The pretty village of Les Houches is easily accessible by either train or shuttle from Geneva Airport in just over an hour. On arrival you can settle into your comfortable hotel, stroll through the town and get ready for your adventure on the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Your Tour du Mont Blanc starts with either a climb from Les Houches out of the Chamonix Valley to Bellevue (1801m) or a quick 10 minute ride on the Bellevue telepherique (recommended).

At Bellevue you have the option of taking the challenging route via Chalet de Miage, which is dominated by the Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnasay as you pass just beneath the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay. After passing the idyllic Chalet de Miage you descend to Les Contamines.

The easier option winds through beautiful forests and through alpine pastures via Bionnassay to Les Contamines.

Walk 1 - Les Houches to Bellevue gondola top station + Bellevue gondola top station to Les Contamines via Bionnassay, 17.5km, 7 Hours Ascent/Descent: 1198m/1045m

Walk 2 - Les Houches to Bellevue gondola top station + Bellevue gondola top station to Les Contamines via Refuge Miage, 19.3km, 7:50 Hours Ascent/Descent:1480m/1319m

Optional Cable Car from Les Houches to Bellevue gondola top station. Reduces both routes by 2:30 hours and 800m of ascent

A gentle start from Les Contamines for the first 5km along the valley floor to the chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge (shuttle transfer possible). Here the path turns upwards and climbs steadily on the Chemin Roman through the Contamines Montjoie Nature Reserve towards the distant Col du Bonhomme. The climb reveals increasingly rugged views of the high peaks and you quickly reach the rugged landscapes of the Col du Bonhomme (2329 m).

A further hour on rough and rocky ground brings up the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. Here you can either climb over the Col des Fours (2665m) and descend steeply to Refuge des Mottets or alternatively descend to Les Chapieux.

There is a shuttle running between Les Chapieux and Mottets if you need to make your way between the 2. 

Walk 1 - Les Contamines to Les Chapieux via Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (no Col des Fours), 18.7km, 7 Hours Ascent/Descent: 1395m/993m

Walk 2 - Les Contamines to Refuge des Mottets via Col des Fours - Optional High Route Variant, 20.7km, 7 Hours Ascent/Descent: 1615m/911m

The Col de la Seigne (2516m) lies a steep 750m above the Refuge des Mottets and is where you leave France for Italy. Just wait until you see the view! Stupendous! The steep southern side of the Mont Blanc Massif, made up of jagged peaks, hanging glaciers and plunging waterfalls, seems close enough to touch. The trail descends through high alpine meadows past refuge Elisabetta into the Val Veni.

Here you must choose either the tough option which climbs via Col Chécrouit to Courmayeur or the easy option of continuing past the snout of the huge Glacier du Miage to Visaille, where you catch the shuttle bus into Courmayeur.

If you have stayed overnight in Les Chapieux, you can take a shuttle to Mottets in the morning to get to the start of the walk.

Walk 1 - Refuge des Mottets to Courmayeur via Col Checrouit, 23.6km, 8:30 Hours Ascent/Descent: 1169m/1808m

Walk 2 - Refuge des Mottets to La Visaille, 14.2km, 5 Hours Ascent/Descent: 649m/850m

Optional walk if you start from Les Chapieux: Les Chapieux to Mottets, 6.3km, 2hours Ascent/Descent: 363m/39m

In good weather the walk from Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable of your Tour du Mont Blanc. Choose from three variations for the next section, all of which start with a steep climb from Courmayeur. The main route then contours around the flank of Mont de la Saxe on an undulating path giving you plenty of time to take in the dramatic icy panorama of the Mont Blanc Massif and Grand Jorasses across the valley.

The variants via Col Sapin or Mont de la Saxe include more climbing but the views are arguably better. Whichever route you choose, Rifugio Bonatti, the crème de la crème of alpine refuges, marks the end of your day.

Ascent/Descent: 1058m/260m

The day begins with a glorious contouring walk from Rifugio Bonatti before descending into Val Ferret, where the climb of Grand Col Ferret begins. The top of the col brings up Switzerland. Descending through picture book scenes of chalets, grazing cattle and fabulous alpine views you soon reach La Fouly, an idyllic alpine village of wooden chalets overflowing with flowers. 

Ascent/Descent: 925m/1349m

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.

Ascent/Descent: 499m/632m

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. Whichever route you choose you will end the day by descending right to the valley floor to the small village of Trient.

Walk 1 -Champex to Trient via Alp Bovine 17.5km, 5:45 Hours Ascent/Descent: 768m/946m

Walk 2 - Champex to Trient via Fenêtre d’Arpette - Optional High Route Variant: 15km, 6:45 Hours Ascent/Descent: 1199m/1388m

From Trient, you climb to reach the French border at 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! The route then continues via the Col des Posettes and Aiguillette des Posettes, with wonderful views throughout, before descending into the Chamonix Valley at Tré le Champ.

From Tré le Champ you can either walk the 1.5km to Argentière or catch the free shuttle bus.

As the Tour du Mont Blanc is a very busy trail, we often use alternative accommodation. If we cannot get our customers booked into our usual hotel in Argentière, we will book accommodation in Chamonix instead. There are regular trains and buses between Chamonix and Tré le Champ/Argentière, making it easy to reach your accommodation at the end of your walk. 

Walk 1 - Trient to Tré-le-Champ via Le Tour, 12km, 4:45 Hours Ascent/Descent: 1000m/858m

Walk 2 - Trient to Tré-le-Champ via Aiguillette des Posettes, 13.2, 5:30 hours  Ascent/Descent: 1117m/977m

The next two days are a real highlight of the Tour du Mont Blanc. The views across the Chamonix Valley to the Mont Blanc Massif are outstanding throughout.

If you prefer, you can start with a short bus ride back to Tré-Le-Champ. From there the trail climbs via Aiguillette de Argentière to the Grand Balcon Sud of the Aiguilles Rouges, taking in a few fixed ladders on the way. You are now in the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve and sightings of Ibex, Marmot and many other furry creatures are common.

You continue to climb to Lac Blanc, where the idyllically situated refuge is the perfect spot for lunch. Another hour of descent brings you to the cable car station at Le Flégère, continue past the cable car and take the Balcon Sud route traversing across the mountainside with stunning views of Mont Blanc as you go. The balcony route arrives at Planpraz where you can take the cable car down to the centre of Chamonix.

Walk 1 - Tré-le-Champ to Planpraz via Lac Blanc without ladder section, 14.8km, 6:15 hours Ascent/Descent 1348m/802m

Walk 2 - Tré-le-Champ to Planpraz via Lac Blanc, 14km, 7:00 hours Ascent/Descent 1391m/807m

Begin your day by catching the cable car back up to Planpraz. For your last day on the Tour du Mont Blanc, you have several options. The toughest, but most rewarding takes you all the way to Les Houches via the Col du Brevant & the rocky pedestal of the le Brévent (2525m). Mont Blanc seems within touching distance on the opposite side of the valley. Descend past Lac Brevent and traverse onwards to Bel Lachat before making the descent to Les Houches and a short bus or train ride will take you back to Chamonix. This day can be shortened at several points.
Chamonix is the centre of mountaineering in the French Alps and always a hive of activity and is the perfect place to celebrate the end of your walk around Mont Blanc.

Ascent/Descent: 764m/1781m

After breakfast your trip on the Tour du mont Blanc has come to an end. However, we would recommend that you add extra nights in Chamonix, it is a great base to spend a couple of days. You can enjoy some fabulous walking in the Aiguilles Rouge Park, take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3795m or perhaps the train to the Montenvers on the Mer de Glace.