The Mont Blanc Trail

It’s the first day of your trip.

Meet us at 6 p.m. at the base camp for the first briefing and to collect your rental equipment.

Whether you’re staying in accommodation or camping in a tent, the meeting point is the same.

There are several ways to get to Saint-Gervais. Find all the information right here.

Welcome to the Mont Blanc Trail!!!

This is your first hiking day:

From Les Contamines-Montjoie, your hike starts at the Col du Bonhomme (2,329 m), between the Mont Blanc and Beaufortain ranges. You’ll continue along the trail to the Col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme (2,483 m), where you’ll enjoy beautiful views of Mont-Pourri. Once you reach the refuge, you can take a break and grab a drink.

In the afternoon, the descent through the alpine meadows takes you to the typical hamlet of Les Chapieux, where you’ll spend the night.

If you’re staying at the camspite, there won’t be any showers, but you can cool off in the river.

If you’re staying in accommodation, a shuttle will be waiting for you in Les Chapieux at 5:30 pm to take you there.

• Distance: 17 km
• Elevation gain: 1,290 m
• Elevation loss: 940 m
• Duration: 6–7 hours without breaks

NB: Distances and elevation figures may vary depending on the app or watch used. Differences between the GPX file and the actual route can be explained by several factors, such as GPS accuracy, app settings or changes in the terrain.

After a short transfer from Les Chapieux or your accommodation, you’ll begin your second day of hiking from La Ville des Glaciers. You’ll pass a local farm in Les Mottets, where Beaufort cheese is still made. You’ll then climb through the alpine pastures to the Seigne Pass and the Italian border. From the top of the pass, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the trail you’ve just walked, as well as the valley ahead.

You’ll be able to admire the Mont Blanc mountain range, with peaks such as Mont Blanc de Courmayeur, Noire de Peuterey Spire and the Grandes Jorasses, which will seem remarkably close. The descent will take you to the foot of the Miage Glacier. In the evening, if you wish, you can take a bus or taxi (at your own expense) to Courmayeur and explore the capital of the Italian Alps.

Tonight’s accommodation is located in the same place as the campsite.

• Distance: 18 km
• Elevation gain: 780 m
• Elevation loss: 1050 m
• Duration: 5-6 hours without breaks

NB: Distances and elevation figures may vary depending on the app or watch used. Differences between the GPX file and the actual route can be explained by several factors, such as GPS accuracy, app settings and changes in terrain.

After a short transfer to Val Ferret, the third hiking day starts at the foot of the Pré de Bar glacier and leads to Elena Refuge at an altitude of 2,052 m. From there, you’ll follow the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m) to the border between Italy and Switzerland. Enjoy one last view of the Italian Val Ferret before descending to La Fouly through the Swiss alpine meadows.

The campsite in La Fouly is a spacious campsite at an altitude of 1,600 metres, right beside the glacial river. The village has a small supermarket and a restaurant where you can enjoy a cheese fondue if you like.

Tonight’s accommodation is right next to the campsite.

• Distance: 16 km
• Elevation gain: 830 m
• Elevation loss: 1,000 m
• Duration: 5-6 hours without breaks

NB: Distances and elevation figures may vary depending on the app or watch used. Differences between the GPX file and the actual route can be explained by several factors, such as GPS accuracy, app settings or changes in terrain.

On this fourth hiking day, you’ll follow a scenic mountain road through small hamlets and Swiss chalets to the Col de la Forclaz, before continuing through forests and meadows.

The area is known for producing some of the region’s most famous cheeses.

You’ll finish your hike in Trient, a valley village known for its pink church. Here, you’ll camp or stay in comfortable accommodation surrounded by the beautiful valley, with places to eat or stop for a drink.

• Distance: 16.5 km
• Elevation gain: 780 m
• Elevation loss: 900 m
• Duration: 5–6 hours without breaks

NB: Distances and elevation changes may vary depending on the app or watch used. Differences between the GPX file and the actual route can be caused by several factors, including GPS accuracy, app settings and variations in the terrain.

Today, on your fifth and last hiking day, you’ll leave the beautiful Trient Valley behind and cross into France. Take the opportunity to admire the Trient Glacier on your left. After a gradual climb to the Col de Balme, you can take a short break at the refuge, 2,191 metres above sea level. From here, you’ll have a great view of Mont Blanc.

After leaving the Col de Balme, you’ll descend towards Tré-le-Champ, enjoying the panoramic views on your left for a few more hours. Once you reach Tré-le-Champ, Montroc-Le-Planet station is a 10 to 15-minute walk away. From there, you’ll take the train to Chamonix, where your trek comes to an end.

If you chose this option, you can head to your accommodation and enjoy one last evening with the group. The hike is now complete, and you can be proud of what you’ve achieved.

• Distance: 13 km
• Elevation gain: 1,030 m
• Elevation loss: 1,000 m
• Duration: 4-5 hours without breaks

Note: Distances and elevation figures may vary depending on the app or watch used. Differences between the GPX file and the actual route can be caused by several factors, such as GPS accuracy, app settings or changes in the terrain.

On this last day, you'll either head home or decide to continue your journey on your own. If you're leaving in the evening or later in the day, we suggest several must-do activities:

• Climb to the top of Aiguille du Midi
• View the Mer de Glace and explore the Ice Cave (you can get there by taking the Montenvers train)
• Go for a hike around Chamonix; we recommend the hike to Lac Blanc, which is a must-see.
• Take a stroll through the Gorges de la Diosaz (they're located about 15km from Chamonix)