Tour Overview
The Mont Blanc Circuit is deservedly one of Europe's classic walks, circumnavigating western Europe's highest mountain. This exciting itinerary concentrates on some of the most spectacular sections of the circuit, thus enabling us to produce a hard and exhilarating one-week trip for the trekking enthusiast. Overnighting in simple family-run accommodation, we trek clockwise around the Mont Blanc Massif from the Col de la Forclaz to Champex (Switzerland) and Courmayeur (Italy), before reaching our final destination of Chamonix (France).
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1Start at the Col de la Forclaz (1526m). A short (unguided) walk to view the Trient Glacier is an option this afternoon, depending on arrival time. Later there will be a full briefing from your leader and time to spilt bags between items to be transferred to Chamonix, for the end of the trip, and things you will carry with you.
Day 2
We leave the Col de la Forclaz from where we can look directly down into the Rhône valley and the Swiss town of Martigny. Following our path through the forest and up to high alpine pastures (great for flowers in the early season) the 'Bovine route' (1,986 m) affords dramatic views over Swiss peaks and valleys. After lunch we descend to our accommodation in the charming village of Champex (1,486 m) set beside a picturesque alpine lake. In good weather we take the trail adjacent to the Trient Glacier to cross the pass known as the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665m) which affords dramatic views over the Trient glacier before descending into the Arpette Valley (1,627m) and down to our accommodation in the charming village of Champex (1,486 m) set beside a picturesque alpine lake. In poor weather we would take the lower trail, the 'Bovine route' (1,986 m), through the forest and up to high alpine pastures (great for flowers in the early season). The Swiss town of Martigny is in sight far below.
Day 3
Now on the east side of the main Mont Blanc Massif we walk south, descending through woods to the Val Ferret and on to Issert (1,055 m) and other pretty alpine farming villages. This can be a good day for flowers, including orchids. We continue up the valley to La Fouly (1,593 m). From our hotel we look out onto the glaciated face of Mt. Dolent, whose summit is at the meeting point of France, Switzerland and Italy.
Day 4
Still following the valley and the river 'La Drance', we climb steadily to the 'Grand Col Ferret' (2,536 m), the highest pass of the tour. The mountain views from the Col are stunning with Grandes Jorasses dominating the scene. Now in Italy, we descend into the valley also called 'Val Ferret' and walk down to Planpincieux (1,600 m) then travel by bus to our Pension in Courmayeur Hotel in La Palud.
Day 5
We travel by bus to La Vissaille (1660m) then climb gently along the Val Veny beneath the massive glacier de Miage and pass Lac Combal. The gradient becomes steeper as we follow the old Roman road and head for todays pass: the 'Col de la Seigne' (2,516m), which marks our re-entry into France. A fairly steep descent brings us through La Ville des Glaciers (1,789 m) and finally after quite a long walking day to Les Chapieux (1,553 m), a small hamlet inhabited only during the summer months.
Day 6
6 We have now reached the southwest corner of the circuit and turn north to climb once again. First we ascend to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,478m), then contour across to the Col du Bonhomme (2,328m) and then descend again on a Roman road into the Val Montjoie and the town of Les Contamines (1,175 m). Our private transfer will be waiting for us at the bottom of the mountain to take us to Chamonix.
Day 7
Our final, and perhaps one of our most spectacular days walking as we trek a section of the Grand Balcon Sud route, past the beautiful photogenic Lac Blanc (2352m) with spectacular views over the Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc behind. Our route will then drop sharply down to Chamonix (1030m) and the end of our trek.
Day 8
End in Chamonix.
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