Trip Ref #9955
DURATION
3 nights
LOCATION
France
ANNUAL LEAVE
2 days off work
SEASON
Sep
GROUP SIZE
Up to 15 people
MEETING POINT
Geneva Airport, Geneva
OVERALL RATING
0.0
DIFFICULTY
Challenging
You’ll need to be in good shape and capable of hiking between 15-20km each day with a pack on your back and gains of as much as 1000m.
Trek through Italy, France and Switzerland in 4 just days with spectacular views across the Alps
Tackle the Fenetre d’Arpette, a challenging ascent not found on the traditonal trail
Stay in remote mountain refuges along the way. Eyes open for ibex, marmots and mountains goats
Day 1
Arrival and hike from Courmayeur to Rifugio Walter Bonatti
On meeting your hosts you'll be driven to Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. From there you’ll ascend into the Val Ferret, heading towards Switzerland, enjoying inspiring views of Mont Blanc, Dent du Géants, and the Grandes Jorasses massif.
You’ll reach the Rifugio Walter Bonatti at the end of the valley in time for a hearty dinner.
Day 2
Rifugio Elena to Champex
Start the morning with an invigorating ascent up to Grand Col Ferret (2490m). Your reward is incredible views of Mont Dolent and the Swiss side of the valley. Descend to La Fouly village, stopping at a farm along the way for a cold chocolate milk made with fresh local milk. From La Fouly you’ll be driven to Champex village for the night.
Day 3
Champex to Trient
There are two options for the day depending on weather and the average fitness level of the group. You’ll hike up and over the mountains either via Fenetre d’Arpette or via Bovine.
Fenetre d’Arpette is the more difficult of the two options, taking you to the highest point of the trek (2665m) via a non-traditional alpine route. It’s a challenging and increasingly steep ascent over boulders and scree, exposed in places but worth every step.
Bovine is a less difficult option featuring views of Switzerland’s Rhone Valley and a stop at a farm that makes the best homemade cakes in the area.
Both options end in Trient where you’ll spend the night at a comfortable refuge or guesthouse.
Day 4
Trient to Tré-le-Champ and departure
In the morning you’ll ascend Col de Balme (2190m) to enjoy views of Mont Blanc and Aiguille du Midi. You’ll then traverse to another peak, Aiguilette Possettes, and descend through peaceful glades and forests to Tré-le-Champ.
From there you’ll be driven back to Chamonix for around 17:00.
Included
Guides
Professional, experienced and friendly English-speaking guides
Accommodation
3 nights staying in alpine mountain refuges
Meals
Breakfast and dinner will be served up with picnic lunches on the trail
Transfers
Transfers to and from the airport or Chamonix train station
Equipment
Pillows and blankets are provided at the refuges but otherwise you'll need to bring it with you
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Some equipment
Tips for your guides
Alcoholic drinks
What is the food like?
Breakfasts and dinners will be served at the refuges. Breakfasts always include coffee, bread, jam and butter, and, depending on the refuge, may also include orange juice, cereal, yogurt, fruit, cheese and meats.
Dinners are hearty and served in large portions—just what a hungry hiker needs! Typical meals include a soup starter, a main course of meat and veggies with a side of grains or pasta, and a dessert like vanilla pudding or creme brulee.
Picnic lunches will be provided each day, featuring a large main item like a sandwich or wrap, a salad, and a selection of fruit, muesli bars, chocolate, nuts, etc.
What is the accommodation like?
On the trek
You’ll be staying at peaceful mountain refuges or guesthouses high in the mountains. Accommodation is in mixed (male + female) dormitory rooms (up to 20 persons in one room). There are usually bunk beds or single beds.
They all feature hot showers, running water, pillows and blankets, and a bar serving cold drinks. Most refuges also have outlets for charging your electronics, and even wifi.
Unfortunately upgrades are not available due to the nature of the accommodation on this trip.
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What do I need to bring?
- 35 – 50L backpack with waist belt
- Fleece or merino pullover or sweater
- Primaloft or down jackets
- Waterproof jacket (with hood) and trousers
- Synthetic shirts and trousers (zip-off preferable) for hiking
- Comfortable shirt and trousers for the refuges
- 2+ pair wool or synthetic hiking socks
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Comfortable shoes for around the refuge
- Sleeping bag liner (very important!)
- Cap with brim to block the sun
- Sunglasses
- Towel
- Raincover
- 2L water bottle(s)
- Sunblock
- Toiletries
- Swim suit
- Earplugs (recommended)
What's available to hire?
- Trekking poles (can be rented for 10.00 EUR per trip)
No optional extras are available for this trip.
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
This trip is suitable for experienced hikers with a reasonable level of fitness who are able to hike 15–20 km each day with as much as 1000m of elevation gain. You will be carrying your pack between the refuges so should be confident hiking with a 35-50L pack for multiple days.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Summer around Mont Blanc is generally warm and fair, but the weather can change very quickly, bringing cold rain and wind. Average temperatures range from 6 to 24 °C. It rains roughly half of the days each month, but storms generally pass through quickly.
Yes! Excess luggage can be stored for the entire trip. From the season 2020 there is a storage fee of 25.00 EUR per bag which needs to be stored during the hike. This can be paid in cash at the time.
Yes of course! If you decide to make your own way to Chamonix or spend a few days there beforehand you are more than welcome, just make sure you let your host know this in advance. Your host can even book this for you - see the optional extras section for costs.
Otherwise your host will meet you at Chamonix train station at 13:00 on day one of your adventure.
For those who wish to avoid flying, Chamonix is also accessible by train via the St. Gervais-les-Bains (Le Fayet) station at the base of the valley. Trains to St. Gervais-les-Bains include direct lines from Charles-de-Gaulle Airport in Paris, and overnight sleeper trains from Paris.
Our group adventures are adult only however if you would like to bring children along this can be arranged by requesting a private trip with the host. This trip is suitable for children from age 6 and up only.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
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