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Tour Overview
Embark on the Mont Blanc Classic Hike, a breathtaking adventure through the majestic European Alps, traversing France, Italy, and Switzerland. This exhilarating trek offers stunning alpine scenery, with highlights including the sweeping views from the Grand Col Ferret and the Col de la Seigne. Experience the camaraderie of fellow hikers as you journey through impressive forests, past the Pre de Bar glacier, and across the picturesque Rhone Valley. Enjoy the rustic charm of mountain refuges, where you'll rest in dormitory-style accommodations. With luggage transfers provided, except for a few days, you'll carry only your essentials as you explore this iconic trail. This tour is perfect for experienced hikers seeking a challenging yet rewarding adventure amidst some of the most spectacular landscapes in Western Europe. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Le Tour begin hike to Trient (6-7hrs, +700m/2297ft, -900m/2953ft)
Location: Le Tour, Mont Blanc, Trient
Accommodation Name: mountain refuge
Meals Included: Dinner
Leaving from the village of Le Tour you take the scenic high mountain path of Balme heading towards Switzerland. Weather permitting you will be able to take some wonderful photos of the Mont Blanc chain including the impressive “La Verte”, the Drus and the Needles of Chamonix. You will cross the border between France and Switzerland before making your way down to the village of Trient for overnight accommodation.
(9km, +700m/2297ft, -900m/2953ft) ...more ...less
Day 2 : Hike to Champex (5-6hrs, +900m/2952ft, -650m/2132ft)
Location: Bovine Alps, Rhone Valley, Champex
Accommodation Name: mountain refuge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The trail continues through impressive forests with a strong ascent to the high mountain pastures of the Bovine Alps. The route takes you past shepherds huts and small farms always with views of impressive peaks such as Grand Combin to the south and later to the dramatic depths of the Rhone Valley. The Bovine hut is a great place to stop for lunch where you can spot Marmots playing in the slopes nearby. Descend along a forest trail to the pretty town of Champex located by the lake of the same name.
An alternative route is via the “Fenêtre d'Arpette” (2665m), however due to the instability of this trail we do not recommend this route.
(+900m/2953ft, -650m/2132ft)
Day 3 : Bus to Ferret and cross the Grand Col Ferret, bus to Courmayeur (5hrs, +900m)
Location: Ferret, Grand Col Ferret, Courmayeur
Accommodation Name: mountain refuge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning you take a public bus (fare not included - 15 Swiss Francs) to the small village of Ferret (1705m) and commence hiking. The route takes you out of Switzerland and into Italy by the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) pass. It’s a steady climb and at the Col you will be awe inspired by the sweeping views of the Pre de Bar glacier. Enjoy some time relaxing in the Refuge Elena which is located at the base of the glacier and a great place to view the changing light on the alps. Continue to the roadhead and take a local bus to Courmayeur.(13km, +900m/2953ft, -500m/1640ft)
Day 4 : Hike to Elisabetta (5-6hrs, +1560m/5118ft,-460m/1509ft)
Location: Courmayeur, Col Checroui, Lake Combal
Accommodation Name: mountain refuge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning you will need to pack your overnight requirements for the next two nights in your daypack. Your main luggage will be waiting for you in Les Contamines on the afternoon of day 6. From the centre of Courmayeur the hike heads steeply up a switchback trail to the Col Checroui. From here you continue the ascent to a steep spur at the top of the valley Veni where the views are spectacular. This balcony trail has some of the most dramatic views of the entire TMB trail. The descent is quite steep to the relatively flat valley floor. Skirting Lake Combal, the trail ascends at the head of the valley to the refuge.(18km, +1560m, -460m)Note: There are options to shorten by taking a bus in the event of poor weather or from around mid July to the end of August you can take a chairlift from Courmayeur (cutting out 700m of the ascent).
Day 5 : Cross the Col de la Seigne to France enroute to Bonhomme (6hrs, +1147m/3763ft, 1004m/3294ft)
Location: Col de la Seigne, Mont Blanc massif, Vallee des Glaciers, Col de la Croix
Accommodation Name: mountain refuge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
From the refuge Elisabetta, the trail takes you to the border of Italy and France at the Col de la Seigne (2518m) in time for an early morning view which, in good weather, will be extraordinary with sweeping views of the Mont Blanc massif and surrounding glaciers and valleys. Descend via a switchback trail to the Vallee des Glaciers, passing by a cheese maker where you have opportunities (if open) to sample Beaufort cheese. A big ascent (949m) leads to your overnight refuge just below the pass of Col de la Croix.(20km,+1147m/3763ft,1004m/3294ft)
Day 6 : Hike to Les Contamines via the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (3hrs +40m/131ft, -1316m/4317ft)
Location: Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Col du Bonhomme, Contamines Natural Reserve, Notre Dame de la Gorge, Les Contamines
Accommodation Name: mountain refuge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning the trail traverses mountain pastures to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2433m) where there are brilliant views southeast to the peaks of the Vanoise. The trail continues down to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) and crosses the Contamines Natural Reserve. A sharp descent through a pine forest fringed gorge takes us to an ancient Roman Road and the church of Notre Dame de la Gorge, and further on to Les Contamines.Hiking: approx 13km, +40m/131ft, -1316m/4317ftNote: Your main luggage will be waiting for you in your accommodation in Les Contamines.
Day 7 : Hike to Les Houches (5 or 7hrs, +633m or 1318m)
Location: La Gruvaz, Le Champel, Bionnassay, Col de Voza, Contamines, Mont Truc, Col du Tricot, Les Houches
Accommodation Name: mountain refuge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The trail takes you along the river valley and heads slowly to La Gruvaz before continuing to Le Champel and a fairly steep ascent via Bionnassay to the Col de Voza. A longer route can be taken following a combination of tracks and trails above Contamines before you ascend to cross a shoulder of Mont Truc followed by an ascent of the Col du Tricot (2120m) which forms the divide between the Miage and Bionnasay Valleys. From here you have some spectacular views of limestone cliffs and the pistes below. The descent follows a combination of gravel roads and tracks past some settlements to reach Les Houches.
Alternate route via the Col de Voza (4.5hrs, +633m, -646m)
(20km, +1318m/4324ft, -1478m/4849ft)
Day 8 : Hike to Flegere, lift descent to Les Praz, walk to Chamonix, trip concludes (6-8hrs, +1715m)
Location: Chamonix, Mont Blanc, Flegere, Les Praz
Meals Included: Breakfast
This is a big day. Its possible to shorten the hike by descending the lift from Brevent instead of going all the way to Flegere. If you have the stamina the longer hike is well worth it.Cross the L’Arve River to continue up to the “Grand Balcon Sud” offering seriously good balcony trail views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley. The trail takes you all the way to the top of Flegere Lift. From here you can descend to Les Praz then continue along the River to reach the centre of Chamonix. Your luggage will be awaiting collection at your pre tour hotel from around 4.00pm.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in mountain refuges/gîte-hostels -
Travel to Le Tour and from Chamonix
Travel arrangements to Le Tour and from Chamonix are included in the tour package.
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Luggage Transfer
Luggage transfer is included except on days 5-6, with a maximum of 15kgs allowed in soft duffel style luggage.
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Information Pack
An information pack including a Navigational App and TMB hiking map (1:50,000) is provided per group of 1-4 people.
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Transfers
Travel includes transfers to Le Tour and from Les Houches.
What's Not Included
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Lunch and Drinks
Lunch and drinks are not included in the tour package.
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Personal Items
Items of a personal nature are not included.
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Luggage Storage
Storage of luggage is not included. Please ensure your pre-tour hotel can store luggage before you book.
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Transfers
Transfers are not included in the tour package.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Public Transport
Public transport, including cable cars, is not included in the tour package.
Accommodation
Experience 7 nights in mountain refuges or gîte-hostels with mixed dormitory-style accommodation. Rooms can host up to 40 people, but typically accommodate 10-12. Beds are often bunks or long platforms with separate mattresses. Shared bathrooms and toilets are available, and blankets are provided. A sleeping sheet is required. ...more ...less
Grading
GRADE 4 - Daily hikes of around 5-7 hours, between 8 and 20km and maximum ascents of 1320 metres per day. The timing provided in the itinerary is a guide only and is for the hiking components only – rest breaks are not included. There are some challenging stages during the walk with steep uphills, descents, and many sections of the trail which require care. The accent is on keeping a steady pace with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a good to excellent level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced hikers only. You should also be able to navigate in alpine regions using a map. Whilst the route is very well marked and well trodden, adverse weather conditions may make navigation difficult without reference to a map and our navigational App. Early in the season (June) you may encounter snow on the passes which may be quite deep and alter the grading of the trip to advanced. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds. ...more ...less
Mode of Transport
Travel includes transfers to Le Tour and from Les Houches, with luggage transfer except on days 5-6. Participants must carry overnight essentials for three consecutive days. Main luggage will be available at the accommodation in the Contamines Valley on day 7.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Mont Blanc Classic Hike?
The accommodation consists of 7 nights in mountain refuges or gîte-hostels with mixed dormitory-style rooms. These rooms can host up to 40 people, but typically accommodate 10-12. Beds are often bunks or long platforms with separate mattresses, and shared bathrooms and toilets are available. Blankets are provided, but a sleeping sheet is required. ...more ...less
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Are luggage transfers included in the Mont Blanc Classic Hike?
Luggage transfer is included except on days 5-6. Participants must carry overnight essentials for three consecutive days, and the main luggage will be available at the accommodation in the Contamines Valley on day 7.
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What meals are included in the Mont Blanc Classic Hike?
The tour includes breakfast and dinner each day, but lunch and drinks are not included in the tour package.
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What should I pack for the overnight stays during the hike?
Participants need to pack their overnight requirements for the next two nights in their daypack, as the main luggage will not be available during this time.
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Is public transport included in the Mont Blanc Classic Hike?
Public transport, including cable cars, is not included in the tour package. For example, on Day 3, a public bus fare to the village of Ferret is not included and costs 15 Swiss Francs.
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What is the difficulty level of the Mont Blanc Classic Hike?
The hike is graded as a level 4, which involves daily hikes of around 5-7 hours, between 8 and 20km, and maximum ascents of 1320 meters per day. It is suitable for experienced hikers with a good to excellent level of fitness.
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What kind of views can I expect during the Mont Blanc Classic Hike?
Participants can expect stunning alpine scenery, including views of the Mont Blanc massif, the Pre de Bar glacier, the Grand Combin, the Rhone Valley, and various other impressive peaks and valleys.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Mont Blanc Classic Hike
8 Days Starting and ending in Chamonix Valley, France
Visiting: Le Tour, Mont Blanc, Trient, Bovine Alps, Rhone Valley, Champex, Ferret, Grand Col Ferret, Courmayeur, Col Checroui, Lake Combal, Col de la Seigne, Mont Blanc massif, Vallee des Glaciers, Col de la Croix, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Col du Bonhomme, Contamines Natural Reserve, Notre Dame de la Gorge, Les Contamines, La Gruvaz, Le Champel, Bionnassay, Col de Voza, Contamines, Mont Truc, Col du Tricot, Les Houches, Chamonix, Flegere, Les Praz ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MBT
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Group size:
1 - 15
