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Tour du Mont Blanc: Self-guided 2009

Self-Guided Hut-to-Hut

The Trip

The Mont Blanc Massif, composed of Mont Blanc (15,536') the highest peak in Western Europe and a flank of impressively spectacular peaks and glaciers, uniquely straddles the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland. Rich in alpine history and cultural diversity, this region has been attracting mountaineers and hikers from the world over for over two hundred years.

Circling the base of the magnificent Mont Blanc Range, the route wanders through alpine meadows, over barren passes, into small hamlets, and beneath gigantic glaciers. During the 12 day tour you will view Mont Blanc, and its surrounding peaks, glaciers and alpine valleys from three different countries as you hike in the French Alps, Swiss Alps and Italian Alps.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is undeniably one of the truly classic hut-to-hut hikes in Europe. This route was initially comprised of century old trade routes, which were linked together to form what the French call a Grande Randonnee. Simply put the Tour du Mont Blanc is a great hike!

The itinerary below is based our guided 12 day guided trip though there are dozens of variations for the this hike: 5 day options, 7 day options, 14 day options...; hotel stays, hut stays. Just let us know what you are looking for and were are happy to put together a trip for you.

The self-guided option offers the seasoned hiker and confident traveler flexibility, independence and a real sense of traveling by foot in this beautiful area.

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Itinerary

This itinerary represents one of many possibilities. There are many variations depending on your time frame and level of hiking ability.

Day 1: Independent travel to Chamonix, France. Chamonix is home a dazzling array of many of the highest peaks in the Alps including Mont Blanc (15,860').

Day 2: Short transfer to Les Houches and cable car to Bellevue. Here you begin today’s hike passing by the foot of the huge Glacier de Bionnassay then up through lush meadows to the Col du Tricot (6,995') with spectacular views of the Aiguille du Bionnassay, Dome du Gouter and the entire Chamonix Valley. After a steep descent from the col you arrive at the refuge for the night.

Day 3: The next day you continue to the village of Les Contamines where you have time to linger and buy lunch items for the next day. Departing Les Contamines you hike up the Mont Joie Valley, past a 15th century mountain church, Notre Dame de la Gorge, cross a small ancient Roman bridge and continue up this broad alpine valley to your overnight stop.

Day 4: Departing the refuge you begin a steady climb to the Croix de la Bonhomme and to the Col des Fours (8,960'). After a long descent passing though the Ville des Glacier and maybe stopping to buy some beaufort cheese at a farm, you will end the day at the remote and rustic refuge.

An alternate route is to hike to Chapieux and stay in a more comfortable hiker’s hostel and resume the hike as below.

Day 5: Today’s hike will lead to the Italian border at the Col de la Seigne (8,300'). Hiking down the Val Veny, the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif and Mont Blanc itself will dominate the scene with its myriad of glaciers and towering rocky peaks. Transfer by van to your hotel located in the village of Courmayeur, Italy.

From either Chapieux or Mottets it is possible to hike to Rifugio Maison Vieille. This adds another wonderful day and a half of hiking before arriving in the village of Courmayeur.

Day 6: Rest day in Courmayeur. The day can be spent exploring the town’s narrow streets, sampling the local pastries and cuisine, day hiking, or taking a series of cable cars up to Point Helbronner and into the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif.

Day 7:Transfer by bus to the end of the spectacular Val Ferret. Hike to Ferret, Switzerland over the Col Grand Ferret (8,372'). Stopping for lunch en route you are offered fantastic views of the Val Veny, Val Ferret. The skyline is dominated by the Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Talefre and Mont Dolent. This wonderful day of hiking ends in the Swiss Val Ferret.

Many of our hikers depart on foot from Courmayeur and hike to the wonderful Rifugio Walter Bonatti for the night. This strenuous hike is perhaps one of nicest on the entire route. The next day the route continues to Ferret, Switzerland. We recommend this this option. If you need to keep your hike to 12 days it is possible to combine two days and hike from Trient to Chamonix, skipping the overnight in Le Buet.

Day 8: A moderate day of hiking leads down the Ferret Valley through small Swiss hamlets and beautiful gardens. The hike ends with a climb up to the picturesque lake village of Champex.

Day 9: There are two hiking options for today, one via the high alpine pastures of Bovine with expansive views of the Rhone Valley, and the other more difficult route up and over the ruggedly beautiful Fenetre d’Arpette. Both routes offer wonderful views of the majestic Swiss Alps. You do not need to decide which hike until the morning.

Day 10: Hike from Trient to Le Buet, France over the Col de Balme (7,230). Crossing into France at the col, once again the spectacular sight of the Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc Range with its dramatic peaks and glaciers will be breathtaking. You will end the day at a quiet hotel in Le Buet.

It is possible to hike from Trient all the way to Chamonix in one day. There are several hiking options and buses that can shorten the hiking day. This is a great option if you are short on time and need to combine two hiking days into one.

Day 11: Le Buet to Chamonix via the “Grand Balcon Sud” with ever-changing views of the Aiguille Verte, the Aiguilles des Chamonix, the glaciers of le Tour, Argentiere and the Mer de Glace.

Day 12: The trip will end at the hotel in Chamonix. Please allow for travel time when making plans.

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Additional Information

Included:

This may vary depending on your final confirmed itinerary: all accommodations, 2 hours of general consulting regarding hiking dates and abilities Travel information on getting to and from Chamonix, Travel suggestions, French IGN topo hiking map that cover the route, detailed trail notes, which include additional information covering various aspects of your trip (i.e. lunches, laundry, water, refuge routines, alternate transportation, etc.). We make and prepay all overnight accommodations, which include all breakfasts and most dinners. We make and pre pay all private taxi transfers as detailed in the final itinerary. Overnight accommodations will vary. Great hiking and memories!

Not Included:

This may vary depending on your final confirmed itinerary: airfare, luggage transfer if any, lunches, travel to and from the starting point, which is normally Chamonix, cable cars, ski lifts, any transfers or excursions on trains, buses, taxis, extra charges due to changes in itinerary, items not on set dinner menu, dinners in Chamonix and Courmayeur, beverages except what is served at breakfast, insurance, items of personal nature (phone calls, laundry, excess baggage charge, medical expenses, evacuation costs, insurance, passport fees, etc.). Allow roughly $150 - $350 in additional costs.

Luggage:

This hike is not vehicle supported. You will need to carry a small to moderate sized pack with only the clothing and accessories you will need for the duration of hike. (See our sample packing list.) With advances in synthetic clothing and other travel gear, it's possible to keep your pack weight to 15 to 20 lbs. including lunch and water. Any extra luggage or belongings you may have can be left at the hotel in Chamonix.

Who would enjoy this hike?

Our Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc trips are perfect for hikers who look forward to wonderful, challenging hikes and like the thought of staying in hotels as well as some rustic accommodations. This is such a fantastic and varied hut hike!

Why travel with Distant Journeys?

We are a small owner operated company. As owners we take part in every aspect of the business from designing our trips, to speaking directly with prospective hikers, to guiding. We are intimately familiar with our trip areas, the hotel and hut owners and service providers with whom we work. At the end of a day of hiking on one of our self-guided itineraries, whether you are ending your day at a mountain hut or village hotel, you will be greeted with the same anticipation and welcome as if we were arriving along with you. We are dedicated to providing personal attention and crafting a quality experience at good value that is just right for you.

What if weather is a problem or I get delayed en route?

In the final information we offer detailed directions and instructions about what to do if you must skip a day of hiking due to bad weather or for some other reason and how to rejoin your itinerary.

Hiking Grades:

The Tour du Mont Blanc is graded strenuous with some moderate. The hiking trails are generally well graded and well defined, which makes for great hiking. There are sections that include mud, snow, loose rock, and scree. This is a great route and participants should be in condition appropriate for the trip and be able to hike in varied terrain and weather.

Any hiking trip in the mountains requires a certain amount of effort and proper fitness training will enhance your enjoyment. In the mountains, time and elevation gain or loss as opposed to distance, tend to be the determining factors when defining hiking grades or level of difficulty. We have done our best to grade our trips consistently. Please call us for further clarification.

Easy: Hike 3 to 4 hours daily carrying a daypack on generally gentle terrain. Distances from 4 to 8 miles. Elevation gain and loss 500' to 1,500'.

Moderate: Hike an average of 4 to 5 hours daily on varied terrain. Distances from 5 to 9 miles. Elevation gains and losses generally 1,500' to 2,500' or about 2 hours.

Strenuous: Hike 5 to 7 hours daily on varied terrain, with consistent ascents and descents of 2 to 3 or more hours generally 2,500' - 3,500'. Distances from 6 to 11 miles. There are some sections that include steep uphill and downhills.

Strenuous Plus: 5 to 8 hours partly on rocky, challenging terrain with consistent steep ascents and descents of 2 to 3 or more hours generally 3,000'-5,000'. Distances from 6 to 15 miles. Though each day is not strenuous plus some sections that may include rough terrain and open and exposed trails.

Accommodations and Facilities:

The accommodations on the TMB vary from comfortable 3 star hotels to rustic mountain refuges. Your trip might included the following depending on your final confirmed itinerary.

Hotels: hotels with private bath may include overnights in Chamonix, Courmayeur, Champex and Le Buet. Breakfast buffets and dinners are served in Champex and Le Buet. Only breakfast buffets are served in Chamonix and Courmayeur. All are friendly, family-run hotels that reflect the local character. We are certain you will find these hotels comfortable and welcoming.

Hiker’s Hotels: They offer private double rooms with shared facilities. Your overnight stops may include Chapieux, France and Ferret and Trient, Switzerland. The hiker’s hotels offer simple and basic, though comfortable accommodations. Breakfasts and dinners are also served at each overnight stay.

Refuges or Rifugios: They are wonderful rustic farms that have been converted to accommodate hikers. They offer shared bunkrooms, called dortoirs, complete with blankets and pillows. The shared facilities vary, but all have washing and bathroom areas and hot showers. There are dining rooms that also serve as a place to relax after hiking and outdoor sitting areas, where you can admire the view. You can purchase snacks and beverages at all the refuges. Refuges overnights may include: Miage, La Balme, Bonhomme and Mottets (a rustic working farm) in France; Elisabetta, Maison Vieille, Bonatti and Elena in Italy. Breakfasts and dinners are served. Depending on your final itinerary you might not stay at all these refuges.

Travel:

The closest international airport is Geneva, Switzerland. From Geneva you can travel to and from Chamonix by train, a shared van, private taxi or bus. Depending on the route allow about 2 – 4 hours. There are also trains from Zurich or Paris just allow for extra travel time.

How to register for a self-guided trip:

Call or email us to discuss location, dates and level of difficulty. We can modify the above itinerary to meet your time frame and abilities. Once we agree on an itinerary and the dates we require a non-refundable $375 deposit per person. Please see information about how to book your self-guided trip.