Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) – 12-Day Route through France, Italy, and Switzerland

The itinerary includes train tickets from Geneva to Martigny (about 1.5 hours) or from Zurich Airport to Martigny (about 3 hours).

The town of Martigny is located in a picturesque area near the Rhône River. You can take a stroll and visit La Batiaz Castle, or enjoy local cuisine at one of the many restaurants.

Accommodation: Martigny

Early in the morning, head to Trient. Your hike begins with the ascent of Col de Balme (2,191 m), where you can rest at a rustic mountain hut and enjoy spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley. Then, you’ll descend into a lush alpine saddle, passing grazing livestock and peaceful highland pastures.

The dramatic Kammweg trail takes you past l’Aiguillette des Posettes, crossing rocky terrain and offering panoramic views of surrounding glaciers. Afterward, you’ll descend a steep path along a mountain stream to reach your destination. It’s an unforgettable high-alpine experience!

• Distance: 15 km
• Ascent: 950–1,070 m
• Descent: 900–1,095 m
• Duration: approx. 4–5 hours

• Accommodation: Argentière (including breakfast)

  

Today is one of the most spectacular sections of the Mont Blanc hike: you will climb ladders with safety equipment to reach the sparkling Lac Blanc. In the afternoon, the “Grand Balcon” trail takes you along the mountainside, passing blueberry fields and arriving at Plan Praz (2,000 m), where a café offers a chance to rest.

You can also take the cable car down to the famous mountaineering town of Chamonix. Stroll through the colorful pedestrian streets and enjoy the breathtaking scenery! If you prefer an easier route, this adventurous climbing section can be skipped.

• Distance: 14 km
• Ascent: 1,050–1,560 m
• Descent: 350–780 m
• Duration: approx. 5–6 hours

• Accommodation: Chamonix (including breakfast)

  

In the morning, take a cable car up to 2,000 m, not far from Col du Brévent (2,368 m). Here, you will climb the spectacular Brévent panoramic peak. From the viewpoint, renowned as the best spot to observe Mont Blanc, you can admire glaciers and snow-covered peaks in detail.

The scenic hike passes the uniquely shaped Lac du Brévent and descends to the Bel-Lachat refuge, where you can take a short break. The trail then continues along a steep path through Merlet Alpine Wildlife Park, crosses forested areas, and enters the valley. You will spend the night in one of the small villages in the Arve Valley, whose river is fed by glaciers.

• Distance: 14 km
• Ascent: 550 m
• Descent: 1,570 m
• Accommodation: Arve (including breakfast)

Walk along the famous Mont Blanc Tramway, admiring the spectacular overhead railway, whose terminal is right next to the glacier!

An exciting alpine trail takes you across a suspension bridge over a rushing glacial stream. You will then pass through mountain pastures and ascend to Col de Tricot (2,120 m) before descending to the Miage refuge. After another climb, you’ll reach the comfortable Truc-Alpe rest point, enjoying local treats while listening to the sound of cowbells.

Your destination, Les Contamines, is located in the Montjoie Valley and is famous for cheeses produced in the surrounding alpine pastures. Don’t forget to visit a local cheese workshop and taste Savoy cheese, accompanied by red wine and fresh French baguettes.

• Distance: 10–18 km (partly using a shuttle)
• Ascent: 550–1,460 m
• Descent: 1,290 m
• Duration: approx. 4–7 hours

• Accommodation: Les Contamines (including breakfast)

  

This section of the journey will get your heart racing: you’ll walk along roads once traveled by the Romans, pass through noisy valleys, admire colorful rock formations, and traverse between alpine lakes and two high mountain passes!

You will pass the southernmost part of Mont Blanc, enjoying endless views of the French Alps. Follow the river at a gentle pace to reach the baroque sanctuary of Notre Dame de la Gorge, where a long ascent begins, crossing Col du Bonhomme (2,329 m) and continuing to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,450 m). Recharge at the traditional alpine refuge, Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, run by the French Alpine Club.

Finally, you’ll pass through alpine pastures dotted with mountain streams and reach the small village of Les Chapieux! A short shuttle will take you down to your overnight stop in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, where you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine.

• Distance: 18 km
• Ascent: 1,385 m
• Descent: 960 m
• Duration: approx. 6–7 hours

• Accommodation: Bourg-Saint-Maurice (including breakfast)

  

After returning to the Vallée des Glaciers, you will ascend to the Col de la Seigne, crossing the France–Italy border and enjoying spectacular panoramic views. You will then walk through flower-filled meadows to reach the traditional Italian mountain hut, Rifugio Elisabetta. The emerald glacial lakes of Lacs de Miage are also worth visiting. Afterward, you can choose to take a bus or shuttle (depending on the season) to Courmayeur, the famous hometown of mountaineers and high-altitude climbers.

• Distance: 15 km
• Ascent: 765 m
• Descent: 915 m
• Duration: approx. 4–5 hours

• Accommodation: Courmayeur (including breakfast)

  

Pass Rifugio Bertone and follow a beautiful mountain trail, taking in the breathtaking scenery. The mountain hut Rifugio Bonatti offers a perfect place to rest, with a balcony overlooking Mont Blanc. The trail continues across bridges and streams to reach the Arnouva Valley at 1,800 m. Take a bus back to Courmayeur.

• Distance: 17 km
• Ascent: 1,160 m
• Descent: 640 m
• Duration: approx. 5 hours

• Accommodation: Courmayeur (including breakfast)

  

Take a bus back to Val Ferret. Today, you will ascend to Col Ferret (2,500 m), crossing into Switzerland’s Valais (Wallis) region. Rest at a mountain hut, enjoy fresh dairy products and the sound of jingling cowbells, then continue to your destination, La Fouly.

• Distance: 14 km
• Ascent: 775 m
• Descent: 1,025 m
• Duration: approx. 4–5 hours
• Accommodation: La Fouly (including breakfast)

The blue alpine river Dranse accompanies you as you walk through forests and pastures, passing towering mountain cliffs on your way to the valley. Quaint traditional mountain villages, with their stone houses and cornfields, make this gentle valley hike a visual delight. Finally, the Murmeltierweg (Marmot Trail) leads you to Champex, a mountain area known for its dense forests and clear lakes.

• Distance: 15 km
• Ascent: 670 m
• Descent: 850 m
• Duration: approx. 4 hours

• Accommodation: Champex (including breakfast)

  

Beautiful forest and meadow trails lead you down to the Plan de l’Au plateau, followed by a long ascent to higher pastures. You will climb to the Bovine hut, enjoying magnificent views of the Rhône Valley and uniquely shaped rock formations, with opportunities to rest among fields of gentians and alpine roses. Then you will descend to Trient, a village known for its pink church and the spectacular glaciers on the surrounding peaks. Finally, transfer back to Martigny.

• Distance: 16 km
• Ascent: 830 m
• Descent: 1,070 m
• Duration: approx. 5 hours
• Accommodation: Martigny (including breakfast)

You can choose to return home directly or extend your European trip—feel free to consult our travel advisors. For more beautiful photos, please refer to our gallery. https://mountain-13.com/