--- title: "Tour du Mont Blanc in 10 Days" type: "multi-day-itinerary" variante: false lang: "en" distance_km: 170 elevation_plus_m: 10000 elevation_minus_m: 10000 difficulty: "Medium" duration_days: 10 url: "https://www.tmb-guide.com/en/itineraries/tour-du-mont-blanc-in-10-days/" description: "Plan your Tour du Mont Blanc in 10 days. Detailed day-by-day stages, refuges, distances and practical tips for a comfortable pace on the TMB." --- # Tour du Mont Blanc in 10 Days The TMB itinerary in 10 stages to fully enjoy the alpine scenery. A comfortable pace through France, Italy, and Switzerland. ## Overview The Tour du Mont Blanc is Europe's most famous trek, taking you through France, Italy, and Switzerland. The **10-day itinerary** lets you fully enjoy each stage, with moderate hiking days and time to relax in welcoming refuges or comfortable hotels. If you prefer a more sporty pace or simply have less time, check out our [Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days](/en/itineraries/tour-du-mont-blanc-in-7-days/). ## Stats - Distance: 170 km - Elevation gain: 10000 m - Elevation loss: 10000 m - Difficulty: Medium - Duration: 10 days ## Need to know ## Preparing your Tour du Mont Blanc in 10 days ### A more comfortable pace The 10-day itinerary lets you fully enjoy each stage, with moderate hiking days and time to relax in welcoming refuges or comfortable hotels. If you prefer a more sporty pace or simply have less time, check out our [Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days](/en/itineraries/tour-du-mont-blanc-in-7-days/). ### The stages - Day 1: Les Houches - Les Contamines - Day 2: Les Contamines - Les Chapieux - Day 3: Les Chapieux - Elisabetta - Day 4: Refuge Elisabetta - Courmayeur or Refuge Elena - Day 5: Courmayeur or Refuge Elena - La Fouly - Day 6: La Fouly - Champex (Val d'Arpette) - Day 7: Champex (Val d'Arpette) - La Forclaz (or Trient) - Day 8: La Forclaz (or Trient) - Argentiere or Le Tour - Day 9: Argentiere or Le Tour - Chamonix - Day 10: Chamonix - Les Houches ## Practical info - Start and finish at Les Houches - 10 hiking days with possible variants - 3 countries crossed: France, Italy, Switzerland - Total elevation gain: {{10,000 m | 32,808 ft}} - Accommodation in refuges and hotels - Book refuges in advance ## Day-by-day itinerary ### Day 1: Les Houches - Les Contamines - Distance: 17 km - Time: 5 h - Ascent: 640 m - Descent: 1275 m Begin your adventure in the heart of the Alps by leaving the charming village of Les Houches to start the famous Tour du Mont Blanc. Thanks to the Bellevue cable car, you can skip the first climb and ease into the trek. The trail passes through a forest overlooking the picturesque Bionnassay valley and leads through beautiful alpine hamlets, offering breathtaking panoramas of Mont Blanc and the foothills of the Alps. You will admire the imposing summits of the Dome du Gouter and the Aiguille de Bionnassay, with their majestic glacier as a backdrop. You will then continue with a climb to the [Col du Tricot](/en/itineraries/col-de-tricot/), before descending along a zigzagging trail to the Chalet de Miage, nestled in an idyllic setting. The day ends beautifully with an arrival at the village of Les Contamines, along a peaceful path following a crystal-clear river. For this first night, relax in a comfortable 2-star hotel where you will enjoy half-board - ideal for recharging your batteries and preparing for the next leg of your alpine adventure. ### Day 2: Les Contamines - Les Chapieux - Distance: 15.25 km - Time: 7 h - Ascent: 1200 m - Descent: 930 m After a short transfer to Notre-Dame de la Gorge, you will begin the ascent to the Col du Bonhomme, an iconic mountain trail offering stunning panoramas. Continuing to the Croix du Bonhomme, you will be rewarded with majestic views of the Aiguille des Glaciers and the vast alpine expanses. The descent into the Chapieux valley immerses you in a wild and authentic environment, where every turn reveals a new magnificent landscape. For this stage full of mountain charm, you will spend the night at the [refuge-inn La Nova](/en/refuges/auberge-refuge-de-la-nova-1554m-bourg-saint-maurice-france/), where you will enjoy half-board in a friendly atmosphere - ideal for recharging before continuing your adventure. ### Day 3: Les Chapieux - Elisabetta - Distance: 14 km - Time: 5 h - Ascent: 730 m - Descent: 315 m From the Chapieux valley, you will begin your hike towards Ville des Glaciers, a climb of about 45 minutes. During summer, a public shuttle is available to lighten this first part of the journey. You will then continue the ascent to the Col de la Seigne, marking the border between France and Italy. The descent that follows offers a stunning panorama, with the impressive Aiguilles de Peuterey and Mont Blanc de Courmayeur as a backdrop. For this stage in the heart of nature, you will spend the night at [Refuge Elisabetta](/en/refuges/rifugio-elisabetta-soldini-2195m-courmayeur-italie/), in a dormitory with half-board, carrying your overnight essentials with you to fully enjoy this authentic high-mountain experience. ### Day 4: Refuge Elisabetta - Courmayeur or Refuge Elena - Distance: 15 km - Time: 5 h - Ascent: 550 m - Descent: 980 m You will begin with a climb towards one of the most beautiful balconies on the Tour du Mont Blanc, reaching the Col de Checrouit. From there, you can choose to descend on foot or by cable car to the charming town of Courmayeur. For the night, you will have 2 options: **Private room option:** You will spend the night in Courmayeur at a comfortable 3-star hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis - perfect for resting after a day rich in spectacular scenery. **Dormitory option:** After Courmayeur, a public bus transfer will take you to the end of Val Ferret. A short one-hour walk will bring you to the magnificent [Refuge Elena](/en/refuges/rifugio-elena-2062m-courmayeur-italie/), offering an unbeatable view of the Pre de Bar glacier. You will spend the night in a dormitory with half-board, in this unique mountain setting. *For a unique experience, we recommend the dormitory option at Refuge Elena. ### Day 5: Courmayeur or Refuge Elena - La Fouly - Distance: 13 km - Time: 5 h - Ascent: 725 m - Descent: 930 m By crossing the Grand Col Ferret, you will pass the border into Switzerland, descending to the charming village of La Fouly. Throughout this stage, you will enjoy impressive views of the Combins massif to the east and the Italian side of Mont Blanc to the west, offering a striking contrast of alpine landscapes. You will spend the night in La Fouly at a 3-star hotel with half-board. ### Day 6: La Fouly - Champex (Val d'Arpette) - Distance: 15.5 km - Time: 5.5 h - Ascent: 600 m - Descent: 500 m This stage takes you into the heart of one of the most beautiful valleys in the Valais, where you will discover the traditional architecture of the typical villages in the Val Ferret valley. Along the way, you will climb to the picturesque village of Champex, nestled on the shore of its mountain lake, offering an idyllic setting. A walk of about 45 minutes will then take you to the Val d'Arpette, a haven of pristine nature. You will spend the night at the [Relais d'Arpette](/en/refuges/relais-darpette-1630m-champex-lac-suisse/), with half-board, in a warm and mountainous atmosphere - perfect for recharging after this lovely day. ### Day 7 (option 1): Champex (Val d'Arpette) - La Forclaz (via the Fenetre d'Arpette) - Distance: 15 km - Time: 8 h - Ascent: 1100 m - Descent: 1400 m The passage through the [Fenetre d'Arpette](/en/itineraries/fenetre-darpette/), reaching 2 850 m (9 350 ft), is one of the most impressive high points on the Tour du Mont Blanc. This stage offers an extraordinary spectacle during the descent towards Trient, with a plunging view of the glacier accompanying you throughout the route. You will spend the night either at the Col de la Forclaz or in Trient, at a mountain inn with half-board, offering a friendly and restful setting after this intense day. *Note that the Fenetre d'Arpette variant is highly dependent on your physical fitness and the weather conditions. ### Day 7 (option 2): Champex (Val d'Arpette) - La Forclaz (via the Col de Bovine) - Distance: 14 km - Time: 5.5 h - Ascent: 760 m - Descent: 700 m In case of bad weather or for hikers who prefer a less demanding route, the passage via the Col de Bovine is a more accessible yet equally beautiful alternative. You will spend the night either at the Col de la Forclaz or in Trient, at a mountain inn with half-board, offering a friendly and restful setting after this intense day. ### Day 8: La Forclaz (or Trient) - Argentiere or Le Tour - Distance: 15.5 km - Time: 6.5 h - Ascent: 1000 m - Descent: 750 m Back in France via the Col de la Balme, you will be greeted by a stunning view of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte - panoramas that make this stage particularly memorable. The descent leads you directly to the village of Le Tour. For the night, you will have 2 options: **Dormitory option:** You will spend the night at the Club Alpin refuge in Le Tour, with half-board, where the friendly and authentic atmosphere lets you share experiences with fellow hikers. **Private room option:** For more comfort, you can opt for a night in Argentiere at a 3-star hotel with half-board - the ideal place to rest after this magnificent stage. ### Day 9: Argentiere or Le Tour - Chamonix - Distance: 21 km - Time: 6 h - Ascent: 900 m - Descent: 1300 m The Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges offers a spectacular panorama - undoubtedly one of the finest mountain balconies you could ever behold. You will begin with a climb to the famous Lac Blanc, where a magnificent view awaits: facing you stand the Verte and the Drus, followed by the Flegere trail revealing the Mer de Glace, the Aiguilles de Chamonix, the Mont Blanc du Tacul, the Aiguille du Gouter, and of course, the majestic Mont Blanc. The descent then takes you through Le Praz, before reaching Chamonix by regular and frequent bus service. To cap off this unforgettable day, you will spend the night in Chamonix at a 3-star hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis, where you can relax and enjoy the comfort of your accommodation. ### Day 10: Chamonix - Les Houches - Distance: 12 km - Time: 6 h - Ascent: 515 m - Descent: 1540 m For this final stage, you will take the Chamonix cable car up to Planpraz before beginning your hike towards Les Houches via the Col du Brevent. For those who prefer a more relaxed alternative, it is also possible to take a second cable car from Plan Praz to the summit of Le Brevent, and then continue on foot to Les Houches. If the cable cars are not running, as sometimes happens in June and September, or if snow still covers the trails early in the season, this day can serve as an ideal rest day to explore Chamonix. A train ride will then take you directly to Les Houches. Your trip ends at Les Houches in the afternoon, after enjoying this wonderful alpine adventure.