iRISE ADVENTURE TRIPS
TOUR DU MONT BLANC
TREK FRANCE, ITALY, AND SWITZERLAND
July 18-25, 2026
The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe’s most famous and beloved long-distance hikes, and for good reason! Our partners at Whoa Travel have carefully planned this Tour du Mont Blanc highlights trek so you can enjoy the most spectacular views all day, every day, and spend the evenings enjoying local cuisine and wine while resting in rustic and charming refuges, auberges, and inns. Your hiking gear will be transported along the way, so you only need to focus on hiking with your daypack, taking in the views (this trek has VIEWS), and having a heck of a lot of fun! It’s a great match for mountain lovers looking for a multi-day trek with a side of cozy Alpine culture! Be sure to read the Daily Breakdown thoroughly and make sure you’re fully prepared for the distances and elevation gains on this circuit.
Trek surrounded by stunning Alpine landscapes, stay in charming mountain villages, and cross through 3 countries—France, Italy, and Switzerland! Magnifique! Bellissimo! The Tour du Mont Blanc is a mountain lover’s dream!
The highest elevation we’ll reach on this trek is Grand Col Ferret (8,320 ft), so while it’s unlikely you’ll feel the effects of altitude, it’s very likely you’ll feel the effects of the many rocky ups and downs in your legs!
The Tour du Mont Blanc hiking season is in the summer, but it’s not uncommon to encounter some snow on the higher sections of the trail. Bottom line, mountain climates are unpredictable, so be ready to embrace what Mother Nature throws our way and put on a layer and dance when it gets cold. Remember, the difference between an adventure and an ordeal is your attitude!
The better trained you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be. While training, be sure to break in your boots and daypack as well. With a cumulative elevation gain of over 16,400 ft over 45 mi in 6 back-to-back days, the Tour du Mont Blanc demands leg strength, stamina, and grit!
Bottom line: stay active, break in your gear, and start conditioning your legs now for steep, steady uphills and downhills. Prep yourself as much as possible - your future self will thank you! If you’re looking for more tips, check out Whoa Travels expert 6-step training guide.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
We’ll pick you up in Geneva, Switzerland, and drive through the Swiss and French Alps to Chamonix – one of the most iconic mountain towns in the world, nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc in the heart of a dramatic U-shaped valley! You’ll have time to relax and explore this resort town (where the first Winter Olympics were held in 1924) before we gather for our Welcome dinner and briefing.
GENEVA TO CHAMONIX
DAY 2
The day begins with a transfer to Les Cugnon, where we start our hike through a forest and continue along the Solelieu path until we reach the Chalet Nant Barrant. We will cross a valley, climbing to the pastures of les Prés, where we will spend our first night on the trail in one of the few women-owned and run mountain huts along the Tour du Mont Blanc. The hut prides itself on sustainability and on serving delicious, locally sourced cuisine.
FRANCE
DAY 3
This morning, we’ll start our hike and continue through mountain pastures until we reach the Chalets de Jovet, where we’ll make a brief detour to see the beautiful Lacs Jovet before continuing to our lunch spot, the Col du Bonhomme (7,641 ft). In the afternoon, we’ll descend a steep grassy trail to the remote hamlet of Les Chapieux (3,786 ft), where we’ll overnight in a charming auberge.
FRANCE
DAY 4
Today we’ll go from bonjour to buon giorno as our path leads us out of France and into Italy! We’ll transfer from Les Chapieux to the Vallée des Glaciers trailhead, climb east over the Col de la Seigne (8,251 ft), and finally descend into Italy to the reflective Lac Combal. If the weather cooperates, the views along our route will take your breath away! The dramatic southern face of the Mont Blanc range is fully exposed above us as we hike down to La Visaille, from where we transfer to Courmayeur.
FRANCE TO ITALY
DAY 5
We begin our highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc trek this morning along a river as we head out of Italy toward Switzerland. Alpine meadows, rushing streams, and stunning views of the Val Veny serve as our backdrop as we hike to Switzerland via the Grand Col Ferret (8,320 ft)! Mont Dolent towers above, and its summit is the meeting point of the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland. You’ll continue to be amazed by fabulous close-up views of rocky spires and sparkling glaciers. Our grassy path ultimately leads us to the quiet but scenic village of La Fouly (5,282 ft), and a transfer will bring us to our accommodations for the night in the charming Alpine village of Champex, Switzerland.
ITALY TO SWITZERLAND
DAY 6
In the morning, we’ll transfer to Trient, where our path follows an old smuggler's route back into France. We’ll hike to Col de Balme (7,185 ft), the border between Switzerland and France, and enjoy our picnic lunch while gazing down at the Swiss countryside behind the Chamonix Valley and us ahead. The views of Mont Blanc are phenomenal! From the Col des Montets, we’ll take a transfer to our hotel, just north of Chamonix.
SWITZERLAND BACK TO FRANCE
DAY 7
In the morning, we’ll take a short drive to the Col des Montets, where we’ll begin our hike along the Grand Balcon to the spectacularly situated Lac des Cheserys, with the many glaciers and peaks of the entire range in view. Finally, we’ll close the loop of our Tour du Mont Blanc adventure at La Flégère (6,151 ft), and the cable car will carry us down into the valley over Alpine pastures to Les Praz. In the evening, we’ll all gather to raise a toast to an excellent adventure and enjoy a farewell fondue dinner in Chamonix!
FRANCE
DAY 8
FAREWELL FRANCE TO SWITZERLAND
After breakfast, we’ll head back to Geneva and connect with homeward-bound flights, ending our unforgettable, action-packed adventure around one of the world’s most famous mountain ranges! (Feel free to book your departure from Geneva anytime after 1 PM.)
LEARN MORE
OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP BY WHOA TRAVEL
Visit our partners at WHOA TRAVEL for a detailed description of WHAT TO EXPECT!
