Tour Du Mont Blanc

On our first day, our IML guide will meet you at the hotel in Chamonix at 8:30 AM for a quick briefing before we begin the TMB in earnest.

Our journey starts with a short transfer to the Bellevue lift in Les Houches, which will whisk us up to 1900m. This is the point where both the TMB and an ascent of Mont Blanc begin.

We will descend over the cog railway tracks and start on a balcony trail through the forest, dropping again to cross a suspension bridge over a roaring glacial river below. The glacier of Bionnassay, beautiful yet gnarled, hangs above as the forest clears to open alpine pasture, revealing our first col, the Col du Tricot (2120m), on the skyline.

From the col, we descend to the alpage of Miage for lunch. After lunch, we face another short climb, followed by a picturesque descent through the forest until we reach Contamines.

At Citizens of the Wild, we like to do things differently and delve into the real wild mountains. Unlike anyone else, we take a lift up from Contamines to an incredible refuge called La Rosalette, a true wild resting place.

• Distance: 10.8 km
• Elevation Gain: 630 m
• Elevation Loss: 1250 m

We descend from our refuge and pick up a traversing path across the wide open mountainside, over a ridge, above waterfalls and farmhouse refuges below. We are likely to be completely alone here before we join up with the TMB normal route and meet hikers coming from the beaten path below.

We arrive in a round coome and soon only cliffs and knolls surround us as we make our way to the first of our three cols today, the Col du Bonhomme (2329m). The col has magnificent views of the Tarentaise region, peaks strike high into the sky and the green valleys below are mottled with cows famous for the cheese produced here.

Lunch is at the col and you will have some time to rest warm legs, before we start up again after lunch, rising steadily along a balcony path towards the col du Croix du Bonhomme (2412m).
The final descent of the day is through textured rolling mountainside as we descend to the village of Chapieux, the most isolated place we stay on the whole journey. No wifi here I'm afraid, looks like we will have to have an old-fashioned good time.

Distance - 17.2km Elevation Gain - 1132m

Elevation Loss - 1127m

From our refuge at Les Mottets, we will head directly upwards towards Italy.

As we inch upwards towards the Col de la Seigne (2516m), a familiar face appears on the horizon. Steep and immense, the south side of Mont Blanc always blows the heart wide open. As we reach the Col and cross into Italy, the huge scale and variety of this massif become abundantly clear.

We leave France behind and descend into the Val Veni. The word “Veni” in Italian means “to come,” and it couldn’t be more perfectly named. It is one of Earth’s wild places where, to really understand and believe how beautiful our planet can be, you simply must “come” and see it.

From the monstrous peaks to the hanging glaciers, from the moraines left by now-receded glaciers to the lush green meadows and milky glacial streams and lakes, we move through this hallowed land. Then we continue our journey upward to our refuge, which sits below the rocky Mont Chetif and looks out over the whole massif in all its resplendent glory.

• Distance: 17.5 km
• Elevation Gain: 1145 m
• Elevation Loss: 1060 m

A steep climb out of Courmayeur leads us to Rifugio Bertone.

Looking out onto the Mont Blanc Massif, we take a moment to snack and refill our water bottles.

Next, we veer off the normal route and take a variant up along the crest of a ridge towards the Tête De La Tronche (2581m). Walking along the crest of this ridge is truly something to behold.

We enjoy our packed lunch high on Col Sapin before descending the wild Plan de Malatra to the renowned Rifugio Bonatti. The impressive altitude gain balances the shorter distance. We believe this is one of the most spectacular variants available on the Mont Blanc circuit and one not to be missed.

• Distance: 12.2 km
• Elevation Gain: 1369 m
• Elevation Loss: 597 m

From our refuge, we traverse one last section of the stunning Italian balcony before descending into Val Ferret. Our attention now turns to one of the most challenging sections of the trip, the Grand Col Ferret (2,537m).

As we wind up the ascent, Refugio Elena offers us a mid-morning coffee break. An additional 400m in elevation brings us to the Col, marking the frontier between Italy and Switzerland. Here, we take in the breathtaking views, with Mont Dolent and the Grand Combin standing out as highlights.

After lunch, we enjoy a descent on a pleasantly graded trail to La Peule. Here, we opt for a scenic balcony walk instead of following the asphalt road. As we continue to descend, we become engulfed in conifer forests, crossing glacial streams and passing cattle farms. Soon, the quaint Swiss town of La Fouly comes into view.

• Distance: 19.1 km
• Elevation Gain: 944 m
• Elevation Loss: 1332 m

Today, there are two options available. For those seeking an extra challenge, we can take the steep Fenêtre d’Arpette route, which passes through the stunning Arpette valley before rising steeply to the Fenêtre (window), located right next to the hanging seracs of the Glacier du Trient.

Our second option is the Bovine Path, an ancient cow path that meanders through lush forest. We'll stop off at Natalie’s converted cow shed for her famous Swiss Rösti before descending to the Col de la Forclaz. Both options offer world-class trekking experiences, each with its unique highlights. The two paths converge in the village of Trient, where a pink church stands out in this small Swiss border village.

• Distance: 13.1 km
• Elevation Gain: 1202 m
• Elevation Loss: 1338 m

This morning, we begin on a beautiful steep path, a quieter and more scenic option than the normal route. We rise through lush pine and spruce forests before gaining a ridge that leads us on wild paths towards the peak called Croix de Fer (2343m). As we ascend, the entire massif which we have now circumnavigated bursts into view.

The giants—the Aiguille Verte, the Grande Jorasses, Les Dru, Les Droits, and Mont Blanc—rear their storied heads into the sky. Our own heads, now filled with stories from our journey among these megaliths, are sure to be smiling at the success of our efforts as we make a final rising traverse towards our last col, the Col du Balme.

From here, we descend into the valley on winding trails, where we will meet our transfer and be taken back to Chamonix.

On the last night, we will celebrate together at our farewell dinner, no doubt reflecting on the challenges, the laughter, and the bonds we've built, and perhaps looking forward to the future challenges inspired by this famous place.

• Distance: 17.5 km
• Elevation Gain: 1145 m
• Elevation Loss: 1060 m