Complete Tour du Mont Blanc (Huts) Map and Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Les Houches

The sleepy village of Les Houches is easily accessible by either train or shuttle from Geneva Airport in just over an hour.

Overnight: Hotel Du Bois, Les Houches (http://www.hotel-du-bois.com/) Enjoying a wonderful outlook the 3* Hotel du Bois offers comfortable rooms, great food and has a sauna and swimming pool.

Day 2: Les Houches to Chalets de Miage

Your Tour du Mont Blanc starts with a steep ascent from Les Houches to the Col de Voza, which can be avoided by taking the Tramway du Mont Blanc. From the col there are two options, the tougher Col de Tricot Variant contours below the snout of the Bionnassay glacier and the icy Dômes de Miage before arriving at Chalets de Miage.

Walk: 6/7 Hours, Ascent: 1350m, Descent: 550m

Overnight: Refuge de Miage

Day 3: Chalets de Miage to Chalet du Nant-Borrant

An easier but delightful day of walking through woodland and pastures high on the slopes above the valley through the Contamines Montjoie Nature Reserve.

Walk: 6 Hours, Ascent: 900m, Descent: 1000m

Overnight: Chalet Refuge du Nant Borrant

Day 4 : Chalet du Nant Borrant, Col du Bonhomme, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Vallée des Glaciers

A steady climb reveals increasingly rugged views of the high peaks and very quickly you reach the rugged landscapes of the Col du Bonhomme (2329m). A further hour on rough and rocky ground brings you up the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme.

A high mountain path then leads to the Vallée des Glaciers via the Col des Fours. The climb from Col de la Croix to the Col des Fours (2716m) will reward you with what is probably the finest view of Mont Blanc that you will enjoy on the circuit. From the col you descend steeply on scree and through alpine meadows to the Vallée des Glaciers and then continue on to the Refuge des Mottets.

There is also the option of following the standard route to Les Chapieux and then taking the local shuttle to skip the road section to Ville Les Glaciers.

Walk: 6-7 Hours, Ascent: 1050m, Descent: 950m

Overnight: Refuge des Mottets is idyllically situated with over 50 beds and a welcome meal at the end of a great day.

Day 5: Vallée des Glaciers to Col Chécrouit

The Col de la Seigne (2516m) is where you leave France for Italy and lies 750m above the refuge. Just wait until you see the view! Superb! The trail contours along the steep Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massif. Marmotts and marigolds are common on this section and the scenery will have you reaching for your camera every few yards. Hanging glaciers pepper the slopes above you, they seem close enough to touch. The trail from Col de la Seigne to Col Chécrouit really must be one of the world’s finest walks.

Walk: Hours: 6.5 Hours, Ascent: 1100m, Descent: 950m

Overnight: Gite Maison Vieille – 1965m - (http://www.maisonvieille.com). Traditional mountain food is a forte of this gîte which also enjoys a fabulous position.

Day 6: Col Chécroui to Refugio Bonatti

Your day begins with a descent to the Italian village of Courmayeur (optional cable car). Enjoy a cappuccino in the stylish capital of the Italian Alps before heading off to Refugio Bonatti. This was once one of the toughest days on the tour and starts with a particularly steep climb from Courmayeur but, the “official” route of the Tour du Mont Blanc has now been rerouted lower down.

The original tougher option is still available as a variant. The views of the Grand Jorasses are particularly striking and the modern Refugio Bonatti is a welcome sight at the end of the day.

Walk: 6.5 Hours, Ascent: 625m, Descent: 1000m

Overnight: Refugio Bonatti

Day 7: Refugio Bonatti to La Fouly

The trail winds up gradually to Grand Col Ferret (2537m), where you pass into Switzerland. Yet another wonderful viewpoint on the TMB, with views all the way back to Col de la Seigne. Descending into the Swiss Val Ferret the high mountains recede to be replaced by the chalets, meadows and cow bells of rural Switzerland.

Walk: 6.5 Hours, Ascent: 420m, Descent: 565m

Overnight: La Fouly Hotel in Double/Twin Rooms with ensuite bathroom. After six days of walking a little comfort at this comfortable mountain chalet style hotel.

Day 8: La Fouly to Champex

Walking through the Val Ferret with its patchwork of peaceful forests and green pastures is balm for the body and soul as this is the easiest stage of the TMB. On the way to Champex you will be walking on some of the quietest trails in the Mont Blanc Massif. The village of Les Arlaches, made up of traditional wooden Swiss Chalets, seems to have leapt from a postcard and is a highlight of the day. Your overnight stop is the lakeside town of Champex.

Walk: 4.5 Hours, Ascent: 450m, Descent: 550m

Overnight: Champex Gîte

Day 9: Champex to Col de la Forclaz/Trient

The official route goes via Alp Bovine, a splendid walk through pine and larch forests interspersed with alpine meadows and wonderful views down the Rhône Valley. Alternatively the demanding variant goes via the spectacular Fenêtre d’Arpette to the Trient Valley. Climbing to 2665m it’s a challenging and exposed route but worth every step. Descending right to the valley floor in Trient (1280m) you can look forward to a good meal.

Walk via Alp Bovine: 5.5 Hours, Ascent: 750m, Descent: 900m

Walk via Fenêtre d’Arpette: 8 Hours, Ascent: 1200m, Descent: 1400m

Overnight: Refuge

Day 10: Trient to Montroc/ Tré le Champ via Col de La Balme

From Trient, you climb to reach the French border at the Col de Balme (2191 m). From the Col the entire Mont Blanc Massif stretches ahead; the Chamonix Valley, the summit of Mont Blanc, the Aiguilles, the Mer de Glace and the Argentière glaciers! You then descend to Montroc (lift optional) in the valley and a short walk brings you to the peaceful village of Tré le Champ.

Walk: 5.5 Hours, Ascent: 900m, Descent: 850m

Overnight: Auberge in Tré le Champ

Day 11: Tré le Champ to Lac Blanc via Col des Montets

From Tré le Champ the trail climbs via the Col Des Montets to the Grand Balcon Sud of the Aiguilles Rouges. You are now in the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve and sightings of Ibex, Marmot and many other furry creatures are common. The refuge at the beautiful Lac Blanc is surrounded by high peaks and gives a grand view of Mont Blanc across the valley.

Walk: 5 Hours, Ascent: 900m, Descent: 50m

Overnight: Refuge Lac Blanc

Day 12: Lac Blanc to Bellachat hut (close to Brévent)

Today's walk starts with a descent to La Flégère and as you climb to the days highpoint at Le Brévent you are rewarded with some of the most spectacular views of the circuit. Chamonix lies almost directly below you in the valley and the climb to Le Brévent rewards with a full frontal view of Mont Blanc. Refuge De Bellachat is a short way further on and enjoys equally spectacular views. The perfect spot for your last night in the mountains.

Walk: 5.5 Hours, Ascent: 800m, Descent: 950m

Overnight: Refuge De Bellachat

Day 13: Refuge De Bellachat – Aiguillette des Houches – Les Houches

Rather than heading straight down into the valley you continue on the high ground to Aiguillette des Houches, where you enjoy yet another magnificent view before beginning the long descent to Les Houches in the valley below. Here your Tour du Mont Blanc comes to an end. You can choose to descend straight to Les Houches, which would give you time to travel to Chamonix if you would prefer to spend the last night in Chamonix. (Request at time of booking.)

Walk: 5–6 Hours, Ascent: 400m, Descent: 1500m

Overnight: Hotel Du Bois, Les Houches (http://www.hotel-du-bois.com/) Enjoying a wonderful outlook the 3* Hotel du Bois offers comfortable rooms, great food and has a sauna and swimming pool.

Day 14: Onward Travel

The Chamonix Valley is a great base to spend a couple of days. Taking the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3795m is a great way to wrap up your time in the Mont Blanc Massif, the view are just incredible. If you are heading home there are numerous shuttles, buses and trains back to Geneva and throughout France.

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