Hike – strenuous, 5-6 hours (about 8 miles) with 2,400' elevation gain and 4,400' loss.

The Mont Blanc circuit starts a few miles outside of Chamonix at the village of Les Houches, where we take a cable car up to Bellevue. The hiking begins here, with fantastic views of the Chamonix Valley's peaks and surroundings. We first hike along the foot of the huge Glacier de Bionnassay, and then up to the Col de Tricot (7,000'), with fine views of the Dômes de Miage. 

A steep descent brings us to the Chalets de Miage where we enjoy a picnic lunch with the beauty of the Alps around us. Following lunch, we climb up the hill known as Truc, and then descend through a lovely forest to the charming resort village of Les Contamines-Montjoie, once a town of chamois hunters and smugglers, and today a popular mountaineering and ski area. Tonight there is time to explore the town, relax, and refuel for the next stage of our journey.

Hike – moderate to strenuous, 4-5 hours (about 8.5 miles) with 1,600' elevation gain and 3,600' loss.

We begin our day with a short transfer to the end of the Vallée des Glaciers. Leaving France, we hike into the Aosta region of Italy via grassy trails and ancient passages.

We climb eastward and enjoy a relatively easy hike over the Col de la Seigne (8,245').  The views are dramatic from the pass, encompassing the Aiguille Noire and the Italian face of Mont Blanc that dominates the Val Veni. An easy descent brings us farther into Italy, and from the very first mountain refuge we pass, the cultural difference between France and Italy is striking. 

At the end of our day of hiking we transfer to Courmayeur where we spend the remaining part of the day exploring this resort town spectacularly settled beneath the Grand Jorasses and the Brenva Glacier. You are free to enjoy dinner this evening at one of Courmayeur's many fine restaurants.

Hike – strenuous, 6-7 hours (about 8.5 miles) with 3,300' elevation gain and 4,300' loss.

OR

Hike – moderate, 6-7 hours (about 9 miles) with 1,850' elevation gain and 1,715' loss.

Our hike today begins from the town of Champex. There are two hiking options: one through the high alpine pastures of Bovine with expansive views of the Rhone Valley, and another more challenging route up and over the rugged Fenetre d'Arpette (8,800'). Both routes offer wonderful views of the majestic Swiss Alps.

The more strenuous option takes us up and across several huge moraines and boulder fields in the isolated glacial valley of Val d'Arpette. Our trail then ascends one last, steep pitch to the Fenêtre d'Arpette, a narrow col overlooking the Trient Glacier and its valley. Once atop the pass, a breezy lunch break offers remarkable views over the glacier. 

A very long and steep descent brings us to the nose of the glacier and another perfect rest stop. From here, we follow an ancient irrigation channel to the Col de la Forclaz (5,000'), and then on to Finhaut for our overnight at a family-run inn.

Our less challenging option today is Bovine Way, an old trail used to access the summer cow pastures high above the valley. We start with a gentle walk in a spruce forest, and after crossing a number of streams we climb steeply to arrive at the flower-filled meadows of an exceptionally beautiful traverse overlooking the Rhone Valley, 4,000' below. 

Our picnic spot has glorious views of the mountains of Switzerland reaching into the distance. Our afternoon route descends steadily through wooded slopes to the Col de la Forclaz.

Note: Today is our second tough hiking day if weather permits and we choose the route via the steep Fenêtre d'Arpette (group and weather dependent). The ascent begins gradually, but as we approach the top the trail becomes quite steep and disappears into a field of huge boulders. 

We scramble over and between the boulders to reach the summit. It is not technically difficult, but is strenuous as it comes at the end of a long ascent.