Great Tour du Mont Blanc off the beaten track in 9 days

Carry your bag, live the adventure!

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9-Day Grand Tour of Mont Blanc Off the Beaten Path – No Luggage Transfers

Experience the full Tour du Mont Blanc with this new 9-day itinerary through France, Switzerland, and Italy.
This route offers an essential trek for mountain lovers, taking you deep into the heart of the spectacular landscapes surrounding the roof of Europe.

There are no luggage transfers on this adventure — you’ll carry your backpack from start to finish, allowing for a truly immersive and authentic experience.
Each day’s stage leads you to welcoming mountain refuges and alpine inns, where you’ll enjoy warm hospitality and local specialties in a friendly atmosphere.

An unforgettable and unique trek through some of the most breathtaking panoramas in the Alps.

Votre conseiller

Pierrick Delattre 06 65 93 29 29 contact@watse.fr

Pierrick is a native of the Mont Blanc region and the founder of Watse Trekking.
A true mountain lover, he has turned his passion into both his playground and his profession — for your greatest enjoyment.

He will lead you off the beaten path, along routes he has personally designed and mapped out.
With his experience and enthusiasm, which he shares at every step, you can follow his lead with complete confidence.

Highlights of the trek

The most beautiful stages of the Tour du Mont Blanc in 9 Days

Authentic and friendly accommodations

A unique trekking experience with semi-autonomy

Low impact: no luggage transfers and a preference for public transport

An expert and passionate guide of the Mont Blanc and surrounding region

Duration

9 days

Difficulties

4/5

Group

12 max.

Starting point

Chamonix

Departure date

7 dates during summer

Accommodation

Shared dormitories

Luggages

No luggage transfer

Detailed program

Day 1 : Chamonix – Le Tour

5:30 of walk – Accommodations : Guesthouse or Hostel – 510 m ascent / 1160 m descent

We meet this morning at 9:00 AM on the esplanade of the Prarion cable car in Les Houches. After a short bus transfer, we arrive at Plan Praz, where a gondola takes us up to the summit.

This is where our Tour du Mont Blanc begins, with a stunning traverse toward La Flégère.

Along the way, the balcony trail offers exceptional views of the Mont Blanc massif and its glaciers. At the end of the day, we begin our descent toward Le Tour.

Overnight in a gîte.

Day 2 : Le Tour – Trient

7 h of walk – Accommodation: guesthouse or hostel – 920 m ascent / 990 m descent

On this second day, we begin a beautiful ascent through the alpine meadows to reach the Col de Balme (2,190 m), the crossing point into Switzerland. From the summit, the panorama unfolds: on one side, Mont Blanc; on the other, the stunning Trient Valley.

We then continue with a pleasant descent to the village of Trient, nestled in the heart of the mountains. Overnight in a mountain inn or guesthouse.

Day 3 : Trient – Champex – La Fouly

Choice 1 : 5 h of walk – Accommodation : mountain hut – 925 m ascent / 715 m descent
Choice 2 : 7 h of walk – Accommodation : mountain hut – 1260 m ascent / 915 m descent

Overlooking Martigny and the Rhône Valley, our route takes us through beautiful alpine meadows toward Champex. Depending on the group’s condition and current circumstances*, two options are available: the panoramic route via the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665 m) or the gentler but equally stunning path through Bovine.

From Champex, a short public transport ride brings us to the charming village of La Fouly. Overnight in a mountain hut.

*The itinerary will be chosen by your guide.

Day 4 : La Fouly – Frassatti

6h30 of walk – Accommodation : mountain hut – 750 m ascent / 650 m descent

We start the day with a short transfer to the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard (2,469 m), the starting point of our stage. From there, we begin the ascent to our mountain refuge.

Throughout the trek, the majestic south face of the Mont Blanc massif unfolds before us, creating a spectacular backdrop.

Nestled in a stunning natural setting, the refuge welcomes us for a night at altitude.

Day 5 : Frassatti – Col Chécrouit

6 h of walk – Accommodation : mountain hut and guesthouse – 850 m ascent / 2000 m descent

On this fifth day, we begin with a beautiful trail leading to the Col de Malatra, nestled in the heart of an impressive rocky and steep ridge. The breathtaking panorama there is truly unforgettable.

After descending to the Bonatti refuge, we continue by bus to Courmayeur, the iconic Italian capital of mountaineering. A stroll through the old town lets us soak in its authentic atmosphere before we head back up in altitude via the gondola to Col Chécrouit. Overnight in a mountain refuge.

Day 6 : Col Chécrouit – Les Chapieux

6 h of walk – Accommodation : mountain hut abd guesthouse – 1130 m ascent / 1480 m descent

Today, we leave Italy to return to France. After reaching Val Veny, we continue our ascent to the Col de la Seigne (2,514 m), which marks the border between Italy and France.

From the col, a long panoramic descent awaits us through the vast alpine meadows of the Beaufortain. Gradually, we reach the hamlet of Les Chapieux, known as the birthplace of the famous Beaufort cheese. Overnight in a mountain refuge or guesthouse.

Day 7 : Les Chapieux – La Gittaz

7 h of walk – Accommodation : mountain hut – 920 m ascent / 880 m descent

Today’s stage between the Beaufortain and the Mont Blanc massif takes us into a wild and rugged landscape. We cross the Rocher du Vent, a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Lake Roselend, before continuing our descent facing Mont Blanc toward Lake La Giettaz. Overnight in a guesthouse or mountain refuge.

Day 8 : La Gittaz – Roselette

6h30 of walk – 1190 m ascent / 970 m descent

This morning, we take the Curé trail to reach the Col du Bonhomme, before continuing our ascent toward the Fenêtre Pass. Once we cross the pass, we begin the descent, passing near the Prés chalets, then proceed at a relaxed pace toward our refuge for the night.

Day 9 : Roselette – Les Houches

6h30 of walk – 1400 m ascent / 1460 m descent

Last day of hiking, but the adventure isn’t over yet: stunning landscapes will continue to accompany us throughout this stage!

Depending on the group’s condition and the day’s weather, it’s possible to take the variant via the Col du Tricot (2,120 m), offering spectacular views of the Bionnassay Glacier. The final descent to Les Houches will be made by gondola, where we return to Prarion around 4:30 PM, marking a beautiful end to this grand tour.

*Your guide will decide on the best option.

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Useful information

Transfers & luggage

No luggage transfers: You carry your belongings for the entire trek.

This trek includes only one private transfer, on day 4. All other transportation will be by public transit.

Level

The trip as a whole is at an intermediate level. Ideally, this trip is for you if you already have some experience (even a little) of semi-autonomous trekking, with all your equipment.

The walks are between 6 and 8 hours a day for the duration of the trip. Some sections may be more difficult, particularly at the start of the season with the residual snow.

You should be able to climb at least 1000 metres per day over several consecutive days.

We strongly advise you to take part in regular endurance sports and to prepare yourself specifically for this trip.

Access and accommodation

Access to the starting point:

Meet at the Prarion cable car, in Les Houches, on the departure day at 9:00 AM.

By car : You can leave your vehicle at the TMB parking lot in Les Houches. It is a free outdoor parking area. There are no free parking spaces in Chamonix.

By train : To reach Chamonix, it takes approximately 3.5 hours by train from Lyon, 8 hours from Paris, and 2 hours from Geneva. In just a few hours, you can be at the foot of Mont Blanc, in the center of Chamonix, without having to worry about parking, tolls, or heavy traffic. By choosing the train, you are opting for the most environmentally friendly mode of transport, while enjoying a comfortable journey, ensuring you arrive in great shape for your Tour du Mont Blanc.

You can find schedules and prices on the SNCF website : https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/home/search.

Back to the starting point : End of the hike in Les Houches.

Accommodations to stay before and after the trip :

Saint Antoine Hotel: 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – +33 (0)4 50 54 40 10 – https://www.hotelsaintantoine.com/
Rocky Pop: 1476 avenue des Alpages, 74310 Les Houches – +33 (0)4 85 30 00 00 – https://www.rockypop.com/chamonix/
Cosmiques Hotel : 37 impasse des Rhododendrons, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc – +33 (0)4 85 30 02 01 – https://www.cosmiqueschamonix.com/

Equipment

Even if you’re doing it in summer, temperatures can be cool on the Tour du Mont Blanc trails! We strongly recommend that you pack clothing suitable for a multi-day hike, such as:

a fleece
a windproof and waterproof jacket
a hiking trouser, ideally convertible into shorts

We recommend you take a backpack of at least 50l, so that you can carry enough for 8 days’ walking, picnics and all the equipment you need. Be careful, however, not to overfill your bag. You need to be able to carry all your gear for the 8 days of walking, some of which will be very steep. We recommend that you opt for merino clothing that can be worn for several days without smelling, and for equipment that can be used for several purposes (Aleppo soap that can also be used as shampoo, a neckwear that can also be used as a head covering).

As the terrain is varied, we recommend high-top hiking boots that provide good protection for the ankles. Accommodation provides blankets and pillows, but you will need a silk sheet for hygiene reasons. For more information, see our page dedicated to equipment for the Tour du Mont Blanc.

If you have any questions about equipment or how to prepare your bag, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Insurance

To travel with peace of mind, Trekking Mont Blanc offers two insurance policies in partnership with Assur Travel, specially designed to meet the needs of a trek such as the Tour du Mont Blanc. These options, Cancellation and Multirisk, provide coverage to deal with unforeseen circumstances throughout your trip.

Cancellation Insurance :

This option covers the cancellation of your trip for a valid reason (illness, accident, etc.) before the departure date. You will be reimbursed for the amounts paid, subject to the conditions specified in the policy.

Cost : 3.15% of the trip price
Subscription : Mandatory upon registration
In case of cancellation, you should contact the insurance company directly to file your claim, with our team’s assistance if needed.

Multirisk Insurance :

The Multirisk option offers comprehensive coverage, including :

Cancellation Insurance
Emergency repatriation assistance : perfectly suited for mountain treks
Mountain search and rescue costs : up to €30,000
Luggage: in case of loss, theft, or damage
Medical expenses abroad
Individual accident insurance
Civil liability abroad
Inability to return or quarantine in case of an epidemic
Cost : 4.45% of the trip price
Subscription : Mandatory upon registration

Whether you choose the Cancellation or Multirisk option, you will benefit from optimal coverage to enjoy your adventure with complete peace of mind. The insurance cost depends on the price of your trip, and you can select the desired option when booking.

Booking

To make a reservation, you must:

Click on one of the “Book” links and choose your insurance and date options.
Choose your payment method (cheque, bank transfer, credit card). Several payment methods are available. For payment by cheque: Make payable to WATSE and send to : WATSE – 63 avenue de la gare – 74170 Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet – France. For payment by bank transfer, please contact us to receive our bank details. For payment by credit card: Your invoice will be in your online account as soon as the bank has confirmed payment for your holiday. You will then be able to pay the balance directly from your account.
Pay 35 % deposit or the balance of your stay
Print out the registration form, fill it in, sign it and send it back to us by e-mail or post. The booking of your stay will only be effective when 35 % of the amount has been credited to WATSE’s account.
The balance of the trip must be paid no later than 1 month before departure without a reminder from us.

Private transfers

Our agency offers a private shuttle service to get you around the Mont Blanc region.

Our team can liaise between your place of arrival (Chamonix station, Geneva airport, etc.) and the location of your hotel or the starting point of your trek, for example.

We also offer a number of transfers on the Tour du Mont Blanc, so you can avoid the parts that are less interesting or too difficult.

To find out more about the routes on offer and book a journey, click here !

Service available every day during the summer, from 6am to 8pm.

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