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Tour du Mont Blanc: Eastern Route

Scenic Alpine highlights on every turn

The "white mountain" exerts a particular fascination - and not only on hiking enthusiasts. You have to be impressed by the Mont Blanc massif with its glittering glaciers, sparkling mountain lakes and steep rock faces. The famous Tour du Mont Blanc leads once around the mighty massif and through three countries: France, Switzerland and Italy.

Details about walking holidays on Mont Blanc Eastern Route

This trekking tour is dedicated to the eastern part of the Mont Blanc circuit. Already on the first stage, a scenic highlight awaits you that is second to none: via an old pass road and a scenic descent, the route leads to the "Lac de Champex" and into the so-called "Canada of Switzerland".

If there is one thing not lacking on this trip, it is beautiful mountain valleys, such as the Val Ferret. Here the route leads to the Italian side of the massif, where the outstanding views can be admired even better over a cappuccino. After a detour to the delightful Courmayeur, the route continues swiftly into the Veny Valley and finally, you reach the French border via the last pass of the journey.

The highlights of the Mont Blanc Eastern Route walking holiday at a glance:

  • The imposing Mont Blanc massif: At 4,807 metres, Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the group of the same name and also in the Alps, but its "partners" are almost on a par with it. Eleven of the 24 peaks of the massif exceed 4,000 metres. In contrast, there are deeply sloping mountain valleys.

  • Enjoying the "Lac de Champex": Dark green forests, picturesque wooden buildings and a lake at 1,467 metres above sea level that seems inviting and mysterious at the same time. Now and then you may encounter a fisherman, and in warm weather, you can explore it yourself by boat or stand-up paddle.

  • Beautiful mountain valleys: whether the Val Ferret, the Vallée des Glaciers or the Veny Valley - you have to experience these places for yourself and then you may be able to decide where you like it best. We can't by the way, they are all just beautiful.

  • Historical retrospection in Courmayeur: Located in the Italian Aosta Valley, it's not just wonderful Italian delicacies that can be enjoyed and architectural sights that can be explored. In the Museo Duca degli Abruzzi, you can immerse yourself in the fascinating history of local Alpinism.

Interesting facts about hiking on Mont Blanc Eastern Route

Experience in alpine hiking is called for here because the Tour du Mont Blanc is no walk in the park and it even pays to have some preparation. But believe us: it pays off - and how! These experiences will accompany you all your life. Our route guidance, into which we have put our extensive experience, will also inspire you.

This tour has been graded as Trekking. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.

Tour information
Athletic
  • 7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total walking distance: approx. 78 km
Active on Holiday Team
+44 1706 618 155 Contact
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Itinerary

The little town Martigny lies in an idyllic spot close to river Rhône. Go for a walk and visit the castle La Batiaz or endulge yourself in one of the many restaurants.

Early in the morning by bus or transfer to Trient. Your first hiking day starts by climbing the legendary old pass trail to Col de la Forclaz, an important junction between Rhônetal and Chamonix. From the top of the pass, a beautiful forest trail guides you up and over the Collet Portalo peak to the mountaineer station Alp Bovine. Take rest on the alpine pasture before starting heading on a spectacular descent along high cliffs and across rustling mountain brooks. A typical farmhouse with homemade products awaits you in the valley. You can stop here to take a break. A gentle climb through small villages and woods takes you to the Lac de Champex lake that has crystal clear water. Not without reason is this place called the “Canada of Switzerland”: dark wooden houses and extensive, lone woodlands surround the frozen lake.

approx. 5 h
approx. 15 km
900 m
700 m

Good forest roads will take you down to the valley of the Dranse river; you will now follow its course through the quaint mountain villages of Valais. A beautiful path soon takes you further up, above the ravine of the mountain brook, till you reach the upper end of Swiss Val Ferret at La Fouly. You will be amazed by the sanded cliffs and massive glacier flanks that you will see all around you. Rock climbers and high alpinism enthusiasts will find countless bivouac huts as base camps for their mountain adventures. A cable car ride to the panorama point is a tempting proposition in the afternoon or you can simply enjoy total relaxation in the dreamlike alpine surroundings.  

approx. 4 h
approx. 15 km
600 m
450 m

The first high pass and mountain pass to Italy awaits you here! After climbing the Alpe Peule, where you can stock up on supplies, you will hike on good roads till you reach Grand Col Ferret (2537 m). You can enjoy fascinating views of the Italian Val Ferret, which is flanked by greenery on one side and has rock edges and glaciated walls on the other. When you climb down, you will directly reach Refuge Elena, where you can sip an original espresso while enjoying an overwhelming view of the glacier from the terrace. A beautiful hiking trail along the stream will finally guide you to the valley. You will spend the night in a small chalet hotel directly at the valley head; a dreamlike, idyllic spot, where the nights are especially peaceful. 

approx. 5 h
approx. 14 km
1000 m
800 m

Your first climb in the morning will bring you to a great alpine path, which offers a wonderful mountain view and leads to Refuge Bonatti. You must not miss the halt at this legendary alpine hut! At this point, you have to make a choice: you can take the shorter and more levelled route along the mountain flank or you can cross two more passes and hike on the alpine path across the summits. Both offer a great alpine experience! Both routes meet in the cosy Rifugio Bertone, where cappuccino and cakes await the hikers. You will reach the pretty Italian town of Courmayeur in the afternoon. It is famous for its great alpine history and its panoramic views of Mont Blanc. The beautiful pedestrian area, well-kept bars and cafés attract people to visit this place.

approx. 6 h
approx. 19 km
550 to 1100 m
1100 to 1600 m

In the morning transfer or by bus (depending on the season) to Chalet du Miage. On the sixth day, you will hike through the Veny valley, where you will discover impressive lateral moraines, bizarre limestone formations and hidden glacial lakes. Through the wide valley floor, you will hike to the alpine club hut called Rifugio Elisabetta. You can enjoy delicious Italian cottage specialities on its terrace. Via the Col de la Seigne (2516 m) pass, you will now reach the region of Hoch-Savoyen in France! Your destination is Vallée des Glaciers (valley of glaciers), formerly an alpine pasture, where you can grab a quick bite surrounded by numerous herds of cows. You will then climb down to the leisurely French Alps location called Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which is located right next to river Isère. Here you can look back on your impressive 3-country hike and enjoy a glass of wine. In the afternoon, you will be transported from Ville des Glaciers to Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

approx. 4.5 h
approx. 15 km
850 m
750 m

We recommend a walk though the typically French Alps location, a ride on the funicular into the hiking region of Arcs before heading back home. Or would you rather spend a few more days and relax in the region of Savoie?

Route information

You need to be physically fit to cope with the partially long legs of the hike. Hiking experience in alpine regions is a must. Though there are almost no exposed sites, one needs to be surefooted for the treks across the high mountain passes!

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights

Price calculation and check availability: Tour du Mont Blanc (East)

Place of arrival: Martigny
  Season 1
09.09.2024 - 24.09.2024

Daily
Season 2
01.07.2024 - 08.09.2024

Daily
Tour du Mont Blanc: Eastern Route, CH-WSWMO-07X
Base price
1,069.00
1,179.00
Single person surcharge 285.00 285.00
Single room surcharge 429.00 429.00

Hotel information: You will stay in 3* hotels and guest houses, a dormitory in Val Ferret, and depending on availability, rooms with en-suite bathrooms cannot always be booked. 

Season 1
Sep 9, 2024 - Sep 24, 2024
Daily
Season 2
Jul 1, 2024 - Sep 8, 2024
Daily
Tour du Mont Blanc: Eastern Route, CH-WSWMO-07X
Base price
Single person surcharge
Single room surcharge
1,069.00
285.00
429.00
1,179.00
285.00
429.00

Hotel information: You will stay in 3* hotels and guest houses, a dormitory in Val Ferret, and depending on availability, rooms with en-suite bathrooms cannot always be booked. 

Season 1
Sep 9, 2024 - Sep 24, 2024
Season 2
Jul 1, 2024 - Sep 8, 2024
Martigny
Double room p.p
Single room surcharge
Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Double room
Single room surcharge
85.00
30.00
85.00
30.00
85.00
30.00
85.00
30.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Martigny
  Season 1
Sep 9, 2024 - Sep 24, 2024

Daily
Season 2
Jul 1, 2024 - Sep 8, 2024

Daily
Martigny
Double room p.p 85.00 85.00
Single room surcharge 30.00 30.00
Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Double room 85.00 85.00
Single room surcharge 30.00 30.00
Prices per person in GBP

Services / Information

Services

Included:

  • 6 overnight stays as stated, breakfast included
  • 1 x evening meal (Val Ferret)
  • Luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage per person, max 15 kg) 
  • Transfers as per program
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel and tour documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • Service-Hotline

Note:

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Rides in public transports
  • Reservation fee of CHF 15 per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)

Optional:

  • Organised transfer from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Martigny, CHF 475 per ride. Max. 8 passengers. Booking required, advance payment
Information

Arrival/Parking/Departure:

  • Arrival by train from Zurich via Visp to Martigny, duration approx. 2.5 to 3 hours. Direct trains from Geneve, duration approx. 1.5 hours
  • Parking: Limited amount of parking spaces close to the railway station in Martigny, approx. CHF 10.- per day
  • Departure by bus and train from Bourg Saint-Maurice to Martigny, duration approx. 8 hours (several changes)