Tour du Mont Blanc – East Section Experience
An organised small-group hiking experience that follows selected sections of the eastern and northern side of the Tour du Mont Blanc. From the Italian Val Ferret and Courmayeur we cross into Switzerland and finish in the French Chamonix valley, combining alpine passes, mountain villages and stays in refuges and guesthouses. We return to the Tour du Mont Blanc having already walked the route seven times. Our familiarity with the area, the trails and the people at the refuges gives every new trip the care and personal touch of Xploretrails.
The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the best-known multi-day hiking routes in Europe. The full route crosses France, Italy and Switzerland, circling the Mont Blanc massif. On our trip we explore a selected section of this route, with different landscapes and views every day.
We begin our hike from Chalet Val Ferret, in the Courmayeur area, and head towards the Elena refuge. The trails on the Italian side bring us face to face with the imposing Grandes Jorasses, with views of sheer rock faces, glaciers and alpine meadows. We then climb to the Grand Col Ferret, the mountain pass linking Italy with Switzerland. From there we descend to Alpage de La Peule, where we spend the night amid the open mountain landscape of the Swiss Val Ferret. Our route continues towards La Fouly and Champex-Lac. The high slopes give way to forests, traditional villages and lush green valleys, while the lake at Champex adds a different picture to the experience of the traverse. From Champex-Lac we follow the route to Alpage de Bovine, through forest trails and mountain pastures with views over the Rhône valley and the mountains of the Valais. We continue via the Col de la Forclaz to Trient and then transfer to Le Tour for our overnight stay. The final hiking stage takes us to the Aiguilles Rouges area and the Chéserys lakes and Lac Blanc. Here we walk opposite the Mont Blanc massif, with open views of the snow-capped peaks and the glaciers above the Chamonix valley. We finish at La Flégère and descend to the valley by cable car.
A hiking trip across three countries, with alpine passes, nights in the mountains and an introduction to the villages around Mont Blanc. With a small group and accompanied by Xploretrails, we combine walking the trails with the hospitality and everyday life of the refuges.
Programme
Day 1 – Wednesday 30 June 2027
Morning flight from Athens or Thessaloniki to Geneva.
Private transfer to the Chamonix valley (journey time approximately 70 minutes), where the group will meet and check in at the hotel.
In the afternoon there will be a briefing on the traverse and a detailed check of clothing and equipment.
There is the option to leave luggage with clothes for the return journey at the hotel.
Day 2 – Thursday 1 July 2027
Crossing the border into Switzerland.
After an early start we set off by vehicle for Italy, passing through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Courmayeur. We continue into the Val Ferret as far as Chalet Val Ferret, where our hike begins.
We walk along a spectacular high-altitude balcony with uninterrupted views of the sheer southern faces of Mont Blanc, the Grandes Jorasses and the hanging glaciers.
We continue towards the Rifugio Elena area and climb to the Grand Col Ferret, at around 2,540 metres. At the pass we leave Italy behind and cross on foot into Switzerland, heading for the Alpage de la Peule refuge, where we will spend the night.
Estimated walking time: 5 hours
Day 3 – Friday 2 July 2027
After breakfast we leave La Peule and descend towards La Fouly. The open alpine landscape gradually gives way to forests, pastures and small mountain hamlets.
From La Fouly we continue through the Swiss Val Ferret, following the valley path towards Praz-de-Fort / Issert. The day is gentler than the previous one, with time for stops and to get to know the Swiss side of the route.
Next comes a transfer to Champex-Lac, the mountain village built beside the lake. Time permitting, we take a relaxed stroll along the shore before heading to our accommodation for a meal and some rest.
Estimated walking time: 6 hours, depending on the pick-up point.
Day 4 – Saturday 3 July 2027
From Switzerland back to France.
We leave Champex-Lac and set off towards the mountain pastures of Bovine. Most of the ascent is through forest, with the path crossing streams and gradually gaining height.
On reaching Alpage de Bovine, we emerge from the shade of the trees onto open slopes, with views over the Rhône valley, the town of Martigny and the peaks of the Valais. Here we make the essential stop for rest and food – and to try their wonderful tarts.
The route takes us back into the forest and then to the Col de la Forclaz. From the pass we descend to the village of Trient, the end point of the day’s hike.
We then transfer to Le Tour, on the French side of Mont Blanc, for our overnight stay.
Estimated walking time: 6 hours
Day 5 – 4 July 2027
A day discovering the iconic alpine sights of Chamonix.
After breakfast we leave Le Tour and begin our hike towards the Chéserys lakes, with views of the peaks and glaciers of Mont Blanc. We stop for a rest and photos and continue towards Lac Blanc and the refuge of the same name.
We then descend towards La Flégère and take the cable car down to the Chamonix valley. This is followed by free time in town, a farewell dinner and return to our accommodation.
Estimated walking time: 6 hours
Day 6 – 5 July 2027
We leave for Geneva airport, depending on the times of the return flights to Athens or Thessaloniki.
Our trip comes to an end having walked selected sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc, from the Italian Val Ferret into Switzerland and along the panoramic trails above Chamonix.
The programme and walking times may be adjusted according to weather conditions, the state of the trails, the operation of the lifts and the pace of the group.
Hiking gear and clothing list
- 30-35 L rucksack
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Shorts or long trousers for hiking
- Fleece or technical jacket
- Waterproof, windproof jacket
- 3 thermal base layers
- 4 dri-fit type T-shirts
- Underwear and socks, 3-4 pairs
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
- Personal sheet-type “sleeping bag” (sleeping bag liner) for overnight stays in the accommodation
- Personal toiletries
- Head torch
- Water bottle, at least 1.5 L
- Snacks (energy bars, chocolate)
- Trekking poles*
* if you don’t have any, ask us
Cost
Participation cost
€1,250 per person
The price includes:
- Accompaniment and guiding on all hiking routes by the programme leader.
- 5 nights in total:
- 2 in a hotel in the Chamonix valley, with breakfast.
- 3 in a mountain guesthouse / chalet, with breakfast and dinner.
- Transfers to and from Geneva airport.
- All local transfers included in the programme.
- The descent ticket for the La Flégère cable car.
- The organiser’s public liability insurance.
- Digital photos from the activity.
Not included:
- Flights to and from Geneva.
- Lunches and dinners beyond those listed in the inclusions, as well as the farewell dinner in Chamonix.
- Personal expenses, such as drinks, snacks and purchases.
- Personal hiking equipment.
- Participants’ individual travel insurance, which is recommended.
Information
- Once you register, we will get in touch with you
- €400 deposit on registration, with the balance due by 31 May 2027
- Flights are not included in the price, but we can help you book them
- Transfers to and from Geneva airport are by minibus and are coordinated with the group’s flight times. Before booking your flights, please contact us so we can plan the transfers.
- Difficulty level: level 3/4 moderate to difficult
- Acceptance of the terms of use/participation/payment methods
Photos
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