7-Day Tour du Mont Blanc in Guest Houses

Today you start on your Tour du Mont Blanc Trek. Transfer to the Bellevue Cable Car and ride the lift over Val Montjoie. Begin hiking along the Bionnassay Glacier trail and cross the suspension bridge for a beautiful view of the Bionnassay glacier. Follow the trail up the Col de Tricot Pass (2,120m). Continue hiking down to the Chalets de Miage (1,559m) where you can take a break in the shadow of the snow-covered peaks of the Dômes de Miage. Next, the trail takes you up to Chalets du Truc (1,750m) before a final effort brings you to Les Contamines Montjoie.

Take a free shuttle bus from Les Contamines-Montjoie to Notre Dame de la Gorge (1,210m) where you can visit a beautifully decorated baroque chapel. This is where the road ends and your Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) hike begins in earnest. Hike the TMB trail to the Col du Bonhomme pass (2,329m) which runs between the Mont Blanc and Beaufortain ranges. Continue climbing to the Croix du Bonhomme pass (2,433m) and stop to enjoy the spectacular views from Mont-Pourri (3,779m). Descend through a charming alpine pasture to the lovely village of Chapieux.

Begin your hike on the TMB today from the Ville des Glaciers (1,800m), where the well-known Beaufort cheese is made. Walk again through peaceful alpine pastures to reach Col de La Seigne Pass (2,516m) and cross the border into Italy. This spectacular overlook brings you impressively close to famous peaks such as Mont Blanc de Courmayeur, Noire de Peuterey, and Grandes Jorasses. Descend through the beautiful Val Veny, which is at the end of the Miage glacier. Take the bus to spend the night in Courmayeur (1,226m), a very nice town in the heart of the Italian Alps.

Halfway through the week, Day 4 on the Tour du Mont Blanc is designed as a recovery day. After a quick shuttle from Courmayeur to the end of the Val Ferret, hike from the end of the Pré de Bar glacier with Mont Dolent (3,823m) above you to the Elena Refuge (2,052m). Head toward the Grand Col Ferret pass (2,537m) and cross the border into Switzerland. Your walk through a lovely alpine pasture gives you a final view of the pretty Val Ferret to end another wonderful trekking day on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Rest and relax in the village of La Fouly, or take a bus to Champex to spend the night by a lovely lake.

Today’s route on the TMB begins in Champex, so those who spent the night in La Fouly will take the bus to this charming lakeside village. As you walk from Champex, explore scenic Swiss alpine pastures full of grazing cows. This area is famous for its cheese. This hike offers amazing views of the Rhône River valley and the Swiss region of Valais. A variant of the main route is possible over the beautiful Fenêtre d'Arpette (2,665m), but be advised this trek is longer and harder. After a great day on the TMB, stop for the night in the village of Trient (1,280m).

From Trient, the Tour du Mont Blanc takes you back to France. Cross the French border at the Col de Balme Pass (2,191m) and take in a spectacular panoramic view up to the summit of Mont Blanc, the Mer de Glace, the Argentiere Glacier and down through the Chamonix Valley. Continue hiking down to Le Tour (1,453m) (or take the optional chairlift/gondola – not included in price). A final push brings you to Montroc (1,370 m) and the resort town of Argentière (1,250m).

Your Tour du Mont Blanc concludes with a day amazing day of walking. Enjoy glacier and summit views as you hike in the Aiguilles-Rouges massif, just in front of the Mont Blanc massif. From the Col des Montets pass (1,461m), follow the trail to Lake Chéserys where you will see Mont Blanc reflected in the still water. The hike continues back to the lovely Lac Blanc (2,352m), one of the prettiest places on the entire walk. Pause to appreciate the beauty all around you and watch for a chance to see an alpine ibex. Continue walking down to La Flégère (1877m), where you will find a gondola that takes you down to Les Praz and Chamonix.