Refuge Elena walks

This 6th stage of the TMB continues to follow the stream Dora di Ferret from high up before dropping into the valley, for a while. From below the Pré de Bard Damon and all the way up to the Grand Col Ferret the ascent is almost 500m. Here the route enters Switzerland and it's pretty much downhill, around La Dotse to follow the stream Dranse de Ferret into La Fouly. 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. Let's do it!

This 7th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) begins in La Fouly and gently descends alongside the Dranse de Ferret to Praz-de-Fort and Les Arlaches. It then leaves the valley to climb up to Lac de Champex. 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. Follow the TMB signposts.

This walk is a mixture of the Chemin de Bouquetins which coincides with the Sentier des Bergers in places. It takes advantage of the ski-lift in Fouly to save on the ascent but you can always walk uphill if you choose. These walks are both publicized by the tourist office and are well signposted.

Return from the Mer de Glace glacier through the Montenvers forest along the eponymous railroad.

A high-level and stimulating walk along the Grand Balcon Nord overlooking the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley. The route starts from the Montenvers train station (the Little Red Train) and passes the Refuge du Montenvers (worth an overnight stop). The Grand Balcon Nord terminates at Plan de l'Aiguille but the route drops down to Les Houche on the river L'Arve to reach the Chalet Les Méandres (ex Tupilak).

This 5th stage climbs out of Courmayeur to coss the Torrente Sapin and head past Rifugio Giorgio Bertone and climbing to the Col Sapin. Then down to Tza de Sécheron and back up to the Col Entre Deux Sauts. Let's do it! 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.

The Cabane du Vélan (2,642 m) is nothing like a traditional Swiss hut. Its bold, futuristic architecture, adorned with solar panels (inaugurated in 1993), makes it look more like a ship than a refuge and has earned it the Ligue de Protection du Patrimoine award. It enjoys an exceptional location above moraines and glaciers, with magnificent views of the Grand Combin massif (4,312 m) and Mont Vélan (3,727 m).

A beautiful hike downhill from the restaurant near the Plan de l'Aiguille cable car to the Montenvers station and back to Chamonix station by train.

The second stage of this hike starts at the Cabane du Vélan and follows the right bank of the Valsorey torrent.

stage 4 of the Tour du Mont Blanc in Italy, from the Maison Vieille refuge to the Bertone refuge, with a visit to Courmayeur.