Tour du Mont Blanc Comfort 2026 - 8 Day Trail Runner

The trail climbs in zigzags through alpine meadows to Col de Voza (1,653m), passing mountain restaurants and Refuge de Fioux. It then descends through pine forest to Bionnassay, where the dramatic Glacier de Bionnassay and Mont Blanc come into view, with refreshments available in the village.

Beyond Bionnassay, the route crosses the torrent via a suspension bridge, continues through forest and meadows past traditional hamlets, and crosses the Bon-Nant river before reaching Les Contamines-Montjoie. A riverside path leads to Notre Dame de la Gorge, then across the historic Pont Romain onto an ancient Roman road climbing through forest to Refuge de Nant Borrant.

The ascent continues beside the Bon-Nant to Refuge de la Balme (1,700m), then through alpine meadows past the Tumulus Plan des Dames to Col du Bonhomme (2,329m). A traverse leads to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,483m), followed by a steep descent through the Vallée des Glaciers to Les Chapieux.

At the end of this day you will take a bus or taxi from Les Chapieux to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, taking approximately 35 minutes, for your accommodation.

After taking a bus or taxi back to Les Chapieux, you will begin your day with a gentle ascent through the Vallée des Glaciers, passing alpine pastures and the hamlet of La Ville des Glaciers before reaching Refuge des Mottets (1,864m). From here, well-graded switchbacks climb to Col de la Seigne (2,516m), the French–Italian border, with superb 360-degree views and dramatic vistas of the Italian Mont Blanc massif and the Pyramides Calcaires.

The route descends into the broad Vallon de la Lée Blanche, where marmots are often seen, and passes a former Italian customs house. Following a flat stretch of ancient Roman road, a short climb leads to Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini above Val Veny.

A steep descent rejoins the valley floor, passing Lac Combal and the Cabane du Combal. Beyond La Visaille, the trail climbs onto a spectacular balcony route above Val Veny, traversing alpine meadows and larch forest with constant views of Mont Blanc. A final forest descent via Plan Chécrouit leads through Dolonne and across the Dora Baltea into Courmayeur.

From Courmayeur, the trail climbs through residential streets into pine forest, zigzagging over 800m via shaded switchbacks before opening to spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif. Rifugio Bertone (1,989m) sits on a commanding perch overlooking Courmayeur, Mont Blanc, and the Brenva Glacier.

From the refuge, the route follows a high balcony path eastward, undulating through alpine meadows, larch forest, and open grasslands with summer wildflowers, passing pastures at Leuchey, Leche, and Arminaz before reaching Rifugio Bonatti. A steep zigzag descent leads to Chalet Val Ferret beside the Dora de Ferret river.

The trail climbs again through alpine meadows to Rifugio Elena beneath the Pré de Bard Glacier, then follows the upper Val Ferret, passing the village of Ferret, before ascending via switchbacks to Grand Col Ferret (2,537m), the Italian–Swiss border, with panoramic views of both valleys. The descent enters Swiss alpine pastures, passing Alpage de la Peule dairy farm, before reaching the charming village of La Fouly (1,600m).

There is limited accommodation in La Fouly, so we may book your hotel in Orsières which will require a bus or taxi journey, which takes around 30 minutes.

Returning to La Fouly by bus or taxi, if your hotel is in Orsières, the day will being with descending gently from La Fouly, through the Swiss Val Ferret, following the western bank of the La Dranse de Ferret. It passes pine forests, lush alpine meadows, and the hamlet of Praz de Fort with its traditional stone-and-timber barns. The route continues through farmland and crosses a wooden footbridge to Les Arlaches, noted for its interlaced roofs and historic buildings.

The trail reaches Issert (1,055m), a small settlement with a bus stop and the Café du Châtelet, a popular lunch stop. From here, it crosses the Torrent du Darbellay and begins a steady climb through dense pine and larch forest, gaining over 400m via shaded switchbacks. Whimsical wooden carvings of forest creatures appear along the way.

As the forest thins, the path emerges at Champex-Lac (1,470m), a scenic resort village around a small alpine lake. Often called “Little Canada,” it offers accommodation, restaurants, and other services, making it an ideal rest point.

From Champex-Lac, the trail leaves the road into pine forests, climbing alongside a mountain stream before emerging at Plan de l’Au, a scenic plateau. The path ascends through alpine pastures to Alpage de Bovine, a working farm known for homemade treats and panoramic Rhône Valley views.

Continuing upward, the trail reaches Porte à l’O (2,049 m) before descending to Col de la Forclaz and the village of Trient (1,280 m), marked by its pink church. The route climbs again through forests, past streams, and above the treeline to Col de Balme (2,191 m), the French-Swiss border, offering sweeping views of Mont Blanc and Chamonix Valley.

Beyond the col, the trail passes Le Tour and Montroc-Le Planet, then climbs to Tête aux Vents, featuring a protected ladder section up Aiguillette d’Argentière. From Refuge du Lac Blanc, the trail descends through rocky alpine terrain and small tarns, maintaining panoramic Mont Blanc views until reaching La Flégère.

At the end of today's section you will take the gondola down for your accommodation, in either Les Praz-de-Chamonix or Chamonix itself.

First make your way back to Station La Flégère to take the gondola back to Refuge de La Flégère. From there, the trail follows the Grand Balcon Sud toward Le Brévent, climbing gradually through alpine terrain with dwarf vegetation and rocky outcrops, offering panoramic views across the Chamonix Valley to the Mont Blanc massif. The path passes behind the Altitude 2000 chalet-restaurant before ascending steeply to Col du Brévent (2,368m).

After a short easing of the gradient, the route continues to the summit of Le Brévent (2,525m), with a panoramic terrace and water point. A descent through scree and stark mineral terrain leads to Refuge de Bellachat (2,150m), a rustic hut with refreshments and direct Mont Blanc views.

The trail then zigzags steeply through forest, crossing streams before reaching a wider forest path. Approaching Les Houches, the route passes a wildlife park and a parking area, then follows a path to the Christ-Roi statue before the final descent into Les Houches, marking the end of the Tour du Mont Blanc.