French & Italian Alps Walking & Hiking Tour
Geneva to Mont Blanc & Chamonix
Needle-sharp peaks soar above peaceful trails through flower-filled meadows. A landscape replete with storybook villages, forested foothills, imposing glaciers and welcoming rifugi. A pleasing mélange of rustic mountain culture and luxurious hotels. And majestic Mont Blanc, towering above it all. Join us to experience alpine life from two perspectives: français and italiano. Doubly sublime.
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
France & Italy
Start/End Geneva, Switzerland
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
- Experience the exquisite cuisine, warm hospitality and lively traditions of two distinct mountain cultures in France and Italy
- Stroll through the streets and among the shops of Chamonix and glamorous Megève, tucked in the Mont Blanc foothills
- Journey to the Italian side of Mont Blanc and sip a cappuccino at a high-alpine hut with views above beautiful Val Ferret
- Hike amid glorious landscapes, from timbered valleys and dramatic peaks to dazzling meadows thick with wildflowers
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Hike in the hills above Combloux to an alpine meadow and catch your first glimpse of legendary Mont Blanc | Savor a lunch of regional specialties, including homemade cheeses, at a high-elevation refuge | Walk in the old-school chic hamlet of Megève, tucked in the rolling Mont Blanc foothills | Once a simple farming village, Megève now brims with chic boutiques and is a delight to explore on foot | Lounge by the pool or at the spa at our cozy mountain retreat.
Coolly blending rustic design with a luxury finish, this elegant escape is surrounded by lush gardens and nestled in the foothills of the Alps. (pool, spa)
Jaw-dropping vistas of commanding Mont Blanc steal the show | Hop aboard a historic cog-wheel train from St-Gervais-les-Bains alongside climbers setting off for the summit | At Aiguille du Midi, trek along a stunning balcony trail to the Signal de Forbes overlook and gaze down over the Alps’ second-largest glacier, the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) | Take in spectacular views of Mont Blanc while hiking to the famed mountaineering town of Chamonix | An alpinist's mecca in any season, this captivating hub earned its status as a world-renowned ski resort when it hosted the first ever Winter Olympic games | Learn about the area’s fascinating history from a local cragsman after a dinner of hearty highland fare.
Luxurious and stylishly renovated, this historic alpine hotel provides ideal access to the charms of Chamonix's village center. (pool, spa)
Let’s go to Italy, or shall we say, andiamo in Italia! | Walk with expert high-mountain guides across the Dente del Gigante (Giant's Tooth) glacier and enjoy a picnic lunch at 11,000 feet | Discover the Italian town of Courmayeur and linger over a festive meal | Sip a cappuccino before exploring the gorgeous Val Ferret on the Italian side of Monte Bianco | Follow a portion of the Tour du Mont Blanc trail | Marvel at peaks that seem to stretch forever above the valley and glacial river below.
Mountain charm and warm hospitality are highlights at this hotel in the picturesque Italian Alps. (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: 2-4
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 paved and gravel access roads, well-maintained dirt paths and rocky exposed trails. During our glacier-walking excursion, we're accompanied by expert mountain guides and we'll wear crampons to walk on snow and ice. An alternative hiking option is available if this activity is not for you. Most activities take place at elevations of 6,000–8,000 feet (and up to 12,000 feet), which can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 6 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.
Hôtel Mont-Blanc and Les Fermes de Marie are Premiere Hotels. While they offer outstanding service and amenities, please note that they are not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region's generally temperate climate and cool nights, guestrooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
