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Tour du Mont Blanc: self-guided 2008

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!

Since 1988 Distant Journeys has been guiding the Tour du Mont Blanc, over 50 times around! Let us introduce you to an area we've been hiking for a long time. Let us introduce you to the families of the hotels and huts and local farms. Join us for a remarkable trip around Mont Blanc.

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, 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

Day 1: Arrive Geneva, Cointrin International Airport. Transfer 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. Today's hike passes 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.

Day 3: From the refuge continue to the village of Les Contamines where there is time to linger and buy lunch items for the next day. Departing Les Contamines 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 the overnight stop.

Day 4: Departing the refuge 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 end your day at a remote and rustic refuge.

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 bus to your hotel in Courmayeur, Italy

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 views of the Val Veny, Val Ferret and the skyline is dominated by the Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Talefre and Mont Dolent. This wonderful day of hiking ends in the Swiss Val Ferret.

Day 8: A moderate day of hiking takes 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.

Day 10: Hike from Trient to Montroc, 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 your day at a quiet hotel situated at the end of the Chamonix valley in Montroc

Day 11: Montroc 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: Depart Chamonix. Please allow travel time to return to the Geneva Airport.

It is possible to include more hut overnights for example Refuge Maison Vieille or Refuge Walter Bonatti. Just ask us about the options.

If you don't have quite enough time to complete the 12-day tour call us and ask about a shortened trip.

Additional Information:

Included in the cost of the trip:

2 hours of general consulting regarding hiking dates and abilities, travel information, maps covering the route, detailed trail notes. We make and prepay all overnight accommodations, breakfasts and all dinners except 4. We make and pre pay all private taxi transfers as detailed in the final itinerary.

Not included:

air fare, lunches, 4 dinners, travel to and from starting/ending point, transfers or excursions on trains, lifts, buses, taxis, extra charges due to changes in itinerary, items not on set dinner menu, beverages except what is served at breakfast, bottled water, insurance, items of personal nature.

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.

Accommodations and Facilities:

Hotels: During the trip you will spend six nights in hotels (this may vary depending on final itinerary): Chamonix (2 nights), Courmayeur (2 nights), Champex and Le Buet (Vallorcine). In Chamonix the hotel is a two-star hotel located in town. In Courmayeur you stay at a friendly three star hotel, very comfortable and well located. In Champex and Le Buet (Vallorcine) the hotels are small family run hotels that offer comfortable rooms. Breakfast and dinners are served at the hotels expect in Chamonix and Courmayeur, only breakfasts are served at these two hotels. The hotels are double occupancy with private baths.

About the refuges or huts: For three nights you will stay in mountain huts also called refuges. The huts or refuges vary depending where they are located. Each refuge has its own charm and unique character. All offer simple overnight stops for hikers.

The huts on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th nights are situated in beautiful, remote valleys. They are wonderful rustic farms that have been converted to accommodate hikers. They offer bunkrooms, called dortoirs, complete with blankets and pillows. The shared facilities vary, but all have washing and bathroom areas and hot showers. There a dinning room that also serves 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. Breakfasts and dinners are also served. The 4th night you will stay at a working farm that offers rustic accommodations.

Hiker's Hotels: In Switzerland there are two nights in hiker's hotels that offer private double rooms with shared facilities. These hiker's hotels offer simple and basic, though comfortable accommodations. There are dinning rooms that serve as a place to relax after hiking and outdoor sitting areas where you can admire the view and purchase snacks and beverages. Breakfasts and dinners are also served at each overnight stay.

Travel:

It is easiest to fly to Geneva. However, there are frequent trains from Zurich or Paris just be sure to 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 and accommodations to meet your time frame and abilities. Once we agree on an itinerary and the dates we require a $375 deposit per person. Please see information about how to book your self-guided trip.

For a more detailed itinerary or to register please call.