Stage 2: Les Contamines-Montjoie → Les Chapieux

The route

First you follow the Bon Nant on the flat to the Baroque chapel of Notre-Dame de la Gorge, the gateway to the Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve. Then begins a sustained climb on the old paved Roman road, which crosses the Téna natural rock bridge and reaches the Nant Borrant chalet-refuge, then the La Balme alpine pastures.

Beyond, the landscape turns stony and bare: the Plan des Dames with its large cairn, then the Col du Bonhomme (2,329 m). A long traverse, sometimes snow-covered in early summer, leads to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,479 m), one of the highest points on the route. The hut of the same name, just below, has been closed for renovation since August 17, 2026 (reopening announced for 2029): to split the stage, stay at Nant Borrant or La Balme.

The descent to Les Chapieux is long (nearly 1,000 m) but easy, through the Beaufortain pastures where Beaufort cheese is made. The hamlet of Les Chapieux, which has no reliable cell signal, has a few inns and a campground.

The Col des Fours variant

In good weather and with no snow, you can head straight to the Ville des Glaciers via the Col des Fours (2,665 m), the highest point reachable on the TMB variants. See the Col des Fours variant.

Practical tips

• Set off early: the section between the two cols is exposed to wind and afternoon thunderstorms.
• In June and early July, snowfields linger below the Col du Bonhomme: poles are essential and lightweight crampons are useful.
• A summer shuttle bus links Les Chapieux with the Ville des Glaciers and lets you shorten the next stage.
• Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme closed in 2027 and 2028: there is no accommodation between La Balme and Les Chapieux, so carry enough water and food.
• In the Contamines nature reserve, bivouacking is prohibited below 2,500 m in summer, except at the Pont de la Rollaz and La Balme bivouac areas (2026 rules).