The Col de Tricot
The Col de Tricot is a Tour du Mont Blanc variant between the Col de Voza and Les Contamines-Montjoie: it goes via the Col de Tricot, the Chalets de Miage and Le Truc instead of Bionnassay and Champel. Via this variant, the stage from Les Houches to the Refuge de la Balme covers 30 km18.6 mi with 2,653 m8,704 ft of ascent.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
The classic TMB runs from Les Houches to Les Contamines-Montjoie via the Col de Voza, Bionnassay, Champel and Tresse; the variant leaves this route at the Col de Voza and goes via the Col de Tricot, the Chalets de Miage and Le Truc. From Les Houches you look out over the Aiguille de Bionnassay and the Dômes de Miage; from the Col de Voza, over the north face of the Aiguille de Bionnassay and the Aiguille du Goûter; and from Le Truc, over the Val Montjoie.
This variant should not be taken lightly: it requires good fitness, but the views are worth the effort.
The Stage in Numbers
The stage from Les Houches (1,008 m3,307 ft, as given by the Aosta Valley stage description, in French and Italian) to the Refuge de la Balme covers 30 km18.6 mi with 2,653 m8,704 ft of ascent and 1,977 m6,486 ft of descent, with a high point of 2,124 m6,969 ft at the Col de Tricot; allow 8 hours of walking. The GPX track of the stage is available to download.
Download the stage GPX track: https://www.visugpx.com/rFQWJMXPXN
The first part of the stage follows the classic route as far as the Col de Voza, where you choose between the classic route and the variant via the Col de Tricot, the Chalets de Miage and Le Truc.
From the Col de Tricot, you can continue to the Refuge de la Balme, at 1,706 m5,597 ft, to spend the night, which makes for a longer day; otherwise, you can stop in Les Contamines to shorten the stage.
Points of interest: Col de Voza, Chalets de Miage, Col de Tricot (2,124 m6,969 ft)
Where to sleep?
- Refuge de la Balme
- Auberge du Truc, on the Col de Tricot variant, at 1,750 m5,741 ft
- La Balme bivouac area, 200 m from the refuge, which does not manage it, with water and toilets nearby; in 2026, online booking was mandatory (and free), says Asters, which manages the reserve
- You can also stop earlier in Les Contamines (campsite or hotel)
Practical info
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