The Tour du Mont Blanc is the most famous hike in Europe, inviting you to traverse France, Italy, and Switzerland. The 10-day circuit allows you to fully enjoy each stage, with moderate walking days and relaxing moments in cozy mountain huts or comfortable hotels. If you’re looking for a more challenging option or simply have less time, feel free to check out our 7-day Tour du Mont Blanc.

Les étapes du TMB en 10 jours

• Day 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines
• Day 2: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux
• Day 3: Les Chapieux – Elisabetta
• Day 4: Refuge Elisabetta – Courmayeur or Refuge Elena
• Day 5: Courmayeur or Refuge Elena – La Fouly
• Day 6: La Fouly – Champex (Val d’Arpette)
• Day 7: Champex (Val d’Arpette) – La Forclaz (or Trient)
• Day 8: La Forclaz (or Trient) – Argentière ou Le Tour
• Day 9: Argentière or le Tour – Chamonix
• Day 10: Chamonix – Les Houches

Day 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines

Kilometers

17km (4 à 5h hiking)

Elevation +

640m

Elevation –

1275m

Begin your adventure in the heart of the Alps by leaving the charming village of Les Houches to start the famous Tour du Mont Blanc. Thanks to the Bellevue cable car, you’ll avoid the first ascent, allowing for a gentle start. The route passes through a forest overlooking the picturesque Bionnassay valley and leads you through beautiful Alpine hamlets, offering breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the foothills of the Alps. You’ll be able to admire the towering peaks of the Dôme du Goûter and the Aiguille de Bionnassay, with their majestic glacier in the background.

You’ll then continue with a climb to the Col du Tricot, followed by a descent via a zigzagging trail towards the Chalet de Miage, nestled in an idyllic setting. The day concludes beautifully as you arrive in the village of Les Contamines, along a scenic path that winds beside a crystal-clear river.

For this first night, relax in a comfortable 2-star hotel, where you’ll enjoy a delicious half-board meal, perfect for recharging your energy and preparing for the next leg of your Alpine adventure.

Day 2: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux

Kilometers

15.25km (7h hiking)

Elevation +

1200m

Elevation –

930m

After a short transfer to Notre-Dame de la Gorge, you’ll begin the ascent to the Col du Bonhomme, an iconic mountain trail offering breathtaking panoramic views. Continuing towards the Croix du Bonhomme, you’ll be rewarded with majestic vistas of the Aiguille des Glaciers and the vast alpine expanses. The descent into the Chapieux Valley will immerse you in a wild, authentic environment, where each turn reveals another magnificent landscape.

For this charming mountain stage, you’ll spend the night at the Nova refuge-inn, where you’ll enjoy a friendly half-board meal, perfect for rejuvenating before continuing your adventure

Day 3: Les Chapieux – Elisabetta

Kilometers

14km (5h hiking)

Elevation +

730m

Elevation –

315m

From the Chapieux Valley, you’ll begin your walk towards Ville des Glaciers, a climb of about 45 minutes. During the summer, you can take a public shuttle to ease this initial part of the route. You will then continue the ascent towards the Col de la Seigne, marking the border between France and Italy. The descent that follows offers breathtaking views, with the impressive Aiguilles de Peuterey and Mont Blanc de Courmayeur as a stunning backdrop.

For this nature-filled stage, you’ll spend the night at the Elisabetta refuge, staying in a dormitory with half-board. You’ll carry your essentials for the night, allowing you to fully enjoy this authentic high-mountain experience.

Day 4: Refuge Elisabetta – Courmayeur or Refuge Elena

Kilometers

14 à 16km (4h30 to 5H30 hiking)

Elevation +

550m

Elevation –

980m

You’ll start with a climb to one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the Tour du Mont Blanc, reaching the Col de Chécrouit. From there, you’ll have the option to descend either on foot or by cable car to the charming town of Courmayeur.

For your overnight stay, you have two options:

• Room option: Spend the night in Courmayeur at a comfortable 3-star hotel with a Bed & Breakfast plan, perfect for resting after a day filled with spectacular scenery.
• Dormitory option: After Courmayeur, a public bus transfer will take you to the end of the Val Ferret. A short one-hour walk will bring you to the stunning Elena refuge, offering breathtaking views of the Pré de Bar glacier. You’ll spend the night in a dormitory with half-board, surrounded by this unique mountain landscape.

*For a truly special experience, we recommend the dormitory option at the Elena refuge.

Day 5: Courmayeur or Refuge Elena – La Fouly

Kilometers

12 à 14km (4h30 to 5H30 hiking)

Elevation +

725m

Elevation –

930m

By crossing the Grand Col Ferret, you’ll pass the border into Switzerland, descending into the charming village of La Fouly. Throughout this stage, you’ll enjoy impressive views of the Combins massif to the east and the Italian side of Mont Blanc to the west, offering a striking contrast of alpine landscapes.

You will spend the night in La Fouly at a 3-star hotel, where you’ll enjoy a half-board stay..

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Day 6: La Fouly – Champex (Val d’Arpette)

Kilometers

15.5km (5h to 6h hiking)

Elevation +

600m

Elevation –

500m

This stage immerses you in one of the most beautiful valleys of Valais, where you’ll have the chance to explore the traditional architecture of the typical villages in the Val Ferret valley. Along the way, you’ll ascend to the picturesque village of Champex, nestled by its high-altitude lake, offering an idyllic setting. A walk of about 45 minutes will then lead you to the Val d’Arpette, a pristine natural haven.

You’ll spend the night at the Relais d’Arpette, enjoying a half-board stay in a warm, mountain atmosphere, perfect for recharging after a beautiful day.

Day 7: Champex (Val d’Arpette) – La Forclaz (or Trient)

By the Fenêtre d’Arpette:

Kilometers

15km (7h to 9h hiking)

Elevation +

1100m

Elevation –

1400m

By the Col de Bovine:

Kilometers

14km (5h to 6h hiking)

Elevation +

760m

Elevation –

700m

The passage through the Fenêtre d’Arpette, reaching an elevation of 2,850 meters, is one of the most impressive summits of the Tour du Mont Blanc. This stage offers an extraordinary spectacle during the descent to Trient, with a sweeping view of the glacier that accompanies you along the route.

In case of bad weather or for hikers preferring a less demanding route, the Col de Bovine offers a more accessible but equally beautiful alternative.

You will spend the night either at the Col de la Forclaz or in Trient, in a mountain inn with half-board, providing a friendly and restful atmosphere after this intense day.

Note: The variant via the Fenêtre d’Arpette is highly dependent on your physical condition and the weather.

Day 8: La Forclaz (or Trient) – Argentière ou Le Tour

Kilometers

15.5km (6h to 7h hiking)

Elevation +

1000m

Elevation –

750m

Returning to France via the Col de la Balme, you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte—panoramas that make this stage particularly memorable. The descent will take you directly to the village of Le Tour.

For your night’s stay, you have two options:

Room option: For more comfort, opt for a night in Argentière at a 3-star hotel with half-board, the perfect place to rest after this magnificent stage.

Dormitory option: Spend the night at the Club Alpin du Tour refuge, with half-board. The friendly and authentic atmosphere will allow you to share your experiences with fellow hikers.

Day 9: Argentière or le Tour – Chamonix

Kilometers

21km (6h hiking)

Elevation +

900m

Elevation –

1300m

The Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges offers a spectacular panorama, undoubtedly one of the most stunning mountain viewpoints. You’ll begin with a climb to the famous Lac Blanc, where a grand view awaits: directly in front of you rise the Aiguille Verte and Les Drus, followed by the trail to La Flégère, which reveals the Mer de Glace, the Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Aiguille du Goûter, and of course, the majestic Mont Blanc. The descent continues through Le Praz, before reaching Chamonix via a regular and frequent bus service.

To end this unforgettable day, you’ll spend the night in Chamonix at a 3-star hotel with a Bed & Breakfast plan, where you can relax and enjoy the comfort of your stay.

Day 10: Chamonix – Les Houches

Kilometers

12km (6h hiking)

Elevation +

515m

Elevation –

1540m

For this final stage, you’ll take the Chamonix cable car up to Planpraz before starting your hike towards Les Houches, passing by the Col du Brévent. For those seeking a more relaxed option, it’s also possible to take a second cable car from Plan Praz to the summit of Brévent and then continue on foot to Les Houches.

If the cable cars are not operating, as is sometimes the case in June and September, or if snow still covers the trails early in the season, this day can be a perfect rest day to explore Chamonix. Afterwards, a train will take you directly to Les Houches.

Your journey concludes in Les Houches in the afternoon, after enjoying this wonderful alpine adventure.