CampsiteFRvariant
1,560 m
©Aire de bivouac tolérée de Miage
Chalets de Miage
Free bivouac area tolerated a few metres from the Miage refuge, on the Col de Tricot variant, with public toilets and…
Elevation profile
1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m2,250 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km10 km12 kmCol de Tricot 2,120 m
Description
The variant leaves the main route between the Col de Voza and Bellevue, near the top station of the cable car. It approaches the snout of the Bionnassay Glacier and crosses the torrent on a suspension bridge, one of the most photographed spots on the TMB.
The climb to the Col de Tricot (2,120 m) goes up steep alpine pastures, with a close-up view of the Aiguille de Bionnassay. Next comes a very steep descent of about 550 m to the Chalets de Miage, nestled in a cirque of pastures at the foot of the Dômes de Miage. A final short climb leads to the Chalet du Truc, then a forest track descends to Les Contamines.
Longer and more strenuous than the route via Bionnassay, it is still a hiking trail with no technical difficulties. The two chalet-refuges at Miage and Le Truc let you split the stage.
Tips
- Take the Bellevue cable car so you arrive at the start of the variant with fresh legs.
- The descent from the col to Miage is steep and slippery after rain: poles recommended.
Map
Accommodation on this variant
Mountain hutFRvariant
1,560 m
©Refuge de Miage (Chalets de Miage)
Chalets de Miage
At the head of an alpine pasture valley overlooked by the Dômes de Miage, this family-run refuge, held by the Orset…
Mountain hutFRvariant
1,720 m
©Refuge-Auberge du Truc (Chalet du Truc)
Plateau du Truc · TMB km 12.7
An alpine pasture chalet set on the grassy Truc plateau, about thirty minutes above the Chalets de Miage, with a view…