Full Tour du Mont Blanc (9 days)

Today, you should have a good breakfast, because one of the great climbs of the Tour, the Col Ferret, awaits you. First, you hike towards 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.

Important: If you're planning to tackle Col Ferret today, you can save some energy by taking the bus to Arp Nouvaz Cap. Buses depart hourly from Courmayeur, making it a convenient option for a more comfortable start to the climb. If you opt for public transport, follow Route Option 2.

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.

Today, you will once again follow the Variante de Vallorcine to reach Tré-le-Champ. The so-called southern balcony is a popular excursion among visitors to Chamonix. Shortly after passing through Tré-le-Champ, the route takes you to the Chésérys Ladders—a fun but exposed section that features several ladders and adds a touch of adventure to the hike. Once past this thrilling part, you’ll continue on to Lac Blanc, where breathtaking views await. This is often considered one of the most memorable moments of the entire trek. You can stop for lunch at the Lac Blanc Refuge before tackling the final stretch to the Planpraz cable car. From there, you can either hike all the way down to Chamonix or take the cable car. To shorten this stage, you also have the option of descending by cable car from the Refuge de La Flégère. Spend your afternoon exploring Chamonix, and in the evening, enjoy a traditional Savoyard dinner to end your day in style.

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