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Mont Blanc Classic Walks

Price £695 or 895€

Trip 1 Saturday 5 July – Saturday 12 July 2008*
Trip 2 Saturday 19 July – Saturday 26 July 2008 (Closed)
Trip 3 Saturday 2 August – Saturday 9 August 2008 (Closed)
Trip 4 Saturday 16 August – Saturday 23 August 2008*
Trip 5 Saturday 6 September – Saturday 13 September 2009*

*These trips have the required minimum numbers and are guaranteed to run

Grade: Difficult

This is a superb walking week at the heart of the European Alps. During the week, we will be choosing from a wide range of possible day-walks allowing you to experience some of the best and most spectacular.   

We have listed a number of our favourite walks and we will choose 4 of them for Day’s 2 to 5.  As a highlight to the trip, on Day’s 6 and 7, we intend to then make the classic 2-day ascent of Mont Buet.

We will choose our walks according to the group’s abilities, preferences and of course the weather.

Day 1 Arrival in Argentière

We meet you at your accommodation this evening when we will have an informal chat about the week ahead. There will also be a chance for the guide to check out your clothing and gear and to decide if you will need to pick up any further items of equipment before setting out in the morning.

Route 1 Tête de Balme

Our first day is a great introduction to walking in the Chamonix Valley as we follow part of the official 'Tour du Mont Blanc' trail. Our walk is a relatively gentle start to our week at the northern end of the Chamonix Valley, close to the border with Switzerland. Our route takes us across two easy summits – the Tête de Balme and the Aiguillette des Posettes with superb views across to the Mont Blanc range and the Aiguilles Rouges. A classic ridge top trail with great view and easy underfoot conditions.

Route 2 Lac Blanc

Lac Blanc, our target for the day, is arguably the most popular location in the area, a magnet for walkers and photographers. Our route is also the most interesting, threading its way up apparently insurmountable cliffs, using strategically placed sections of short ladder.  After a relaxed lunch by the lake, we descend through the forest to Argentière. If the group prefers a ride down, there is the option of descending into the main valley using the Flégère telepherique (cable car fee not included).

Route 3 Chalet Loriaz and Barrage d’Emosson

Situated in a beautiful bowl, nestling into the Montagnes de Loriaz, the Chalet or Refuge de Loriaz serves as accommodation for walkers seeking solitude in this outlying range of mountains, close to the Swiss frontier. Our route then takes us via a superlative, contouring and occasionally exposed path to Lac d’Emosson, before dropping into the Barberine Gorge. The day is rounded off with a gentle stroll through alpine meadows back to the village of Le Buet.

Route 4 Brévent Summit at 2525m

Back to the main Chamonix Valley for this excursion, beginning with a steep ascent through scented pines to Flégère, before embarking on a magnificent belvedere path which twists and turns its way towards Plan Praz, offering unsurpassed views of the Mer De Glace, the Chamonix Aiguilles and of course Mont Blanc. From Plan Praz, a steep climb around impressive rock pinnacles takes us to the Col du Brévent and then on through shattered canyons to the summit of the Brévent. 

Route 5 Le Lavancher balcony walk

This route takes us onto the southern side of the valley, climbing through steep forest to Plan Joran and the edge of the Grands Montets ski area. A track leads onto the Lavancher Bowl much beloved by off piste skiers and snowboarders during the winter season. A short climb brings us to a rocky crest overlooking the Valley Blanche before dropping down to the pretty refuge of Le Chapeau. Quickly down through forest to the village of Le Lavancher which is situated on a small plateau above the main valley. Crossing the River Arve onto the Petit Balcon Sud takes us back to Argentière.

Route 6 Chalet de Glaciers

We drive into Switzerland for this walk and have our first encounter with a glacier. From the picturesque village of Trient, a steady uphill takes us to the snout of the Trient Glacier. Steep zig-zags take us to the magnificently positioned Les Grands Refuge on a ledge high above the glacier, with views of the Trient plateau snowfield and the distant Fenetre d’Arpette, a wild and high col traversed by those completing the Tour du Mont Blanc. Our path back to the Col de Balme contours cleverly, avoiding major ups and downs. A gentle, if deceptively long, descent then leads to Le Tour and the Petit Balcon en route to Argentière.

Route 7 Montenvers traverse

Steep ups and downs are the order of the day, but well worth it for the situation under the intimidating spires of the aiguilles - Charmoz, Grepon and Midi.  We head up through trees to Montenvers for a stunning view of the Mer De Glace glacier before setting out on the Grand Balcon Nord to the Plan de l’Aiguille. Here, at the base of the Aiguille Du Midi, there is a chance to appreciate at close hand some of the classic alpine climbing routes, including the Frendo Spur. A good place to rest, before commencing the knee jerking descent into Chamonix town – a cable car is available here to save the knees but not included.

Route 8 Col de Tricot 2120m 

A chance to experience what is normally day one of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc taking in the southern flanks of Mont Blanc. From Bellevue, our route takes us downhill. But don’t worry! Normality returns when we cross the torrent exiting the Bionnassay Glacier, as we make a steep ascent to the Col de Tricot. In front of us, the Aiguille de Bionnassay and the Dome de Miage dominate the skyline, whilst below lie the Chalets de Miage, a marvelous collection of high alpine farm buildings, now used as a refuge and holiday homes. From here on it’s a delightful mix of alpine pasture and forest as we wend our way down to the charming village of Les Contamines.

Day 6 Mont Buet ascent. Trek to the Pierre Berard Refuge

The highlight of the week. Mont Buet is a superb 3000m trekking peak, on route we incorporate an overnight stay in a small mountain refuge overflowing with atmosphere and ambience. Day 1 is short and we propose a morning’s rest in Argentière and most probably lunch in the Chalet, prior to setting out. (This way we are well rested for Day 2.) Then, in the early afternoon, we take the beautiful approach path to the Pierre Berard Refuge, through one of the wildest parts of the Aiguille Rouge range. We stop here at the refuge where we are provided with accommodation, an evening meal and breakfast.

Day 7 Ascent of Mont Buet

We start out early with a steep climb up to a large and impressive boulder field, which provides an interesting diversion from the physical effort involved in crossing it. As the gradient relents we find ourselves on a gentle snow slope then at last, beyond the Col de Salenton, only the final steep haul to the summit remains.  At the summit, we are treated to arguably the finest mountain views in the Mont Blanc Massif. From here, it’s downhill all the way, stopping only for well deserved refreshment before the final valley section back to the village of Le Buet. In the evening we enjoy have a celebratory meal together. 

Day 8 Departure

Today is departure day. The package ends after breakfast.

Price

What’s included: - An experienced professional mountain leader. Hotel or chalet accommodation in Argentière for 6 nights and accommodation in dormitory style accommodation in a mountain refuge for 1 night. All cable car lifts (which are part of the itinerary) mountain railway and valley transport. All meals, with the exception of one evening meal and extra hill food snacks (packed lunches are provided).

What’s not included: - It does not include insurance, drinks or any uplift which you choose to use out with the published itinerary.  Flights and transfers from Geneva airport, but we can provide advice on the best options.

Minimum numbers

This trip will run once a minimum number of 4 clients have booked. We will take a maximum of 12 clients. We advise you not to make your travel arrangements until the trip is guaranteed to run.

Further Information

Upon booking a full list of the necessary suitable clothing will be provided.

Travel

Chamonix is easily reached from Geneva airport by transfer, train, bus or car. It is a drive of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Please note that this trip is run in conjunction with our partners at
KE Adventure Travel

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