Lukegrose.com | Tour du Mont Blanc in 7days. How we did it.

Blog & Latest News

Here you can find my regular blog, which I hope you will find interesting and original. My aim is to keep you all up to date with my latest thoughts, plans and adventures.

Tour du Mont Blanc in 7days. How we did it.

Sep 24, 2011

The TMB is the most popular long distance walk in Europe attracting thousands of people to the Alps each summer. Most guide books tend to suggest 10-12 days to complete the circuit; however for anyone with a relatively decent level of fitness it is extremely possible to squeeze the 170km route in to a comfortable week or less.

It would of course be possible (and many people do) to complete the route in much quicker times (20 hours or so for the fastest guys in the annual Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc ultramarathon). However, we wanted to enjoy the week, and although the days were demanding we still had time to stop for long lunches and take in the fantastic scenery.

The route can be walked either clockwise or anti-clockwise – we walked anti-clockwise starting and ending in Les Houches. The route is well signposted although it is recommended to take a guide book, map and compass.

All distances, height gain / loss and times are all approximate. This itinerary worked well for us but may not be suitable for everyone.

Our Itinerary

Travelling to Les Houches:

Fly to Geneva (GVA). Transfer from Geneva to Les Houches (approx. 1hr 15). We used a fantastic company called Alpy Bus (approx. €20 per person each way). Our flight arrived at 8.20am and just over two hours later we started the walk at 10.30am.

Day 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines (France)

Distance 16km / Height gain 646m / Height loss 633m / High point 1653m

Lunch – Col de Voza (small bar-restaurant)

Accommodation – variety of hotels & guest houses available in Les Contamines, a relatively large town with lots of amenities. (France)

Day 2: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux

Distance 18km / Height gain 1316m / Height loss 929m / High point 2483m

Lunch – Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme (also provides accommodation)

Accommodation – Auberge de la Nova (refuge / guest house). Campsite also available as well as small grocery shop.

Day 3: Les Chapieux – Col Checrouit (France / Italy)

Distance 27km / Height gain 1464m / Height loss 1250m / High point 2516m

Lunch – Rifugio Elisabetta

Accommodation – Rifugio Maison Vieille *HIGLY RECOMMENDED

Day 4: Col Checrouit – Rifugio Elena (Italy)

Distance 26km / Height gain 1600m / Height loss 1500m / High point 2584m

Lunch – Rifugio Bertone or Rifugio Bonatti

Accommodation – Rifugio Elena

Day 5: Rifugio Elena – Champex (Italy / Switzerland)

Distance 29km / Height gain 1295m / Height loss 1800m / High point 2537m

Lunch – La Fouly (town with variety of restaurants and shops).

Accommodation – Champex (many hotels, guest houses & restaurants to choose from)

Day 6: Champex – Argentiere (official route is via Tre Le Champ, although we couldn’t get accommodation so walked further down the valley to Argentiere.)

Distance 31km / Height gain 2250m / Height loss 1800m / High point 2201m

Lunch – Col de la Forclaz (shop & restaurant)

Accommodation – many options in Argentiere. Official route via Tre le Champ – Auberge la Boerne.

Day 7: Argentiere – Les Houches

Distance 25km / Height gain 1500m / Height loss 1800m / High point 2526m

Lunch – Refuge la Flegere

Accommodation – many options in Les Houches.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please contact me if you have any questions about the TMB and our itinerary.

Guide book review

Comments: 0 - Make a Comment