Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc in a Week: Self-Launched Edition

Arrive in Chamonix the evening before (pre-book a night in a Chamonix hostel such as Chamonix Hostel or Gîte Le Chamoniard Volant, ~£25–35pp). On Day 1, take the La Flégère cable car from Les Praz de Chamonix (buy your own ticket at the station, ~£15 return). Follow the well-marked TMB trail up to Lac Blanc (2,352 m) for staggering views of the Mont Blanc massif, Les Drus and Aiguille Verte. Pack your own lunch from a Chamonix supermarket (Spar or Intermarché). Descend past the Cheserys Lakes to Argentière village. Book accommodation independently at Gîte Le Belvedere or Hotel Couronne in Argentière (~£35–50pp in a twin or dorm room).

🚌Train or bus from Geneva Airport to Chamonix (~£15–20, Ouibus/FlixBus or SAT bus). La Flégère cable car from Les Praz (~£15).

🛏Gîte Le Belvedere or Hotel Couronne, Argentière (~£35–50pp)

• →La Flégère cable car (~£15 one-way or return)
• →Hike to Lac Blanc (2,352 m) on the TMB trail — 6 hrs, ~10 km
• →Viewpoint over Mer de Glace, Aiguille Verte and Mont Blanc summit
• →Descent past Cheserys Lakes to Argentière — stunning balcony trail

Take the local bus from Argentière towards Vallorcine and cross the border into Switzerland, alighting near Trient (TMB signs guide you from the village). The hike climbs through pine and larch forest to the high alpine pastures of Bovine, with sweeping views over the Martigny Valley — one of the most satisfying climbs of the whole route. Descend through cool forest tracks, crossing mountain streams, to the idyllic lakeside village of Champex-Lac. Book accommodation at Auberge de la Forêt or Hôtel du Glacier in Champex-Lac (~£40–55pp). Note: Switzerland is more expensive — budget up accordingly for food.

🚌Mont Blanc Express train/bus from Argentière to Vallorcine, then local bus or short walk to Trient (~£8–12). All TMB trailheads well-signed.

🛏Auberge de la Forêt or Hôtel du Glacier, Champex-Lac (~£40–55pp)

• →Hike from Trient to Champex-Lac via Bovine alpage — 7.5 hrs, ~18 km
• →High alpine pastures of Bovine with panoramic Martigny Valley views
• →Lakeside evening stroll around Lac de Champex

Take the local PostBus from Champex-Lac to La Fouly (~£5). From La Fouly, the trail climbs steadily up the Swiss Val Ferret towards the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m), the border crossing between Switzerland and Italy. The views from the top — down into Italian Val Ferret with Mont Dolent, Grandes Jorasses and the Dent du Géant towering ahead — are jaw-dropping. Descend to Arnouvaz on the Italian side, then take a local taxi or the seasonal bus down to Courmayeur (~£10–15 shared). Book two nights at Maison Bertod B&B or Hotel Bouton d'Or in Courmayeur (~£45–60pp). Dinner in Courmayeur's trattorias — try the Aosta Valley specialities: fontina fondue and polenta.

🚌PostBus Champex-Lac to La Fouly (~£5). Local taxi or seasonal SAV bus Arnouvaz to Courmayeur (~£10–15).

🛏Maison Bertod B&B or Hotel Bouton d'Or, Courmayeur (~£45–60pp)

• →PostBus Champex-Lac to La Fouly (~£5)
• →Hike La Fouly to Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m) — 7 hrs, ~18 km
• →Switzerland–Italy border crossing on foot at Grand Col Ferret
• →Views of Mont Dolent, Grandes Jorasses and Dent du Géant
• →Descent to Arnouvaz, bus/taxi to Courmayeur

Take the local bus or taxi back up to Arnouvaz to rejoin the TMB trail for arguably its most spectacular section. The route hugs the Italian flank of Monte Bianco with unbroken views of the Dent du Géant and Grandes Jorasses icefalls. Pass the iconic Rifugio Walter Bonatti — stop for a coffee or a plate of pasta (~£8–12) — and continue via Rifugio Bertone before the winding forest descent back into Courmayeur. A rest day option: stay in town and explore Courmayeur's alpine boutiques, take the cable car up to Punta Helbronner for Mont Blanc views (~£40), or do a shorter valley walk.

🚌Local bus or taxi Courmayeur to Arnouvaz (~£10). Walk back into Courmayeur at day's end — no transfer needed.

🛏Maison Bertod B&B or Hotel Bouton d'Or, Courmayeur (2nd night, ~£45–60pp)

• →Hike Arnouvaz to Courmayeur via Rifugio Walter Bonatti & Rifugio Bertone — 7 hrs, ~18 km
• →Panoramic views of the Italian face of Monte Bianco
• →Coffee/lunch stop at Rifugio Walter Bonatti (~£8–12)
• →Optional: Skyway Monte Bianco cable car to Punta Helbronner (~£40)

Take the local bus from Courmayeur to La Visaille in Val Veny (~£5). The trail climbs from the Lac Combal plateau past the extraordinary Glacier du Miage, one of the longest glaciers in the Alps, before steepening towards the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m) — your re-entry into France. The descent down the long, remote valley to Les Chapieux is wild and rewarding. From Les Chapieux, catch a pre-arranged taxi (~£15–20 shared, book ahead via local taxi firms) or the infrequent seasonal bus to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Book accommodation at Hôtel l'Autantic or a gîte in Bourg-Saint-Maurice (~£35–50pp).

🚌Local SAV bus Courmayeur to La Visaille (~£5). Pre-booked local taxi Les Chapieux to Bourg-Saint-Maurice (~£15–20 shared).

🛏Hôtel l'Autantic or Gîte Le Bec Rouge, Bourg-Saint-Maurice (~£35–50pp)

• →Bus Courmayeur to La Visaille (~£5)
• →Hike Val Veny to Col de la Seigne (2,516 m) — Italy to France border crossing — 6 hrs, ~16 km
• →Views of Glacier du Miage from the valley floor
• →Descent to Les Chapieux through remote alpine valley
• →Taxi/bus to Bourg-Saint-Maurice (~£15–20)

The biggest day of the entire TMB. Take a taxi or bus back up to Les Chapieux (~£15) and tackle the long, steep ascent to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,433 m). Stop at the Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme for snacks and hot drinks (~£5–8). Continue over the Col du Bonhomme before a dramatic descent through Bois de la Rollaz pine forest and along an ancient Roman road to the chapel of Notre-Dame de la Gorge. Follow the valley floor into Les Contamines-Montjoie. Book accommodation at Hôtel Gai Soleil or Gîte La Ruche (~£35–50pp). Well-earned rest tonight.

🚌Pre-booked local taxi Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Chapieux (~£15 shared). Self-powered for the rest of the day.

🛏Hôtel Gai Soleil or Gîte La Ruche, Les Contamines-Montjoie (~£35–50pp)

• →Taxi/bus back to Les Chapieux (~£15)
• →Ascent to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,433 m) — the TMB's biggest day, 7–8 hrs, ~19 km
• →Snack stop at Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme (~£5–8)
• →Descent via Col du Bonhomme, Bois de la Rollaz and ancient Roman road
• →Visit chapel of Notre-Dame de la Gorge

The final day of the TMB. From Les Contamines, follow the trail up through the hamlets of Gruvaz, Champel and the historic Savoyard hamlet of Bionnassay — with its beautiful 17th-century chapel — before climbing to the Col de Voza (1,653 m). Descend via the Bellevue Gondola to Les Houches (buy your ticket at the top, ~£12–15 one-way — you've earned the gondola). Les Houches is the traditional start/finish of the full TMB circuit. From there, take the Chamonix Mont Blanc bus (Line 1, ~£2) or the Mont Blanc Express train (~£4) back into Chamonix town centre and celebrate completing one of the world's greatest hikes.

🚌Bellevue Gondola Les Houches (~£12–15). Mont Blanc Express train or Line 1 bus to Chamonix (~£2–4).

🛏Own arrangements in Chamonix if staying an extra night (optional)

• →Final TMB hike: Les Contamines to Col de Voza — 5–6 hrs, ~13 km
• →Pass through historic Savoyard hamlet of Bionnassay and its 17th-century chapel
• →Bellevue Gondola descent to Les Houches (~£12–15)
• →Bus or Mont Blanc Express train back to Chamonix (~£2–4)
• →Celebratory drinks in Chamonix town centre