Self-guided · France · Italy · Switzerland
Seven days
around the
roof of Europe.
The classic circuit around Mont Blanc — three countries, glaciated cols, balcony trails facing the giant of the Alps — walked in seven days on a quieter reverse-direction routing that skips the busiest sections.
- Days
- 7
- Distance
- 110 km
- Ascent
- 5,900 m
- Grade
- Moderate to challenging
Trip Essentials
The walk
The Tour of Mont Blanc,
done in a week.
The Tour of Mont Blanc is the great circumnavigation of the highest mountain in western Europe. Traditionally walked in eleven or twelve days, this seven-day version compresses the trail into a single, focused week — full days on the mountain, one country a day for the first three days, and every night in a booked bed with a hot meal waiting.
You walk anti-clockwise, in the opposite direction to most groups, which means you meet the crowds on the passes rather than trudging along behind them. The balcony trails above Chamonix, the Grand Col Ferret into Italy, the panoramic Mont de la Saxe, the Col de la Seigne back into France — every day a genuine mountain day, glaciers within reach, the north face of the Mont Blanc range never far off the shoulder.
Everything is booked before you leave: gîtes, mountain refuges, small family-run hotels in the valleys, and — if you want it — luggage transfer between each night. You walk with a daypack and a good map. The rest is handled.
The route, day by day.
A fixed self-guided package: every stage, every night's accommodation and every luggage transfer is arranged before you set off.
- 01
Le Tour → Col de Balme → Trient
5.5 h · +850 m / −1050 m · 13 kmFrom the village of Montroc, a short walk to Le Tour and an easy climb via the Chalets de Charamillon or the Posettes balcony trail to the Col de Balme (2,200 m) on the French–Swiss border. Wide views over the Argentière, Le Tour and Mont Blanc glaciers, then a descent through Swiss pasture to Trient. Night in a gîte.
- 02
Trient → Bovine or Fenêtre d'Arpette → Champex
6.5–7 h · up to +1400 m / −1200 m · 14–16 kmTwo options for the day. The Bovine route contours through pastures with wide views over the Rhône valley. The Fenêtre d'Arpette route (2,665 m) is the high-mountain classic — a steeper day alongside the Trient glacier with an airy pass at the top. Descend to the lake at Champex. Night in a gîte.
- 03
Grand Col Ferret → Italian Val Ferret
6 h · +1000 m / −850 m · 14 kmShort bus transfer to La Fouly, then a long climb through the pastures of La Peule to the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m). Optional detour to the summit of the Tête Ferret. Descend into the Italian Val Ferret with exceptional views of the Grandes Jorasses. Night in a gîte or refuge.
- 04
Mont de la Saxe → Courmayeur
7.5 h · +650 m / −1450 m · 19 kmAscend to the hamlets of Sécheron and Armina, then follow the exceptional balcony trail of the Mont de la Saxe directly facing the south face of the Mont Blanc massif. Descend to Courmayeur and a short shuttle to a refuge above the town.
- 05
Col de la Seigne → Vallée des Glaciers
6–8 h · +400–950 m · 16–19 kmUp the Val Veny to the Elisabetta refuge, with a possible detour to the glacial Lake Miage. Continue climbing to the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m) — the Italian–French border. A higher variant runs via the Balcon de Chécroui and Mont Fortin. Night in a refuge at Les Mottets or Les Chapieux.
- 06
Col des Fours → Col du Bonhomme → Les Contamines
7.5 h · +900 m / −1500 m · 17 kmClimb to the Col des Fours (2,665 m), the highest point of the whole tour. Descend to the Col du Bonhomme and then via the old Roman road to the chapel of Notre Dame de la Gorge. Short free bus into Les Contamines-Montjoie. Night in a hotel or gîte.
- 07
Bionnassay Glacier → Col du Tricot → Les Houches
6–8 h · up to +1400 m / −1550 m · 14–17 kmThe final day. Climb to the Bionnassay glacier via the village of Champel, or take the high option over the Col du Tricot (2,120 m) with a spectacular close view of the Dômes de Miage and the Mont Blanc. Descend to Les Houches in the Chamonix valley. Trip ends in the afternoon.
Where you'll stay
A good bed at the end of every day.
A mix of family-run mountain gîtes, high-mountain refuges and small valley hotels — every night pre-booked. Classic accommodation is dormitory-style in gîtes and refuges; a comfort option upgrades to twin rooms where available. A hotel-heavy variant is also possible with a slightly modified itinerary — ask us at enquiry.
Getting there
Nearest airport: Geneva (about 1 hour 15 minutes by transfer or train). We can help arrange the transfer to Montroc and the onward journey from Les Houches at the end.
What's included?
A fixed self-guided package — accommodation, luggage transfer and route notes all taken care of before you arrive.
Six nights on a half-board basis — dinner, bed and breakfast
Route notes, IGN maps and a printed guidebook for the group
Digital route notes on your phone
Day 7 transfer from Les Contamines to La Gruvaz
Tourist taxes
All planning, booking and support before and during the walk
Luggage transfer between accommodations (optional add-on)
Not included
- Picnic lunches
- Bus transfers on the trail (approx. €25–30 per person)
- Cable car on any variant using it (approx. €18 per person)
- Personal expenses, drinks, souvenirs, cancellation insurance
- Guiding — this is a self-guided tour, you are responsible for your own safety
Book your Tour of Mont Blanc — 7 days adventure.
- Free cancellation to 60 days
- Confirmation within 24 hrs
- ABTOT financially protected
We'll start planning your trip right away. Not happy with anything? We'll adjust it or refund you — no questions asked.
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Big Trail Adventures (member 5690). Protection is provided for non-flight packages. Full details in our booking conditions.
Things walkers ask us.
Is it really self-guided? What if something goes wrong?
Yes — you walk without a guide, with detailed route notes and a paper map. You'll also have a WhatsApp contact for the whole trip and 24/7 emergency support in case of weather changes, injury or a booking issue. Big Trail Adventures is your first point of contact from the moment you enquire.
How fit do I need to be?
Level 3 out of 4. Expect five to seven hours of walking a day with 600 to 1,200 metres of ascent, on good but sometimes steep mountain paths. If you already do long walks in the hills — a full Lake District horseshoe, a Snowdonia day — you'll be fine. Regular cardio in the months before helps.
Can I book for one person?
Yes. Comfort rooms need two people minimum, but the classic dormitory-style version and single-room upgrades are both available for solo walkers. Tell us on the enquiry form and we'll quote accordingly.
When can I start?
The season runs mid-June to mid-September. Departures are possible on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Give us three or four preferred dates on the enquiry form and we'll come back with what's available.
Do you handle payments and refunds?
Yes. You book with Big Trail Adventures, pay us, and we handle the rest. Cancellation terms are set out in our booking conditions.