Tour du Mont Blanc Comfort 2026 - 7 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, the trail follows the Dranse de Ferret river through pine forests and meadows, passing the traditional hamlets of Praz de Fort and Les Arlaches before reaching Issert.

From Issert, a steady 400m climb through dense forest leads to the lakeside resort of Champex-Lac. The route then ascends through woods to Plan de l'Au, continuing upward to the working Alpage de Bovine farm, famous for its refreshments and panoramic views.

After reaching the high point at Porte à l'O (2,049m), a long descent leads to Col de la Forclaz and then steeply down to Trient. The final climb from Trient passes above the treeline to Col de Balme (2,191m) on the French-Swiss border, offering spectacular Mont Blanc vistas. The trail then descends through alpine meadows to Le Tour and Montroc in France. Due to limited capacity in these villages your accommodation may be a 1.5k walk further along in the bigger village of Argentière (a bus is available if you prefer).

From Montroc, the trail climbs to the base of Aiguillette d'Argentière, where the notable ladder section begins. This involves several metal ladders bolted to the rock face, the longest about 25 feet, interspersed with normal trail. After passing the Tête aux Vents cairn, a second set of ladders leads to Refuge du Lac Blanc (cash only), offering exceptional Mont Blanc views from the lake.

From the refuge, the trail descends gently across rocky alpine terrain, passing small tarns with mountain reflections. It follows the mountainside, maintaining impressive, continuous panoramas of the Mont Blanc massif and Mer de Glace glacier.

The route continues southwest from Refuge de La Flégère, climbing gradually to Col du Brévent (2,368m) before descending to the rustic Refuge de Bellachat, which has a terrace with direct Mont Blanc views. A steep, zigzagging descent through forest follows, crossing several streams. The path eventually leads past a wildlife park and the large Christ-Roi statue before the final descent into Les Houches, marking the end of the Tour du Mont Blanc journey.