It has been a dream of mine to complete this famous long distance walk for sometime. My bedtime reading would be route plans , distances, accomodation and blogs of people who have walked it solo.
To think of walking in countries I have never visited before and through what is described as the most magnificent mountain scenery in Europe was thrilling to me. The walk covers 170km and circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif and with 10,000m of ascent it would be the most physically challenging walk I’ve done . Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Western Europe and is the centrepiece at 4808m but it is kept company by a range of peaks stretching nearly 100km . The Tour Du Mont Blanc walk circles the massif and in doing so goes through 3 countries. Starting in France, crossing into Italy, then Switzerland and finally returning to France for the finale. It will take me 11 walking days to complete. Staying in some small villages when it drops down but mainly remote mountain huts along the way as the walk largely avoids deep valley floors instead sticking to the high slopes to make the most of views of the snowy peaks and valleys. Out of my comfort zone here! … an all in dorm style hut different to finishing my day in a cute B&B with my own room, hot shower and pie of the day. The scenery will surely make up for it …..mmm. Here is my itinerary that I joyously researched for months . There are lots of choices and the route depends on which are not booked up and distances you want to walk. I am carrying my own gear for 11 days as it is too remote for a bag moving courier.
Arrive Geneva, bus to Chamonix in France
Day in Chamonix
Day 1 – Les Houches to Les Contamines (18km) (via high variant)
Day 2 – Les Contamines to Refuge de la Croix Bonhomme ( 18km)
Day 3 – Refuge de la Croix Bonhomme to Refugio Elisabetta ( via high variant ,Col Des Fours into Italy ) ( 15km)
Day 4 – Refugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur ( 18km)
Day 5 – Courmayeur to Refugio Bonatti ( via high variant) (16km)
Day 6 – Refugio Bonatti to La Fouly, into Switzerland ( 20km)
Day 7- La Fouly to Champex (15km)
Day 8 – Champex to Trient ( via high variant) (14km)
Day 9 – Trient to Argentiere , into France ( 16km)
Day 10- Argentiere to Lac Blanc ( 9km)
Day 11 – Lac Blanc to Les Houches (19 km)
Day in Chamonix
Bus back to Geneva , Fly home!
