Tour des Combins - Including accommodation before and after
Duration: 9 days
Trails: T2 trails
Distance: 15 - 20 km / 9 - 12 mi per day
Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m / 1640 - 3281 ft ascent per day
>Trek through Italy and Switzerland
>Cross breathtaking lakes in Switzerland
>Including accommodation before and after in Bourg Saint Pierre
The Tour des Combins offers a quieter alternative to the popular Tour du Mont Blanc, which typically ranks among the most crowded hikes in the Alps. If you long for a more peaceful experience without compromising on stunning vistas and challenging hikes, then the Tour des Combins might be your choice. This trek begins and ends in Bourg Saint Pierre, a picturesque town near the Swiss-Italian border.
During our 9-day Tour des Combins, you'll encircle the impressive Massif des Combins, pass by vast lakes, and traverse open fields between the mountains. Also, accommodation before and after in Bourg Saint Pierre is included in this package. During your Tour des Combins, you will stay at Swiss Cabanes and Italian Rifugio's. After a long and often strenuous day on the trails, there's little that can compare to the satisfaction of arriving at a mountain hut and knowing that a warm, nourishing meal awaits you.
Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival day
Today you must make your way to Bourg-Saint-Pierre, where we will have booked a hotel room for you. You can spend the afternoon discovering this welcoming small town before you start your Tour des Combins.
Motel Bivouac de Napoléon (Bourg-Saint-Pierre)
Day
2
From Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Cabane du Col de Mille
Duration: 04:40 h
Distance: 11.9 km / 7.4 mi
Ascent: 950 m / 3117 ft
Descent: 140 m / 459 ft
Starting from Bourg-Saint-Pierre, you begin your trek by almost immediately venturing into the mountains and embarking on your first stage. You steadily climb up to your first accommodation, Cabane du Col de Mille, situated at an elevation of 2472 meters. On this very first day, your legs face a substantial challenge, as you'll be overcoming an elevation gain of a remarkable 1000 meters almost right away. This rapid gain in altitude helps you quickly settle into the rhythm of the journey and allows your body to adapt to the efforts that lie ahead.
Cabane du Col de Mille
Day
3
From Mille to Cabane FXB à Panossière
Duration: 05:50 h
Distance: 14.6 km / 9.1 mi
Ascent: 800 m / 2625 ft
Descent: 620 m / 2034 ft
After your first night's stay, stage 2 is on the agenda. You'll start almost directly at the foot of the Col de Mille and head east towards Cabane Brunet. Here, you can take a short break for a snack and a drink. Then, you continue your journey towards Cabane Panossière, where you have the option to take a detour via the impressive Col des Avouillons before reaching your accommodation for the evening.
Cabane FXB à Panossière
Day
4
From Cabane FXB à Panossière to Mauvoisin
Duration: 03:20 h
Distance: 6.8 km / 4.2 mi
Ascent: 240 m / 787 ft
Descent: 1020 m / 3346 ft
Stage 3 brings a shorter stage that leads you to the picturesque village of Mauvoisin. Nevertheless, this stage includes a significant descent. Your route takes you over the Col des Otanes, the highest point of the entire journey, and ultimately, you reach Mauvoisin, nestled at the foot of the impressive Lac de Mauvoisin.
Hôtel de Mauvoisin
Day
5
From Mauvoisin to Cabane de Chanrion
Duration: 04:20 h
Distance: 10.3 km / 6.4 mi
Ascent: 780 m / 2559 ft
Descent: 170 m / 558 ft
Today, your path mainly follows the shores of Lac de Mauvoisin, a picturesque lake with an extensive length of about 5 kilometers. This lake is not only a visual gem that's perfect for stunning photos, but it also houses one of the highest arch dams in all of Europe. After a hike of more than 10 kilometers, you reach your last Swiss mountain hut of the journey, where you can enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Cabane de Chanrion
Day
6
Cabane de Chanrion - Rifugio Letey-Champillon
Duration: 09:15 h
Distance: 22.4 km / 13.9 mi
Ascent: 1100 m / 3609 ft
Descent: 1140 m / 3740 ft
Stage 5 is the longest and most demanding stage of the Tour des Combins, so it's highly recommended to start this challenge early in the morning. Your route takes you to the Fenêtre de Durand pass, a tough climb that will put you to the test. This pass forms a natural connection between Switzerland and Italy, and after overcoming this challenge, you'll have completed most of the altitude gain. You continue your journey on the Italian side, where the enchanting Aosta Valley awaits, ready to be explored. This stage promises to be an unforgettable experience, with breathtaking views and the satisfaction of conquering the Fenêtre de Durand pass.
Rifugio Letey-Champillon
Day
7
Rifugio Letey-Champillon to Saint-Rhémy
Duration: 06:45 h
Distance: 17.1 km / 10.6 mi
Ascent: 530 m / 1739 ft
Descent: 1310 m / 4298 ft
After a delicious breakfast at the Italian mountain hut, you can continue your journey. If the weather conditions are favorable and the sky is clear, today, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the majestic Mont Blanc! Since this is almost the last day of your hiking adventure, you gradually re-enter civilization. But don't worry, today you can still enjoy the tranquility as you walk through the valley, slowly approaching the picturesque village of Saint-Rhémy. The perfect conclusion to an unforgettable journey.
Hotel des Alpes (Saint-Rhémy)
Day
8
From Saint-Rhémy to Bourg-Saint-Pierre
Duration: 07:30 h
Distance: 20.5 km / 12.7 mi
Ascent: 1000 m / 3281 ft
Descent: 1010 m / 3314 ft
Today, the last stage of your journey is on the agenda as you return to Switzerland, and it promises to be a challenging hike. With a distance of nearly 20 kilometers and an elevation gain of almost 1000 meters – both ascent and descent – you're in for a long but absolutely stunning journey. About 6 kilometers into your day, you'll come across the picturesque Lac du Grand Saint Bernard, a lake that divides the border between Italy and Switzerland.
Just before you reach your destination, you will be treated to the magnificent Lac des Toules, a Swiss lake that offers you the opportunity to take a few final photos before ending your hiking adventure. With these beautiful lakes as a backdrop, you can fully enjoy the last kilometers of your journey and cherish the memories of the Tour des Combins.
Motel Bivouac de Napoléon (Bourg-Saint-Pierre)
Day
9
Departure day
After breakfast, your Tour des Combins trekking adventure and our services will be over. From this point, you can go back home or travel to your next destination.
Included
Excluded
FAQ
What and Where Is the Tour des Combins?
Is the Tour Des Combins Suitable for Me?
What Is the Best Season for the Tour Des Combins?
How to Book
Booking
Availability
Cancellation policy
Packing List for the Tour des Combins
Information
Essentials
Extras
Book Now
Contact our Trekking Expert
Sanne Bakema
Just for You
