Tour du Mont Blanc
Self-Guided Walking Holiday
Holiday Type:
Hut to Hut
When:
July to September
Start:
Les Houches, France
Finish:
Les Houches, France
Distance:
170km (105 miles)
Length:
14 to 15 days
Grade:
Moderate
2025 Price:
from £ 1,590.00 (GBP)
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Hike one of the most famous hut to hut trails
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Circumnavigate the spectacular Mont Blanc Massif
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Visit France, Italy and Switzerland in one trek
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Stay in high mountain refuges with breathtaking views
The classic alpine trekking route. The Tour du Mont Blanc takes you all the way round the magnificent Mont Blanc Massif, the highest peak in western Europe. Hikers are treated to the full spectacle of beautiful alpine scenery - from green valleys, to mountain pastures and high mountain passes. Overnight stays range from quiet alpine villages to high mountain huts, where you can continue to enjoy mountain views over dinner.
The usual anti-clockwise route of the TMB first heads into Italy, then Switzerland, before finally returning to France - providing a brilliant snapshot of the different countries and cultures. And of course, in countries famed for their cuisine, brilliant local food and drink is never far away.
Photo Gallery
Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary & Price Options
We offer three suggested itineraries on the Tour du Mont Blanc, which are set out below. However, we are also happy to create a tailor-made itinerary based on your preferences - please just get in touch. From solo walkers to groups of friends, we are happy to help with all requirements.
TMB-1 Itinerary
Length: 14 Days / 13 nights
Difficulty: Moderate
Price: from £ 1,590.00 per person (GBP)
▼ Find out more...
2025 Prices in GBP (for 2 persons sharing a room)Basic: £ 1,590.00 per person
Classic: £ 1,890.00 per person
Comfort: £ 2,610.00 per person
2025 Prices in GBP (for 1 person)
Basic: £ 2,140.00 per person
Classic: £ 2,590.00 per person
Comfort: £ 4,270.00 per person
Please see accommodation section below for details on our different accommodation levels.
Day 1
Arrive Chamonix
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Day 2
Train to Les Houches. Hike to Les Contamines
17.5km & 1010m ascent (11 miles & 3310ft)
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Day 3
Les Contamines to Les Chapieux
19km & 1360m ascent (12 miles & 4460ft)
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Day 4
Les Chapieux to Refugio Elisabetta
14km & 1100m ascent (9 miles & 3600ft)
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Day 5
Refugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur
15.5km & 580m ascent (9.5 miles & 1900ft)
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Day 6
Rest Day in Courmayeur
Rest Day
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Day 7
Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti
12km & 1080m ascent (7.5 miles & 3540ft)
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Day 8
Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly
20km & 980m ascent (12.5 miles & 3200ft)
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Day 9
La Fouly to Champex
15.5km & 510m ascent (9.5 miles & 1670ft)
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Day 10
Champex to Trient
16km & 850m ascent (10 miles & 2790ft)
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Day 11
Trient to Montroc. Train to Argentière
14km & 980m ascent (8.5 miles & 3210ft)
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Day 12
Train to Montroc. Hike to La Flégère
8km & 730m ascent (5 miles & 2400ft)
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Day 13
La Flégère to Les Houches. Train to Chamonix
18.5km & 900m ascent (11.5 miles & 2950ft)
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Day 14
Onward Travel
TMB-2 Itinerary
Length: 15 Days / 14 nights
Difficulty: Moderate
Price: from £ 1,670.00 per person (GBP)
▼ Find out more...
2025 Prices in GBP (for 2 persons sharing a room)Basic: £ 1,670.00 per person
Classic: £ 1,990.00 per person
Comfort: £ 2,700.00 per person
2025 Prices in GBP (for 1 person)
Basic: £ 2,230.00 per person
Classic: £ 2,760.00 per person
Comfort: £ 4,390.00 per person
Please see accommodation section below for details on our different accommodation levels.
Day 1
Arrive Chamonix
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Day 2
Train to Les Houches. Hike to Les Contamines
17.5km & 1010m ascent (11 miles & 3310ft)
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Day 3
Les Contamines to Refuge de la Balme
8km & 590m ascent (5 miles & 1940ft)
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Day 4
Refuge de la Balme to Les Chapieux
11km & 770m ascent (7 miles & 2530ft)
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Day 5
Les Chapieux to Refugio Elisabetta
14km & 1100m ascent (9 miles & 3600ft)
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Day 6
Refugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur
15.5km & 580m ascent (9.5 miles & 1900ft)
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Day 7
Rest Day in Courmayeur
Rest Day
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Day 8
Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti
12km & 1080m ascent (7.5 miles & 3540ft)
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Day 9
Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly
20km & 980m ascent (8.5 miles & 2030ft)
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Day 10
La Fouly to Champex
15.5km & 510m ascent (9.5 miles & 1670ft)
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Day 11
Champex to Trient
16km & 850m ascent (10 miles & 2790ft)
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Day 12
Trient to Montroc. Train to Argentière
14km & 980m ascent (8.5 miles & 3210ft)
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Day 13
Train to Montroc. Hike to La Flégère
8km & 730m ascent (5 miles & 2400ft)
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Day 14
La Flégère to Les Houches. Train to Chamonix
18.5km & 900m ascent (11.5 miles & 2950ft)
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Day 15
Onward Travel
What’s Included?
✔ Accommodation each night
✔ Breakfast every morning
✔ Dinner on nights in Huts
✔ Detailed Itinerary, Map & Guidebook
✔ GPX Waypoints and online mapping
✔ 24/7 Emergency Phone Number
What’s not Included?
X Travel Insurance
X Flights to and from the trail
X Lunches
Optional Extras
? Luggage Transfers
? Rail Transport to and from the trail
? Taxi Transfers to and from the trail
Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary Detail
The below is based on our most popular itinerary on the Tour du Mont Blanc, TMB-1 (14 days / 13 nights).
▼ Day 1: Arrive in Chamonix
Easily Accessible by Bus or Train
Easily accessible by train or bus from Geneva, the town of Chamonix makes a great starting point for the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Chamonix
▼ Day 2: Les Houches to Les Contamines
17.5km & 1010m ascent (11 miles & 3310ft)
A good day to get into your stride. The TMB begins in the village of Les Houches, a short train ride from Chamonix. The standard route climbs over the Col de Voza and then down into the valley on the other side, with some fairly flat walking making up the final few miles into the village of Les Contamines. The ascent can be skipped by cable car. A higher alternative over the Col de Tricot is a little more challenging, but rewards with great views.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Les Contamines
▼ Day 3: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux
19km & 1360m ascent (12 miles & 4460ft)
A gradual climb up the valley from Les Contamines over the Col du Bonhomme and then the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme takes you up 2433m, with great views back down the Val Montjoie. It’s then all downhill again, as the route drops through pastures to the hamlet of Les Chapieux in the Vallée des Glaciers.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Les Chapieux
▼ Day 4: Les Chapieux to Refugio Elisabetta
14km & 1100m ascent (9 miles & 3600ft)
Today is the first border crossing - from France into Italy. It’s a relatively easy walk over the Col de la Seigne, but no less spectacular for it. The views across to Mont Blanc are spectacular, and there’s plenty of time to enjoy them on this fairly short day.
Accommodation:
Refugio Elisabetta (if available)
▼ Day 5: Refugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur
15.5km & 580m ascent (9.5 miles & 1900ft)
A short section downhill along the bottom of the Val Vény is followed by a climb about halfway up the South side of the valley. From here, the TMB follows a tremendous balcony path as it traverses the side of the valley, with unrivaled views across to the grand massif of Mont Blanc. Finally, descend either by foot or cable car to the town of Courmayeur, the second largest settlement on the tour, and a great spot for a rest day.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Courmayeur
▼ Day 6: Rest Day in Courmayeur
Rest Day
The largest town you'll pass along the TMB; Courmayeur in Italy is a bustling outdoors resort with plenty of shops and options for eating out. Being in Italy, there are no end of brilliant ice cream shops (gelateria) and pizzarias. Positioned about a third of the way around our usual TMB itinerary, it is a convenient location for a rest after a few days of walking.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Courmayeur
▼ Day 7: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti
12km & 1080m ascent (7.5 miles & 3540ft)
An initially steep ascent out of Courmayeur is soon rewarded by a second, but no less stunning balcony path, making this another highlight day of the tour. The views across the Val Ferret of the Grandes Jorasses are some of the best in the Alps. Stay high up tonight at Rifugio Bonatti.
Accommodation:
Rifugio Bonatti (if available)
▼ Day 8: Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly
20km & 980m ascent (12.5 miles & 3200ft)
Start the day by dropping down to the bottom of the Val Ferret, before starting a climb up to the Grand Col Ferret, the highest point on the Tour du Mont Blanc, at 2536m. Here you’ll also leave Italy behind and head into Switzerland. It’s then a relatively gradual descent into the Swiss Val Ferret, which is noticeably greener and more pastoral.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in La Fouly
▼ Day 9: La Fouly to Champex
15.5km & 510m ascent (9.5 miles & 1670ft)
After a series of high passes, La Fouly to Champex offers a bit of a break. It’s a leisurely walk along the valley floor, amongst farmland and through small, picturesque villages. A small climb through forest takes you up to Champex, scenically located alongside the Lac de Champex.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Champex
▼ Day 10: Champex to Trient
16km & 850m ascent (10 miles & 2790ft)
An undulating day, as the path rises and falls through high Alpine pastures and forest. Views to the Bernese Alps and into the Rhone Valley dominate. The route ends by dropping into the small village of Trient.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Trient
▼ Day 11: Trient to Montroc
14km & 980m ascent (8.5 miles & 3210ft)
The day starts with a fairly long climb up to the Col de Balme, where you’ll make two reacquaintances. You’ll cross the border back into France, and for the first time in 3 days you’ll have views of Mont Blanc again. A further ascent to the summit of Aiguilletteis des Posettes for 360 degree views, before the route begins a long zig-zagging descent to the small hamlet of Montroc. From here it's a short train ride to your accommodation in Argentière.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Argentière
▼ Day 12: Montroc to La Flégère
8km & 730m ascent (5 miles & 2400ft)
First a short train ride back to Montroc. Then follows the first half of the Grand Balcon Sud, one of the most spectacular of Alpine balcony walks. The route heads up from Montroc to La Tête Aux Vents via metal ladders and steps, which allow passage of some steep, rocky terrain. These can however be bypassed with the addition of a couple of kilometers. The TMB then proceeds on quite a consistent level to La Flégère, and all the while the massive wall of rock and ice that is the Mont Blanc Massif dominates the view across the valley.
Accommodation:
Refuge de La Flégère (if available)
▼ Day 13: La Flégère to Les Houches
18.5km & 900m ascent (11.5 miles & 2950ft)
The final stage of the tour begins on the Grand Balcon Sud, from which the panorama remains superb. From Planpraz to Le Brévent, the trek takes on a surprising feeling of remoteness, winding its way through small valleys and boulderfields. From the summit of Le Brévent begins your final descent to Les Houches, 1500m below (though there is a cable car alternative here, should you prefer). From Les Houches it's a short train ride to your accommodation in Chamonix.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Chamonix
▼ Day 14: Depart from Chamonix
Easily Accessible by Bus or Train
Tour du Mont Blanc Route Map
Tour du Mont Blanc Elevation Profile
Accommodation Levels
Generally, accommodation in villages will be booked on a Bed and Breakfast basis, whilst accommodation in huts and refuges will be Half Board (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast). There may be exceptions to this, which will be detailed in your proposal.
Examples of accommodation we use are detailed in the itinerary above, and will be included in your proposal.
Basic
When staying in villages, accommodation will usually be in shared dormitories in Auberges, with occasional private rooms in 2* Hotels. In huts and refuges, accommodation will be in shared dormitories.
Classic
When staying in villages, accommodation will be in private rooms in a mixture of good quality, comfortable Guest Houses and 2* to 3* Hotels. In huts and refuges, accommodation will be in private rooms (dependent on availability).
Comfort
When staying in villages, accommodation will be in private rooms in a mixture of 3* to 4* Hotels, and good quality Guest Houses. In huts and refuges, accommodation will be in private rooms (dependent on availability).
FAQs
Do you take bookings for solo hikers? (spoiler - of course we do!)
What is a self-guided holiday? When is the best time to travel?
For all answers please head to our FAQs page. Alternatively, please don’t hesitate to send us an email or give us a call with any questions about our holidays.
