HotelIToff route
1,642 m
Hotel Lavachey
Lavachey (Val Ferret) · TMB km 77.1
A 1-star hotel-restaurant in the hamlet of Lavachey, at the head of the Val Ferret, which takes guests only in summer…
Elevation profile
1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m2,500 m2,750 m0 km5 km10 km15 kmGrand Col Ferret 2,537 m
| Waypoint | Altitude | Km |
|---|---|---|
| Rifugio Bonatti | 2,025 m | 0 km |
| Arnouvaz | 1,769 m | 5.4 km |
| Rifugio Elena | 2,061 m | 7.7 km |
| Grand Col Ferret | 2,537 m | 10 km |
| La Peule | 2,071 m | 13.6 km |
| Ferret | 1,705 m | 17 km |
| La Fouly | 1,593 m | 19.7 km |
The route
The balcony path continues above the Val Ferret before dropping down to Arnouvaz, the end of the line for the shuttle bus from Courmayeur. You then climb up to the Rifugio Elena, facing the Pré de Bar Glacier and Mont Dolent, where France, Italy and Switzerland meet.
The final climb to the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m) is steep but short. It is the highest point on the main route and marks the Italian-Swiss border. On the other side, the landscape changes: grassy combes, Valais chalets and your first Hérens cows.
The descent passes the La Peule alpine pasture, where you can buy cheese and take a break, then the village of Ferret. The last stretch follows the Drance to La Fouly, a small village at the foot of the Tour Noir and the A Neuve Glacier.
Practical tips
- Change a few Swiss francs in advance, even though credit cards are widely accepted.
- The Grand Col Ferret is exposed: if thunderstorms are forecast, cross it before noon.
- TMR buses run from Ferret and La Fouly to Orsières; a “Tour du Mont Blanc” ticket from Ferret to Champex-Lac was available in 2026 (CHF 12).
- On the Swiss section (Valais), the mountain rescue number is 144.
Stage map
Where to stay on stage 6?
Accommodation along the stage, at the finish or on its variants, in walking order.
Italian Val Ferret (Bertone, Bonatti, Lavachey) 2 places to stay
Mountain hutIT
2,025 m
©Rifugio Walter Bonatti
Malatrà (Val Ferret) · TMB km 77.7
A stone and wood refuge inaugurated on August 1, 1998 and dedicated to the mountaineer Walter Bonatti, set in the…
Arnouvaz and Rifugio Elena 2 places to stay
HotelIT
1,780 m
©Hotel Chalet Val Ferret
Arnouvaz (Val Ferret) · TMB km 82.9
A family hotel-restaurant opened in 1993 in the hamlet of Arnouvaz, at the end of the Val Ferret road and bus line, at…
Mountain hutIT
2,061 m
©Rifugio Elena
Pré de Bar (Val Ferret) · TMB km 85.3
A vast refuge at the head of the Italian Val Ferret, facing the Pré de Bar Glacier, about an hour from the Grand Col…
La Peule and Ferret 2 places to stay
GîteCH
2,071 m
Gîte Alpage de La Peule
La Peule (Val Ferret) · TMB km 91.2
A working alpine farm just over 2,000 m up on the Swiss side of the Grand Col Ferret, La Peule is the first place to…
HotelCH
1,700 m
Hôtel du Col de Fenêtre
Ferret · TMB km 94.8
A small hotel in the hamlet of Ferret, opposite the chapel, about 2 km above La Fouly and at the foot of Mont Dolent…
La Fouly 7 places to stay
GîteCH
1,710 m
©Gîte de La Léchère
La Léchère (between Ferret and La Fouly) · TMB km 95.6
A former alpine chalet converted into a gîte by two of the valley's ski clubs, La Léchère is tucked away in a clearing…
GîteCH
1,634 m
Chalet « Le Dolent »
La Fouly · TMB km 96.9
A holiday house about 300 m from the center of La Fouly, on the route du Barfay, which welcomes hikers and groups all…
InnCH
1,620 m
Auberge Maya-Joie
La Fouly · TMB km 97.1
An inn with 45 places about 200 m above the La Fouly bus stop, facing Mont Dolent, with twin rooms and dormitories…
InnCH
1,600 m
Auberge des Glaciers
La Fouly · TMB km 97.3
A family-run inn at the foot of the La Fouly ski slopes, whose large terrace looks out over the A Neuve and Dolent…
HotelCH
1,600 m
Hôtel Edelweiss
La Fouly · TMB km 97.4
A three-star hotel in the center of La Fouly, just opposite the bus stop, with some twenty rooms and six-bed…
GîteCH
1,600 m
La Fouly Lodge (ex-Gîte de la Fouly)
La Fouly · TMB km 97.4
The former Gîte de la Fouly has been taken over by new owners and renamed La Fouly Lodge. In the heart of the village…
CampgroundCH
1,590 m
Camping des Glaciers
La Fouly · TMB km 97.9
A four-star campground at the place called Tsamodet, a few minutes' walk from the center of La Fouly. TMB hikers can…