stage 2 of the TMB

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stage2 of the TMB: from Les Contamines-Montjoie to the Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: TMB 2011

Details

n°955
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.74 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,278 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 157 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,173 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,868 ft
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Description of the walk

(S) When leaving the campsite, turn left: you will arrive at the road to Notre Dame de la Gorge

(1). Cross the culvert and take the paved path on the right (old Roman road). The slope is steep (on the right, you will see a natural bridge).

(2) Cross an impressive Roman bridge, then the chalets and refuges of Nant Borrant

(3) Continue and cross the Pont de Nant Borrant

(4) The trail passes through a conifer forest and then comes out onto a wide path that crosses a mountain pasture. After a short climb, you will reach the Balme chalet.

(5). After the chalet, leave the track and take the path that branches off to the left. Pass a rocky outcrop near the torrent to reach the flat area of Plan Jovet (marmots).

(6) Cross the stream on a footbridge. The slope becomes much steeper until you reach the Plan des Dames. Further on, after this flat section, the trail continues to climb in switchbacks (partly through scree) and then arrives at the Col du Bonhomme

(7) Take the path that climbs to the left (south-east). Further on, you will need to cross a stream (Nant des Lotharets)

(8) Climb up to reach a small ledge.

(9) Continue to the refuge, which is 300 m further south (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 3,894 ft - When leaving the campsite, turn left
  2. 1 : mi 0.79 - alt. 3,950 ft - Notre Dame de la Gorge
  3. 2 : mi 1.61 - alt. 4,554 ft - Pont de la Téna - Bon Nant (torrent) - Affluent de l'Arve
  4. 3 : mi 1.87 - alt. 4,816 ft - Refuge de Nant Borrant
  5. 4 : mi 1.88 - alt. 4,820 ft - Pont Naturel du Bon Nant
  6. 5 : mi 3.35 - alt. 5,577 ft - Refuge de la Balme
  7. 6 : mi 4.01 - alt. 6,260 ft - Plan Jovet footbridge - Cascade de la Balme
  8. 7 : mi 5.53 - alt. 7,648 ft - Col du Bonhomme
  9. 8 : mi 6.48 - alt. 8,110 ft - Nant des Lotharets stream
  10. 9 : mi 6.56 - alt. 8,173 ft - Small ledge before the refuge
  11. E : mi 6.74 - alt. 8,015 ft - Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme

Notes

Bivouacking is possible in the area reserved for helicopters.
shower: £1/person.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Other walks in the area

Walking Les Contamines to Les Chapieux - Tour Mont Blanc

Association / Club / Walk leader
↔10.10 mi ↗+4,334 ft ↘-3,097 ft ◔8h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
This 2nd stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) follows the river Le Bonnant upstream to climb over the Col du Bonhomme at 2,329m. Let's do it! The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.

Walking Lacs Jovet out and return

Visorando Member
Lacs Jovet out and return
↔11.20 mi ↗+3,340 ft ↘-3,343 ft ◔8h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
From Les Contamines-Montjoie; an out and return walk to the Lacs Jovet, joining and following the Tour du Mont Blanc trail for most of the way. There are more challenging alternatives to this walk to make it longer, more circular or technically harder; these are described in the useful information section.

Walking Combe Noire waterfall

Association / Club / Walk leader
Cascade de la Combe Noire
↔3.15 mi ↗+1,102 ft ↘-1,086 ft ◔2h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
Combe Noire waterfall and its impressive torrential potholes.

Walking Refuge des Conscrits

Association / Club / Walk leader
Refuge des Conscrits
↔6.25 mi ↗+5,472 ft ↘-804 ft ◔6 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
A magical new route to the heart of the Mont Blanc massif. High-altitude atmosphere and proximity to the great Alpine glaciers!

Walking Refuge de Tré de la Tête from Notre-Dame de la Gorge

Visorando Member
↔6.43 mi ↗+2,635 ft ↘-2,608 ft ◔5h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
A lovely circular starting from the Notre-Dame de la Gorge car park. The path alternates between refreshing forests, meadows and breathtaking views. Among other things, you will see a natural bridge carved into the rock, a Roman bridge and the Combe Noire waterfall.

Walking The Jovet lakes

Visorando Member
Les lacs Jovet
↔9.43 mi ↗+3,310 ft ↘-3,310 ft ◔7h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
On the border between the Mont Blanc, Beaufortain and Tarentaise massifs, this hike will take you through alpine pastures to discover the Lacs Jovets at an altitude of over 2,100 metres.

Walking Col de la Fenêtre circular from Notre-Dame de la Gorge

Visorando Member
Col de la Fenêtre en boucle depuis Notre-Dame de la Gorge
↔7.99 mi ↗+3,481 ft ↘-3,474 ft ◔6h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
A magnificent circular starting from Notre-Dame de la Gorge. The ascent of the Col de la Fenêtre will take you to a strategic point on the border between the Mont Blanc massif and the Beaufortain. From this narrow pass, you will enjoy a remarkable view of Mont Blanc to the east, Lac de la Girotte and the slopes of Hauteluce to the west.

Walking Colombaz and return via Les Tappes

Visorando Member
↔6.64 mi ↗+1,588 ft ↘-1,608 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
Easy hike below Mont Joly and Col du Joly with a beautiful view of Mont Blanc and the Dômes de Miage.

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