Tour du Mont Blanc Comfort 2026 - 12 Day Hiker

The trail begins with zigzags up the mountainside through alpine meadows to Col de Voza (1,653m), passing restaurants and the rustic Refuge de Fioux, where refreshments and local products are available. It then descends through pine forests, crossing wooden bridges over mountain streams before reaching the village of Bionnassay. Here, the Glacier de Bionnassay and its dramatic icefall come into view, while Mont Blanc (4,809m) increasingly dominates the skyline. Refreshments are available at the Auberge de Bionnassay.

Beyond Bionnassay, the path drops to a suspension bridge crossing the Bionnassay torrent, then continues downhill through woodland to the hamlet of Le Champel. The trail winds on through beautiful meadows and forests, passing traditional hamlets such as La Gruvaz and La Tresse. From Tresse Le Quy, it crosses the Bon-Nant river and traverses the valley flank with fine views of the Dômes de Miage (3,673m), before reaching Les Contamines-Montjoie, a charming alpine village with excellent facilities for hikers.

After taking a shuttle bus from Les Contamines you will start your day at Notre Dame de la Gorge, where the trail enters forest to reach the historic Pont Romain over the Bon-Nant river, marking the start of an ancient Roman road climbing through conifers. Soon after, Refuge de Nant Borrant offers refreshments and a sunny terrace. The path continues through alpine meadows beside the Bon-Nant, with grazing cattle, before reaching Refuge de la Balme (1,700m), the last refreshment stop before Col du Bonhomme.

From La Balme, the trail climbs steadily toward the Aiguilles de la Pennaz, crossing streams to the Tumulus du Plan des Dames (2,043m). The ascent steepens to Col du Bonhomme (2,329m), where early-season snow is possible and views are expansive. A traverse leads to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,483m), marked by a large cairn and nearby refuge.

A steep, zigzagging descent leads into the Vallée des Glaciers, passing rocky slopes, wildflower meadows, the Chalets de Raja, and streams before reaching 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 through alpine pastures with views of the Aiguille des Glaciers. It passes the hamlet of La Ville des Glaciers, where Beaufort cheese can be purchased, before reaching Refuge des Mottets for refreshments.

Beyond Mottets, the path climbs via well-maintained switchbacks to Col de la Seigne (2,516m), marking the French–Italian border. The col offers sweeping views, with dramatic vistas of the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif, including glaciers and the Pyramides Calcaires.

The trail descends into the broad Vallon de la Lée Blanche, where marmots are often spotted on the rocky slopes. A former Italian customs house, now a small mountain information centre, sits beside the path. Following a flat section of ancient Roman road, the route leads to Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini, perched above Val Veny. A steep descent rejoins the valley floor and continues past Lac Combal and the Cabane du Combal before descending through Val Veny to La Visalle.

From La Visaille you will take a bus to Courmayeur for your night's accommodation.

From Courmayeur, the trail climbs through residential streets before entering pine forest, zigzagging steeply upward through shaded switchbacks and gaining over 800m. As the forest thins, expansive views of the Mont Blanc massif emerge before reaching Rifugio Bertone (1,989m), well positioned above the valley with sweeping panoramas of Courmayeur, the southern face of Mont Blanc, and the Brenva Glacier.

From the refuge, the path climbs briefly to a junction, then turns left to follow a superb balcony trail high above Val Ferret. This undulating route crosses alpine meadows, larch forest, and open grassland filled with summer wildflowers. Across the valley, the dramatic north faces of the Mont Blanc massif dominate the skyline, with Les Grandes Jorasses and the Glacier de Freboudze providing standout scenery.

The trail passes the pastures of Leuchey, Leche, and Arminaz before reaching Rifugio Bonatti. From here, a side path descends to the road at Bivio Rifugio Bonatti for buses back to Courmayeur for tonight's accommodation.

Today's walk will start by taking a bus to the Nouvaz 29 bus stop, cutting several hours from the route to make today's stage possible. From Chalet Val Ferret, the trail crosses the Dora de Ferret and climbs steadily through alpine meadows, traversing the valley flank and crossing small streams with widening views of Val Ferret. The ascent leads to Rifugio Elena, a modern refuge dramatically set beneath the Pré de Bard Glacier. Beyond the refuge, the route continues upward through meadows toward Grand Col Ferret via well-graded switchbacks. As height is gained, views back across the Italian Val Ferret expand, while the terrain becomes increasingly rocky near the summit.

Grand Col Ferret (2,537m) marks the highest point of the route and the Italian–Swiss border, clearly defined by a stone marker. From here, the landscape changes noticeably as the trail descends gently into the Swiss Val Ferret, crossing high alpine pastures rich in summer wildflowers.

The path continues past Alpage de la Peule (1,970m), a working dairy and refuge, before descending into pine forest and reaching the village of La Fouly (1,600m), with shops and refreshments. 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 La Dranse de Ferret through pine forest and open alpine meadows dotted with traditional wooden chalets. It passes the hamlet of Praz de Fort, where stone-and-timber barns reflect classic Swiss alpine architecture.

Continuing downhill through peaceful farmland, the path crosses the river and enters Les Arlaches, a picturesque hamlet known for its interlaced wooden roofs and historic buildings. The trail then reaches Issert (1,055m), with a bus stop and the popular Café du Châtelet, a convenient lunch stop.

From Issert, the route crosses the Torrent du Darbellay and begins a steady climb through pine and larch forest, gaining over 400m via shaded switchbacks. Along the way, whimsical wooden carvings appear among the trees. As the forest thins, the trail emerges at Champex-Lac (1,470m), a scenic resort village set beside an alpine lake, often nicknamed “Little Canada,” with ample services and accommodation.

From Champex-Lac the trail soon leaves the road onto a forest path. The route winds through pine forests, gradually ascending alongside a rushing mountain stream. After several kilometres of steady climbing, the path emerges from the trees at Plan de l'Au, a scenic plateau with mountain views.

From here, the trail climbs more steeply through alpine pastures toward Alpage de Bovine, a working farm situated on a high mountain meadow. Famous for its chocolate cake and other homemade treats, the rustic chalet provides food with panoramic views across the Rhône Valley toward Martigny.

The path continues to climb gently to reach Porte à l'O (2,049m), the highest point of this section. From here, the trail begins a long, steady descent to reach Col de la Forclaz, where a small hotel offers refreshments. The final section descends steeply through forest to the village of Trient (1,280m), recognizable by its distinctive pink church.

With limited accommodation options in Trient, we may book your hotel in Martigny, which takes approximately 45 by bus or taxi.

Returning to Trient by bus or taxi, if your hotel is is Martigny, the day begins with the trail climbing steadily through pine forests with occasional views of Trient Glacier, crossing mountain streams on wooden bridges. Above the treeline, open alpine meadows provide wide-ranging views as the terrain steepens toward Col de Balme (2,191m), on the French–Swiss border, with a refuge and potable water just below the pass. The col offers superb views of the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix Valley.

From Col de Balme, the route follows an exposed ridgeline toward the Aiguillettes des Posettes (2,201m), with sweeping panoramas across the Mont Blanc massif on one side and the Swiss Valais peaks on the other. In summer, wildflowers carpet the slopes and marmots are often seen.

The descent continues along the crest before dropping below the treeline into dense larch forest, where the narrow trail zigzags steeply downward, crossing several streams via wooden footbridges.

With limited accommodation in Tré-le-Champ we may book your accommodation in nearby Argentière or Chamonix. There is a 1km walk to the train station at Montroc, then the train to Argentière takes 5 mins and Chamonix 25 mins.

First returning to Tré-le-Champs, if your accommodation is in Argentière or Chamonix, the day begins with the trail climbing through forest to the base of the Aiguillette d’Argentière, where a protected ladder section begins. A series of metal ladders with handrails and platforms, interspersed with normal trail, assists passage up the rock face; the longest ladder is about 25 feet.

Reaching Tête aux Vents, marked by a large cairn, the route continues with a second, generally less exposed ladder section, including a distinctive pair of parallel ladders. A final climb leads to Refuge du Lac Blanc, perched above its namesake lake, which offers outstanding views of the Mont Blanc massif.

From the refuge, the trail descends on a well-maintained path across rocky alpine terrain, with occasional wooden planking over wet ground and several small tarns along the way. The gradient gradually eases, maintaining sweeping views across the valley to the Mer de Glace and the Aiguilles de Chamonix.

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

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

After a brief easing of the gradient, the route continues to the summit of Le Brévent (2,525m), which offers 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 a Mont Blanc-facing terrace.

Leaving Bellachat, the trail descends steeply on a zigzagging path into forest, crossing several streams including the Torrent des Lapaz. The route continues past a wildlife park and down to 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.