Tour du Mont Blanc Easterly Self Guided Trek

Day 1 ARRIVAL IN COURMAYEUR

As we are based in Chamonix please ask if you wish to have a self guided trek briefing to go through any aspect of your trek before you start on your adventure.

If you require a briefing on your day of arrival please specify at the time of booking so we can make sure someone will be available.

Accommodation

3* Hotel, private en-suite rooms, B & B

Day 2 COURMAYEUR TO LAVACHEY

Fully refreshed you make your ascent to the Refuge Bertoni and enjoy amazing views of Mont Blanc and Courmayeur down below. You spend the rest of the day on a lofty traverse from high above the Val Ferret with stunning views of the Italian side of the Mont Blanc before descending to the your accommodation in the beautiful Val Ferret.

Daily stats:

Distance: 19k | Height gain: +750m | Descent: -350m

Accommodation

Refuge, dormitory (upgrade possible depending on availability, book early), evening meal & breakfast

Guide notes:

A steep but steady climb up to the Refuge Bertoni, it’s worth it because the coffee is fabulous & the views just stunning, elevenses’ here is a must! Fabulous views of some of the most famous peaks in the European Alps including Mont Blanc & the Grand Jorasses. And for the hamlet of Lavachey... it's just fabulous, if the night is clear go our side after diner & just 'be' in this impressive location.

Day 3 LAVACHEY TO LA FOULY

An early start and a new country awaits, you continue through the Val Ferret to Arnuva before making your long ascent to the Grand Col Ferret 2537m via the Refugio Elena and the Italian/Swiss border. You then make a relatively easy and enjoyable descent via la Peule, Ferret to La Fouly and your hotel accommodation for the night.

Daily stats:

Distance: 20k | Height gain: +900m | Descent: -1400m

Accommodation

Hotel, private en-suite rooms, evening meal and breakfast

Guide notes:

Again this day looks tough but the hard bits are nicely spaced with less challenging terrain and once at the Col stare in wonder at the view looking back at your last 3 days of trekking towards the Col du Seigne and over the boarder into Switzerland. The descent is long but at an easy angle and the path is good. Plenty of opportunity to stop for refreshments at Arnurva, Refuge Elena and La Peule.

Day 4 LA FOULY TO CHAMPEX:

An easy day in comparison walking in the beautiful Swiss Val Ferret. We then pass through the Swiss villages of Praz de Fort and Issert before make our ascent to the charming village of Champex-Lac and our resting place for the evening.

Daily stats:

Distance: 15k | Height gain: +420m | Descent: -570m

Accommodation

Hotel, private en-suite rooms, evening meal and breakfast

Guide notes:

The easiest day on the trek with only 400m of ascent, which comes at the end of the day. Relax and take advantage with a later breakfast before wandering down the beautiful Swiss Val Ferret. Cafe at Issert but its not open on a Tuesday so plan ahead if you are trekking this leg on that day of the week!

Day 5 CHAMPEX TO TRIENT

An initial easy start to the day is to be had as we wind our way on easy paths to Plan de l'Au. We then climb up steadily to the Alpage Bovine 1987m and enjoy fabulous views over Martigny and the Swiss Valais. We spend the rest of the day making our descent to the Col du Forclaz 1526m with a final descent to Trient.

Daily stats:

Distance: 18k | Height gain: +750m | Descent: -950m

Accommodation

Auberge, dormitory (upgrade possible depending on availability, book early), starred bathrooms, evening meal and breakfast

Guide notes:

The Bovine route is a fabulous day not too tricky over lovely terrain. Lunch stop at the high alpine farm at Bovine is a must, you can purchase local food or even eat your own picnic on the terrace as long as you buy a drink. Amazing views across to Lac Leman and down the Rhone valley.

Day 6 TRIENT TO ARGENTIERE:

Today we have two options as we can take the route directly to the Col du Balme from Trient or through alpine woodland to the Alpage of Tseppes, Catogne and on to the Col du Balme 2191m and the Swiss/French border. From the Col, we then make our descent to the hamlet of Le Tour and across pastureland to the village of Argentiere and our hotel accommodation for the evening.
Daily stats:

Daily stats:

Direct via the Col du Balme: Distance: 13k | Height gain: +900m | Descent: -900m

or Via Catogne & the Col du Balme: Distance: 15k | Height gain: +1000m | Descent: -1000m

Accommodation

3* hotel in private en-suite rooms, HB

Guide notes:

Personally unless the weather is bag take the route via Catogne, the views are far superior as one up high you take a lofty traverse with excellent views over towards Emossom dam & the Aiguille Rouges nature reserve.

Day 7 ARGENTIERE TO CHAMONIX:

Our final day and a fitting end to the trek takes us back into the Aiguille Rouges to the stunning Lac des Cheserys & Lac Blanc 2352m. We then make a descent to Flegere and take the balcony path traversing high above the Chamonix valley to Planpraz at our starting point 11 days earlier completing the circuit. A final decent via the cable car back to Chamonix in time for a celebratory drink as you have just completed the TMB & tour du Mont Blanc one of the best multi day treks in the world. In the event of lift closures, we make our descent back to Chamonix via Flegere.

Daily stats:

Distance: 14k | Height gain: +1200m | Descent: -500m

Accommodation

3* hotel in private en-suite rooms, B & B

Guide notes:

A fitting end to the trek back in the Aiguille nature reserve with pristine views of the Mont Blanc massif and all its peaks and glaciers. Visiting the iconic Lac Blanc is a must and stop for refreshments in the refuge. It gets busy with day walkers in August so make an early start if possible.

Day 8 DEPART CHAMONIX

Breakfast is included however on the departure day you are free to leave at any time you wish.

Guide notes:

Once you have completed the trek I hope you will agree that the Tour du Mont Blanc is truly an exceptional trek & has a worthy place as of one of the worlds top 10 long distance walks.