This itinerary covers the first seven stages of the classic TMB, from Les Houches to Champex-Lac. Together with the 4-day Champex – Les Houches section, it lets you complete the whole tour in two trips.
You return by public transport: bus from Champex to Orsières, train from Orsières to Martigny, then the Mont-Blanc Express from Martigny to Chamonix or Les Houches, usually with a change at Vallorcine.
Day-by-day plan
| Day | Leg | Distance | Ascent | Descent | Walking time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Les Houches → Les Contamines-Montjoie | 17.1 km | 970 m | 830 m | 6h – 7h | Les Contamines-Montjoie | |
| Les Contamines-Montjoie → Les Chapieux | 18.9 km | 1,330 m | 920 m | 7h15 – 8h45 | Les Chapieux | |
| Les Chapieux → Rifugio Elisabetta | 13.9 km | 970 m | 380 m | 4h45 – 5h45 | Val Veny | |
| Rifugio Elisabetta → Courmayeur | 16.8 km | 520 m | 1,400 m | 5h45 – 6h45 | Courmayeur | |
| 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 | 113 km | 6,180 m | 5,690 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
one colour per dayD1overnight stoprest of the TMBvariants
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Customise this itineraryTips for this itinerary
- Check the timetables for the Champex – Orsières bus and the Orsières – Martigny train on cff.ch before you set off.
- Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme closed in 2027 and 2028: there is no accommodation between La Balme and Les Chapieux.
- Bring Swiss francs for the end of the route, or check that your accommodation accepts cards.
The stages in detail
1
Les Houches Les Contamines-Montjoie
750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m0 km5 km10 km15 km
2
Les Contamines-Montjoie Les Chapieux
1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m2,500 m2,750 m0 km5 km10 km15 km
3
Les Chapieux Rifugio Elisabetta
1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m2,500 m2,750 m0 km5 km10 km
4
Rifugio Elisabetta Courmayeur
1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m2,500 m0 km5 km10 km15 km
5
Courmayeur Rifugio Bonatti
1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km5 km10 km
6
Rifugio Bonatti La Fouly
1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m2,500 m2,750 m0 km5 km10 km15 km
7
La Fouly Champex-Lac
1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m0 km5 km10 km15 km
8
Champex-Lac Trient
1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km5 km10 km15 km
9
Trient Tré-le-Champ
1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km5 km10 km
10
Tré-le-Champ La Flégère
1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km2 km4 km6 km
11
La Flégère Les Houches
500 m1,000 m1,500 m2,000 m2,500 m3,000 m0 km5 km10 km15 km
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