French & Italian Alps Walking & Hiking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
French & Italian Alps Walking & Hiking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
2025: Jun-Sep
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.
Highlights
- Savor 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
- Walk across the snow fields of Glacier du Géant with a mountain guide and take in views of needle-like Aiguille du Midi
- Hike amid glorious landscapes, from timbered valleys and dramatic peaks to dazzling meadows thick with wildflowers
Start/EndGeneva, Switzerland
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Day 1
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 sophisticated boutiques and is a delight to explore on foot • Lounge by the pool or at the spa at our cozy mountain retreat.
Night 1
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)
Days 2-3
Jaw-dropping vistas of commanding Mont Blanc steal the show • Hop aboard a historic cogwheel 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 • 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 • Celebrate with a dinner of hearty highland fare.
Nights 2-3
Relax at this luxurious and historic alpine hotel featuring ideal access to the charms of Chamonix's village center. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
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 town of Courmayeur, a historic capital for mountaineering and hiking • Explore the gorgeous Val Ferret valley 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.
Nights 4-5
Mountain charm and tradition are highlights of this hotel, as are its stunning views of the Italian Val d’Aosta Alps. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. 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 not readily accessible by van. 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.
While the hotels on this trip 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.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Night 1
Premiere Hotel
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)
Nights 2-3
Premiere Hotel
Relax at this luxurious and historic alpine hotel featuring ideal access to the charms of Chamonix's village center. (pool, spa)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
Mountain charm and tradition are highlights of this hotel, as are its stunning views of the Italian Val d’Aosta Alps. (pool, spa)
Gallery
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
