Best of Tour du Mont Blanc South - 9 Day Self Guided Walking Holiday

Best of Tour du Mont Blanc: Tre le Champ to Courmayeur – 9 days

SELF-GUIDED

SELF-GUIDED
9 DAYS
Moderate to Challenging

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OVERVIEW

Trek the best sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc, hiking from Tre le Champ via Chamonix and Les Houches in France to the Italian mountain town of Courmayeur. Walk below the Bionnassay Glacier to the enchanting Refuge de Miage and onto the delightful town of Les Contamines in the Haute Savoie region.

Hike over the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) to the small village of Les Chapieux. Head over the Italian border via the Col de la Seigne (2515m) walking via the dramatic, jagged peaks of the southern Mont Blanc Massif before descending into Courmayeur. The last day of walking above the Val Ferret features astounding vistas of tumbling glaciers, snowy summits, and forested valleys.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hike the best sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc including the epic days from Tre le Champ all the way to Les Houches
Explore the adventure capital of the Alps, Chamonix
Walk over the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) and enjoy far-reaching views of Lac de Roseland
Trek from France into Italy via the Col de la Seigne (2515m)
Trek the Val Ferret with majestic views of Mont Blanc (4808m) and Grandes Jorasses (4208m)
Stay in family-run comfortable accommodation in private rooms with ensuites
Daily luggage transfers – access to your main luggage every evening
No need to carry a sleep sheet or towel in hotels with ensuite rooms

ITINERARY

Chamonix the start of the Tour du Mont Blanc

DAY one

Arrive Chamonix

Bustling with outdoor enthusiasts, the French Alpine town of Chamonix is only a 90-minute transfer from Geneva Airport. Please supply your flight details as soon as you can if you are arriving via Geneva (see the How to get there section on the website for the conditions).

Relax in the garden of your hotel under the incredible Mont Blanc massif before exploring the streets, pavement cafes and bars of this famous alpine town.

Accommodation: Hotel L’Oustalet
Run by the Durban sisters, Agnes and Veronique’s 3* hotel is a typical timber alpine chalet located in the heart of Chamonix. From their spacious garden, relax poolside with exceptional views of the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc.

Meals included: None

Aerial view of Chamonix on the Tour du Mont Blanc

DAY two

TreleChamp to La Flegere (with options for Lac Blanc and Lac Perseverance)

A spectacular day of mountain walking. Begin with an ascent up forested slopes to the foot of a short section of fixed ladders. Continue upwards on steeper ground with a good chance of spotting small herds of agile Ibex (“bouquetin”). Deep into the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve at the Tete-aux-Ventes track junction, we recommend taking the trail up to the idyllic Lac Blanc where a charming refuge overlooks the cobalt waters of this much-photographed lake. From here there is the option of a short there-and-back walk to see the stunning high alpine lake, Lac Perseverance. Continue on rocky trails to follow the famous “Grand Balcon Sud” path with its astounding vistas across the Chamonix valley to the Mont Blanc Range to the La Flegere cable car station. Descend by cable car to your hotel in Chamonix.

Distance: 8.5km (Add 3km for Lac Blanc and Lac Perseverance)
Ascent: 730m
Descent: 270m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel L’Oustalet

DAY three

Le Flegere to Les Houches

The first day of trekking starts by making your way to Plan Praz by cable car. When you join the trail, you have several options, which include hiking up to the Col du Brevent and onto Le Brevent (2525m). At the mountaintop restaurant, snow-capped peaks and glaciers seem within touching distance. From here, if you prefer to take the day a little easier, descend to Chamonix on the Brevent cable car. Alternatively, continue by foot, descending into alpine woodland and the village of Les Houches. Return to Chamonix via the mountain train (or bus). With an abundance of traditional and global dining options, Chamonix is a great place to spend an extra night.

Distance: 18.5km
Ascent: 900m
Descent: 1700m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Oustalet

Walkers on the Tour du Mont Blacn with mountain in the background

DAY four

Les Houches to Les Contamines

The traditional start of the TMB is in the village of Les Houches. We suggest taking the cable car up to Bellevue (1802m) to start your walk. From Bellevue you have a choice of two routes to Les Contamines. Either take the high route over the Col du Tricot (2102m) under the shadow of the Bionnassay Glacier to the picture-postcard Refuge de Miage (famed for their blueberry tart). Alternatively, take the low route through alpine pastures and enchanting woodlands via the hamlets of Bionnassay and Le Champel.

Trek via the Col du Tricot: 19km
Ascent: 1540m
Descent: 1390m

Trek via Bionnassay & Le Champel: 18km
Ascent: 1040m
Descent: 880m

By using the cable from Bellevue both route options are reduced by approx. 2 hours (6kms) and around 650m of ascent.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Gai Soleil
Built by a local farmer in 1823, the Hotel Gai Soleil became a family-run hotel around 1920. With a surge in climbers visiting the region, the Gai Soleil became a firm favourite with keen alpinists. Run by Valerie and David, they take immense pride in serving dishes created with local produce. In the warm summer evenings, dinner is often served in their peaceful garden.

Mountain goats on the Tour du Mont Blanc

DAY five

Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

Begin the day by walking south from Les Contamines along the River Bonnant to the 17th-century church of Notre-Dame de la Gorge, which marks the start of the mountain path to Col du Bonhomme (2329m). The road gives way to a steep and roughly paved track, which climbs to Refuge de la Balme (a very well-timed rest!). From here the steep rocky path climbs over the Col du Bonhomme (2383m) and contours around to pass over the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2443m). Descend to the small village of Les Chapieux and your accommodation for the night.

Trek to Les Chapieux: 20km
Ascent: 1340m
Descent: 950m

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Le Chambres du Soleil
A friendly auberge run by Celine and Pierre Arpin who always provide a warm welcome to hikers. Serving up simple and delicious dishes, this accommodation offers comfortable private rooms with ensuites. On arrival, it’s worth grabbing a refreshing beverage and kicking back on the sunny terrace before dinner.

DAY six

Les Chapieux to La Visaille (Val Veny)

Start gently from Les Chapieux to reach the village of La Ville des Glaciers. Then it’s a steady uphill on a winding track to Col de la Seigne (2513m). At the pass, straddle the border between France and Italy. Soak up views of the southern side of the Mont Blanc massif with its dramatic, jagged peaks. Descend through the Vallon de la Lee Blanche to Rifugio Elisabetta, a fantastic spot for a rest break. Continue on under tumbling glaciers to enter the Val Veny. From here you will leave the main TMB route for a few km to reach La Visaille for bus access to Courmayeur.

Distance: 21km
Ascent: 1130m
Descent: 1010m
The distance can be reduced by 5km by taking the shuttle bus from Les Chapieux.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Crampon
Run by the Grivel Di Addario family, this 3* hotel is located in a quiet street just a few minutes walk from the main centre. With a long heritage of mountaineers in the family, the hotel is well equipped to look after weary trekkers. A comfortable lounge, fireplace, a garden terrace and modest en-suite rooms all make for an enjoyable stay.

DAY seven

La Visaille (Val Veny) to Courmayeur

From La Visaille, rejoin the TMB near the Cabane du Combal. Follow the magnificent balcony trail to Rifugio Maison Vieille with many vantage points to soak up the stunning views over the Val Veny. Why not relax with a picnic lunch and look for marmots? A long, steep descent to Courmayeur follows but you can save your knees by making use of the chairlifts and cable cars.

Distance: 15.5km
Ascent: 850m
Descent: 1310m
Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Crampon

DAY eight

Courmayeur to Val Ferret

Leave Courmayeur town on foot and ascend onto the steep forested slopes of La Montagne de la Saxe. After arriving at Rifugio Bertone, follow the ‘Balcony Route’, which gives incredible unbroken views across Val Ferret to Mont Blanc and Grand Jorasses. The high route is challenging, but it provides some of the most epic views on the walk. On reaching Rifugio Walter Bonatti, the picnic terrace is great for sampling the famous Bonatti hot chocolate and taking in the majesty of the mountains around you.

Distance: 14km or 17km
Ascent: 1080m or 1730m
Descent: 580m or 1250m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Crampon

DAY nine

Onward Travel

Depending on your onward travel plans, you may have time to further explore the town of Courmayeur. Should you need to return to Chamonix, there is a regular bus service right outside the hotel. From here we can transfer you back to Chamonix.

Meals included: Breakfast

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Extra walk from Chamonix to Les Houches plus the southern TMB
Walk pack free with luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation arranged for you
8 breakfasts and 2 dinners
Transfer from Geneva airport – see more information section
Itineraries can be flexible to account for weather conditions
Rest days can be added if you would like to explore the region further
Enjoy worry-free navigation with Stroll’s authored comprehensive track notes, maps, and GPX tracks
8 nights accommodation in private rooms with ensuites
Daily luggage transfers – access to your main luggage every evening (not possible in mountain huts)
No need to carry a sleep sheet or towel (required for mountain huts)

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

During this tour, you will stay in 3* hotels or auberges (small simple hotels). All the accommodations are accustomed to welcoming trekkers and are very well equipped to make your stay comfortable regardless of the weather conditions. Typically, rooms are simple but very comfortable. As many of the overnight stays are in small villages or towns, on occasion, we may have to book alternative accommodation of equal standard in off-track towns. We will discuss these options with you during the booking process.

Dining
You will be provided with 8 breakfasts and 2 dinners. If you have any food allergies or intolerances, please let us know at the time of booking so we can let your hosts know. Should you have severe food allergies, it’s always worth bringing a few of your own snacks with you, especially as ingredients and supplies can be hard to obtain in the mountains.

You will find in many of the smaller accommodations, dining is often at communal tables with set mealtimes. This enables small kitchen teams to ensure everyone is fed on time and nobody is left hungry after a long day of trekking! Lunches can be purchased locally which is a great part of the experience. The towns and villages you pass through are renowned for their speciality cheeses and meats (many of which continue to be produced by hand). If you’re lucky enough to encounter a local farmers’ market, the choice and range of local foods are staggering. Some of your accommodations can also make a picnic lunch for you. A staff favourite is the Beaufort Cheese from La Vallee des Glaciers which you can purchase fresh from the farm. Within your daily walk notes, there are detailed suggestions of where to buy lunch each day.

NIGHT 1, 2 & 3

CHAMONIX

The hotels available in Chamonix are located in the heart of town with stunning views of Mont Blanc. Hotel l’Oustalet in Chamonix is situated near the base of the Aiguille du Midi, close to the pedestrian center of town and the train station. The spacious garden and relaxing swimming pool is a great place to unwind. Alternatively, Hotel Le Faucigny offers contemporary chalet-style rooms in the heart of Chamonix, only a few 100m from the Le Brevent Cable Car.