Four day Tour of Mont Blanc Trek

Small-group 4-day trek on the Tour du Mont Blanc, from Italy to France via Switzerland, with shared refuge stays along the way.

Four day Tour of Mont Blanc Trek - guided hiking tour in france-frenchalps-montblancmassif

Tour Details

Description

# Tour du Mont Blanc East (4 days trekking, 4 nights) Four days hiking on the eastern stretch of one of the Alps' great walking routes, circling beneath the Mont Blanc massif with terrain that varies from rocky Alpine passes to pastoral Swiss valleys. This is a section of the full Tour du Mont Blanc, chosen for travelers who want the high-mountain scenery and the satisfaction of a multi-day trek without committing to the complete circuit. You walk through Italy, Switzerland, and finally France, with two spectacular border crossings where the scenery changes dramatically. The terrain here is what you'd expect from the Mont Blanc region: alpine paths that climb through larch and spruce forest before breaking onto open balconies with long views, then dropping into valleys where you'll find a hut or a village for the night. Expect a mix of steady ascents and descents each day, on trails that are well-established and clearly used but still demand sure footing and a bit of stamina. This is rated moderate, which means no technical climbing or scrambling, but real distance and real elevation change, day after day. Practically speaking, four days is enough to get a genuine feel for trekking in the Mont Blanc massif without the logistics of the full TMB. You'll want a good pair of broken-in boots, layers for temperature swings between valley and ridge, and a willingness to be outside for several hours at a stretch regardless of what the sky is doing — mountain weather here turns quickly. Accommodation along the route means mountain refuges or small guesthouses, so pack light but don't skip the essentials. You'll be sleeping in shared dormitories throughout this trek. Your guide handles the route-finding and the pacing, which frees you up to actually look at where you are instead of staring at a map. This trip suits hikers who already have some trekking experience — people comfortable walking for multiple days in a row and gaining or losing a few hundred meters of elevation without it being a shock. It's not a complete beginner's hike, but it's also not reserved for alpinists. It's a good first multi-day trek for experienced day hikers or for anybody who is reasonably fit and feels confident on uneven footpaths. Couples, solo travelers, and small groups of friends all find their rhythm here — the days are long enough to earn the views, short enough to leave you with energy for dinner and conversation at the end of them. Please note that we may encounter snowy conditions on the June trip. We'll supply micro-spikes (mini crampons) if necessary, and it might be necessary to revise the route in the interests of safety. Breakfasts and evening meals are included (except for the evening meal on arrival day). We'll also provide a picnic lunch on the first hiking day (i.e. Day 2), so you don't need to worry about organising a packed lunch when you arrive. The remaining three lunches are not included, so we'll decide as a group each evening how we want to organise lunch for the following day. We can either stop at a scenic mountain refuge along the route for lunch, or we can order packed lunches from our overnight accommodation.

Tour Highlights

Itinerary

  1. Arrival in Chamonix -

    Fly into Geneva Airport at any time during the day up until 19.30 (that's the latest landing time we can accommodate, but don't worry if your flight is delayed, the transfer will wait). A shared transfer is included to our accommdation in Chamonix. Accommodation is in small shared dormitories or pods. You may be able to upgrade to a private room if available (send a message for details). Dinner is not included on arrival day, as you may prefer eat on the flight or at the airport. There is a restaurant in the lodge serving bar meals until 21.30.

    The guide will be aroud in the evening for a quick welcome briefing/chat. If you arrive late and miss this you can meet the guide and the group at breakfast. There is 24 hour self-check-in, so you'll get a bed even if you arrive very late.

  2. Val Ferret balcony trail -

    After an early breakfast in Chamonix, we'll take a 7am taxi through the Mont Blanc Tunnel into Italy and our start point in the Italian Val Ferret. The hiking begins with a stiff climb to gain the Val Ferret balcony path and easier ground. The balcony trail takes an undulating route that hugs the steep mountainsides, passing the Bonatti refuge where we'll stop for a coffee. We'll provide a picnic lunch on the trail just after midday today. In the afternoon, the trail drops to the valley floor at Arnouva, before a final, gentler ascent leads us to the Rifugio Elena.

  3. Crossing the Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland -

    We begin climbing right from the refuge with a steep ascent towards the Swiss border. The Grand Col Ferret is a spectacular vantage point with views of both countries. The descent is easier, with a long dowhill into high Swiss pastures. The refuge de la Peule gives a chance to sample locally made cheese and Valais cuisine before we take a high shepherds path above the Swiss Val Ferret. Eventually we arrive at the settlement of Ferret where we'll follow the valley to La Fouly. After a refreshment stop, a taxi will take us to our accommodation near Champex Lac.

  4. The Bovine Alpage Route -

    The third hiking day begins with a descent through conifers, following trails below Champex. We'll pass picturesque chalets and and cows grazing in an occasional meadow. From the lowest point at Plan d'Au, we begin a steady climb to Bovine, where we emerge from the trees onto a high pasture with a view, and a café. From here, the trail takes us to the historic Col de la Forclaz hotel, and then down to the lovely Swiss village of Trient where we'll spend the last night of the trek.

  5. Back into France over the Col de Balme -

    Today we'll tackle the longest climb of the trip to reach the Col de Balme and the French border. After a steep ascent in the forest, the gradient eases off a little and the view opens up. At the top, you'll be rewarded with classic views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding massif before we begin the trek down to Le Tour at the head of the Chamonix valley. From here, we'll take a local bus into town where you'll have a little time to explore before your transfer to Geneva airport.

What's Included

Not Included

Next Departures

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the Tour du Mont Blanc East?

It's rated moderate, covering 49 km over 4 days with 2,920 m of elevation gain. You should be comfortable with sustained climbs and descents on varied terrain, but no technical climbing skills are required.

What kind of terrain will we be walking on?

The route mixes forest paths, singletrack, and rocky trails with stretches through alpine meadows and valley floors. You'll also cross mountain passes, so expect some sections with loose footing and steeper gradients.

Where do we meet to start the tour?

The meeting point is Geneva Airport, which makes travel logistics straightforward whether you're flying in or arriving overland.

How many days does the tour take, and is it a loop?

This is a 4-day itinerary covering the eastern section of the Tour du Mont Blanc circuit in the Mont Blanc Massif region of the French Alps.

What should I pack given the mixed terrain?

Since you'll be moving through forest paths, rocky trails, and alpine meadows with notable elevation gain, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and trekking poles are recommended for the descents. You'll be sleeping in refuges, so you can travel fairly light - you'll need day hiking gear plus some spare clothing, sleeping bag liner, travel towel and toiletries. See the full packing list for more details.

Is this tour suitable for a first multi-day alpine trek?

With a moderate difficulty rating and 4 days of hiking, it's a solid option if you have some single-day hiking experience and reasonable fitness, though the daily elevation gain means you shouldn't be attempting your very first hike ever.

I'm traveling solo - will I spend the trek on my own?

No. This runs as a small group, and evenings are spent together over dinner at the refuge or auberge, so solo travelers end up walking and eating alongside the rest of the group rather than alone.

What will the accommodation be like?

We stay in mountain refuges, an Auberge in Trient, and a lodge in Chamonix. All the nights are spent in shared dormitories. It may be possible to upgrade some nights to a private room but availability is very limited. Send a message to enquire about this.

Can I upgrade to private rooms?

Yes, subject to availability. We don't offer a set price for this as it depends on a few factors - the time of booking, availability, and how many people are looking to upgrade. It is likely that the upgrade will be possible for some, but not all, of the four nights. In some of the accommodation the private rooms are in very short supply. Send us a message and we'll let you know what is possible.

Are baggage transfers available

Yes, baggage transfers are available for an additional cost of 220 euros per person. This price includes the transfer of one 15kg bag to all of the overnight accommodation and back to Chamonix for collection at the finish (4 transfers in total). Send us a message for more details.

How do lunches work during the trek?

We'll provide a picnic lunch on Day 2 (the first hiking day). For the remaining three lunches, we make a group decision each evening for the following day. We can either buy packed lunches from the overnight accommodation (around 10-15€ per day) or stop at a scenic refuge or mountain restaurant (15-25€ per day).

Related

Why Book With Made to Hike

This tour is led by a certified mountain guide verified through Made to Hike. All guides on the platform hold recognised certifications such as IFMGA, IML, or equivalent local qualifications. Bookings include secure payment processing, a money-back guarantee, and direct communication with your guide before the trip.

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