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Self-Guided Great Hikes of Mont Blanc

Spend 6 days hiking quiet trails of Mont Blanc and exploring the wonders of Chamonix, France and Courmayeur, Italy.

Self-Guided Great Hikes of Mont Blanc

Spend 6 days hiking quiet trails of Mont Blanc and exploring the wonders of Chamonix, France and Courmayeur, Italy.

    Support
  • Self-Guided,
    Style
  • Base Camp Adventures,
    Activity Level
  • Relaxed to Moderate,
  • Moderate to Challenging,

Wake up, grab a croissant and your morning coffee, and start your day the French way. Then it’s off to the trails. There are so many options…

We’ll focus on our absolute favorite corners of Mont Blanc. Slow the pace a bit, spend extra time in the quiet side-valleys around Mont Blanc, enjoying unparalleled vistas. There are easy balcony walks, stages of the TMB, and big hikes to incredible viewpoints. You get to decide.

Chamonix is wonderful, with great restaurants, a walkable village center, and a lively mountain vibe plunked right in the middle of some of the best mountains in the world.  Courmayeur is both stylish and fun, with pedestrian-only streets and great restaurants. They are both absolute highlights of the Mont Blanc region.

Yes, we know, inn-to-inn Tour du Mont Blanc sounds fun, but we love staying in place best of all. Unpack, unwind and get off-the-beaten-path to those adventurous discoveries that make a trip truly special. Your own pace in your own way. It doesn’t get better than this.

 

See our guided version

    Length
  • 7 days, 6 nights
    Departures
  • Jun 10 – Sep 1, 2025
    Cost
  • $2590 Per Person
  • $900 Single Room

Itinerary At a Glance

Days 1-4

Chamonix, France

You’ll have plenty of time to explore. Hike up to the mirror-like views of lac Blanc. Explore Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. Check out some of the stages of the TMB, from the Col de Balme near Switzerland, to the quiet and lovely Bionnassay valley. Or tackle the steep hike to la Jonction, about as close as you can get to Mont Blanc without climbing it!

Days 5-7

Courmayeur, Italy

After 4 nights in Chamonix, transfer by private taxi through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Courmayeur.  The Italian side of Mont Blanc is steep and dramatic, with world-class views from the balcony walks to Elisabetta and Bonatti huts.  Enjoy the comforts of Courmayeur and your friendly hotel each evening.

Included

Your tour includes 6 nights in 3-star Chamonix and Courmayeur hotels, with all breakfasts and 2 dinners. You will also receive topo maps, detailed route descriptions, gps routes and sightseeing suggestions.  Taxi transfer between Chamonix and Courmayeur is included in your tour. We are always available by phone if you have questions during your tour. This is an easily customizable tour… just ask if you would like changes.

This tour does not include arrival or departure transfers from Geneva.  Please ask if you would like help with these.

Full Itinerary

Day 1

arrive Chamonix Mont Blanc

Arrive in Geneva and make your way to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France.

Enjoy your first impressive views of Mont Blanc, with perhaps time for a daytrip up the Aiguille du Midi cable car. Stroll along Chamonix’s vibrant village center or relax and enjoy the views from your charming Chamonix hotel.  Dinner is on your own in Chamonix tonight.

Arrival: Geneva.  Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts.  You can book a private or shared shuttle from GVA to Chamonix.  The trip takes 1½ hrs.  We recommend booking early with Mountain Dropoffs or Chamonix Valley Transfers.

Hotel les Aiglons, l'Oustalet or similar

Day 2

hike to Lac Blanc in the Aiguilles Rouges

One of the classic Mont Blanc hikes leads to Lac Blanc, high above town. This high-mountain lake sits in the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Preserve, a rugged ridge across the valley from Mont Blanc, and commands one of the greatest mountain views anywhere.

Make good use of local cable cars to enjoy more time hiking near the lake, and keep an eye open for bouquetin – a mountain goat with long curved horns that are frequently sighted in this region.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 6 miles; Elevation: 3020 ft. up, 1590 ft. down

Hotel les Aiglons, l'Oustalet or similar
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 3

hike the Posettes ridge to Col de la Balme pass

Heading now toward Switzerland, you’ll hike another traditional stage of the TMB, the Col de Balme pass. Heading up from le Tour, the delightful trail below the Posettes ridge brings plenty of scenic beauty. Alpenrose and wild blueberry bushes surround the trail, with incredible views to the entire Mont Blanc range.

After reaching the Balme pass, you’ll have your choice of an easy descent back to le Tour or a secondary climb up to the Refuge Albert 1er. This alpine club hut is perched high above the le Tour glacier with commanding views and a wonderful sense of accomplishment.  Dinner is on your own.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 3160 ft. up, 2580 ft. down

Hotel les Aiglons, l'Oustalet or similar
  • Breakfast

Day 4

hike to la Jonction view or the Mer de Glace glacier

We’ve saved the best for today. Now that you have your legs under you, a steep ascent up to la Jonction, the stunning confluence of the Bosson and Taconnaz glaciers, is about as close as you can get to Mont Blanc without climbing. It’s a steep hike, but definitely worth it.

If you’d rather take it easier today, Mer de Glace – the “sea of ice”, is a Chamonix classic, with  astounding views of France’s largest glacier. At 7 km long, the Mer de Glace is a sight to behold. Stop for lunch or just a drink at the panoramic terrace of the Montenvers hotel just to take it all in. Then hike the Grand Balcon Nord, a delightful trail that weaves through the forests and meadow to the mid-station of the Aiguille du Midi lift.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 4040 ft. up, 4040 ft. down (la Jonction) or 4-6 hours, 4 miles; Elevation: 1720 ft. up, 440 ft. down (Mer de Glace)

Hotel les Aiglons, l'Oustalet or similar
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 5

transfer to Courmayeur, hike to Elisabetta hut

We’ll arrange a private to pick you up after breakfast and speed you through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Courmayeur.  A great first hike leads up the Veny valley to Elisabetta hut, a popular stop along the Tour du Mont Blanc, with an incredible location amid wild peaks and tumbling glaciers.

For a longer day, continue along a high balcony route to Maison Vieille, a scenic restaurant gazing out to Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains.  Return to Courmayeur by cable car.  Dinner is on your own tonight.  You’re in Italy… pizza anyone?

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 3200 ft. up, 2200 ft. down

Hotel Bouton d'Or or similar
  • Breakfast

Day 6

hike to Bonatti hut and the Ferret

Perhaps the best stage of the TMB starts right from your hotel, climbing a high ridge to a panoramic trail that leads to Bonatti hut.  Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses command your attention, but there are numerous impressive peaks and striking glaciers all day.

Bonatti hut has a beautiful outdoor terrace perfect for a late afternoon drink.  When you’re ready to return, an easy trail leads down to the Ferret valley where you can catch a bus back to Courmayeur.  Dinner is on your own again tonight.  We will send suggestions for some of our favorite restaurants.

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 3520 ft. up, 1950 ft. down

Hotel Bouton d'Or or similar
  • Breakfast

Day 7

depart

After breakfast, depart for your post-tour destinations.

Departure: Geneva.  Plan departure for the day your tour finishes.  You will need to book a private taxi from Courmayeur to GVA.  The trip takes 2½ hrs, and it is best to depart early (before 8:30 am) to avoid delays at the Mont Blanc tunnel.

  • Breakfast

What's great about this tour

  • Perfect flexibility for easy, moderate or epic hiking days
  • A flexible base camp adventure
  • Slow down and enjoy 6 nights exploring Chamonix and Courmayeur
  • Mont Blanc, Aiguille du Midi, Mer de Glace, and more
  • Customizable for shorter or longer trips, or 5-star hotels
  • Glaciers, wildflowers, open trails

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