Self-Launched Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc in a Week

Start in Chamonix with a self-bought daypack packed for the week. Take the local bus (Le Chamonix bus network) to Les Houches to find the official TMB archway. Rather than hiking up from the valley, ride the Bellevue cable car (~€20 one-way in summer) into the high alpine terrain. From the top, follow the well-marked trail over the rocky Col du Tricot, cross the suspension bridge above the Bionnassay Glacier, then descend through forest and meadows into the Contamines Valley. Stay the night in Les Contamines (Hotel La Chemenaz or a cheaper guesthouse/chalet on the trail) with dinner at a local restaurant like La Trabla.

🚌Local bus Chamonix→Les Houches (~£3); Bellevue cable car (~£17)

🛏Budget hotel / chalet guesthouse in Les Contamines or St Gervais (~£80 twin share)

• →Ride the Bellevue cable car
• →Hike over the Col du Tricot
• →Cross the Bionnassay Glacier suspension bridge

A self-launched version starts from your Les Contamines accommodation at the Notre Dame de la Gorge pilgrimage church, where the TMB route ascends along an old Roman road into the mountains. This is the biggest climb of the trip — 1,450m up to the Col du Bonhomme at 2,329m — with long views back over the valley from the pass. Descend through the exposed high plateau into the Les Chapieux valley. Where a guided tour transfers you out on Day 2, independent trekkers usually either stay the night at a mountain refuge/auberge in Les Chapieux or take a bus to Bourg-Saint-Maurice for a cheaper hotel. A refuge stay keeps you on the trail for an earlier start tomorrow.

🚌Local bus Les Chapieux→Bourg-Saint-Maurice if choosing the hotel (~£8)

🛏Mountain refuge / auberge at Les Chapieux (~£45 half board) or budget hotel in Bourg-Saint-Maurice

• →Climb the Col du Bonhomme (2,329m)
• →Cross the exposed high plateau
• →Descend to the Les Chapieux valley

From Les Chapieux, take the trail back up the valley to Ville des Glaciers (or catch a short early bus to save time) and climb gradually past Ville de Glaciers towards the Col de la Seigne at 2,516m — the long rather than steep climb leads to the border crossing into Italy with your first view of Mont Blanc's dramatic south face. Descend through the Val Veny glacial valley and either hike or catch a local bus into Courmayeur, where you settle in for two nights. Courmayeur has easy streets, great coffee and plenty of restaurants for dinner.

🚌Local bus Val Veny→Courmayeur (~£4) or hike if energetic

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Courmayeur, 2 nights (~£70/night room) — check the Valdostano/ALI hostel options

• →Cross the Col de la Seigne (2,516m) into Italy
• →See Mont Blanc's south face from Val Veny
• →Settle into Courmayeur for two nights

Taxi or bus up to Arnouva at the head of the Val Ferret, where the classic balcony trail climbs along the hillside with the Grandes Jorasses towering overhead and the valley stretching out far below. Stop for lunch at Rifugio Bonatti or Rifugio Bertone, both of which serve good food with superb views. This afternoon descend back through forest and open meadow to Courmayeur for a second evening in town — time to explore the shops and streets before dinner at a local restaurant.

🚌Taxi or bus to Arnouva (~£10)

🛏Budget hotel / hostel in Courmayeur

• →Hike the Val Ferret balcony trail
• →Lunch at Rifugio Bonatti or Rifugio Bertone
• →Admire the Grandes Jorasses

Taxi or bus back up to Arnouva, then follow the trail through Val Ferret towards the Grand Col Ferret at 2,537m — the highest pass on the circuit and the border between Italy and Switzerland. The trail climbs gradually before opening into a wide, treeless bowl, with a final rocky, exposed push to the top rewarded by views back across the Italian Alps. Descend through broad alpine pastures with grazing cattle down to the small Swiss mountain village of La Fouly, a quieter end to the day than bustling Courmayeur. Stay at a local auberge or hotel with dinner attached.

🚌Taxi or bus Courmayeur→Arnouva (~£10)

🛏Auberge / guesthouse in La Fouly (~£75 twin share half board)

• →Cross the Grand Col Ferret (2,537m) into Switzerland
• →Descend through Swiss alpine pastures
• →Stay overnight in La Fouly

Take the short local bus or taxi from La Fouly to Champex-Lac, beginning the day beside a glassy alpine lake ringed by forest. Follow the classic Bovine Route, climbing through alpine meadows to reach the Alpage de Bovine with the broad Rhône Valley stretching out below. Then make the steep forested descent to Trient. Return across the border into France by taxi or local bus to Argentière at the head of the Chamonix Valley, settling into a budget hotel just down the road from Chamonix for your final night.

🚌Local bus/taxi La Fouly→Champex-Lac (~£6); Trient→Argentière transfer (~£18)

🛏Budget hotel / hostel in Argentière or Chamonix valley

• →Start beside Lac Champex
• →Hike the Alpage de Bovine Route
• →Descend to Trient and cross back into France

Final day follows the route into the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve, climbing to Lac Blanc, a high alpine lake directly opposite the Mont Blanc Massif — arguably the single best viewpoint on the whole circuit, with the glaciers and summits of Chamonix laid out across the water. Descend to La Flégère and ride the cable car down to Les Praz (~€17 one-way), then follow the river path back into Chamonix. Your trek ends in the late afternoon — celebrate the completed circuit with a well-earned drink. Pack a bit of spare time to allow for weather and cable car queues.

🚌La Flégère cable car descent (~£17)

🛏Optional extra night in a Chamonix hostel

• →Climb to Lac Blanc in the Aiguilles Rouges reserve
• →Soak up the classic Mont Blanc Massif view
• →Ride the cable car down to Les Praz and return to Chamonix