Best of the Tour de Mont Blanc

Intro

The Tour de Mont Blanc is possibly the most famous alpine walking route and certainly the most popular, with around 10,000 people following the circular path through France, Italy and Switzerland, to circumnavigate this magnificent mountain massif each year. The full tour takes between 10 - 12 days, but on this trip we offer you the chance to take in the most northerly part of the route in only 5 days of walking.

The route starts in Lavachey, Italy and proceeds in an anticlockwise direction crossing the border with Switzerland via the magnificent Col de Ferret, then wandering through Alpine valleys to La Fouly and Champex. You then climb up through the Fenetre d'Arpette, where you will be rewarded with superb vistas of the Trient glacier. On reaching the Col de Balme, Mont Blanc comes into view again and the route heads up towards the Tete Aux Vents and finally to La Flegere. Here you have the option of climbing up to Lac Blanc for both direct and reflected views of the great Mont Blanc, a great way to round off your trip.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: week

Quick Facts

Location: Mt Blanc Massif - start and finish point is Chamonix.

Duration: 6 nights, 7 days. Five days of walking.

Trip possible from July to August.

Two nights in comfortable hotel accommodation, four nights in hill refuges.

Fly to and from Geneva airport (not included) - lots of budget airline flights.

Experience - previous experience of hill walking with a good level of fitness.

Typical Itinerary

We normally run this trip over a week, Sunday to Saturday, however if you would like to do this at any other time then please contact us.

A typical tour itinerary is described below:

Day	Activity
Sunday	Arrive Geneva, transfer to Chamonix to your Hotel. Meet with guide and check kit and route.
Monday	Lavachey to La Fouly (6 hours). Transfer from Chamonix to Lavachey, via the Mt Blanc tunnel into Italy. Set off from Lavachey heading up towards the Grand Col Ferret at 2537m that lies on the border of Italy and Switzerland. Once you have reached the Col, there are great views along the length of the Ferret and Veni valleys. Val Ferret is one of the most idyllic Swiss valleys and walkers will be rewarded with views of flower meadows and chocolate box chalets as they descend from the Col and head to La Fouly for the night.
Tuesday	La Fouly to Champex (4.5 hours). From La Fouly (1610m) head for Champex (1466m). This is the easiest stage of the full TMB, so a nice stage for your second day! The path wanders from La Fouly to Champex through pleasant pine forests. You pass through the village of Praz de Fort and continue to Issert. The trail then branches off the main valley and climbs gradually around the hillside, traversing above the pretty village of Champex with its deep blue lake, where we stay for the night.
Wednesday	Champex to Col de la Forclaz (6.5 hours). The walk today is the toughest of the whole route and takes in the Fenetre d'Arpette, the highest point reached on the TMB at 2665m, offering mountain pass walking with fantastic views of the upper Trient glacier. The glacier is viewed for most of the descent, and the path levels out as you reach the Col de la Forclaz - a welcome relief after the strains of the earlier climb. Accommodation at Hotel du Col de la Forclaz.
Thursday	Col de la Forclaz to Tre-le-Champ (5.5 hours). Today marks the crossing of the Swiss / Franch border at Col de Balme, at which point Mt Blanc comes into view for the first time since leaving Chamonix. The walk continues along the Aiguillettes des Posettes (2201m), an elevated path providing a panoramic view. Accommodation is provided at Tre-le-Champ or Les Frasserands.
Friday	Tre-le-Champ to La Flegere (4 hours). Two routes may be taken to reach the Tete aux Vents (2132); the first involves the Passage delicat, a steep climb up a crag using metal ladders and handrails. For those inclined towards vertigo, a more enjoyable option is to walk up the road above Tre-le-Champ, then head onto the Pedestre du Pays du Mt Blanc. At the Tete aux Vents, the north flank of the Mt Blanc range spreads out before you - a worthy reward for the climb. The route then continues on to the Refuge La Flegere (1875m). Before descending to Chamonix, there is the opportunity to walk (1.5 hours) or catch the telecabine to l'index, where you can stroll up to beautiful Lac Blanc that provides one of the most beautiful views of Mt. Blanc in its reflected image. You may walk or catch the gondola back down to Chamonix, and then enjoy your last night in the valley.
Saturday	After a relaxing breakfast transfer from Chamonix to Geneva airport for journey home.

Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason the guide may deem necessary.

Course requirements

You should have some experience of walking in the hills. In terms of fitness, the fitter you are the better.

We recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your trip, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

A detailed kit list will be issued once we confirm your booking.

Dates

This trip can be taken time from July to August - outside these dates there is the possibility that there will be snow or avalanche debris on the route, making it impassable.

This trip is available for individuals and groups. You can request the date for when you want to take part in the trip.

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

Create Your Own Trip Dates