02 8319 2266 from Australia
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04 889 4515 from New Zealand
646-757-1102 from the USA
Tour du Mont Blanc North
Your trip starts on arriving at your hotel in Courmayeur. This is a charming Italian town and is a great place to soak up the mountain views whilst enjoying a drink at one of the many wonderful restaurants in town.
Hotel in Courmayeur (breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 11.7km with 1020m ascent, 200m descent
Today's stage is a spectacular start to your trek! The official TMB route climbs steeply to Rifugio Bertone before traversing the hillside, with spectacular views towards the glaciers across the valley. In good weather, we also recommend a harder variant route, a spectacular but long day over the Mont de la Saxe. Your destination today will either be Rifugio Bonatti or Rifugio Elena, depending on availability; hiking to Rifugio Elena adds 7.5km today, making tomorrow's stage a little shorter.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 20.4km with 970m ascent, 1390m descent
Switzerland beckons today! Our challenge is the climb over Grand Col Ferret, often holding snow, and then a long descent into the Swiss Val Ferret. We cross another linguistic and cultural frontier. Once in the valley we reach the small village of La Fouly. (If starting from Rifugio Elena, the day is shorter, at 12.9km with 490m ascent, 940m descent.)
Hotel or auberge in La Fouly (dinner and breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 14.7km with 460m ascent, 580m descent
Today's stage is relatively easy for the TMB, running through the valley towards Champex and without any cols to cross. The Tour is now well inside Switzerland, with ready transport links to the Rhone valley to the North instead of deeper into France or Italy to the South. Flower meadows and forests characterise this stage, though interrupted by some narrow sections of path.
Hotel or auberge in Champex (dinner and breakfast)
or
Bus to Hotel in Orsieres (dinner and breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 15.9km with 730m ascent, 920m descent
Walk among meadows and woods to Trient, taking the option past Bovine Alp. This is one of the most scenic stages with long views to the Rhone valley. We pass Col de la Forclaz and drop to Trient, now within striking distance of the Chamonix valley. (An alternative at Black grade is the Fenetre d'Arpette, a narrow col crossing with rocky ground either side.)
Auberge in Trient (dinner and breakfast)
or
Bus to Hotel in Martigny (breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 15.9km with 1140m ascent, 1190m descent
The highlight of today's walk is reaching the Col de Balme from where there should be views of Mont Blanc (weather permitting) and a great stretch of the Chamonix valley. The end is in sight! Descend from the Col to climb Aiguillette des Posettes before dropping into the Arve valley at Montroc. We detour from the TMB to the busy village of Argentiere.
Hotel in Argentiere (breakfast)
Red 3 (grade)9.9km with 1140m ascent, 510m descent
Back on the trail! We pick up the Tour du Mont Blanc for a final two days of hopefully some exhilarating views across to Mont Blanc. The route traverses the hillside on the North side of the valley. We can visit the famously picturesque Lac Blanc with its view of Mont Blanc.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 17.3km with 720m ascent, 1605m descent
The aim today is Les Houches and the end of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Along the way some of the Tour's best views unfold on the climb to Le Brevent before the long descent to the valley. At Les Houches it is then a short bus ride to Chamonix to celebrate in style! We base your last night in Chamonix, despite it being off the TMB route, in order that you can enjoy the largest and most vibrant base in the valley.
Hotel in Chamonix (breakfast)
Relax over breakfast, explore Chamonix and depart for Geneva Airport. If you'd like to stay for longer to explore Chamonix, please do just let us know. Or, if you are embarking on further travels in Switzerland or elsewhere in the Alps, again please just ask us for recommendations. Congratulations on the completing the TMB North! ✈️
Make the trip shorter
Making the trip shorter is very possible, walking the route in 6 or even 5 stages. One option is to miss out a day, by catching a bus from Courmayeur up-valley and then walking to La Fouly the same day, thus missing the first stage to Rifugio Bonatti. Similarly, it is possible to miss the final day from La Flegere to Les Houches by simply taking the cable car down into Chamonix from La Flegere or Planpraz, 90 minutes further along the trail. Alternatively, for a quick dash covering the full TMB North route, our 6-stage schedule condenses the last 3 stages into 2, making for 2 longer days. Or, at our normal pacing, join in La Fouly (Switzerland) and follow the last 5 stages to Les Houches.
Make the trip longer
For those who have more time, or simply prefer to walk at a more leisurely pace, why not split the day from Rif. Bonatti to La Fouly, with a stay at Rif. Elena. This makes 2 short days either side, and would suit those who wish to linger in the Val Ferret and are happy with an extra hut night. A rest day in Champex is also a great option, for those who have the time and might appreciate a day to relax in this pretty lakeside village. If you are interested in extending your holiday, or walking the trail in even more stages, please let us know and we can provide you with the various options in more detail.
Add a rest day
As standard, we don't include a rest day on our TMB North trip. However, if you would like to add in a rest day, we would recommend taking one in Champex; situated on a lake it provides a peaceful location for a rest day. We are also happy to add additional nights in Courmayeur before your trek or in Chamonix at the end. Please do just ask us for details.
Hike with a guide
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and arrangements taken care of. If your group would like a guide for your trip, please get in touch for more details or view our scheduled guided trips.
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Tour du Mont Blanc North 1 July to 18 Sept 2025 |
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| Hutty | Classic | Comfy | Self-guided |
|
6 stages (7 nights) |
GBP 1,070 Singles 120 |
GBP 1,420 Singles 380 |
GBP 1,600 Singles 560 |
|
7 stages (8 nights) |
GBP 1,140 Singles 120 |
GBP 1,510 Singles 380 Main Trip |
GBP 1,690 Singles 560 |
|
7 stages 1 rest day (9 nights) |
GBP 1,210 Singles 120 |
GBP 1,650 Singles 445 |
GBP 1,840 Singles 325 |
| Options | |||
|
Baggage transfer |
Please ask us | ||
Classic
Our Classic mix of accommodation aims to give a good mix of friendly family-run hotels in the villages and characterful huts in the mountains, striking a good balance between comfort and the true Alpine hiking experience. As standard our TMB North trip includes 2 nights in huts, 1 night in an auberge and 5 nights in comfortable hotels. We aim to book private rooms as much as possible on your trip, however, depending on availability you may need to stay overnight in a shared dormitory room on the nights at the mountain huts and auberges. We find that the huts and auberges contribute to the overall Alpine experience and are the natural stopping points along the TMB trail. On our classic trips, we will always prioritise staying overnight on the TMB trail in shared dormitory rooms over travelling off-route to hotels.
Comfy (private rooms)
On our comfy trips, we prioritise booking you into private rooms in comfortable hotels on every night of your trip. This means travelling off-route on 3 nights (using taxis, cablecars and buses) to avoid the more basic accommodations at the huts and auberges on the TMB trail. The taxis are included in the price. We also upgrade your hotel in Argentiere to a 4* spa hotel.
Hutty (shared rooms)
For a more basic and economical trip, our hutty trip includes 2 nights in huts, 4 nights in auberges and 2 nights in 2* hotels. We book dormitory places in the huts and auberges, meaning you'll have 9 nights in shared dormitories, and 4 nights in private rooms in Chamonix and Courmayeur.
A note about the mountain huts
The mountain huts are situated in awe-inspiring places and we'd recommend including them in your itinerary if you are up for the experience! They offer accommodation in shared rooms and dormitories (as well as some private rooms). These are often bunk bed rooms, but they can be rooms with sleeping platforms (as in the picture below). Shared room sizes can vary from 4 or 6 people, to bigger dormitories sleeping around 20 or so. We'll always book places in the smallest rooms available at the time of booking. To avoid dormitory accommodation completely, please book our comfy trip.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to to book a room for single occupancy, we add our single supplement fee. This covers the additional cost of booking single occupancy room, compared to a double occupancy room. The single supplement is only applied to nights where single rooms are available (8 nights on our classic trip, and all nights on the comfy trip). It is not applied to hut or auberge nights which do not offer single rooms.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. If you are still interested in this trip, we do have availability on our guided trips.
Our approach to the Tour du Mont Blanc North
This walking holiday takes you on the Tour du Mont Blanc stages around the Northern side of Mont Blanc, starting in Courmayeur and finishing in the Chamonix valley. On the way, you cover all of the Swiss stages and complete the sections in the Aiguilles Rouges above Chamonix, hopefully with some of the best views of Mont Blanc. We follow the recognised Tour du Mont Blanc Route with a few optional variants described, such as the high-level Fenetre d’Arpette and a small detour to Lac Blanc above Chamonix (well worth a visit). Each variant is described in your routecards, allowing you to pick and choose your route as you go. We walk every step of the way without the need for any public transport under normal circumstances, providing a great sense of achievement.
The Terrain
The Tour du Mont Blanc is a popular trail in summer and the good solid footpaths reflect this. The terrain in these parts of the Alps is varied; sometimes steep and rocky requiring careful footing and, at others, the route simply follows wide tracks through forests, the odd country lane and zig-zagging hillside paths.
On the final 2 stages above Chamonix there are a few small sections of ladders, which can be easily avoided by following alternative routes given in your routecards. In early or late summer there is a good chance of snow patches lying on the higher paths requiring special care, but the lower paths are likely to be snow-free.
Is it for me?
The Tour du Mont Blanc North is a hike of great contrasts, from high passes to lush valleys and flower meadows. This trip has something for everyone in a single week-long trip and is enjoyed by many each year. The distances are not too great, however the ability to walk for up to 8 hours a day over rocky and sometimes exposed ground is essential. One of the main challenges on this trail is not the distance walked, but the amount of ascent and descent involved each day. Most days comprise of a steady uphill ascent to a mountain pass, followed by a descent to the valley bottom and your home for the night.
The Tour du Mont Blanc is perfect for those who have a good overall level of fitness and some experience of multi-day trekking in the mountains. The route is generally well signposted and waymarked, aiding navigation, though a map and compass is essential for navigation in bad weather. We provide all of the maps needed, along with our detailed routecards. Harder alternatives, such as the Mont de la Saxe variant on the stage between Courmayeur and Rif. Bonatti, and the Fenetre d’Arpette variant between Champex and Trient, are also available for those looking for more of a challenge, but can also be avoided for those looking for a more leisurely hike.
A level of self-sufficiency on the TMB is necessary as transfer bags (optional) cannot be delivered to the huts, requiring you to pack your overnight things in your day pack for these nights. There are however plenty of huts along the route for you to restock your food and water provisions!
Difficulty
The TMB is first and foremost a walk; there are no glacier crossings, via ferrata or rock climbing, however there are a few sections of steep and rocky ground. We grade this route as a Red 3, reflecting the sections of steep and loose ground requiring careful foot placement, the length of time walking each day and the navigation skills required in poor weather.
Most stages are not too tough or technically challenging. Some of the rockier sections, such as the Fenetre d’Arpette variant (which we grade as Black 3), can be easily avoided by taking an alternative route on this day. Further sections to note are the small runs of metal ladders, all on the two stages above the Chamonix valley, which are used to aid ascent on some rocky sections of the trail. The hardest of these two sections can be avoided by alternative routes, but none of them should present problems to regular hillwalkers.
We explain the relative difficulties of the route and the variants in your routecards, giving you the freedom each day to choose your route and tailor it to your ability. Although it is possible to shorten some days by selecting different stopping points, the distances are generally dictated by the location of the villages and huts along the trail. Some days (but not all) can be shortened or skipped by taking buses and cable cars and your routecards advise where this is possible. Please do ask us for more details.
Tour du Mont Blanc Walking Guide - more about the trail
The making of our Tour du Mont Blanc - photos from our research trips
Your holiday starts in the charming Italian town of Courmayeur. The most convenient airport to fly into is Geneva, with several transfer options available by minibus, coach or scenic Swiss trains to Chamonix. The next step is to take one of the regular buses through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Courmayeur. Alternatively, you can take a private transfer from Geneva airport direct to Courmayeur. Zurich and Basel airports also work, with longer transfer times, so they are harder to recommend over Geneva. It is also feasible to reach Courmayeur via buses from Turin or Milan.
On the return, Geneva again is the most convenient airport to fly out of with easy and regular connecting buses direct from Chamonix.
Travel to and from the trip is not included in the holiday price. We do however take care to give the most useful notes possible about all of the available travel options. We supply these both on booking in your Trip Notes and in your info pack. We also offer personalised tips at any point; please do just ask us for advice and we’d be happy to help.
- Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner at the huts and in La Fouly, Champex and Trient (5 nights, on our 'classic' 7-stage trip)
- Detailed Routecards TMB5-11 of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- The 3 topographical maps needed
- Downloadable GPX Tracks covering the route
- Expert advice and local information
- A comprehensive 'Season Update' following our pre-season recce
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (9am until 9pm in the Alps)
- Travel to and from your trip
- Local transport whilst on the trip unless specified
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals in the towns (this would be 3 nights on our 'classic' 7-stage trip)
- Baggage transfers (available as an extra)
Baggage transfer
Let us move your bags for you! We offer a baggage transfer service to all stops except the 2 hut nights. When staying at the huts, your bag simply goes ahead to the next hotel. Please contact us for a price, or feel free to ask questions about baggage transfer on the route.
 
Tour du Mont Blanc North Self-guided |
If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
9am to 5pm UK time Monday to Friday |
| Australia | 02 8319 2266 |
| Canada | 416-548-4819 |
| New Zealand | 04 889 4515 |
| USA | 646-757-1102 |
Open to the world
Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Along with the UK, our best-represented countries are the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Please use our national-rate numbers for a cheaper call to contact our office in Edinburgh.
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View towards the Aiguilles Rouges from Col du Balme, Stage 9
Alpine Exploratory
Alpine Exploratory is a system of knowledge on the best mountain trekking in our areas, giving clients superb holidays based on this exploration.
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Alpine Exploratory
+44 (0)131 214 1144
