Best of Mont Blanc Walking Week 2024

Chamonix is the birthplace of mountaineering and home to the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc. This is the perfect walking holiday to explore the variety of walks in the Mont Blanc region. On some days, we walk along classic trails forming parts of famous trekking trips such as the Tour du Mont Blanc. On other days, we go off the beaten path to enjoy quieter trails. This walking holiday is perfect for people with little or no prior mountain walking experience, and is a great introduction to walking in the Alps.

Day 1: Arrival Chamonix
You meet with your guide in the afternoon for welcome and briefing on the week ahead. In the evening you're free to explore the many shops, bars and restaurants in Chamonix at your leisure.

Day 2: Lac Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve
We take advantage of the Chamonix cable car system and ascend swiftly above the tree line in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Our walk takes us to the beautiful Lac Blanc, a mountain lake high above Chamonix, with amazing views of the Mont Blanc massif. We enjoy lunch by the lake, and maybe a coffee at the Lac Blanc mountain hut, before we return to Chamonix.

Day 3: The Contamines Valley and Mont Truc
We drive to the Contamines valley on the Western side of Mont Blanc. From a small hamlet, we walk up through wooded hill side until we arrive at the idyllc Miage mountain pastures and mountain hut. We ascend further, below the impressive Domes de Miage and it's glaciers, until we reach our highest point of the day, the easy summit of Mont Truc. It's now all downhill to our vehicle and the short trip back to Chamonix.

Day 4: Switzerland and Col de Balme
Today, we do a circular walk from the small Swiss village Trient. The walk starts along a gushing stream below the massive Trient glacier and then through idyllic mountain pastures, before a high level traverse takes us to the Col de Balme mountain pass, which forms the border between France and Switzerland. After lunch, and maybe a coffee at the mountain hut, we descend back to Trient and return to Chamonix.

Day 5: Italy and the Ferret valley
We travel through the Mont Blanc tunnel into Italy and the gorgeous Ferret valley. We start in the trees, but soon pop out above the tree line by the Bonatti mountain hut. We walk up the Malatra valley, through pasture land and old farm houses, to the Entre deux Sauts mountain pass, where we're greeted by amazing views towards the dramatic Italian side of 'Monte Bianco'. We descend back to the Ferret valley and return to Chamonix.

Day 6: Vallorcine and Chalets de Loriaz
Our last walk starts from the small hamlet of le Buet in the Vallorcine valley. We ascend through woodland until, above the tree line, we arrive at the Loriaz pastures and the old Loriaz chalets, which are now run as a mountain hut for hikers. The views are spectacular To one side we can see the Mont Blanc chain and to the other side we look far up the Swiss alps. All too soon, it's time to commence our final descend to le Buet, and a celebratory drink at the old Hotel Buet, before we return to Chamonix.

Day 7: Depart Chamonix
After breakfast, you check out of your hotel. This is the end of the trip.