Tour du Mont Blanc
High-level route
The trek for those who want to go up high!
Tour du Mont Blanc High-level route
If you love summits, the TMB by the High-level route is just perfect for you!
Over the course of seven days, experience an adventure rich in emotions on a wild and alpine itinerary through exceptional glacial landscapes. Experience the unique atmosphere of the high mountains as you cross glaciers and major passes.
You’ll sleep in some of the most iconic mountain refuges in the Alps.
From France to Switzerland via Italy, the High-level route promises an unforgettable week of trekking.
Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
Pierrick, the founder of the agency, grew up in the Mont Blanc region.
As a true mountain lover, he has made the area his playground and his profession, always with your happiness as his goal. He will take you off the beaten track on routes that he has designed and mapped himself. Sharing his experience and passion with you every step of the way, you can entrust yourself completely to his guidance.
The advantages of the TMB High-level route
A wild alpine itinerary at high altitude
Glacier crossings!
A physical challenge in a magnificent setting
High-quality accommodation
Departure guaranteed as soon as 4 people have signed up.
Duration
7 days
Difficulty
4/5
Group
10 max.
Starting from
Les Houches
Date of departure
2 departures during the summer
Accomodation
Dormitories
Luggage
Except for 4 nights
The programme in detail
Day 1: Bellevue – Tré La Tête
7 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night in a refuge without luggage – 1350 m (4,429 ft) ascent / 1180 m (3,871 ft) descent
Meet at 9am at the Prarion car park in Les Houches. We will then make our way to the Bellevue cable car. From the top of the cable car, we head for the Col du Tricot (2120 m) and the Miage refuge.
Once past the Truc refuge (1750 m), we continue through the forest to the Bernard path in the heart of the Contamines-Montjoie nature reserve.
This takes us to the authentic Tré la Tête refuge, where we spend the night. No luggage this evening.
Day 2: Tré La Tête refuge – Robert Blanc refuge
8 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night in a refuge without luggage – 650 m (5,479 ft) ascent / 350 m (1,148 ft) descent
We start the day with a technical descent to Combe Noir. A beautiful path leads us to the Jovet lakes, where we switch to a more mineral atmosphere to reach the Col de l’Enclave (2,672m).
Away from the crowds, we continue our walk to the Col de la Grande Ecaille (2750m) before reaching the Robert Blanc refuge for the night. No luggage this evening.
Day 3: Refuge Robert Blanc – Col Chécrouit
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: night in a refuge – 850 m (2,790 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent
Following a beautiful high-level traverse, you will reach the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m / 8,255 ft) and the classic TMB route. Descend to Lac Combal and its milky waters before taking the traverse path to the refuge.
Rising up proudly in front, you can see the back of Mont Blanc, famous for its mountaineering history.
Day 4: Maison Vieille – Refuge Bonatti
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: night in a refuge without luggage – 1,100 m (3,600 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent
The fourth day of the walk starts with a descent into Courmayeur, the Italian “Chamonix”, passing through the historic centre of the village.
You will then climb back up to Val Sapin and the Bertone refuge to finish with a beautiful panoramic traverse to the Bonatti refuge, named after the famous Italian mountaineer. No luggage this evening.
Day 5: Refuge Bonatti – La Fouly
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: night in an inn – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent
Mont Dolent, the famous peak on the border between the three countries on the TMB, stands ahead of you on today’s trail. At the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m / 8,320 ft), Switzerland will welcome you!
This stage ends with a pleasant descent to the mountain pastures of La Peule and the village of La Fouly, nestled in the heart of the Valais canton.
Day 6: La Fouly – Champex – Orny
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: night in a refuge – 1,600 m (5,250 ft) ascent / 300 m (985 ft) descent
After a short transfer to Praz de Fort, you will embark upon a beautiful climb to the Cabane d’Orny, situated at over 2,800 m (9,185 ft). Enjoy the high mountain atmosphere of this small mountain refuge nestled at the foot of the glaciers! No luggage tonight.
Day 7: Orny – Le Tour
7 hrs walking time – 500 m (1,640 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent
The high glaciers await for your last, magnificent day. There will be time to contemplate the many surrounding peaks as you approach Le Tour glacier leading to the Albert I refuge. A final descent above the Chamonix Valley will take you to the village of Le Tour, the final stage of your trek. Train back to the Prarion car park and end of the trip around 4:30pm.
Useful information
Useful information
Luggage transport
The transfer of one piece of luggage per person is provided between the different accommodations (except on the evening of day 1, 2, 4 and 6): one soft bag per person, of a maximum of 12kg each (duffle bag type).
You carry only your stuff for the day, in a backpack of about 30L.
Level
The terrain may present some difficult or long sections, which each participant must be able to cope with.
You must be able to climb at least 1,500 m (5,000 ft) a day, with even more than that on some days.
You must maintain your fitness on a regular basis, participate in an endurance sport several times a week, and train specifically for this trek for at least two months before your departure.
Directions and accommodation
Directions to the starting point: Meet at Bellevue cable car station at 9 am on Day 1.
You can leave your vehicle in the Prarion car park a few meters above. It is a free outdoor car park.
> Map to get to the starting point
Return to the starting point: Local bus from Le Tour, not included in the price of the trip.
Bus timetables at the Chamonix tourist office (info@chamonix.com +33(0)4 50 53 00 24)
Accommodation before and after the trek:
Hotel Saint Antoine – 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 40 10
Hotel Ibis Style – 4333 Rue de l’Essert, 74310 Les Houches – 04 86 80 27 17
Gîte Michel Fagot – 2 Allée des Sorbiers, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 42 28
Equipment
Even if you choose to do it in summer, it can get cold on the TMB! We strongly recommend that you pack clothes suitable for a multi-day hike, such as:
- A fleece
- A windproof and waterproof jacket
- Walking trousers.
The terrain is varied and we recommend you wear walking boots that protect your ankles.
High mountain safety equipment is provided for passages on glaciers (harness, crampons, helmet and ice ax included). You will need high mountain shoes with rigid and cramponable soles (rental possible in the sports shops of Saint-Gervais les Bains, or Chamonix).
For more information, voir notre our special TMB equipment page.
Insurance
To ensure your TMB goes off without a hitch, Watse Trekking Mont Blanc offers three insurance policies with our partner April International Voyage, and a comprehensive Covid-specific contract.
These contracts are designed especially for treks like the Tour du Mont Blanc.
The Comfort cancellation contract covers you in the case of cancellation before your departure and/or a missed flight.
The Comfort multi-risk contract includes:
- Cancellation before departure and interruption of your trek
- Missed flight and flight delay
- Luggage and personal belongings option
- Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
- Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
- Individual travel accident option
- Third-party liability abroad
- Impossible return and early return
The COVID contract includes:
- Cancellation before departure and interruption of your trek
- Missed flight and flight delay
- Luggage and personal belongings option
- Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
- Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
- Individual travel accident option
- Third-party liability abroad
- Impossible return and early return
- Cancellation due to illness 30 days before departure
- Cancellation due to denied boarding
- Remote consultation before departure
- Medical repatriation
- Hotel costs and medical fees
- Psychological support
- Grocery deliveries and home help
The price varies according to the Tour du Mont Blanc you choose. To take out one of these two contracts, just select the option when you book your trek!
Booking
To book, you must:
- Click on one of the “book this trek” links and select the insurance, accommodation and date options.
- Select your payment type (cheque, bank transfer, debit card): There are several ways to pay.
- To pay by cheque: please make it out to WATSE and send to: WATSE – 63 avenue de la gare – 74170 Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet – France.
- To pay by bank transfer: contact us for our bank details.
- To pay by debit card: your invoice will be in your online account as soon as your payment has been confirmed by the bank. You will then be able to pay the balance directly from your account.
- Pay a 30% deposit or the balance for your trek
- Print out the booking form then fill it in, sign it and send it back to us by email or post. Your reservation will only be effective when 30% of the total cost is credited to WATSE’s bank account.
- The balance must be paid at least one month before departure without a reminder from us.
Dates and prices
Tour du Mont Blanc High-level route – 7 days
Included in the price
- Supervision by a qualified mountain guide and a high-mountain guide for glacier crossings
- Accommodation in dormitories, as described in the trek program
- Half board, as described in the trek program
- Packed lunches prepared by a chef
- Dried fruit and nut snacks prepared by a chef
- Luggage transfer except 4 nights
- Showers where available (as described in the trek program)
- The necessary technical equipment on the glacier
- The return train journey to Les Houches after the trek
Not included in the price
- Transport to/from the starting/ending point of the trek in Les Houches
- Drinks other than water served with meals
- Any private transport or cable car tickets not included in the trek program
- Assistance and cancellation insurance, to subscribe at the time of booking
- Anything not listed in “Included in the price”
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Contact us!
Do you have a question about this trek? Write us a message and one of our guides will get back to you!