Are you planning to tick hiking in the Swiss Alps off your bucket list and wondering how many days you need for Tour Du Mont Blanc? You’re in the right place!
Fortunately, you have options when it comes to the duration of this hike. At Skyhook, we’ll break down what you can expect on the 4-day highlights and the 10-day comprehensive treks.
How Many Days Does It Take to Complete the Tour du Mont Blanc?
You can complete the Tour du Mont Blanc in a 4-day highlights trek or a more comprehensive 10-day trek of the full route. Let’s take a deeper dive into both treks so you can choose the ultimate adventure.
The TMB 4-Day Highlights Trek
The 4-Day TMB highlights trek is perfect for those with limited time off.
Embarking on the 4-Day Highlights Trek offers a condensed yet fulfilling experience of the Tour du Mont Blanc. This option is perfect for those short on time but still want to capture the essence of this iconic trek.
On the Tour du Mont Blanc route, you’ll traverse stunning landscapes, from the Italian Val Ferret to the Swiss village of Trient.
Day 1: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti
Your journey kicks off in the charming Italian town of Courmayeur. After meeting at Geneva Airport or Vert Lodge in Chamonix, you’ll hike up the scenic Val Ferret Valley.
The day’s highlight is undoubtedly reaching Rifugio W. Bonatti, a mountain hut situated at an altitude of 2,025m, offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
This leg of the trek takes approximately 6-7 hours to complete. While the hike is moderately challenging, it’s manageable for those with a reasonable fitness level. The ascent to Rifugio Bonatti is the most demanding part of the day but well worth the effort for the views alone.
Day 2 is all about crossing borders and reaching new heights. Starting from Rifugio Bonatti, you’ll traverse the mountain to reach the Grand Ferret Pass (2,536m. ), which is the highest altitude on the Tour Du Mont Blanc highlights trek.
As you cross into Switzerland, you’ll pass through a local farm before finally arriving at the quaint village of La Fouly.
This segment of the trek will take you around 7-8 hours. It’s a challenging day, especially the ascent to the Grand Ferret Pass. However, the descent into La Fouly offers some respite, making the day a balanced mix of ups and downs.
Day 3: Champex-Lac to Trient
Trekking through a forest section on TMB highlights.
Day 3 offers a breather as you start with a gentle warm-up through the woods around Champex-Lac. The day’s main challenge is the ascent to Bovine, but the effort is rewarded with stunning alpine views.
The trek concludes in the charming Swiss village of Trient, where you can relax and soak in the local culture.
This part of the journey takes about 6 hours to complete. While the hike up to Bovine is challenging, the overall day is considered moderate in terms of difficulty. It’s a great day to catch your breath and prepare for the final leg of the trek.
Day 4: Trient to Le Tour
The final day of your trek is a memorable one as you hike back into France. The ascent to Col De Balme is the last major climb, but it rewards you with jaw-dropping views of the Mont Blanc massif. A pleasant descent takes you to Le Tour, where you’ll conclude this unforgettable journey.
This last leg will take around 5-6 hours to complete. The difficulty level is moderate, with the climb to Col De Balme being the most challenging part. However, the descent to Le Tour is relatively easy, allowing you to end the trek on a high note—both literally and figuratively!
The 10-Day Comprehensive Trek
The 10-Day TMB is more of a challenge.
If you want to immerse yourself in the Tour du Mont Blanc experience, the 10-Day Comprehensive Trek is your go-to option. This trek takes you through three countries—France, Italy, and Switzerland—offering a rich blend of landscapes, cultures, and challenges. Over 10 days, you’ll navigate varying terrains and altitudes, making each day a unique adventure.
Day 1: Chamonix to Les Contamines
The adventure begins at the Chamonix sud Bus Station, where you’ll take a cable car to Bellevue. From there, you’ll hike to Col du Tricot, a stunning vantage point offering panoramic views. The day concludes in the cosy village of Les Contamines, where you can rest and recharge for the days ahead.
This first day will take approximately 7-8 hours, including the cable car ride and the trek. The difficulty level is moderate, with the ascent to Col du Tricot being the most challenging part of the day. However, the descent to Les Contamines offers a nice break, making it a balanced start to your 10-day journey.
From the second day to the final, you’re on a whirlwind of adventure. Here’s briefly what you can expect regarding the trekking duration for each day.
Day 2: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux: A steep hike up to Col du Bonhomme, followed by a descent to Les Chapieux. You can expect to hike around 7-8 hours.
Day 3: Les Chapieux to Rifugio Monte Bianco: Walk along the river, climb to Col de la Seigne, and descend to Rifugio Monte Bianco. This hike is typically 7 hours long.
Day 4: Rifugio Monte Bianco to Courmayeur: A relaxed day with an option to take a cable car down to Courmayeur. If you opt for the hike, you can expect a 5-hour hike.
Day 5: Courmayeur to Val Ferret: Hike along the Val Ferret. This hike takes about 6-7 hours.
Day 6: Val Ferret to La Fouly: Ascend to Grand Col Ferret and descend to La Fouly. The ascend takes around 7-8 hours.
Day 7: La Fouly to Champex-Lac: A relaxing day through alpine meadows. You can expect to hike for about 6 hours.
Day 8: Champex-Lac to Trient: Hike up to Bovine and descend to Trient. The hike up and down takes approximately 6-7 hours to complete.
Day 9: Trient to Argentiere: Cross the French border and hike to Col de Balme. You can expect to walk for 7 hours.
Day 10: Argentiere to Chamonix: Final day with an option to climb over Lac Blanc or take a cable car down. For those brave enough to hike down to Chamonix, you can expect a 6-7 hours-long hike.
Comparing the 4-Day and 10-Day Treks
Let’s compare the 4-day and 10-day treks so you can choose the best for your next adventure.
It's important to choose the TMB trek that best suits your fitness level.
Pros and Cons of the 4-Day Trek
The 4-day trek is ideal for those short on time but still want to experience the essence of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Also suitable for less experienced hikers.
Pros
Shorter duration, ideal for those with limited time.
Less physically demanding overall.
Covers key highlights, offering a condensed experience.
Cons
Less immersive, skipping some beautiful spots.
Limited time to acclimatise to varying altitudes.
Pros and Cons of the 10-Day Trek
In contrast, the 10-day trek is perfect for adventure seekers seeking a more immersive and challenging experience. We recommend it for those with a good level of physical fitness and more time to spare.
Pros
Comprehensive experience covering three countries.
More time to acclimatise and enjoy the scenery.
Greater variety in landscapes and challenges.
Cons
Requires a higher level of physical fitness.
Longer time commitment.
Conclusion
Whether you opt for the 4-day highlights or the 10-day Switzerland adventure, the Tour du Mont Blanc offers an unforgettable trekking experience.
Each option has its own set of pros and cons, catering to different levels of fitness and time availability. Be sure you have a good Tour Du Mont Blanc training plan. Ultimately, the choice is yours, either way, you’re in for the journey of a lifetime!
