Full Tour du Mont Blanc - Incl. Rest Day

This varied route from Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur starts high above Val Veny and passes Lac Combal, Lac des Vesses and Lago Checrouit. With just over 500 m of ascent and some T3 sections, expect a mix of steady paths and rougher mountain terrain.

From Rifugio Elisabetta, you follow the Combal Lake Road towards Lac Combal, then climb away from the valley floor towards Arête du Mont Favre. Along the way, you get views towards Mont Blanc and the Miage Glacier before the trail bends towards Lago Checrouit.

After Lago Checrouit, the route descends past Rifugio Maison Vieille and continues over the slopes above Courmayeur. If you want to reduce the descent, it is good to know that taking the cable car down can be an option, although availability is limited in some months. Otherwise, the final section leads down via Dolonne into Courmayeur, where you finish at your accommodation.

Today is a well-earned rest day in Courmayeur, a charming Italian mountain town at the foot of Mont Blanc. Take time to relax and recharge, explore the quaint streets, enjoy a leisurely meal, or simply unwind at a comfortable hotel or spa.

From Courmayeur, the trail climbs straight into the mountains towards Rifugio Giorgio Bertone. After leaving the streets of town, you quickly trade the valley for shaded forest paths and a steady climb on the hillside above Courmayeur. It is a compact mountain stage with very little descent, so the effort is mainly in keeping a steady uphill pace.

The first part leads you through Courmayeur on local streets before the route picks up the mountain path. From there, the climb becomes more consistent, winding through the forest in long bends and switchbacks. The Forest Path is the main section of the ascent, following shaded trail with stones, roots and rougher ground underfoot.

Higher on the slope, the forest opens in places and you get views back over Courmayeur, Mont Chétif and the Mont Blanc massif. The final stretch continues uphill towards Rifugio Giorgio Bertone. You arrive directly at the mountain hut, high above the valley and with the main climb of the route behind you.

Today, enjoy a hearty breakfast: one of the great climbs of the Tour, the Col Ferret, awaits you. First, you hike to Rifugio Bonatti, named after the legendary climber. From here, it takes about 3 hours to cross the col and reach the Swiss Val Ferret. The view of the Grand Combin is breathtaking. You will spend the night in Gîte Alpage de La Peule, just before you descend to La Fouly.

Welcome to Switzerland. Today, you have a fairly mild hike scheduled, from La Fouly to Champex, an idyllic spot in the Swiss Alps. Here you can enjoy the peace and have the opportunity to walk along the shores of the beautiful Lake Champex. You will spend the night at the foot of the Fenêtre d'Arpette, in the Relais d'Arpette of the same name.

Start the day by passing Gîte Bon Abri. From Plan de l’Au, the trail climbs steadily through forests and meadows to the Alpage de Bovine. After a short break among the grazing cows, continue uphill to the Col de Portalo, the highest point of the day, with stunning views over the Martigny Valley.

Begin your descent through forest paths and open terrain until you reach the Hôtel du Col de la Forclaz. From here, it’s just one final downhill stretch to the village of Trient.

The Col de la Balme is not only the border between Switzerland and France but also the passage that takes us back to the Chamonix Valley from the opposite end to where we left it. From the top, you have an impressive view of Mont Blanc, the Dru, or the Aiguille du Chardonett. From here we go down to Tré la Tête by the Aiguille des Posettes.

This option is slightly easier as it avoids a section with ladders. If you are not comfortable with heights, we recommend this alternative route.

The Southern Balcony is a classic excursion for anyone visiting Chamonix. The ascent is gentle, and at the top you are rewarded with stunning views from Lac Blanc, one of the highlights of the entire trip. You can pause for lunch at the Lac Blanc Refuge before continuing on the final stretch toward the Planpraz cable car. From there, you can either hike down to Chamonix along T3 trails with some exposed sections, or take the cable car. If you prefer to shorten the stage, you can also descend by cable car from the Refuge de La Flégère.

Note: The chairlift down to Chamonix stops operating at 5:00 PM. Make sure to plan your descent accordingly.