Tour du Mont Blanc Adventure
Day 1: Hiked on the Grand Balcon with views of the Mont Blanc massif.
We began our spectacular journey on a trail beneath the Aiguilles Rouges (Red Peaks), a crystalline mountain massif opposite the Mont Blanc range. We then hiked to La Flégère (6150') where we came to an amazing high path known as the Grand Balcon. Along this trail we enjoyed magnificent views of the rocky spires and glaciers draping the Mont Blanc massif across the valley before we descended back to Chamonix.
Hiking: 7 miles; Elevation gain: 2,770'; Elevation loss: 2,770'. Terrain: Steep uphill sections on hard-packed dirt and rocky trails.
Day 2: Hiked below the tumbling Bionnassay Glacier to Les Contamines.
Day 2 began with a cable car ascent from Les Houches to Bellevue where we started our hike beneath the tumbling Bionnassay Glacier to the Col du Tricot (6955'). After a steep descent to Chalets de Miage we stopped for lunch amongst picturesque alpine meadows. From here we continued up to Chalet du Truc (5642') and then on to Les Contamines (3828'), a charming town proud of its gastronomical heritage. We stayed in a local auberge that night.
Hiking: 8 miles; Elevation gain: 2,367', Elevation loss: 3,127'. Terrain: Hard-packed dirt and rocky trails with some exposure; steep downhill section.
Day 3: Hiked an old Roman road to Col du Bonhomme. Descended to Les Chapieux.
This morning started in the footsteps of the ancients as we hiked on an old Roman road (now trail), making our way steadily uphill and passed a very early chapel with Renaissance frescoes on its interior. Was reminded why this area is such a magnet for hikers and climbers as we followed varied terrain through forests, gentle glens and the treeless gorge of Nant Borrant on the way to Col du Bonhomme (7640'), which was our lunch spot. In the afternoon we descended a relatively steep grassy trail leading to the remote hamlet of Les Chapieux (3785'). We overnighted in an auberge in Les Chapieux.
Hiking: 11 miles; Elevation gain: 4,110', Elevation loss: 3,070'. Terrain: Gradual uphill climb with some steep, rocky, and exposed sections; steep downhill section.
Day 4: Hiked into Italy under the dramatic south face of Mont Blanc.
The path lead us out of France and into Italy (from "bonjour" to "buon giorno!"). We started morning on trailhead at the Vallée des Glaciers, climbed east over the Col de la Seigne (8252') and finally descended into Italy to reflective Lac Combal. The views were amazing as pictures will show. The dramatic southern face of the Mont Blanc range was fully exposed above us as we hiked down to La Visaille from where we landed in the lovely Italian resort town of Courmayeur (4014').
Hiking: 11 miles. Elevation gain: 2,310', Elevation loss: 2,740'. Terrain: Long uphill climb on hard-packed dirt and rocky trails followed by a gradual descent.
Day 5: A balcony trail lead us to the Rifugio Bonatti with magnificent views.
We started hiking right from our hotel and on to La Montagne de la Saxe (6970'). The ascent rewarded us with magnificent views of the Grandes Jorasses, Brenva Glacier and the Italian side of Mont Blanc. A balcony trail lead us to the Rifugio Bonatti (6745'), named after the famous Italian alpinist and adventurer Walter Bonatti. This is one of the best-kept huts in the Alps, and the walls inside are decorated with pictures showcasing Walter Bonatti's impressive life story. The hot chocolate there was amazing.
Hiking: 8 miles; Elevation gain: 3,000’; Elevation loss: 600’. Terrain: Steep uphill climb followed by moderate hillside traverse; dirt and rocky trails.
Day 6: Views of the Val Veny were our backdrop en route to Grand Col Ferret.
We experienced hiking at its finest with alpine meadows, rushing streams and stunning views of the Val Veny as a backdrop en route to the Grand Col Ferret (8320'), the border between Italy and Switzerland. Mont Dolent towered above and its summit is the meeting point of the borders with France, Italy, and Switzerland. We continued to be amazed by fabulous close-up views of rocky spires and sparkling glaciers. The grassy path lead us to the evening's auberge in the quiet but scenic village of La Fouly (5280').
Hiking: 10 miles. Elevation gain: 2,710', Elevation loss: 3,062'. Terrain: Hillside traverse followed by steep descents and ascents on dirt trails; some short sections of exposure.
Day 7: Walked through quaint Swiss villages to Champex, set on gorgeous blue lake.
Day 7 started with trekking through forests, fields of wildflowers and quaint Swiss villages. After lunch our hiking got steeper as we climbed through woodlands to the lovely alpine town of Champex (4808'), were we stayed that night - a small resort beside a pretty blue lake.
Hiking: 9 miles; Elevation gain: 1,378'; Elevation loss: 1,854'. Terrain: Wide pasture roads; one steep section.
Day 8: Hiked along the "Bovine Route" that herders once used to guide stock.
We started with an hour and a half of easy hiking along the "Bovine Route" that herders once used to guide their stock across the mountains Continuing across the rolling terrain, we enjoyed views of the rocky Dents du Midi and ascended through the forest to lookouts high over the lovely Rhone Valley wine region and the town of Martigny. Views of the Bernese Alps were impressive before beginning an easy descent to the Col de Forclaz (3,900').
Hiking: 9 miles. Elevation gain: 2,250', Elevation loss: 1,657'. Terrain: Flat section on dirt road followed by steep and rocky trails.
Day 9: Hiked to the French border. Saw wonderful views of the Chamonix Valley.
The path followed an old smuggler's route back into France. We hiked to Col de Catogne (7,689’) and Balme (7,186'), the border between Switzerland and France, and ate our picnic lunch while gazing down at the Swiss countryside behind us and the Chamonix Valley ahead. The views to Mont Blanc were absolutely phenomenal. We descended to our hotel in Argentière, just north of Chamonix.
Hiking: 8.5 miles; Elevation gain: 3,407'; Elevation loss: 3,316'. Terrain: Steep trails with some rocky sections; short sections of exposure.
Day 10: Closed our Tour du Mont Blanc loop on the Grand Balcon, hiking to Lac des Chéserys.
We began our hike along the Grand Balcon to the spectacularly situated Lac des Cheserys with the many glaciers and peaks of the entire range that were in view. We closed the loop of our tour after 10 days at La Flégère (6150') where our unforgettable journey began 10 days prior. The cable car at La Flégère carried us down into the valley over alpine pastures to Les Praz and from there we returned to Chamonix where I might retire.
Hiking: 9 miles. Elevation gain: 2,474', Elevation loss: 1,108'. Terrain: Steep trails with some rocky sections.
* REI Adventure source material used.
Read MoreWe began our spectacular journey on a trail beneath the Aiguilles Rouges (Red Peaks), a crystalline mountain massif opposite the Mont Blanc range. We then hiked to La Flégère (6150') where we came to an amazing high path known as the Grand Balcon. Along this trail we enjoyed magnificent views of the rocky spires and glaciers draping the Mont Blanc massif across the valley before we descended back to Chamonix.
Hiking: 7 miles; Elevation gain: 2,770'; Elevation loss: 2,770'. Terrain: Steep uphill sections on hard-packed dirt and rocky trails.
Day 2: Hiked below the tumbling Bionnassay Glacier to Les Contamines.
Day 2 began with a cable car ascent from Les Houches to Bellevue where we started our hike beneath the tumbling Bionnassay Glacier to the Col du Tricot (6955'). After a steep descent to Chalets de Miage we stopped for lunch amongst picturesque alpine meadows. From here we continued up to Chalet du Truc (5642') and then on to Les Contamines (3828'), a charming town proud of its gastronomical heritage. We stayed in a local auberge that night.
Hiking: 8 miles; Elevation gain: 2,367', Elevation loss: 3,127'. Terrain: Hard-packed dirt and rocky trails with some exposure; steep downhill section.
Day 3: Hiked an old Roman road to Col du Bonhomme. Descended to Les Chapieux.
This morning started in the footsteps of the ancients as we hiked on an old Roman road (now trail), making our way steadily uphill and passed a very early chapel with Renaissance frescoes on its interior. Was reminded why this area is such a magnet for hikers and climbers as we followed varied terrain through forests, gentle glens and the treeless gorge of Nant Borrant on the way to Col du Bonhomme (7640'), which was our lunch spot. In the afternoon we descended a relatively steep grassy trail leading to the remote hamlet of Les Chapieux (3785'). We overnighted in an auberge in Les Chapieux.
Hiking: 11 miles; Elevation gain: 4,110', Elevation loss: 3,070'. Terrain: Gradual uphill climb with some steep, rocky, and exposed sections; steep downhill section.
Day 4: Hiked into Italy under the dramatic south face of Mont Blanc.
The path lead us out of France and into Italy (from "bonjour" to "buon giorno!"). We started morning on trailhead at the Vallée des Glaciers, climbed east over the Col de la Seigne (8252') and finally descended into Italy to reflective Lac Combal. The views were amazing as pictures will show. The dramatic southern face of the Mont Blanc range was fully exposed above us as we hiked down to La Visaille from where we landed in the lovely Italian resort town of Courmayeur (4014').
Hiking: 11 miles. Elevation gain: 2,310', Elevation loss: 2,740'. Terrain: Long uphill climb on hard-packed dirt and rocky trails followed by a gradual descent.
Day 5: A balcony trail lead us to the Rifugio Bonatti with magnificent views.
We started hiking right from our hotel and on to La Montagne de la Saxe (6970'). The ascent rewarded us with magnificent views of the Grandes Jorasses, Brenva Glacier and the Italian side of Mont Blanc. A balcony trail lead us to the Rifugio Bonatti (6745'), named after the famous Italian alpinist and adventurer Walter Bonatti. This is one of the best-kept huts in the Alps, and the walls inside are decorated with pictures showcasing Walter Bonatti's impressive life story. The hot chocolate there was amazing.
Hiking: 8 miles; Elevation gain: 3,000’; Elevation loss: 600’. Terrain: Steep uphill climb followed by moderate hillside traverse; dirt and rocky trails.
Day 6: Views of the Val Veny were our backdrop en route to Grand Col Ferret.
We experienced hiking at its finest with alpine meadows, rushing streams and stunning views of the Val Veny as a backdrop en route to the Grand Col Ferret (8320'), the border between Italy and Switzerland. Mont Dolent towered above and its summit is the meeting point of the borders with France, Italy, and Switzerland. We continued to be amazed by fabulous close-up views of rocky spires and sparkling glaciers. The grassy path lead us to the evening's auberge in the quiet but scenic village of La Fouly (5280').
Hiking: 10 miles. Elevation gain: 2,710', Elevation loss: 3,062'. Terrain: Hillside traverse followed by steep descents and ascents on dirt trails; some short sections of exposure.
Day 7: Walked through quaint Swiss villages to Champex, set on gorgeous blue lake.
Day 7 started with trekking through forests, fields of wildflowers and quaint Swiss villages. After lunch our hiking got steeper as we climbed through woodlands to the lovely alpine town of Champex (4808'), were we stayed that night - a small resort beside a pretty blue lake.
Hiking: 9 miles; Elevation gain: 1,378'; Elevation loss: 1,854'. Terrain: Wide pasture roads; one steep section.
Day 8: Hiked along the "Bovine Route" that herders once used to guide stock.
We started with an hour and a half of easy hiking along the "Bovine Route" that herders once used to guide their stock across the mountains Continuing across the rolling terrain, we enjoyed views of the rocky Dents du Midi and ascended through the forest to lookouts high over the lovely Rhone Valley wine region and the town of Martigny. Views of the Bernese Alps were impressive before beginning an easy descent to the Col de Forclaz (3,900').
Hiking: 9 miles. Elevation gain: 2,250', Elevation loss: 1,657'. Terrain: Flat section on dirt road followed by steep and rocky trails.
Day 9: Hiked to the French border. Saw wonderful views of the Chamonix Valley.
The path followed an old smuggler's route back into France. We hiked to Col de Catogne (7,689’) and Balme (7,186'), the border between Switzerland and France, and ate our picnic lunch while gazing down at the Swiss countryside behind us and the Chamonix Valley ahead. The views to Mont Blanc were absolutely phenomenal. We descended to our hotel in Argentière, just north of Chamonix.
Hiking: 8.5 miles; Elevation gain: 3,407'; Elevation loss: 3,316'. Terrain: Steep trails with some rocky sections; short sections of exposure.
Day 10: Closed our Tour du Mont Blanc loop on the Grand Balcon, hiking to Lac des Chéserys.
We began our hike along the Grand Balcon to the spectacularly situated Lac des Cheserys with the many glaciers and peaks of the entire range that were in view. We closed the loop of our tour after 10 days at La Flégère (6150') where our unforgettable journey began 10 days prior. The cable car at La Flégère carried us down into the valley over alpine pastures to Les Praz and from there we returned to Chamonix where I might retire.
Hiking: 9 miles. Elevation gain: 2,474', Elevation loss: 1,108'. Terrain: Steep trails with some rocky sections.
* REI Adventure source material used.
