Tour du Mont Blanc

Arrival in Chamonix and transfer to Les Houches, the usual starting point for the TMB. Make the most of the afternoon to stock up on provisions and explore the valley. The resort of Les Houches (1,008 m) offers all the necessary amenities.

The first stage of the walk climbs along forest tracks to the Col de Voza (1,653 m), then descends gently into the Bionnassay valley before continuing southwards to Les Contamines-Montjoie. The day’s walk is a gentle warm-up, with a steady climb but no exposed ridges, and ends in a well-equipped village with restaurants and comfortable mountain huts.

The most challenging section of the first half of the route. The road climbs steeply from Les Contamines through the Nature Reserve, passes the Notre-Dame de la Gorge chapel, climbs to the Plan des Dames and on to the Col du Bonhomme (2,329 m), then to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,479 m). A long plateau at an altitude of over 2,000 m before a long, stony descent towards the hamlet of Les Chapieux. An early start is recommended.

The crossing into Italy begins as soon as you leave Les Chapieux, heading up the Vallée des Glaciers to the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m), where the south face of Mont Blanc comes into view for the first time. Instead of descending to Courmayeur, this route, which follows the track, ends further up in the Val Veny, at the Vallon de la Lex Blanche.

From the upper Val Veny, the route continues its descent beneath the glacial amphitheatre before reaching Courmayeur. This stage is shorter than the previous major passes, but it remains one of the best vantage points over the south face of the massif before arriving in the circuit’s main Italian town.

The ‘Italian Balcony’ section. Leaving Courmayeur via the Val Ferret, the route climbs towards the balcony path on the slopes of Mont de la Saxe and Mont Favre. The southern face of the Mont Blanc massif fills the entire western horizon, a sweeping panorama that most walkers consider to be the visual highlight of the route. The night is spent at Malatrà Desot, above the Val Ferret.

Crossing the Grand Col Ferret, the highest pass on the standard route and the Italy–Switzerland border. From Malatrà Desot in the upper Val Ferret, the path climbs to the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m), offering panoramic views to the east. The descent into Switzerland follows the Swiss Val Ferret to La Fouly, the first night’s stop in Switzerland on the circuit.

A relatively gentle Swiss stage linking the bottom of the Val Ferret valley to the wooded plateau of Champex-Lac. The route follows the valley through Praz-de-Fort and Orsières before climbing through the forest to Lake Champex. The lakeside village is one of the most pleasant stops on the route: peaceful, well-organised and perfect for a quiet afternoon.

The standard route crosses the Alp Bovine (1,987 m), a vast alpine pasture with unobstructed views of the Mont Blanc massif, and then descends towards the Trient / Col de la Forclaz area. Walkers wishing to take the highest crossing on the circuit should instead opt for the Fenêtre d’Arpette variant on this stage.

Crossing the Col de Balme takes you back onto French soil. From Trient / Col de la Forclaz, the path climbs to the Col de Balme (2,204 m) on the French-Swiss border, offering one of the most sweeping panoramic views on the entire route. The descent then continues via Le Tour and Argentière, ending at night in Tré-le-Champ.

The penultimate stage, following the trail, climbs from Tré-le-Champ into the Aiguilles Rouges before reaching the panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Plateau de la Flégère. A very scenic and exposed stage, with the Mer de Glace, the Aiguille du Midi and the north faces of the massif in view almost continuously.

The circuit ends with a short descent from the Plateau de la Flégère. Take the Flégère cable car to Les Praz-de-Chamonix (10 minutes), then walk or take the bus to Chamonix (3 km). Half a morning is enough to complete the 170 km loop.