8 Days & 7 Nights

4.6

Classic Walks of Mont Blanc

Twin-centre walking tour exploring the Mont Blanc Massif
Classic mountain walks, including Lac Blanc and the Grand Balcon Sud
Walks through valleys carpeted with wildflowers and clinking cowbells
Immersion in the iconic mountaineering culture of Chamonix
Overnight stays in hand-picked and welcoming 3* hotels

Iconic Alpine walking offering sublime mountain views on both sides of the Mont Blanc Massif. Towering Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe is the dominating presence here and you can experience mountain life from both the French and Italian perspectives. Based in the towns of Chamonix and Courmayeur there is no shortage of awe-inspiring walks to complete every day. Expect to see tranquil foothills covered with wildflowers, snow-capped summits, grassy meadows, glaciers, charming hamlets and bright blue mountain lakes. After each day’s walk is completed settle into your 3* hotel offering genuine Alpine hospitality.

From $2,099.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Chamonix and overnight

Arrive in the iconic mountaineering town of Chamonix. Experience the sensational backdrop of the Mont Blanc Massif. Chamonix is a great small town to explore. Why not sit in one of the many convivial outdoor cafés or restaurants with a local beer and admire the mountain views.

Overnight Chamonix

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel De L’Arve | 3 Star | Hotel

Enjoying a quiet location with great views, despite being so close to the centre of Chamonix, the hotel has 37 comfortable rooms and a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

Hotel Oustalet | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel l'Oustalet in Chamonix is located at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi, right near the pedestrian center of town, and near the train station. This typical, little charming Savoyard hotel is family managed and will guarantee you a warm welcoming atmosphere.

Lykke Hôtel & Spa | 4 Star | Hotel

Lykke Hotel is located in the heart of Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc. Each room has a sitting area and a bathroom with bath or shower. They are equiped with tea & coffe facilities, flat-screen TV, hair-dryier, and free Wi-Fi access.

Day 2: Walk Tre le Champ to La Flégère via Lac Blanc or Argentière Valley Walk 9 miles / 15 km

Today’s walk is one of the most iconic in the Alps due to its spectacular panoramas over the Mont Blanc Massif. Take a local bus to Tre le Champ and then follow the Tour du Mont Blanc trail to Lac Blanc walking along the famous Grand Balcon Sud. Take the cable car back down to Chamonix from Flégère. If you want a longer walk, continue on to Planpraz.

For those travelling outside of the cable car operating dates (or even for those who are travelling within them) a lovely walk through the Argentière Valley is a splendid and easier alternative.

Walk 1 - Tre le Champ to La Flégère via Lac Blanc, 9.3 miles (15km) Ascent 4416ft (1346m) Descent 2103 ft (641m)

Walk 2 - Tré-le-Champ to Planpraz via Lac Blanc without ladder section, 9.1 miles (14.8km) Ascent 4422 ft (1348m) Descent 2631ft (802m)

Walk 3 - Argentière Valley Walk, 6.5 miles (10.5km) Ascent 1230ft (375m) 1230ft (375m)

Overnight Chamonix

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel De L’Arve | 3 Star | Hotel

Enjoying a quiet location with great views, despite being so close to the centre of Chamonix, the hotel has 37 comfortable rooms and a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

Le Refuge des Aiglons | 4 Star | Hotel

Le Refuge des Aiglons is a contemporary hotel with 107 guest rooms just a few steps from the Aiguille du Midi cable cars. The hotel boasts a large garden, spacious bar, good quality restaurant and genuine Mountain Spa.

Hotel Alpina | 4 Star | Hotel

The Hotel Alpina is an establishment of grand standing and contemporary architecture which provides a maximum number of services from within the hotel: spacious and comfortable rooms, a large lounge with a chimney, a billiards room, a health centre and a commercial gallery with exhibition hall.

Day 3: Walk Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers 7 miles / 11.5 km

Take the Aiguille du Midi cable car up to Plan de l’Aiguille and the beginning of your walk. Begin at 1200m and walk along the Grand Balcon Nord with awe-inspiring views of the Grandes Jorasses. Montenvers is on the edge of the Mer de Glace glacier which, in the 18th century, used to descend all the way into the Chamonix Valley. Take the train from Montenvers back down the valley into Chamonix.

Ascent 393ft (120m) Descent 4517ft (1377m)

Overnight Chamonix

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel De L’Arve | 3 Star | Hotel

Enjoying a quiet location with great views, despite being so close to the centre of Chamonix, the hotel has 37 comfortable rooms and a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

Le Refuge des Aiglons | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel Alpina | 4 Star | Hotel

Day 4: Bellevue Loop via Le Champel or Vallorcine Valley Walk 9 miles / 15 km

Make your way to Les Houches by local bus or train (10-15mins) and to the base of the Bellevue Cable Car Station. From here you walk up to Mont Vorassay and the Col de Tricot. Reach the Chalet de Miege huddling on the edge of picturesque pastures and continue to Le Champel, a hamlet of old houses and a tiny chapel. Traverse the wooded south flank of the Bionnassay Valley before arriving back at the cable car.

An excellent alternate walk is available through the Vallorcine Valley when the cable car to Bellevue is not operational.

Walk 1- Bellevue Loop via Le Champel, 9.4 miles (15.2km) Ascent 3366ft (1026m) Descent 3412ft (1040m)

Walk 2 - Vallorcine Valley Walk, 6.5 miles (10.6km) Ascent 1902ft (580m) Descent 1902ft (580m)

Overnight Chamonix

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel De L’Arve | 3 Star | Hotel

Enjoying a quiet location with great views, despite being so close to the centre of Chamonix, the hotel has 37 comfortable rooms and a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

Le Refuge des Aiglons | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel Alpina | 4 Star | Hotel

Day 5: Transfer Chamonix to Courmayeur. Val Veny Loop Walk 5.4 miles / 8.7 km

Cross the border into Italy as you get taken by private transfer from your hotel in Chamonix through the Mont Blanc tunnel to the other side of the Mont Blanc Massif and to Courmayeur (a transfer of 30 mins).

Once you have dropped your luggage off at the hotel take a short bus ride to Val Veny and enjoy a relaxed Loop Walk in the Valley.

Ascent 269m Descent 263m

Overnight Courmayeur

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Bouton d’Or | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Bouton d’Or is a family-run gem located in Courmayeur, just a few minutes walk from the lively pedestrian centre. Warm and welcoming, it combines traditional Alpine décor with modern comforts. The hotel offers cozy, well-appointed rooms and a rich breakfast buffet featuring homemade cakes, local cheeses, and fresh regional specialties. Guests can relax in the garden after a day of hiking.

Hotel Crampon | 3 Star | Hotel

The Crampon is a charming family run 3 * hotel. It has been entirely renovated and offers the guests a warm and friendly atmosphere between modernity and tradition.

Cresta et Duc | 4 Star | Hotel

Cresta et Duc offers contemporary design with warm Alpine comfort. The have a small wellness centre with sauna, steam bath and gym where you can realx after a long day's walk.

Day 6: Optional Walks from La Visaille 8.5 miles / 14 km

Take the bus from Courmayeur to La Visaille. From here you have 2 options:

Walk back to Courmayeur via Plan Crecrout for a thrilling walk which provides some of the best views in the Alps.

Alternatively, walk to Rifugio Elisabetta via Lake Miage. Enjoy a well-earned break at the rifugio before returning to La Visaille, where you can catch the local bus back to Courmayeur.

Walk 1 - La Visaille to Courmayeur via Col Checrouit, 9.5 miles (15.3km) Ascent 2723ft (830m) Descent 4173ft (1272m)

Walk 2 - La Visaille to Rifugio Elisabetta via Lake Miage, 8.5 miles (13.8km) Ascent 2103ft (641m) Descent 2116ft (645m)

Overnight Courmayeur

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Bouton d’Or | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Crampon | 3 Star | Hotel

The Crampon is a charming family run 3 * hotel. It has been entirely renovated and offers the guests a warm and friendly atmosphere between modernity and tradition.

Cresta et Duc | 4 Star | Hotel

Cresta et Duc offers contemporary design with warm Alpine comfort. The have a small wellness centre with sauna, steam bath and gym where you can realx after a long day's walk.

Day 7: Refugio Bonatti to Courmayeur 8 miles / 13.5 km

Today’s walk is another Mont Blanc Massif classic. A transfer (20mins) brings you to Lavachey and from here you walk up to Refugio Bonatti. The route contours around the flank of Mont de la Saxe on an undulating path giving you plenty of time to take in the dramatic icy panorama of the Mont Blanc Massif and Grand Jorasses across the valley.

Ascent 1646ft (502m) Descent 3224ft (989m)

Overnight Courmayeur

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Bouton d’Or | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Crampon | 3 Star | Hotel

The Crampon is a charming family run 3 * hotel. It has been entirely renovated and offers the guests a warm and friendly atmosphere between modernity and tradition.

Cresta et Duc | 4 Star | Hotel

Cresta et Duc offers contemporary design with warm Alpine comfort. The have a small wellness centre with sauna, steam bath and gym where you can realx after a long day's walk.

Day 8: Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 16kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 16kg is equivalent to 6 paperback books in the USA. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This tour offers iconic walks within classic Alpine scenery and is geared towards those who are in good physical shape as the tour is rated moderate. If you like the “wow” factor of great views, stays in very welcoming accommodations and experiencing two different cultures (in France & Italy), then you should book this tour!

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Alpine Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

This tour has a moderate grading. As you are walking in the Alps there will most definitely be some elevation gains and losses. We have tried to utilize cable cars where possible in order to avoid steep elevation gains and losses to and from the valley floor. When cable cars are not running we have provided alternate walks which again do not entail lots of elevation gains and losses. These walks have been put together specifically so that most people in good physical shape can do them. So although you are in the mountains they are still only moderate. The terrain is a combination of dirt or rocky trails, with some country tracks and lanes.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 Nights accommodation in 3* hotels
7 Breakfasts
Private transfer from Chamonix to Courmayeur
Transfer to Lavachey on Day 7
Detailed information pack, route notes, maps, GPS tracks and access to the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24/7 telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Chamonix and from Courmayeur
Cable cars or buses wherever necessary
Lunches & Dinners
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Upgraded hotel package

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.