Col de Balme walks

With a group of senior hikers from the Arve Valley, we set off down the Arve River from its source at La Jonction, Geneva, to its confluence with the Rhône. A short one-day circuit, ascending via the balconies and descending as close as possible to the river, the SM3A path.

Completed from 27 June to 4 July 2011, with 4 hikers, 2 tents, in almost complete autonomy (food provided for 7 days, only bread and a few items were purchased along the route). The cable car and bus were used to shorten some stages and we needed about a day more to complete the Brévent balcony opposite the Mont Blanc massif. The return to the starting point will be by public transport, bus or train...

This first stage of the long route starts gently, facing the Mont Blanc massif, and ends at the hamlet of Le Tour. The climb to Col de Balme offers superb views of the Glacier du Tour. You will cross the French-Swiss border on the first day, just before arriving at the refuge. From Col de Balme, you can also admire the Emosson lakes.

This legendary route connecting these two resorts renowned for skiing and mountaineering is very demanding. It requires excellent physical condition. You will hike through spectacular scenery, starting at the foot of Mont Blanc and ending opposite the Matterhorn. You will pass numerous peaks over 4,000 metres high, such as the Weisshorn and the Dent Blanche d'Hérens.

This second stage begins with a pleasant trail towards the "Des Grands" mountain pasture. Once you reach this chalet, the trail descends to the torrent, which you must cross at the Chalet du Glacier (1583 m). The view of the nearby Trient Glacier is magnificent. The long climb to the Fenêtre d'Arpette begins just after the Chalet Buvette. The landscape is chaotic at the pass and in the Arpette valley. The landscape becomes greener again from the Arpette refuge. The path then follows a bisse (irrigation channel) to Champex.

A short summer hike with exceptional panoramic views over the Chamonix valley and its massifs. There are several ways to approach it from Le Tour: the one shown is from the East, using the Charamillon cable car and the Autannes chairlift. The return journey is via the Charamillon cable car.

Loop through forests and mountain pastures.From the Col des Posettes via the Croix des Posettes or from the Col de Balme via the Catogne chalets, you will have a complete view of the surrounding Vallorcine landscapes.It's like a balcony overlooking Mont Blanc. ⚠️ This route crosses the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Please respect the regulations in force. See practical information.

7th stage of the TMB: from Forclaz pass to Montroc