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Day 1:
Start at Les Bossons, near Chamonix.
Our start point is the campsite in Les Bossons, with wonderful views from the campsite of Mont Blanc and the dramatic crevassed Glacier des Bossons, especially at sunset. In the evening there is an introductory briefing by the trek crew.
Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
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Day 2:
Follow the Grand Balcon Sud from Chamonix to Les Frasserands.
From Les Bossons (1,012m – 3,320ft) we have a short bus journey to Chamonix from where we walk to Les Praz and take the cable car to La Flégère (1,860m – 6,100ft). The trail today is named the 'Grand Balcon' and is on the opposite side of the valley from Mont Blanc, affording excellent views of the whole massif lying to our south. Initially we contour and then climb to reach the high point of the day, Lac Blanc (2,352m – 7,715ft). The trail descends and then contours high above the valley before dropping steeply to the hamlet of Les Frasserands (1,371m – 4,500ft), from where we take a scenic valley train back to our campsite. In the afternoon there is a very short section of ladders/steep steps with handrails to descend.
8 hours walking. 500m – 1,640ft up, 980m – 3,220ft down
Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
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Day 3:
Cross over Col de Balme to Switzerland and camp at Trient.
After a scenic train ride up the valley to Les Frasserands, we begin by climbing steeply to the Aiguillette de Posettes (2,201m – 7,200ft), descend a little and then ascend towards the Col de Balme (2,191m – 7,190ft) where we follow one of the paths across the border from France to Switzerland. Excellent views all morning of Aiguille d'Argentière and Aiguille du Tour and its glacier. After lunch we descend to the small hamlet of Trient (1,296m – 4,250ft), where we will enjoy some lovely views of the Trient Glacier.
7.5 hours walking. 970m – 3,200ft up, 1,060m – 3,466ft down
Campsite: camping near Trient
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Day 4:
Cross Col de la Forclaz to Champex.
We climb first to the Col de Forclaz (1,527m – 5,010ft) and then onwards to look directly down into the Rhône Valley and the small Swiss town of Martigny. We follow a historic path used to take the cows to summer grazing, the ‘Bovine route’ (2,049m – 6,720ft) that takes us through meadows and high alpine pastures before descending to the charming town of Champex (1,486m – 4,880ft) set beside a picturesque alpine lake.
7 hours walking. 920m – 3,017ft up, 720m – 3,261ft down
Campsite: Camping Les Rocailles, Champex Lac
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Day 5:
Head up Val Ferret to La Fouly.
Now on the east side of the main Mont Blanc massif, we walk south, descending through woods to the Val Ferret and on to Issert (1,055m – 3,460ft) and other pretty alpine farming villages. If you are visiting early in the season (June/July), this is a great day to see flowers in bloom, including orchids. We continue up the valley to the remote village of La Fouly (1600m – 5250ft), which lies at the foot of Mont Dolent, whose summit marks the meeting point of France, Switzerland and Italy.
6 hours walking, 540m – 1,780ft up, 440m – 1,450ft down
Campsite: Camping les Glaciers, La Fouly
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Day 6:
Climb to Grand Col Ferret, the highest pass of the trek.
Following the same valley and the river 'La Drance', we climb to the 'Grand Col Ferret' (2,537m – 8,320ft), the highest pass of the tour. Now in Italy, the valley is also called ‘Val Ferret’. The mountain views from the Col are stunning, with Grandes Jorasses dominating the scene. We walk down the valley to Arp Nouva (1,770m – 5,800ft) where we take an optional bus to Planpincieux (1,600m – 5,250ft). For the first and last trip of the season, the bus may not be running and we may need to walk to camp.
7.5 hours walking. 970m – 3,180ft up, 800m – 2,600ft down
Campsite: Camping Grandes Jorasses, Val Ferret
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Day 7:
Rest day.
Today is free for you to rest after the first week’s exertions and enjoy some sight-seeing. The nearby former spa towns of Courmayeur and Entrèves have picturesque older areas that are worth a visit, especially for the keen photographer. We also highly recommend the Skyway cable car from La Palud to Point Helbronner (3,461m – 11,350ft), which gives close-up views of all the big peaks. Tickets for the cable car can be purchased online or locally at La Palud.
Campsite: Camping Grandes Jorasses, Val Ferret
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Day 8:
Climb to Bonatti refuge and traverse high above the spectacular Val Ferret around Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur and on to Val Veny.
We start with a short bus ride to pick up the Tour du Mont Blanc route, and from the road (1,675m – 5,500ft) climb up to the Bonatti refuge (2,025m – 6,640ft). Today we follow a beautiful contouring path around Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur. The views of the south Mont Blanc massif are exceptional, as are those of the towering peaks of the 'Grandes Jorasses' and the glaciers that crowd the northern flank of the Val Ferret. In the afternoon, we have a long, steep descent to Courmayeur (1,230m – 4,030m) where there will be time to stop for a tasty Italian gelato before taking a short bus ride into the spectacular Val Veny (1,530m – 5,020ft).
8 hours walking. 500m – 1,640ft up, 900m – 4,400ft down
Campsite: Camping Aiguille Noire, Val Veny
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Day 9:
Re-enter France across Col de la Seigne and through La Ville des Glaciers to Les Chapieux.
Today’s trail climbs gently along the Val Veny, beneath the moraine of the massive Glacier du Miage. Passing Lac Combal, the gradient becomes steeper as we follow the old Roman road across the 'Col de la Seigne' pass (2,516m – 8,250ft), marking our re-entry into France. A fairly steep descent brings us through La Ville des Glaciers (1,789m – 5,870ft) and finally to Les Chapieux (1,553m – 5,090ft), a small hamlet that is only inhabited in the summer months. This is one of the longer walking days, but the experience of walking beneath a glacier and over the Col de la Seigne pass make the challenge well worth it.
8.5 hours walking. 990m – 3,250ft up, 970m – 3,180ft down
Campsite: camping in Chapieux
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Day 10:
Climb to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and contour around to Col du Bonhomme.
We have now reached the southwest corner of the circuit and turn north to climb once again. Today is a longer day; first we make a steep climb to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,478m – 8,130ft) and then contour around to the Col du Bonhomme (2,328m – 7,640ft). We then descend (again on a Roman road) to our campsite in Les Contamines (1,180m – 5,900ft).
8 hours walking. 930m – 3050ft up, 1375m – 4510ft
Campsite: Camping le Pontet, Les Contamines
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Day 11:
Rest day.
A chance to rest or enjoy some independent exploration. There are short and long optional walks in the area, many accessed by a chairlift or gondola, that have spectacular views of Mont Blanc. Mountain cafes make a nice place for a scenic lunch. Alternatively, you could take the Mont Blanc cog-driven tramway to the Eagle’s Nest – the starting point for many aiming to conquer Mont Blanc itself. Otherwise, time can be spent visiting the half-day market in Les Contamines, or you can simply relax around town or in camp and recharge your batteries for the days ahead.
Campsite: Camping le Pontet, Les Contamines
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Day 12:
Cross Col de Tricot and Col de Voza to re-enter Chamonix Valley and descend to village of Les Houches.
Today will be another long but rewarding day as we return to the start point of our trek. We walk through Les Contamines, ascend to Chalets du Truc (1,720m – 5,614ft) and then descend to the Chalets de Miage (1,560m – 4,120ft). From here, we take the trail that climbs steeply to the Col de Tricot (2,119m – 6,950ft) before descending very close to the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay, where we will enjoy fabulous views of the Mont Blanc massif’s northern side. Eventually, we make another short ascent to reach the Col de Voza (1,652m – 5,418ft), where we re-enter the Chamonix Valley and descend to the village of Les Houches (dependent on the time of year, there is an optional cable car descent from Bellevue to Les Houches). A short bus ride takes us to our camp in Les Bossons (1,012m – 3,320ft).
9 hours walking. 1,200m – 3,980ft up, 1,370m – 4,500ft down
Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
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Day 13:
Some of the best views of Mont Blanc today on the long ascent to Brévent; descend to Plan Praz.
We cross to the north side of the Chamonix Valley and climb through a pine forest. The high point of the day is Brévent (2,525m – 8,290ft), from where there are panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix Valley. We walk down to Plan Praz (1,970m – 6,460ft), then descend by cable car to Chamonix and walk to our camp at Les Bossons (1,012m – 3,320ft). It is possible to take the cable car descent from the top (dependent on the time of year). This extra journey will be payable locally should you choose not to walk.
Our last day on the Tour du Mont Blanc circuit is long, with a tough climb of over 1,500m, but affords the best views on the whole trek of Mont Blanc and its neighbouring peaks. On our return to Les Bossons, we will have successfully completed the Tour du Mont Blanc!
7.5 hours walking. 1,480m – 4,850ft up, 520m – 1,690ft down
Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
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Day 14:
Free day at Les Bossons.
Today is a free day for optional walks or sightseeing. Your leader will be able to advise you of possible walking routes or you may choose to visit the bustling alpine resort town of Chamonix, which has numerous shops, bars, restaurants and cafés. There are several cable car excursions you can make from Chamonix, of which the most spectacular is the ascent to the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m – 12,600ft), offering fantastic views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks. It should also be possible to take the mountain train up to Montenvers for close-up views of the Mer de Glace glacier, or if you are feeling adventurous you could enjoy a tandem paragliding flight.
Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
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Day 15:
End Les Bossons.
