Mont Blanc self guided circuit : 7 days of adventure
Hike across Switzerland, Italy, and France from peak to peak with stunning glacier views
The Mont Blanc self-guided circuit offers an incredible way to trek at mid-altitude, deep in the high mountains, between majestic peaks and imposing glaciers, while exploring breathtaking landscapes each day. Winding along balcony trails through the Swiss Valais, the Italian Aosta Valley, and French Savoie, this self-guided Mont Blanc circuit lets you enjoy the freedom of discovering the Alps at your own pace.
What really impresses is the closeness to the glaciers, offering a spectacular show throughout the route. The itinerary is planned in reverse to give you a quieter mountain experience, away from the usual crowded paths.
You can choose from different options: dormitory or private room, with or without baggage transport.
With challenging yet rewarding elevation gains, each night in a mountain refuge becomes a well-earned moment of rest. The Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided circuit is an unforgettable adventure, full of exceptional panoramas and timeless stories.
Les plus de La Vie Sauvage
- Reversed itineray for a calmer 7 day tour
- Mont Blanc circuit self guided
- Iconic scenery
7 jours
/ 6 nuits
Prix : Nous consulter
Activité
Hike
ItinéranceVoyage Point-to-point
Type de voyage
Liberté
Niveau physique : Niveau technique : Départs possibles du 25 septembre au 25 septembre
Programme jour par jour
Day 1 : Hike from Le Tour to Col de Balme to Trient
Your 7-day Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided adventure begins at 10:30 AM with a meet-up at Montroc-le-Planet train station to collect your luggage before setting off (if you’ve chosen the baggage transport option). From the village of Montroc, a short 1 km walk brings you to the charming village of Le Tour.
You then start a gentle climb towards the Chalets de Charamillon, with the option to reach the Col de Balme or follow the stunning Posettes balcony trail. This path offers breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the sparkling glaciers of Le Tour and Argentière.
The descent leads through beautiful Swiss alpine meadows to the peaceful village of Trient-a perfect haven to rest and reflect on a day full of discoveries.
HIKING TIME : 5h
ASCENT : 840 m
DESCENT : 920 m
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Day 2 : Hike from Bovine or Fenêtre d'Arpette to Champex
On your second day, you have two route options. The first takes you through the peaceful alpine pastures of Bovine, following a balcony trail that majestically overlooks the Rhône Valley. The more challenging option leads via the legendary Fenêtre d’Arpette at 2,665 m. This high-altitude passage immerses you in a spectacular rocky landscape before a gentle descent to Champex, a charming Swiss village nestled around a mountain lake.
Whichever option you choose, the day promises breathtaking panoramas at every turn.
HIKING TIME : 6h via Bovine (6h30 via Arpette)
ASCENT : 1,100 m ia Bovine (1,300 m via Arpette)
DESCENT : 750 m via Bovine (970 m via Arpette)
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Day 3 : Hike from Grand Col Ferret to Italian Val Ferret
After a short bus transfer, you begin your ascent through the Peule alpine pastures up to the Grand Col Ferret, reaching 2,537 meters. This gradual climb brings you to the Swiss-Italian border, where the landscape changes dramatically. For the more adventurous, a detour to the Tête Ferret is possible. Once you cross the border, you descend into the Italian Val Ferret, enjoying breathtaking views of the majestic Grandes Jorasses. Every step brings you closer to the wonders of the Italian high mountains.
Overnight in a mountain hut or refuge, with a possible short bus transfer to reach the accommodation (Val Ferret or La Palud, depending on availability).
HIKING TIME : 6h
ASCENT : 850 m
DESCENT : 800 m
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Day 4 : Hike from Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur
On your 4th day of the 7-day Mont Blanc tour, you’ll ascend through the authentic hamlets of Sécheron and Armina to reach the extraordinary balcony trail of Mont de la Saxe. Suspended above the valley, this path offers spectacular views of the southern Mont Blanc massif, with Mont Dolent, the Aiguille du Triolet, and the Grandes Jorasses as a breathtaking backdrop. For the more adventurous, an optional climb to Col Sapin is available.
Finally, you descend to Courmayeur and, after a short transfer, reach your mountain hut perched above the village.
HIKING TIME : 5h30
ASCENT : 650 m
DESCENT : 1,200 m
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Day 5 : Hike from Col de la Seigne to Les Mottets or les Chapieux
This day takes you through the Val Veny to Rifugio
Elisabetta, with an optional stop at the stunning Lac de Miage. You
then climb to Col de la Seigne, marking the border between Italy
and France, with incredible views of Mont Blanc’s far side. For
those seeking a challenge, an alpine variant via the Chécroui
balcony and Mont Fortin is available.
The day ends with a descent to either Refuge des Mottets
or Les Chapieux, depending on availability.
HIKING TIME : 6h30
ASCENT : 850 m
DESCENT : 650 m
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or mountain refuge
LUGGAGE
TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this
option)
Day 6 : Hike from Col des Fours or crête des Gittes to Col du Bonhomme to Les Contamines-Monjoie
Col des Fours, at 2,665 m, is the highest point of your
7-day Mont Blanc tour, offering a truly spectacular alpine setting.
After this ascent, you descend to Col du Bonhomme, a historic pass
once used by peddlers. If you stayed at Les Chapieux the night
before, you’ll head straight to Col du Bonhomme; from Roselend, the
route climbs via the Gittes ridge.
The descent follows the old Roman road down to the chapel of
Notre-Dame de la Gorge, and a regular (free) bus transfer takes you
to your hotel for a well-earned night’s rest.
HIKING TIME : 6h30 (5h30 via Crêtes des Gittes)
ASCENT : 850 m (700 m via Crête des Gittes)
DESCENT : 1,500 m (950 m via Crêtes des Gittes)
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Day 7 : Hike from Bionnassay glacier to Col du Tricot to Les Houches
On the final day of your 7-day Mont Blanc tour, you’ll take a (free) transfer to La Gruvaz before ascending toward the Bionnassay Glacier. You can choose to pass through the charming village of Champel or head up to Col du Tricot, perched at 2,120 meters. This viewpoint is a must, offering stunning vistas over the Chamonix Valley beneath the majestic Miage domes and Mont Blanc.
The descent leads you to the village of Les Houches, where this incredible adventure concludes in the early afternoon, with a bus transfer back to Montroc if needed.
HIKING TIME : 5h via Champel (7h30 via col du Tricot)
ASCENT : 850 m via Champel (1,400 m via col du Tricot)
DESCENT : 850 m (1,550 m via col du Tricot)
LUGGAGE TRANSFER : luggage transfer (if you have selected this option)
Modified Itinerary with Lac Blanc on Day 1 (On Request)
Day 1: Les Praz de Chamonix – Lac Blanc – Le Tour
Begin your 7-day Mont Blanc circuit with an exciting ride on the Flégère cable car, taking you up to the Mont Blanc balconies. At 2,300 meters, the sparkling Lac Blanc awaits, a true alpine gem. Continue along the trail to the Chéserys Lakes, enjoying panoramic views at the foot of the majestic Aiguilles Rouges. Descend to Col des Montets, offering breathtaking views of the entire Mont Blanc massif on this exhilarating first day.
Overnight in a cozy mountain lodge in the charming village of Le Tour.
Hiking time: 6h30
Ascent: 600 m
Descent: 850 m
Accommodation: Mountain lodge
Day 2: Le Tour – Col de Balme – Trient
Day 3: Bovine or Fenêtre d’Arpette – Champex
Day 4: Grand Col Ferret – Italian Val Ferret
Day 5: Mont de la Saxe – Courmayeur
Day 6: Col de la Seigne – Les Mottets or Les Chapieux
Day 7: Col des Fours – Col du Bonhomme – Les Contamines
Day 8: Champel or Col du Tricot – Les Houches
Dates et prix
Personnaliser votre voyage
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Les avis sur ce voyage
5
Olivia
13 Août 2024
7 days circuit mont blanc
The first of many!
We chose to do the TMB independently over 7 days, with luggage transfer, and everything went smoothly. The chosen guesthouses were excellent, and the guidebook provided was very well done. Perhaps a few photos of key points along the route could help at times—we did get a little lost on the very first hike, so it’s important to stay alert.
Overall, it was a wonderful hike! The agency occasionally offers alternative paths to the standard mont blanc tour, which is great for more solo walking and stunning viewpoints, so don’t just follow other hikers blindly. Everything was handled by the agency; all we had to do was order our meals the day before. The agency was recommended to us, and we’re happy to recommend them in return.
5
Roger
1 Juillet 2024
mont blanc self guided circuit 7 days
We’ve just completed this self-guided tour of the mont blanc, and everything was perfect. Choosing the direction of travel was a real advantage—it helped us avoid getting stuck behind groups on narrow trails and allowed for a gentler progression of altitude gains. The choice of accommodations was excellent, with a special mention for the Gîte des Chambres du Soleil in Les Chapieux. The paper guide for the route is very detailed.
In short, a magnificent trip with breathtaking views of the glaciers throughout the journey.
5
Linda
4 Septembre 2023
Mont blanc circuit self guided
A truly wonderful experience! First of all, doing the circuit in the “reverse” direction from all the usual guides is a real advantage, letting you avoid the crowds and enjoy the trail more peacefully. Logistically, everything went perfectly—every refuge and transfer was exactly as planned. A special thanks to the agency team, who answered all our questions before departure and kept us updated throughout the week. So many beautiful memories…
5
Thomas
29 Juin 2023
Self guided mont blanc circuit
This is the fifth time we’ve chosen this agency, and we won’t hesitate for a sixth! They have complete mastery over the organisation, logistics, baggage transfers, and shuttle services. The choice of stages is spot on, so the walking days aren’t too long. The guesthouses and hotels were excellent, especially at Les Chapieux and Arpnouva (great meals and accommodation), and for the hotel, we highly recommend the Christiania in Les Contamines—truly outstanding!
The clockwise TMB route is very sensible. There are fewer people, and it feels easier than the reverse direction. We were lucky to have fantastic weather except for one day. A magnificent trek, with breathtaking and diverse landscapes, lush and colourful flora, and wildlife scattered along the route.
In short, a magical experience! Congratulations and thank you to the travel agency—keep up the great work.
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