Italian, French & Swiss Alps Walking & Hiking Tour
Mont Blanc Adventure from Huts to Mountain Lodges
It's a hiker's dream. The dazzling peak of iconic Mont Blanc. A once-in-a-lifetime trek through three of Europe's most beautiful countries. Spectacular Courmayeur. Legendary Chamonix. Classic Swiss chalets. Mountain culture at its finest. It's a world ignited by a pink alpenglow. Or perhaps it's la vie en rose.
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Casual Hotels
Italy, France & Switzerland
Start/End Geneva
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
- Toast the sunset over the mountains from our historic alpine lodge—a truly singular experience
- Trek through the awe-inspiring Alps and between three cultures in Italy, France and Switzerland
- Gaze over the dramatic escarpments and snowfields of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain
- Hike on France’s exquisite Mer de Glace glacier and then explore the charms of elegant Chamonix
6 Days Casual Hotels
Welcome to the Alps! Start your hiking journey with a walk through quiet woods to a meadow that perfectly frames beloved Mont Blanc | Trek over Val Ferret, a lush valley on the Italian side of Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) | Take in the scene over a cappuccino at a friendly rifugio (high-elevation hut) | Hike a portion of the Mont Blanc ridge trail, considered one of the best in the world | Dine on hearty Northern Italian cuisine | Feel at home in the region’s unique and irresistible mountain culture | Visit lively Courmayeur and relax at an atmospheric alpine hotel.
An elegant family-run mountain lodge with a pleasing design and expansive views of the Mont Blanc range. (pool, spa)
Say ciao to Italy and bonjour to France as you fly over glaciers and across the border by gondola | Discover the Aiguille du Midi, a needle of rock looming at 12,777 feet | Regard majestic Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak | Hike on a balcony trail to reach the extraordinary Mer de Glace Glacier | Arrive on foot at the incomparable Refuge du Montenvers | Feel as though you have the Alps to yourself as you watch the sun rise and fall from our secluded high-altitude oasis.
Wake up to a panorama of the Mer de Glace and Aiguille des Drus in this recently renovated 19th-century mountaineering landmark that once hosted Victor Hugo, George Sand, Charles Dickens and Napoleon III.
Take a glacier walk complete with crampons and led by expert guides | Sip an aperitif at a café in the French mountaineering center of Chamonix | Ride the historic Mont Blanc Express train to Switzerland and the sweet little resort town of Les Marécottes | Follow a trail past alpine pastures and enchanting Swiss villages nestled amid the summits | Admire the quintessentially Swiss landscape | Take a last walk amid picturesque châlets and breathtaking massifs.
Built in 1840 and exuding mountain charm, this gorgeous property was the first grand hotel in Chamonix. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
SMALL GROUP? TRY RENDEZVOUS | An extra leader and van for even more flexibility | Call us to book your Rendezvous.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
Activity Level: 2-5
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. LEARN MORE.
Note: The terrain on this trip includes access roads, mountain hiking paths and rocky exposed single-track trails. There is also a day of glacier-walking with mountain guides where we wear crampons and walk on rocks, snow and ice. (There is a separate hiking option if this activity is not for you.)
While we offer daily hiking options on this trip, you should be aware that most hikes include steep ascents and descents as well as hiking at elevation, which is typically between 6,000 and 8,000 feet—and one day at 12,000 feet. While you're free to take your time navigating the sometimes rocky and uneven terrain, you should feel comfortable carrying your daypack (with plenty of water) while tackling the daily ascents and descents.
Backroads provides walking sticks, which are very helpful.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
We ordinarily staff our trips with three leaders: two leaders out on the trail offering support—allowing everyone to have the experience they want, whether it's an easygoing interpretative walk or a rigorous hike—while the third leader moves the van from trailhead to trail end. This trip is a little different in that our routes are a combination of loop hikes and out-and-back trails that begin and end in the same location. This means that you'll still have the same two leaders providing excellent trail support without the need for a third leader to move the van.
Our hikes through the Alps' captivating rugged terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, many of which are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles will get us to and from the trailheads, but due to the nature of these trails, we won't see our vehicles along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
Hiking in the mountains can mean quickly changing, unpredictable weather, even during the warm and sunny summer months. Careful packing is essential for your comfort and overall enjoyment. Be prepared to carry multiple layers every day on the trip—warm base layers, a windproof/rain jacket and rain pants, and even a down jacket, hat and gloves for our day hiking on the glacier.
