Only have four or five days? This traverse covers the first four stages of the TMB, which are among the most varied: the Val Montjoie, the Col du Bonhomme, the Col de la Seigne and the Mont-Favre balcony. Finishing in Courmayeur makes it easy to get back to Chamonix by bus through the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
It is also an excellent way to try hut-to-hut trekking before committing to the full tour in another year.
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 | |
| Total | 67 km | 3,790 m | 3,530 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
Build your own day-by-day plan, then export it as a GPX file.
Customise this itineraryTips for this itinerary
- Book the return bus from Courmayeur to Chamonix in advance in high season.
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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