The TMB via the variants in 10 days: day-by-day plan

This itinerary replaces six sections of the main route with their mountain variants: the Col de Tricot and its suspension bridge over the Bionnassay torrent, the Col des Fours (2,665 m), the Mont de la Saxe ridge via the Tête Bernarda, the Fenêtre d'Arpette (2,665 m), the Les Grands balcony above the Trient Glacier and the detour via Lac Blanc. Distances and ascent are calculated from the OpenStreetMap track of each variant, except for Lac Blanc (estimated values).

These variants are higher, steeper and more remote than the main route. They call for settled weather, sure footing and some slack in your schedule. Early in the season, snowfields often linger at the Col des Fours and the Fenêtre d'Arpette. If in doubt, the main route is always an option: each variant leaves it and rejoins it.

Day-by-day plan

Day	Leg	Distance	Ascent	Descent	Walking time	Overnight
	Les Houches → Les Contamines-Montjoie via the Col de Tricot variant The Bellevue cable car saves you the initial climb (distance shown from Les Houches).	19.6 km	1,440 m	1,290 m	8h15 – 9h45	Les Contamines-Montjoie
	Les Contamines-Montjoie → Les Mottets via the Col des Fours variant In good weather only; otherwise, take the main route via Les Chapieux.	22.5 km	1,720 m	870 m	8h45 – 10h15	Ville des Glaciers and Les Mottets
	Les Mottets → Courmayeur	23.4 km	1,020 m	1,750 m	8h15 – 9h45	Courmayeur
	Courmayeur → Rifugio Bonatti via the Tête Bernarda variant (Mont de la Saxe)	13.8 km	1,540 m	760 m	7h – 8h30	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
	Champex-Lac → Col de la Forclaz via the Fenêtre d'Arpette variant From the Chalet du Glacier, the path along the bisse (an old irrigation channel) leads to the Col de la Forclaz.	≈ 13.8 km	1,160 m	1,120 m	6h45 – 7h45	Trient and Col de la Forclaz
	Col de la Forclaz → Tré-le-Champ via the Les Grands variant	17.7 km	1,010 m	1,110 m	6h45 – 7h45	Le Tour, Tré-le-Champ and Argentière
	Tré-le-Champ → La Flégère via the Lac Blanc variant Compulsory booking at Lac Blanc is under consideration for summer 2027: check before you set off.	≈ 9.6 km	970 m	520 m	4h45 – 5h30	Lac Blanc and La Flégère
	La Flégère → Les Houches	17.4 km	710 m	1,590 m	6h30 – 7h45	Les Houches
Total		173 km	10,960 m	10,930 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 stopvariants

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Tips for this itinerary

With the Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme closed until 2029, there is no accommodation after La Balme on the Les Contamines – Les Mottets day: set off early.
There is no shelter or water point on the Mont de la Saxe ridge: fill your water bottles at Bertone.
Do not head for the Fenêtre d'Arpette if thunderstorms are forecast: the main route via Bovine also leads to the Col de la Forclaz.