Les Houches walks

This 1st stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) is possibly the toughest but the adrenaline is pumping and short-cuts are not on the agenda. 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.

The Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France. These 11 stages are one way of doing it but you can make your own version of the TMB. The classic route begins and ends in Les Houches and takes an anticlockwise direction around Mont Blanc and the adjacent peaks. There is a total of 164 km (102 miles) walking these 11 routes and a positive height gain of over 10,000m. Certainly a challenging adventure but well worth the effort. Let's do it! ⚠️ This route passes through nature reserves. Please respect the regulations in force. See practical information.

This sixth stage of the GTA GR®5, which is shared with the GR® TMB, takes place in the Mont Blanc massif and then the Beaufortain massif. From Les Houches, the route follows the Maison Neuve chairlift and reaches the Terrain chalets before climbing up to the Col de Voza. The GR®5 descends due south along a wide path towards the Refuge du Fioux and then reaches the hamlet of Bionnassay. It crosses the Torrent de Bionnassay valley and turns sharply westwards before reaching the hamlet of Champel. From there, the path heads south to reach La Gruvaz, from where it descends westwards into the Bon Nant stream, which it crosses to run along the left bank towards the south. It returns to the right bank, passes through Les Contamines-Montjoie following the stream’s axis due south, and goes past the remarkable chapel of Notre-Dame de la Gorge. Continuing to follow the Bon Stream valley, the GR®5 climbs to a natural bridge and crosses a gorge at the Pont Romain de la Téna to reach the Refuge de la Balme.

The route starts in the forest and then, as it gains altitude, the landscape becomes increasingly rocky. The Refuge du Nid d'Aigle marks the boundary between the two environments. From the Baraque Forestière des Rognes, the trail becomes narrow and steep until you reach the Refuge de Tête Rousse. The descent follows the same trail back to the Baraque Forestière des Rognes. This gives access to the Dérochoir, a slightly tricky section. After that, the trail is straightforward until you reach your destination.

A beautiful loop starting from the old farms of Les Chavants, going to the Charousse mountain pasture and returning via Vaudagne and the Chemin des Diligences.

Located at the southern end of the Carlaveyron National Nature Reserve, the Aiguillette des Houches offers an exceptional view of the Mont Blanc massif. You can enjoy these magnificent panoramas all the way to the Aiguillette du Brévent. Further east, the terrace of the Refuge de Bellachat offers another superb view, particularly of the Aiguille du Midi, only 6 km away. ⚠️ This route crosses the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Please respect the regulations in force. See practical information.

The Aiguillette des Houches dominates the valley on the sunny side. The circuit offers exceptional views to the west towards the Assy plateau and the Saint-Gervais and Combloux valleys. To the south, the view covers the entire "Mont Blanc crossing" route: Aiguille du Goûter, Dôme du Goûter, Mont Maudit, Mont Blanc du Tacul and Aiguille du Midi. In the valley, every chalet in the village of Les Houches can be seen. The route is fully signposted. The loop described here starts from the hamlet of La Flatière, at an altitude of 1,370 metres. It is not new but offers a choice of possible options. The ascent is via the most direct route. It takes 2 hours and 20 minutes at a mountain pace. The first half is in the shade. From an altitude of 1,987 metres, the path follows a ridge that is both steeper and more exposed. If you set off in the middle of the morning, you will reach the summit around midday. The descent is more gradual. ⚠️ Regulations. See practical information.

This hike takes you from Les Houches to La Charlanoz, via the Aiguillette des Houches, the Bellachat refuge, the summit of Brévent and Panpraz.Breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc massif and the Aiguilles Rouges massif. ⚠️ This route crosses the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Please respect the regulations in force. See practical information.

stage 1 of the TMB: Les Houches to Les Contamines-Monjoie via the Col du Tricot

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...

stage1 of the Tour du Mont Blanc: from Les Houches to the Refuge de Nant Borrant (in the commune of Les Contamines Montjoie) via the Col du Tricot variant.

Tour du Mont Blanc in 9 days.

The Refuge de Tête Rousse is a stopover refuge for Mont Blanc. This hike gives you a taste of what to expect before climbing Mont Blanc and spending a night in a refuge at over 3,000 metres. The hike takes two days: the ascent on the first day and the descent on the second.

A classic in the area, with sweeping views of the Chamonix valley and the other side of Saint-Gervais. A fairly easy, family-friendly hike. There are lots of activities and games if you want to spend the day there.

This route does not present any particular difficulties, except for a significant elevation gain (over 1,100 metres), which classifies it as difficult. It reaches the summit of Mont Vorassay after the Col de Tricot and passes close to the Bionnassay glacier. There are magnificent views of the refuge and the Aiguille du Goûter as well as the Aiguille de Bionnassay. The descent is very pleasant and passes through a beautiful forest.

This hike takes you into the high mountains. The finish is the Tête Rousse mountain hut, one of the stages on the classic Mont Blanc route. Crampons are recommended for the final few metres (crossing the Tête Rousse Glacier). Please note: This is a hike with a significant elevation gain, suitable only for experienced walkers who do not suffer from vertigo.

This hike is not particularly difficult, despite one slightly steep section, and will take you to the foot of the terminal tongue of the Bionnassay Glacier, then to the Col de Voza. All along the way, you will enjoy magnificent views of the Bionnassay Glacier, then the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Massif.

The Montagne de la Côte is a steep ridge separating the final tongues of the Bossons and Taconnaz Glaciers tumbling down from Mont Blanc and Le Goûter. Historically, the route taken by Balmat and Paccard on their first ascent of Mont Blanc, this climb starts out pleasantly winding through the forest, then onto grassy slopes, and finally into a more mineral setting, ending in a very high-mountain glacial atmosphere.

Fifth and final stage of the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges. This stage offers panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif and its glaciers, the Contamines valley and Les Fiz. The descent is through forest.

A short family walk to explore the authentic and charming village of Vieux Servoz and the River Arve via a lovely, partly shaded route. ⚠️ 19/06/2026: route amended to Route 1 to avoid a private area.

A great classic in the area, with particularly bucolic scenery ("and in the middle flows a river"). Ideal for a long break, a picnic or a day in the sun by the stream.

Sublime hike to the Chalets de Miage and Mont Truc.

Hiking on the Aiguilles Rouges massif through a wild landscape, discovering magnificent mountain lakes. You'll pass the Col du Lac Cornu, overlooking the eponymous lake, before arriving at the Lacs Noirs, where the mountain fauna is particularly present. Despite some technical sections, I strongly recommend descending to the second lake, where few people venture. You'll be able to spot a few mountain animals - chamois, ibex, marmots - and, weather permitting, take a dip in a mountain lake with an exceptional panorama of Mont Blanc.

Beautiful walk facing the Mont Blanc massif, with a permanent view of the massif and glaciers.