Italy
Country
9 days
Duration
July-September
When
Breakfast
Board
Optional
Luggage transfer
Comfort
Accomodation
Self-guided
Tour type

Embark on an awe-inspiring journey through the valleys surrounding the iconic Mont Blanc massif, where glacial wonders transport you to a Himalayan-like realm. This self-guided hiking adventure will lead you on a cross-border exploration, offering a variety of routes through Italy, France, and Switzerland.

Tour Highlights:

  • Panoramic alpine passes: Traverse the Mont Blanc region and embark on an exhilarating adventure through magnificent trails suitable for hikers of all skill levels. As you cross international borders, you’ll witness diverse landscapes and unparalleled vistas.
  • Moderate stages with local flavors: Immerse yourself in the charm of local culture during leisurely stages designed for your enjoyment. Convenient local buses simplify lower valley sections, making your journey even more pleasurable.
  • Comfortable overnight stays: After each day’s exploration, relax in cozy small hotels, where you’ll savor delectable regional cuisine. Recharge in the heart of the picturesque Mont Blanc region, preparing for each day’s adventure.

Unveil the captivating trails of the Mont Blanc region at your own pace with our self-guided tour, equipped with maps and GPS waypoints. This is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Alps, experience local culture, and explore one of the world’s most iconic mountain regions on your terms.

With the Mont Blanc Panoramic Trek, you can witness the grandeur of the Mont Blanc massif and its glacial wonders without the constraints of a set itinerary. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Alps, experience local culture, and explore one of the world’s most iconic mountain regions on your terms.

 

Included Services

  • 8 overnight stays incl. breakfast. 2 dinners in the huts
  • Welcome briefing
  • Service hotline
  • Detailed travel documents
  • Luggage transfer optional
  • Flight + public transport
  • Travel insurance
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!

What to bring

Equipment and clothing to bring for Alpine hikes and runs
We’ve compiled a list of essential items you’ll need to take on your adventure in the Great Outdoors. While each trip has its own minimum requirements, we have split the list into “need-to-have” and “nice-to-haves”.

Need to have:

Lightweight, waterproof shell
Sunscreen with a high factor
Smartphone with a relevant trip app and a WhatsApp and code number for your local representative
Survival blanket
Thin hat, cap, and thin gloves (merino or similar)
Daypack for hiking (tours with luggage transport)
Duffel bag or similar (trips with luggage transport) — DO NOT pack in suitcases.
30 L rucksack on trips up to six days (without luggage transport)
40 L rucksack on trips of more than six days (without luggage transport)
Quick-drying inner layer
Shorts (quick drying)
Technical t-shirt (quick drying)
Fleece sweater for cool evenings
A pair of comfortable jogging bottoms or similar for the cabins
Good mountain shoes — trail running shoes or hiking boots
Light towel
Water bottle (1.5 L)
A pair of thick socks or light slippers (you can often borrow a pair in the cabins)
Sunglasses
A few energy bars, fruits or similar snacks for the trip
Sheet liner — can also be purchased on-site (only if you are staying in a dormitory)
Small first aid kit
Comped or similar
Sleeping bag (on selected tours)

Nice to have:

Walking poles
Power bank
Chocolate
Sandals for the cabins
Plastic bags to keep things dry

FAQ

What is your refund and cancellation policy?

If you cancel your tour 60 days or more before the departure date, you will lose your deposit. If you cancel your tour between 60 and 45 days before the departure date, you will lose 50 per cent of the total tour price. If you cancel your tour within 45 days of the departure date, you will lose the full amount. If you fail to turn up on the first day of your tour, Outdoor Europe may not be able to make arrangements for you to join the rest of the tour, and you will lose the full payment. If, for any reason, Outdoor Europe has to cancel your tour, you will be offered an alternative tour or a full refund.

How do I book my tour?

You can book your tour directly on the Outdoor Europe website. Choose the tour from the dropdown menu, select the date you would like to start, and the number of participants in your group. You can either pay a deposit (60 days or more from the start of your tour) or pay the full amount. Click ‘book’ and follow the instructions. Once we have confirmed your payment, you’ll receive your confirmed tour itinerary within 10 days. There may be seasonal variations in the time it takes us to arrange everything. Please note that programmes on the tour pages are only examples — there may be several differences in the final programme you receive.

How do I pay for my tour?

When booking your tour, you can choose to pay by credit/debit card or direct bank transfer. Direct bank transfers will generally take longer to process, while credit and debit card payments are processed instantly. You are, by default, asked to pay a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the tour. If you choose this option, you will be asked to pay the remaining 75% one month before your tour. Please be sure to follow the payment links you receive in your invoice or reminder email, which we will send you when the second payment is due.

Do I get my own room?

This depends on the individual tour and when you book it. When hiking in the Alps, most people stay in dorms or shared rooms as the availability of single, double and family rooms are limited. We can only guarantee your own room on certain tours such as in the Lys and Ayas Valleys — but only if you book in time. If this is your preference, we will do our best to ensure you get your own room, but please expect to spend some nights in shared accommodation if there is limited availability.

Is baggage transfer included with all your Alpine tours?

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service with all our packages. Often, the huts or hotels we work with are in locations that can only be reached by foot or helicopter. Indeed, when choosing a tour that includes baggage transport, there may be one or two exceptions depending on the route. This will appear clearly on the tour page and in the program you receive when your booking has been confirmed.

How many days do your tours last?

All our tours include the day of arrival and the day of departure. This means that a six-day tour will include five nights of accommodation, a seven-day tour will include six nights, and so on. On the first day, guests are usually expected to arrive in the afternoon. And the program does not include any activities except for a briefing by our representative on the first evening. On the day of departure, guests are free to decide if they want to leave directly after breakfast or go on a shorter tour before their journey home.

What meals are included in your Alpine adventure tours?

Most of our tours will include Half Board (HB) services, which means breakfast, a three-course dinner, and a light-packed lunch. Please check the individual tour page for details, however, as variations occur with certain tours.

What is a self-guided tour?

We specialize in self-guided tours. These tours are designed for travelers who love the independence of hiking, skiing, or running on their own but want to know that everything else is taken care of. In some cases, we are able to offer luggage transport to lighten your load as you enjoy the Great Outdoors.

Do you offer group tours?

Whether you’re already a group of friends, business colleagues or a sports club looking for an active mountain adventure, we can design and organize your Alpine tour for you. We also offer guided group tours for individual participants on fixed dates.

Can you create a tour just for me and my friends?

Yes, absolutely! Outdoor Europe can design the perfect mountain adventure for you and your friends or colleagues. Whether you want to hike, ski, run, cycle or climb, we have the expertise and experience needed to create a bespoke package for any level of experience or physicality. Please contact us if you would like us to create a customized package for your group.

Are your outdoor adventure tours family-friendly?

There are few better ways to spend time with your children than with an active holiday in the mountains. Sharing a mountain adventure with your child is a memory that will last a lifetime. We try to design child-friendly variations (marked ‘family’) of all our Alpine tours. Children can hike, ski or bike a lot longer than you might expect, as long as you make it entertaining for them. However, they will respond instantly to the way you behave, so please consider whether you are able to create a safe environment for your children when faced with the many different challenges of an alpine environment.

Do you offer discounts for children?

Yes, we are able to offer a discount for children on most of our tours, provided they are not yet 13 years of age on the first day of the tour. Please see the individual tour page for our child discounts.

Can I travel on my own?

Many single travellers chose Outdoor Europe due to our high level of service and our expertise in self-guided mountain tours. And the safety of one of our representatives will only ever be just a phone call away. However, please expect additional costs, as our prices are based on two persons — the industry standard for outdoor tours of this nature. Private rooms and other services are often more expensive for individual travellers. You can find information about any additional costs for individual travellers on the tour page.

Will I manage?

We are all different. Some of our clients are 70+ and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others may be twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental ability of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for level of physicality, which you can learn more about here. You are of course welcome to call us and we will do our best to advice you. Find your level of physicality here (link to Find your level page).

What if I get lost?

Our local partners know every square inch of this beautiful Alpine region. During the introductory briefing, you will receive an app, physical maps and a phone number to call if you need advice. In some cases, you’ll be able to forward your location to a local guide with the press of a button. This may prove helpful if you become lost.

Do I need travel insurance?

We recommend that you speak to your insurance provider to ensure your existing policy covers mountain-based activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Please note that any costs relating to emergency situations and the potential need for evacuation are the sole responsibility of the client.

Will I be able to cope with the physical challenge?

We are all different. Some of our clients are more than 70 years old and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others are twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental capabilities of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for the level of physicality involved, which you can learn more about on our Find Your Level page. You are, of course, welcome to call us, and we will do our best to advise you.

Can I bring my dog?

Enjoying the mountains with your best friend can be a joyful experience, which is why we try to make our tours dog friendly wherever possible. Unfortunately, it is not always possible due to local rules. Selected tours are marked ‘Dog Friendly’ on the tour page. This means that your dog can stay with you in your private room or, in a few cases, the hut will have a separate or external room for dogs. Please refer to the individual tour page for more information.

*This tour is based on a minimum of two participants. Only the services mentioned above are included in the price.
Luggage transfer is optional

1

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival in Courmayeur and accommodation in hotel.

2

Day 2:

Courmayeur – Bus to Arnouva (1770 m.) – Trek Rifugio Elena (2.062m.) – Gran Ferret pass (2.537 m.) – La Fouly (1592 m.).

First day of the trek begins in the lush Val Ferret, below the Gran Jorasses peaks, with the trail leading up to the Gran Ferret Pass, facing the Triolet Glacier. The descent in Switzerland is on a beautiful trail surrounded by meadows getting then to the small La Fouly village. Dinner is included at the hut on the first night of the trek.

  • 12 km
  • 800 m
  •  900 m
  • App. 5 hours 30 min
3

Day 3:

Bus to Champex-Lac (1470 m.) Trek to Bovine (1975 m.) – Col de la Forclaz pass (1526 m.) – Trient (1297 m.) / alternative route through Fenetre d’Arpette (2.665 m.) – private transfer to Martigny.

With a short bus ride you’ll get to Champex Lac from where you’ll reach Trient crossing the easier Bovine pass or by the demanding Fenetre d’Arpette, facing the Trient glacier and between incredible rocky towers. The driver will wait at the end for the transfer to Martigny. Dinner is included at the hut on the second night of the trek.

The trail leading to Fenetre d’Arpette is stony and rocky, as quite steep in the last section, so only for people with experience on this type of trails.

  • 16 km
  • 750 m
  •  1000 m
  •  App. 5 hours
4

Day 4:

Private transfer to Trient (1297 m.) Trek Col de la Balme (2.191 m.) – Le Tour (1.543 m.) – Bus to Chamonix (1037 m.).

Back to Trient you’ll start the day with a long but regular walk up to the Col du Balme pass and refuge, from where the Mont Blanc view get unfolded! The descent in the Chamonix valley with the views over Aiguille du Tour and Aiguille Verte is amazing!

On the way up it’s possible to extend the tour passing by Refuge les Grandes and the balcony trail leading to Col du Balme pass. On the way down from the pass it’s possible to extend the route passing by the Aiguillette des Poisettes and then going down to Le Tour.

  • 11 km
  •  1000 m
  •  800 m
  •  App. 5 hours 30 min
5

Day 5:

Bus to Argentiere (1320 m.) – Trek to Refuge du Lac Blanc (2352 m.) – Refuge de la Flegere (1913 m.) – Cable car to Chamonix (1037 m.).

Today you’ll explore the west side of the Chamonix valley, getting up to Refuge du Lac Blanc, one of the most beautiful spot on the circuit, facing all the summits of the mountaineering history! The descend can be done with cable cars or by walk. A nice moment to visit as well the Chamonix village, a vibrant alpine centre.

Possible to extend the stage walking down from La Flegere to Chamonix.

  • 10 km
  • 1100 m
  • 500 m
  • App. 5 hours 30 min
6

Day 6:

Bus to Les Houches (1.003 m.) – cable car to Bellevue (1.801 m.) – Trekking Col de Tricot (2120 m.) – Refuge de Miage (1559 m.) – Les Contamines Montjoie (1162 m.).

The today long trail cross meadows, rivers and forests below the Dome du Goutier and the Aiguille de Bionassay, leading up to the panoramic Col Tricot and then the pristine valley below the Glacier du Miage, arriving finally in Les Contamines Montjoie village.

  • 14 km
  •  500 m
  •  1200 m
  •  App. 5 hours
7

Day 7:

Trek Refuge de Nant Borrant (1525 m.) – Refuge de la Balme (1706 m.) – Refuge de la Crux de Bonhomme (2433 m.) – Les Chapieux (1560 m.) – private transfer to Bourg Saint Maurice.

A long day rewarded by amazing views and beautiful environment. From Les Contamines the trail leads up in the valley up to Col de la Crux de Bonhomme, from where the descent through meadows and pastures leads to Les Chapieux. A private transfer will drive you to Bourg S. Maurice.

As in Les Chapieux (Refuge de la Nova, Chambre du Soleil, and the nearby Refuge des Mottets) it’s very difficult to find availability, we provide a private transfer down to Bourg S. Maurice where there’re more accommodations. The day after another private transfer will drive you back to Les Chapieux and Ville de Glaciers where you will start again the trekking.

  • 16 km
  • 1300 m
  • 1000 m
  •  App. 7 hours 30 min
8

Day 8:

Private transfer to Ville de Glaciers -Trek to Refuge des Mottets (1870 m.) – Col de la Seigne pass (2510 m.) – Rifugio Elisabetta (2197 m.) – La Visaille (1659 m.) – Bus to Courmayeur (1220 m.).

Last day of the circuit will bring you back to Italy, crossing one of the most beautiful pass of the tour and leading to the Val Veny, where the sharp Aiguille Noire appears in all its majesty. The descent back to Courmayeur will pass through Rifugio Elisabetta below the Aiguilles de Trelatete and nearby the huge Miage glacies.

Before la Visaille is possible to extend the stage taking the Val Veny balcony trail leading to Rifugio Maison Vieille and then La Visaille.

  •  16 km
  •  800 m
  • 900 m
  • App. 5 hours 30 min
9

Day 9:

Trek Courmayeur (1220 m.) – Rifugio Bertone (1977 m.) – Rifugio Bonatti (2026 m.) – Arnouva (1770 m.) – Public bus to Courmayeur and departure.

Final day with a day hike from Courmayeur to explore properly the Ferret Valley, with great views over the Grand Jorasses and the Aiguille Noire, passing by the Rifugio Bertone and Rifugio Bonatti.

Possible to shorten the stage hiking only to Rifugio Bertone and getting down to Val Ferret with a ring itinerary (about 4 hours).

  • 17,5 km
  • 1000 m
  • 600 m
  • App. 6 hours

trail mt blanc
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