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Tour du Mont Blanc: Western Route

Explore the Alpine peaks of France and Switzerland

Mont Blanc is not only the highest peak in France or even in the Alps, but also an object of desire for many hikers from all over the world. Experienced hiking enthusiasts should not miss this tour. A trekking route of 170 kilometres is dedicated to the circumnavigation of the "white mountain" on the western side.

Book this holiday: Tour du Mont Blanc (West)

Details about walking holidays on Tour de Mont Blanc: Western Route

The first night of the trip is spent in Martigny, which is framed by fruit trees and vineyards. Take advantage of the great gastronomic variety of the little town, you can take it before this tour. Even on the first stage, you will cover 1,200 metres in altitude uphill and as much as 1,100 downhill. In return, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the highest mountains in the Alps.

With the white giant in the background, the sight of the Lac Blanc mountain lake will leave you speechless. This week's ultimate stop is La Bergerie de Plan Braz, where you can let loose with a café at 2,000 metres. Pause at the small Lac du Brévent before the adventure picks up speed again: on high-altitude trails over a suspension bridge, with views of glacial lakes and deep gorges, it is impossible to resist the fascination of Mont Blanc.

The highlights of the Tour de Mont Blanc: Western Route trekking holiday at a glance:

  • Mont Blanc massif: Home not only to the 4,807-metre high "white mountain", but to a total of 24 peaks - and eleven of them with a height of over 4,000 metres. Incidentally, the mountain was first climbed in 1768, and today many "mountain enthusiasts" enjoy the excellent hiking routes.

  • Chamonix: Considered the birthplace of mountaineering and the starting point in search of thrills for athletes from all over the world. You can learn about the history of mountain sports in the interesting museums, the sporting spirit will also sweep you away and the beautiful architecture invites you to linger.

  • Brévent viewing platform: This can only be described as spectacular. Deep below you lies the mountain lake of the same name, and a restaurant invites you to take a break. With a bit of luck, you can watch a wingsuit plane gliding through the air.

  • Cheese tasting in Les Contamines: The small mountain village is mainly known for winter sports. In summer, the alpine meadows show their lush green side, where the cows leisurely graze and produce milk for excellent cheese.

Interesting facts about hiking along the Tour de Mont Blanc: Western route

When we talk about mountain trekking, this sums up our most demanding tours - this one is no exception and should not be underestimated. Even though there is often a choice of routes with different levels of difficulty, experience in alpine locomotion is recommended in addition to very good fitness.

This tour has been graded as Trekking. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.

Book this holiday: Tour du Mont Blanc (West)

Tour information
Athletic
  • 7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total walking distance: approx. 75 km
Steven Rittey
Steven Rittey
+44 1706 618 155 Contact
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Itinerary

The little town Martigny lies in an idyllic spot close to river Rhône. Go for a walk and visit the castle La Batiaz or endulge yourself in one of the many restaurants.

Early in the morning by bus or transfer (depending on season) to Trient. Your first hiking day starts by climbing the Col de Balme (2191 m) pass, where you can rest in a quaint mountain lodge. It offers fantastic views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley. You will then descend into the grassy Sattel, where you can see grazing livestock and leisurely mountain pastures.

The impressive Kammweg (ridgeway) over the summit of l'Aiguillete des Posetes will now take you through a rocky terrain with a phenomenal panoramic view of the surrounding glaciers. You will cope with the descent on a steep trail, which later takes you along the mountain brook to your destination. A fantastic day amidst the highest, gigantic mountains!

approx. 4.5 to 5 h
approx. 15 km
1'000 to 1'200 m
900 to 1'100 m

Day 3 is the most spectacular leg of the Mont Blanc tour: on well-secured ladders, you will climb steep rocks to reach the light-blue shining mountain lake called Lac Blanc. In the afternoon, the path across the “Grand Balcon”, a great alpine path, will take you along the mountain slope and through blueberry fields to Plan Praz, which has a café at an altitude of 2000 m!

Here you can take the cable car and glide down to the legendary mountaineer location of Chamonix. A stroll through the magnificent pedestrian area with colourfully decorated houses is a treat for the eyes! These stretches can be made easier if you wish and you can leave out the adventurous climbing routes.

approx. 4.5 to 5.5 h
approx. 15 km
1'050 to 1'300 m
350 to 600 m

On day 4, you will ride the cable car to climb up 2000 m without any efforts. You are not very far from pass Col du Brévent (2368 m), from where you will climb the impressive boulders of the panorama peak of Brévent. From the panorama platform which is known as the “best lookout post on Mont Blanc”, you can study the glaciers and corn snow peaks of the ice giant very well.

A beautiful hiking trail passes the bizarre shaped mountain lake Lac du Brévent and descends into the shelter called Bel-Lachat. You can take some rest here before resuming the steep climb, which will take you past the Alpen-Wildpark Merlet through the forest and into the valley. You will stay the night in one of the many small hamlets in the municipality of Les Houches situated in the valley of the river Arve, which gets its water from the glaciers.

approx. 5 h
approx. 10 km
500 m
1'500 m

Experience the famous “Mont Blanc tram” from close quarters and walk along its tracks for a stretch of the hike! From Bellevue, you can view the imposing end station of the daringly constructed rack railway next to the ice field. An interesting alpine path guides you to an adventurous suspension bridge that you need to cross to walk over a rustling glacial stream.

You will then hike through mountain meadows to the Col de Tricot (2120 m) pass and climb down to the Miage huts. After a further climb, you will reach the cosy resting destination of Truc-Alpe. Grab a bite while listening to the bells of grazing cows.

Your destination, Les Contamines, is situated in the Montjoie valley, which is famous for its delicious cheeses from the numerous surrounding alpine pastures. Don’t forget to visit one of the cheese dairies and taste the Savoy cheese with red wine and a fresh baguette. 

approx. 4 to 7 h
approx. 10 to 20 km
550 to 1'350 m
1'150 m

The last leg of the tour will make your heart beat faster: you will hike on the paths tread by Romans over gurgling ravines, see stone types of varied colours, get views of glacial lakes and climb two high pass crossings! The path passes the southernmost point of the Mont Blanc massif, where you can enjoy unending vistas of the southern part of the mountain massif of the French Alps.

You will first walk leisurely along the river to the baroque pilgrimage church Notre Dame de la Gorge, from where you can start with the long climb to the top of the passes: on a rocky alpine path from Col du Bonhomme (2329 m) to pass Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2450 m).

Replenish yourself at Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, a traditional shelter of the French Alpine Club. The last descent across alpine pastures with mountain brooks flowing through them leads you to Vallée des Glaciers (valley of glaciers), where you can toast to your successful hiking week in the small hamlet of Les Chapieux!  

A short transfer from Les Chapieux will bring you down to your overnight accommodation location – Bourg-Saint-Maurice. You can now relax on the last evening of your tour and relive the week-long hike over a glass of wine!

approx. 6.5 h
approx. 15 km
1'300 m
900 m

We recommend a walk through the typically French Alps location, a ride on the funicular into the hiking region of Arcs before heading back home. Or would you rather spend a few more days and relax in the region of Savoie?

Route information

You need to be physically fit to cope with the long legs of the hike. There are some exposed sites – enduring surefootedness and head for heights are a must!  

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights. All bookings are ABTA-protected.

Price calculation and check availability: Tour du Mont Blanc (West)

Place of arrival: Martigny
  Season 1
29.06.2024 - 30.08.2024

Daily
Tour du Mont Blanc: Western Route, CH-WSWMW-07X
Base price
1,049.00
Single person surcharge 235.00
Single room surcharge 369.00

Hotel information: You will stay in 3* hotels and guest houses. Depending on availability, rooms with en-suite bathrooms cannot always be booked. 

Season 1
Jun 29, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024
Daily
Tour du Mont Blanc: Western Route, CH-WSWMW-07X
Base price
Single person surcharge
Single room surcharge
1,049.00
235.00
369.00

Hotel information: You will stay in 3* hotels and guest houses. Depending on availability, rooms with en-suite bathrooms cannot always be booked. 

Season 1
Jun 29, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024
Martigny
Double room p.p
Double room p.p
Single room surcharge
Double room p.p
Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Double room
Single room surcharge
85.00
85.00
29.00
30.00
85.00
30.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Martigny
  Season 1
Jun 29, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024

Daily
Martigny
Double room p.p 85.00
Double room p.p 85.00
Single room surcharge 29.00
Double room p.p 30.00
Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Double room 85.00
Single room surcharge 30.00
Prices per person in GBP

Included services and travel information

Services

Included:

  • 6 overnight stays as stated incl. breakfast
  • Luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage per person, max 15 kg)  
  • Transfers as per program
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel and tour documents (1 x per room)
  • Service hotline

Note:

  • Rides in public transport, cable cars, etc. not included.
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Reservation fee of CHF 15 per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)
Information

Arrival/Parking/Departure:

  • By car: Limited amount of parking spaces close to the railway station in Martigny. CHF 10.- per day.
  • By train: Direct train in 1.5 hours from Geneva. From Zurich in approx. 2.5 – 3 hours via Visp.
  • The return trip to Martigny is circuitous. 8 hour train journey via Chambery, Annecy and Vallorcine to Martigny. Or organised transfer. CHF 475 per ride. Max. 8 passengers. Booking required. Advance payment.