11-Day Tour du Mont Blanc Guided Hike

We highly recommend planning your inbound travel so that you arrive in Chamonix by early afternoon. This is especially important if you need to buy any last minute trekking equipment from any local shops. You’ll need time to collect this before the evening briefing, which is essential for a smooth start to your adventure. There is limited time the following morning to buy any items as you will be departing for the mountains straight after breakfast.

You will meet with your guide for a briefing in the evening at approximately 18:00 to go through the plan for the week as well as the current weather and mountain conditions. Here you will have a chance to go through your kit under the experienced eye of your guide and can ask any questions that you may have. There is a group dinner included which will follow the briefing and then it's time for a good night sleep!

We start by taking a short train ride to Les Houches, followed by a cable car ride on the Bellevue lift. We then cross the spectacular suspension bridge at the foot of the Bionnassay glacier which has a very 'Himalayan' feel. The group will then usually go over the Col de Tricot route to the Chalets de Miages but if the weather is bad we can take a lower, easier route. From here we drop down to the valley floor into the village of Les Contamines.

12km / 700m up / 1300m down / 4-5 hours trekking

From Les Contamines we can jump on a shuttle bus which takes us to the old Roman road to the pretty chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge. At Notre Dame de la Gorge, take a moment to admire the beautiful chapel nestled beside the rushing water before starting the climb. The trail here is steep and dramatic—an ancient Roman road made of stone slabs that winds its way up through the forest, often running alongside the roaring gorge. After crossing the old Roman bridge and soaking in views of the gorge below, you’ll continue your ascent for about an hour to reach Refuge Nant Borrant.

From here, the trail continues upward past Refuge de la Balme and onto the more rugged terrain leading to the Col du Bonhomme (2,329m). After the pass, there’s a steady traverse with spectacular alpine views before the final push to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,483m).

From Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme the route descends steadily from the refuge to the valley floor and the small hamlet of Les Chapieux.

18km / 1300m up / 900m down / 7-8.5 hours trekking

From Les Chapieux, follow the river upstream for about 1 hour to Refuge des Mottets. From Refuge des Mottets, begin the steady climb up to the Col de la Seigne (2,516m), marking the border between France and Italy. It’s a gradual ascent on a well-defined trail, and a rewarding one—at the top, the views open up dramatically and Mont Blanc comes back into sight.

From the col, it’s an easy descent down to Rifugio Elisabetta, perched on a rocky spur between the Glacier d’Estellette and Glacier de la Lée Blanche. The trail then continues gently downhill, following a wide, straight stretch of old Roman road through the Vallée de la Lée Blanche. After about an hour, you’ll reach the photogenic Cabane Combal, a charming A-frame refuge set in an open valley framed by rugged peaks.

17km / 1000m up / 600m down / 6-7.5 hours trekking

The hike then climbs steadily out of the Val Veny floor to a high spur from Mont Favre. Looking back, you’ll see the massive moraine of Glacier Miage dwarfing Cabane Combal, and on a clear day, views stretching back to Col de la Seigne.

From there, the trail traces the south side of Val Veny, rising and falling along the mountainside with stunning views of Monte Bianco and jagged peaks across the valley. You’ll then enter the Courmayeur ski area, following a scenic traverse until signs for Plan Checrouit point you toward a steady descent into Courmayeur.

During peak season (Aug–Sept), you can skip the tough descent from Rifugio Maison Vieille by taking the chair lift and cable car to Dolonne, just a 10-minute stroll from town—a great option if your legs are tired or you're keen to relax in Courmayeur a little sooner.

14km / 500m up / 1300m down / 5.5-7.5 hours trekking

Today starts a taxi journey to Courmayeur. From Courmayeur you will head toward the Church of Saint Pantaleon and follow the uphill road, Strada del Villair, all the way to the car park where the TMB trail begins. From here, it’s a steep climb through the forest to Rifugio Bertone -perfect for an Italian coffee with a view.

From Bertone, the main trail continues along a gently undulating balcony path toward Rifugio Bonatti. From Rifugio Bonatti, the trail climbs gently for a short distance before crossing a wooden bridge over the river. You’ll then rejoin the balcony path, continuing to traverse the mountainside with open views of the Val Ferret below.

*You’ll either stay at Rifugio Bonatti hut or Chalet Val Ferret (based on availability). Or make the easy 30 minute descent down to the valley floor to make your way to the Hotel Lavachey there, or back to Courmayeur for your accommodation.

Approximate time and distances:

17km / 1200m up / 700m down / 4-5 hours trekking

From Val Ferret you will begin the climb up the Grand Col Ferret (2,537m), marking the border between Italy and Switzerland, you'll descend into the Swiss side of the Val Ferret The trail winds down gently with sweeping views before reaching Gîte Alpage de la Peule, a traditional working dairy farm. From here it’s a short descent down to the hamlet of Ferret, and onwards along the river to La Fouly.

17km / 1100m up / 1400m down / 6 - 7 hours trekking

Today is the most gentle day of all the TMB stages. There is no col to climb and the route meanders easily through the valley past Swiss mountain pastures. Drink in the delightful scenes of rural life in Switzerland as you potter leisurely along this stage. Champex-Lac, our home for the night is a beautiful little town next to a pretty lake. Nicknamed ‘Little Canada’ it’s not hard to imagine why – this beautiful lakeside town is surrounded by hills of pine and is relaxing spot to spend an afternoon.

15.7km / 510m up / 610m down / 4.5-7 hours trekking

Today we leave the serenity of beautiful Champex-Lac and take the Bovine route to the Col de la Forclaz and then drop down into the Swiss village of Trient, famous for it’s pink church, to spend the night.

16km / 850m up / 1000m down / 6-7.5 hours trekking

From Trient head up towards the Col de Balme, the border of France and Switzerland. From the Swiss side, head down into France towards Col des Posettes. Climb the ridge to L’Aiguillette des Posettes (2201m), where you’ll get great views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley. Continue along the ridge and descend steeply to Tré-le-Champ, take your time. From here a meandering descent gets you down to Argentière for the night.

17km / 1100m up / 1100m down / 6-7.5 hours trekking

From Argentiere, follow the Chemin des Grands Bois and turn left towards Aiguillette d’Argentiere where you will reach the famous TMB ladders — a set of 13 metal ladders and steps built into the rock. Keep an eye out for chamois and bouquetin, as you’re in the Aiguille Rouge National Park. After the ladders, continue on to reach Tête aux Vents (2132m), marked by a large cairn. From here continue on until you reach Lac Blanc at 2,352m. From Lac Blanc, continue down the trail towards Refuge La Flégère (60–90 mins), located at the main cable car station.

10km / 1000m up / 500m down / 4.5-6 hours trekking

From Refuge La Flégère follow the Grand Balcon Sud trail as it gently traverses towards Plan Praz. Once there you hike the trail up to Le Brevent which includes a few more ladders.

At the top of Le Brévent, enjoy one of the best views of Mont Blanc. Continuing on foot you descend along the ridge to Refuge Bellachat, a great spot to rest with amazing views. From Bellachat, continue your descent following signs for ‘Parc Merlet’ and then onwards to Les Houches. The final stretch is long and tough on the knees, but wild azaleas and possible wildlife sightings make it a memorable finish. End the trip by returning to Chamonix with one final night and a group dinner to celebrate.

17km / 700m up / 1600m down / 6-8.5 hours trekking

After one last hearty breakfast, sadly we bid your farewell. Check out at 10am.