ladders if you suffer from vertigo. A further hour up brings you to Tête aux Vents, a large cairn (2132m) which borders the national park. From there the trail ascends for a further 1hr 30 mins to reach stunning Lac Blanc (2,352m). The Lac Blanc refuge has legendary status on the Tour du Mont Blanc – this spot is simply unbeatable. When the mountains reflect in the still water you will genuinely feel humbled by your surroundings.
Note: You cannot drink the water at Refuge Lac Blanc. Carry extra water or expect to buy bottled water (cash only).
Approximate time and distances:
5.4km / 1115m up / 110 down / 2.5-3.5 hours trekking
Day 2:
Refuge Lac Blanc - Refuge Bellachat
After an incredible sunrise and breakfast at Lac Blanc you’ll descend to pick up the trail along the Grand Balcon Sud on an easy undulating traverse to La Flégère and over to the Plan Praz plateau at Le Brévent. Drink in the extraordinarily spectacular views ahead of you of the Mont Blanc massif with it’s gloriously jagged peaks, famous snowcapped dome and glacial tongues of ice.
From Lac Blanc head down to La Flegere on the trail that leads through the ski area heading south. From La Flegere you traverse towards Plan Praz along the undulating ‘Grand Balcon Sud’ trail. Once you arrive at Plan Praz you may want to take the cable car up to Le Brevent. If you decide to hike up, you can simply follow the trail that winds up underneath the cable car which is the easiest route, however if you want to push yourself, take the traditional TMB route via Col du Brévent – expect this to add another 2 hours onto your day.
From the top of Brévent, historically argued to be the best view of Mont Blanc, the terrain changes to a dry rocky landscape as you start the descent down to Refuge Bellachat, a tiny refuge nestled into the rock with a large terrace boasting front row seats over to Mont Blanc
From Le Brévent, descend the back side towards Lac du Brevent. From here it’s a short descent to the Refuge Bellachat which sits in a stunning position opposite Mont Blanc with a large terrace where you can sit and gaze in awe at the highest mountain in Western Europe with a well deserved light refreshment.
Note: Refuge Bellachat does not have a shower! You cannot drink the water at Refuge Bellachat. Carry extra water or expect to buy bottled water (cash only).
Approximate time and distances:
13.2kms / 794 m up / 995m down / 3-4 hours trekking
Day 3:
Refuge Bellachat – Les Houches
The 3-3.5 hour descent from the refuge to Les Houches is beautiful with red and pink wild azaleas flanking the trail to the valley floor however warning – this descent is hard on the knees! Keep your eyes peeled for chamois on the descent. It’s common to see these alpine goat antelopes feeding close to the trail.
Reaching Les Houches, the official finish point of the Tour du Mont Blanc, it’s a 10 minutes bus ride to Chamonix or stay in Les Houches.
Approximate time and distances:
7.3kms / 34m up / 1,175m down / 2-3 hours trekking
