This trip was tried to great success in August and September, but if you’re already dreaming of warmer weather, why not start planning for it now? Once the ice begins to thaw, this backpacking trek through some of the most beautiful countryside in the world will be wonderful. Spectacular, even. Feel free to steal the following itinerary and dream on.

(*half-board= dinner, lodging, breakfast; E=euros)

Day 0:  Arrival in Geneva, Switz.

Travel via shuttle (train/bus) to Les Houches, France via www.chamexpress.com  

Lodging:  Les Campanules Hotel , prices vary   

(other hotels, hostels may be available. Town of Chamonix with lodging 20 min by bus)

Web: www.hotel-campanules.com  Email: hotel-campanules@wanadoo.fr   Ph 33.4.50.54.40.71

 

Day 1:  Start of hike: Les Houche to Les Contaminess, France  ~18km

Take cable car to Bellevue at start of hike.

Lodging: Les Contamines (small town):

Chalet du Club Alpin Francais  $E44(half board), packed lunch E8.50

       Web: http://www.chalet-caf-contamines.fr  Email: chaletdescontamines.ffcam.fr   Ph: 33 (0)4.50.47.00.88

(Alternate: hike to Rifugio Nant Borrant if space available. 1.5 hrs beyond Alpin Francais)

 

Day 2:  Les Contamines to Rifugio Mottets, France  ~20km+  

Lodging: Rif. Des Mottets  (capacity 90) E47 (half board), packed lunches E9.00

Web: http://www.lesmottets.com/tour-du-mont-blanc Email: refuge@lesmottets.com  Ph. 33(0) 4 79 07 01 70 or 33(0) 4 79 07 01

 

Day 3:  Ref. les Mottets to Courmayeau (town), Italy  ~18km 

Lodging: Hotel Domina les Jumeaux,  84 rooms, $E~90-100 w/ breakfast, dinner in town

Web:  www.dominahome.it  Email: lesjumeaux@dominahome.it  Ph: 39.0165.846796

 

Aug 27 Day 4: Courmayeur to Rif. Bonatti,Italy    ~ 12-16km based on route, weather

Lodging: Rifugio Bonatti (capacity 80), $E45 (half board), 60 twin (half board), lunch E12.00

Web: www.rifugiobonatti.it  Email: info@rifugiobonatti.com  Ph: 39.335.684.85.78

 

Day 5: Rif. Bonatti to Le Fouly, Switz. (town)  ~20km  

Lodging: Hotel Edelweiss $E65 (half board) or E46 lodging and breakfast

Web:  www.ledelweiss.ch    Email: info@fouly.ch    Ph: 1141 (0)27.783.28.20

 

Day 6: Le Fouly to Champex (town), Switz.    ~15km  

Lodging:  Pension en Plein Air (hotel)  Dorms $E67, Twin room $E79 each person

Web: www.pensionenpaeinair.ch  Email: pensionenpleinair@bluewin.ch  Ph: 41.27.783.23 50 

 

Day 7: Champex to Col de Forclaz, Switz.  ~16km  (rural summit accessible by car)  

Lodging: Hotel  la Grande Ourse, Trient, Switz. : (capacity 40+)  $E68 dorm (half board)

Web http: www.la-grande-ourse.ch/index.html  Email contact@la-grande-ourse.ch Ph : +41 27 722 17 54   

 

Day 8:  De Forclaz to Lac Blanc, France  ~20km     

Lodging Refugio Du Lac Blanc:  $E55 (half board)

Web?  Email refugedulacblanc@gmail.com  Ph 33(0)4.50.53.49.14

 

Day 9: Lac Blanc to Chamonix, France  ~20km  

Hotel Les Cretes Blanches : $69-79 no meals

Ph 33 (4) 50530562

End of Hike!

Guest Contributor

Grace Galagan is an avid hiker, runner, swimmer, and expat living and traveling in Europe.