**Please keep in mind that if you book with Adventure Abroad, you will not have to worry about any accommodations, transfers, restaurant reservations, guides, or any other elements that may appear complicated - we will take care of this for you. All you have to do is go hiking.
Once you know what to expect, you can begin planning your adventure. Allow enough time at each location so that you can see as many attractions and sights as you want.
There are several ways to view the Tour du Mont Blanc. The trail can be hiked independently or with the assistance of a tour guide. If you decide to go on a tour, your itinerary might look like this:
FRANCE:
Depending on your tour, you'll most likely stay in the French ski resort town of Chamonix. Don't be afraid to stay an extra day in Chamonix at the start or end of your trip because there is so much to do here. One of the most well-known locations is the Aiguille du Midi, a nearby mountain accessible by cable car. The cable car will transport you up the mountain in about 20 minutes, where you will be treated to a breathtaking 360-degree view of the neighbouring Alps. After reaching the summit, you can take a gondola ride over the Glacier du Géant to Pointe Helbronner in Italy, visit the gift shop, eat at the "3,842-metre restaurant," or stand in a glass case above the cliff.
Chamonix has a thriving cafe and bar scene as well, which we recommend exploring.
You'll begin with a high-altitude cable car ride into the mountains. After that, you'll begin hiking above Bionnassay Valley, passing through dense coniferous forests and charming alpine hamlets with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc.
Two recognisable mountains, the Aiguille de Bionnassay and the Dôme du Gouter, can be seen, as well as a large glacier between them. After descending through a series of switchbacks to Chalet de Miage, you'll spend the night at Les Contamines. A top-notch ski resort, where you can go ice climbing, tobogganing, riding dog sleds, and, of course, skiing, is one of the main draws in this historic village.
After a delicious breakfast in Les Contamines, you'll embark on the next leg of your journey. To begin, take a quick shuttle to Notre Dame de la Gorge. The main attraction of the day is the Aiguille des Glaciers, a peak of the Mont Blanc massif entirely covered in ice. At the end of the day, you'll be in one of the boutique mountain huts or on your way to the nearby village of Bourg Saint Maurice.
ITALY:
From Ville des Glaciers in France, you will hike over the Col de Seigne via Les Mottet. This Col's summit serves as the official border between France and Italy. A long descent will take you to the town of Courmayeur on the Italian side of the border via the lush alpine valley of Val Ferret. If you've had enough walking for the day, there are some transportation options once you reach the main road in Val Ferret, which will take you directly to Courmayeur.
You could also spend the night in a nearby mountain hut and hike to Courmayeur the next day. If you choose this scenario, you will only have a few options.
Courmayeur is also well-known for its shopping. Beautiful souvenirs can be found in small, independent boutiques as well as high-end Italian designers. Another popular attraction is the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car, which rotates 360 degrees as it travels towards the Punta Helbronner station.
We recommend taking a day off in Courmayeur to relax, enjoy some downtime and prepare for the rest of your trip through Switzerland and back to France.
To get to the Swiss village of La Fouly, you must first hike across the Grand Col Ferret mountain pass from Courmayeur, Italy. The hike will provide you with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc's Italian side and the eastern Combins massif. You can choose to stay in La Fouly and hike to Champex the next day, but lodging is limited. Alternatively, you can take a transfer to Champex, a beautiful ski village and mountain lakeside village.
SWITZERLAND:
Before continuing your hike, stop in Champex to sample some Swiss wine and rent a boat to use on Champex-Lac. You could also visit the Musee de La Fondation Pierre Gianadda, a well-known museum located just a few miles outside of town. View the Gallo-Roman Museum and the Automobile Museum, as well as a variety of other temporary exhibits.
The hills in Switzerland aren't as abrasive as the ones we hiked through in France and Italy. You begin your journey in Champex and make your way to Trient for the night via the Col de la Forclaz. If you don't arrive in Trient early enough, you may need to look for lodging in a nearby village in Switzerland and arrange a transfer. The next day, you'll face an ascent and cross Col de la Balme, which offers breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte. You'll arrive in Argentière, a well-known French Alps village. When you arrive, you can take a stroll through the charming town. You can also enjoy some delectable French cuisine while resting up for the return leg of your journey.
RETURN TO CHAMONIX
The first peak you'll climb after scaling Lac Blanc is the "Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges," or "Balcon over the Red Peaks." As you make your way down, you'll pass through the village of Le Praz before arriving in Chamonix. The panoramic views of Mont Blanc are postcard-worthy and will be saved in your memory bank. On the final day of your hike, we recommend that you take as much time as possible.
You can choose to stay in Chamonix and explore the surrounding area, or you can go out to one of the many restaurants.
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