Hiking Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort

Day 1: Arrival Martigny
Martigny lies at the foot of the Swiss Alps, close to where the River Rhône turns northwards towards Lake Geneva. If arriving early, make the most of your time here and take a walk to visit the Château de la Bâtiaz or enjoy one of the fine restaurants that Martigny is famous for.

Accommodation: Hotel Vatel or similar, bed and breakfast

Day 2: Vallée du Trient- Argentière 5-6h
Early morning transfer to Trient by bus. Your first hiking day starts by climbing Col de Balme (2,191m), to the traditional mountain lodge of Refuge du Col de Balme, a perfect place for a short rest with views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley. Descend to the open saddle of Col des Posettes (2,201m) and head along the Kammweg ridge over the summit of Aiguillette des Posettes, with a panoramic view of surrounding glaciers. The walk ends with a steep descent following a mountain stream to Argentière.

Walking for the day: 16km, 5-6h ?1,170m ?1,230m

Accommodation: Hotel Le Dahu or similar, bed and breakfast

Day 3: Argentière - Chamonix 7h
This is one of the most spectacular sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Using a combination of well-secured ladders and timber-braced steps, climb steep rocks to reach Refuge du Lac Blanc. In the afternoon, follow the path across the Grand Balcon to Planpraz, which has a café at an altitude of 2,000m. Here, there is the option to take the cable car and glide down to the mountaineering hub of Chamonix.

Walking for the day: 15.5km, 7h ?1,440m ?1,620m (easier option by cable car: ?1,440m ?685m)

Accommodation: Hôtel Vallée Blanche or similar, bed and breakfast

Day 4: Chamonix – Les Houches 6h
Today there is the option of a more relaxed start by taking the cable car up to Planpraz before a short walk to Col du Brévent (2,368m). From here, it's possible to climb to the peak of Brévent, considered to be one of the best lookout posts for viewing Mont Blanc, and the surrounding glaciers and peaks. Continue on the hiking trail to pass Lac du Brévent and descend to Refuge Bel-Lachat, a good rest spot before resuming the steep climb. The final section of the day skirts Parc de Merlet forest before finishing in Les Houches.

Walking for the day: 12km, 6h, ?500m ?1,500m

Accommodation: Hotel du Bois or similar, half-board

Day 5: Les Houches – Les Contamines 7-8h
A stretch of today's hike follows the famous Mont Blanc tramway, so you get a chance to admire both the tram and surrounding scenery. From Col de Voza there are two options for the route to Les Contamines: a shorter, easier option via Bionnassay, or a more scenic route which guides you to an impressive suspension bridge crossing a glacial torrent from Glacier de Bionnassay. The hike continues through mountain meadows to Col de Tricot (2,120m), and descends to Refuge de Miage. After a further ascent, there is a perfect rest stop at Truc-Alpe. The finishing point for today's hike, Les Contamines, is in the Montjoie valley, famous for its delicious cheeses from surrounding alpine pastures, and their cheese dairies are worth a visit if you get a chance.

Walking for the day: 17.5km, 7-8h ?1,440m ?1,260m (easier option by cable car: 13km, 5-6h ?380m ?1,010m)

Accommodation: Chalet-Hôtel La Chemenaz or similar, half-board

Day 6: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux - Bourg-Saint-Maurice 7-8h
Today's trek takes you over ravines, past glacial lakes and ascends over two cols. The trail passes the southernmost point of the Mont Blanc massif, with great views again. The day starts with a short transfer to the Baroque Notre Dame de la Gorge church, where the long ascent to Col du Bonhomme (2,329m) and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,450m) begins. Take a rest at Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme. The last descent brings the day to a close in Vallée des Glaciers and the hamlet of Les Chapieux. A short transfer from Les Chapieux via the public shuttle brings you to Bourg-Saint-Maurice .

Walking for the day: 15.5km, 7-8h ?1,300m ?950m

Accommodation: Hotel Arolla or similar, bed and breakfast

During the low season the public shuttle does not run, so private transfers will be arranged.

Day 7: Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Courmayeur 5-6h
Begin with a short bus transfer to return to the Vallée des Glaciers and resume the hike. From there you climb up to Col de la Seigne, crossing the border from France into Italy, one of the highlights of the TMB for many. You then hike through fields to Rifugio Elisabetta for a break. A short diversion to Lago di Miage is worth it before taking the bus to Courmayeur.

Walking for the day: 16km, 5-6h ?795m ?900m

Accommodation: Hotel Croux or similar, bed and breakfast

During the low season the public buses listed do not run, so private transfers will be arranged.

Day 8: Courmayeur – Val Ferret 7-8h
Take the mountain path to Rifugio Bertone, a great place for a rest with splendid views of the massif. From the crest of Mont de la Saxe along to Tête de la Tronche, there are incredible views as far as Col de la Seigne to Grand Col Ferret, and all along the south side of the Mont Blanc range. The path continues further over bridges and brooks. Finally, beyond Rifugio Walter Bonatti, Chalet Val Ferret sits at the foot of Val Ferret. Depending on availability in Val Ferret, it may be necessary to take the bus back to the previous nights accommodation in Courmayeur, returning to Val Ferret the next morning, via public bus.

Walking for the day: 16.5km, 7-8h ?1,140m ?560m

Accommodation (depending on the availability): Chalet Val Ferret; Refugio Elena (dormitory room with shared facilities), half-board, or a hotel in Courmayeur (with bus transfer* down to the valley), bed and breakfast

During the low season the public buses listed do not run, so private transfers will be arranged.

Day 9: Val Ferret – La Fouly 4-5h
If beginning the day in Courmayeur, take a short bus transfer back up to Val Ferret. Today the hike journeys over Grand Col Ferret (2,537m), with the route heading out of Italy and into Switzerland’s rolling pastures. Rest in one of the mountain lodges along the route before continuing on to La Fouly.

Walking for the day: 13km, 4-5h ?770m ?945m

Accommodation: Hôtel Edelweiss or similar, half-board

During the low season the public buses listed do not run, so private transfers will be arranged.

Day 10: La Fouly – Champex-Lac 4-5h
Today marks the easiest day of the TMB route, with much less elevation change than previous walks. The Dranse River accompanies you on your leisurely hike past high mountains, through forests, meadows and traditional mountain villages towards the valley. At the end of the hike, the Murmeltierweg (Marmot trail) takes you up to Champex-Lac, a mountain location famous for its expansive forests and crystal clear lake.

Walking for the day: 15km, 4-5h ?535m ?670m

Accommodation: Hôtel du Glacier or similar, half-board

Day 11: Champex-Lac – Trient – Martigny 5-6h
The final day of walking has the option of two routes which vary in difficulty. The Fenêtre d'Arpette should only be considered in fair weather, as this challenging path reaches the highest point of the TMB, and offers tremendous views across the Trient Glacier and down into Vallée du Trient. The alternative route via Alp Bovine is an easier route which follows the northern contours of the rocky spur, leading through high alpine pastures and passing a great lunch spot at Alp Bovine (1,987m). Both routes continue on to Trient, famous for its impressive glaciers on the surrounding mountain peaks. End the day by taking a bus down to Martigny.

Walking for the day: Via Fenêtre d'Arpette 15km, 5-6h ?1,190m ?1,350m (via Alp Bovine 15.5km, 6-7h ?770m ?945m)

Accommodation: Hotel Vatel or similar, bed and breakfast

During the low season the public buses listed do not run, so private transfers will be arranged.

Day 12: Departure
Departure or extra nights in Martigny.