These three stages link Courmayeur to Champex-Lac via the Rifugio Bonatti, the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m), the highest point on the main route, and La Fouly. Together with the Les Houches – Courmayeur and Champex – Les Houches sections, they let you complete the whole tour in three trips of 4, 3 and 4 days.
Courmayeur can be reached from Chamonix by bus through the Mont Blanc Tunnel. The return from Champex goes via Orsières (bus) and Martigny (train), then the Mont-Blanc Express to Chamonix.
Day-by-day plan
| Day | Leg | Distance | Ascent | Descent | Walking time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courmayeur → Rifugio Bonatti | 11.1 km | 1,000 m | 240 m | 4h30 – 5h15 | Italian Val Ferret | |
| Rifugio Bonatti → La Fouly | 19.7 km | 860 m | 1,290 m | 6h45 – 8h | La Fouly | |
| La Fouly → Champex-Lac | 15.4 km | 530 m | 630 m | 4h30 – 5h15 | Champex-Lac | |
| Total | 46 km | 2,390 m | 2,160 m | |||
Distances and ascent calculated on the OpenStreetMap track of the main route and the variants; “≈” marks an estimated value. Walking times according to the DIN 33466 standard, without breaks.
The itinerary on the map
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Customise this itineraryTips for this itinerary
- Bonatti is fully booked months ahead in summer: book it first, or break the first day at the Rifugio Bertone.
- A “Tour du Mont Blanc” ticket from Ferret to Champex-Lac was available on TMR buses in 2026 (CHF 12): useful if the weather turns on the last day.
- Change a few Swiss francs in advance, even though bank cards are widely accepted.
The stages in detail
1
Les Houches Les Contamines-Montjoie
2
Les Contamines-Montjoie Les Chapieux
3
Les Chapieux Rifugio Elisabetta
4
Rifugio Elisabetta Courmayeur
5
Courmayeur Rifugio Bonatti
6
Rifugio Bonatti La Fouly
7
La Fouly Champex-Lac
8
Champex-Lac Trient
9
Trient Tré-le-Champ
10
Tré-le-Champ La Flégère
11
La Flégère Les Houches
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