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Route Rating Level 4 to Level 5

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TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 1 lunch and 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation fees may vary based upon departure date. Please call our expert Trip Consultants at (800) GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) for more information.

Meet / Depart

Geneva, Switzerland

Special Interest

Culture & History, Geological Wonders, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife

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Mont Blanc Hiking Vacations

Mont Blanc Hiking

A Classic Hike through France, Italy & Switzerland

The majestic Mont Blanc massif, Western Europe's tallest mountain at 15,771 feet, towers in the rarefied alpine air. Circumnavigating the peak - the Tour de Mont Blanc - is one of the continent's most exhilarating hiking routes. Backroads' challenging trip covers much of this classic journey and showcases some of its most spectacular scenery. Evenings, we experience the hospitality of three different cultures during our stays in cozy French and Italian chalets, and rustic, quintessentially Swiss hotels.

View other trips in Europe France

Day 1 Chamonix, France

Meet in Geneva Embark on a warm-up hike through the Chamonix Valley with incredible views of the Aguilles de Chamonix Stroll through Chamonix, the famed mountaineering center nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc.

Day 2 Les Contamines, France

Hike over two mountain passes, including the impressive Col de Tricot along Mont Blanc's western flank Admire vistas of the snow-covered Dômes de Miage ridge and the Miage Glacier during lunch at a hiker's refuge.

Day 3 Les Chapieux, France

Follow an ancient Roman trading path alongside the Bon Nant River and into a natural reserve Tackle the incredibly scenic (but steep!) route over the Bonhomme Pass.

Days 4-5 Courmayeur, Italy

Walk from France through the Valley of Glaciers to the chic mountain resort town of Courmayeur, Italy Hike through the Veny Valley along Lac Combal and savor your first view of Mont Blanc from the Italian side Spend a well-deserved day relaxing in town.

Day 6 Champex-Lac, Switzerland

Make your way from the Italian to the Swiss side of the Ferret Valley Enjoy a traditional Swiss mountain lunch of raclette Take in views of the Pres de Bard Glacier and Mont Dolent, where Swiss, French and Italian borders converge.

Day 7 Col de la Forclaz, Switzerland

Ascend to the Col de la Forclaz and follow a verdant undulating trail past waterfalls and through mountain pasture   Stop at a charming family-run alpine dairy for lunch.

Days 8-9 Chamonix, France

Hike to the Col de Balme, a techincal climb tracing an ancient trade route from Switzerland back to France Take the cog train up to a historic hotel and hike to a spectacular view point over the Mer de Glace  Return to Chamonix by cable car.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

Guest Trip Reviews

The trip was fantastic!!! Our guides were the BEST guides.Their knowledge, ability to lead the trip and take care of EVERYTHING we needed was incredible. I have had - and have heard of good guides before - but everyone on our trip agreed that we have never had guides that were this incredible. They made sure everything was taken care of and then they ensured they spent time with all of us individually, got to know us. The trip itself was incredible...the hikes, the scenery, the experience, our group was really wonderful. We had so much fun! A trip I am telling everyone about. My husband is so blown away by my pictures he is already signing us up for a trip next year.
Meridith Elliott - Flat Rock, NC

More Reviews of this Trip

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Alps tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in Europe France, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe France walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France multisport tours click here.

Mont Blanc Hiking

ALPINE WARMTH: Casual Inns

Park Hotel Suisse
Park Hotel Suisse

Chamonix, France (1 night)
Located in the heart of famed mountaineering center, Chamonix.

Hotel Chemenaz

Les Contamines, France (1 night)
A cozy mountainside lodge with spectacular views and pool facilities. 

Auberge de la Nova
Auberge de la Nova

Les Chapieux, France (1 night)
Featuring hearty dinners, this traditional alpine refuge is a hiker's haven.

Hotel Berthod
Hotel Berthod

Courmayeur, Italy (2 nights)
This charming inn is located just off the main pedestrian zone in chic Courmayeur, boasting panoramic views of Mont Blanc.

Hotel Residence Glacier & Sporting
Hotel Residence Glacier & Sporting

Champex-Lac, Switzerland (1 night)
A family-run hotel with a billiards lounge, a large terrace and spa facilities.

Hotel du Col de la Forclaz
Hotel du Col de la Forclaz

Col de la Forclaz, Switzerland (1 night)
This rustic inn is perfectly situated next to the hiking path joining the Swiss and French borders.

Auberge du Bois Prin

Chamonix, France (1 night)
A traditional Chamonix chalet perched on a hill overlooking the town, with magnificent views of the massif.

Mont Blanc Hiking

Route Rating: Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles
Day 1
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 3.2 miles
  • 850 feet elevation gain
  • 1000 feet elevation loss (2.5 hours)
Day 2
  • Level 4 1 Route Option Available
  • 7.3 miles
  • 2300 feet elevation gain
  • 4300 feet elevation loss (6-7 hours)
Day 3
  • Level 4 1 Route Option Available
  • 10.6 miles
  • 4200 feet elevation gain
  • 3100 feet elevation loss (7-9 hours)
Day 4
  • Levels 4 to 5 2 Route Options Available
  • 10.6, 14 miles
  • 2500 - 4100 feet elevation gain
  • 3000 feet elevation loss (7-8 hours)
Day 5
  • Optional Activities
Day 6
  • Level 4 1 Route Option Available
  • 9.4 miles
  • 2800 feet elevation gain
  • 3100 feet elevation loss (6-7 hours)
Day 7
  • Levels 4  1 Route Option Available
  • 9.9 miles
  • 2400 feet elevation gain
  • 2200 feet elevation loss (5-6 hours)
Day 8
  • Level 4 1 Route Option Available
  • 6.5 miles
  • 2400 feet elevation gain
  • 200 feet elevation loss (5-6 hours)
Day 9
  • Level 3 1 Route Option Available
  • 3.1 miles
  • 1600 feet elevation gain

The terrain on this trip varies from access roads, mountain hiking paths, uneven boulders, exposed single-track trails and suspension bridges to sections covered with snow, ice and mud. Most days we climb one to two mountain passes; expect hills with some strenuous climbs and steep descents.

The walking and hiking routes on this trip are not accessible by van. There is no van support on the hikes.