July 17-22, 2027
Tour du Mont Blanc
Hike the highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc — a fully guided, 6-day, 51-mile trek through France, Switzerland and Italy, crossing seven high passes around the tallest mountain in the Alps. You’ll have views of Mont Blanc from all sides, including the glaciers of the Italian south face. You’ll bag seven high passes: Col de Balme, Col de Portalo, Grand Col Ferret, Col de la Seigne, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Col du Bonhomme, and Col du Tricot. Hotel-based, with your luggage moved for you each day.
July 17-22, 2027
Chamonix, France; Hotels
Fundraise or Pay $3,800
Event Details
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change; your Ride Guide will include full details.
Day 1 — Saturday, July 17: Chamonix to Col de la Forclaz
Distance: 6.8 miles (11 km) | Elevation gain: 3,000 ft (915 m) | Accommodation: Hotel du Col de la Forclaz, Trient, Switzerland
From Chamonix we take public transport to the village of Le Tour, where the hike begins. Our first climb is to the Col de Balme (2,191 m) on the French–Swiss border, with views back over Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley. From the col we descend toward Trient, then finish with a short climb to the Col de la Forclaz, where we spend the night.
Day 2 — Sunday, July 18: Col de la Forclaz to Champex-Lac
Distance: 8.5 miles (13.7 km) | Elevation gain: 2,300 ft (700 m) | Accommodation: Hotel Sunways, Champex-Lac, Switzerland
We hike to the Giète alpine pasture (1,884 m), then climb to the Col de Portalo (2,049 m) for views over the Rhône Valley. From there it’s a long descent to Champex-Lac (1,500 m), a small village on a mountain lake.
Day 3 — Monday, July 19: La Fouly to Courmayeur via the Grand Col Ferret
Distance: 9.3 miles (15 km) | Elevation gain: 3,000 ft (915 m) | Accommodation: Hotel Edelweiss, Courmayeur, Italy
An early transfer (about an hour) takes us to La Fouly. From there we climb to the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m) on the Swiss–Italian border, passing below Mont Dolent (3,819 m), the peak where France, Switzerland and Italy meet. The descent into Italy’s Val Ferret looks across at the Pré de Bar glacier and the south side of the Mont Blanc massif. From Arnuva, a short transfer takes us to Courmayeur. You’ll want some time to walk around Courmayeur – it’s a charming village!
Day 4 — Tuesday, July 20: Val Veny to Les Chapieux
Distance: 9.3 miles (15 km) | Elevation gain: 3,000 ft (915 m) | Accommodation: Auberge de la Nova, Les Chapieux, France (or Bourg-Saint-Maurice)
A morning transfer (about 30 minutes) takes us to La Visaille. We hike up the Val Veny past Lac Combal, its water milky with glacial silt, to the Elisabetta refuge and on to the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m) on the Italian–French border. We then descend through the Beaufortain pastures, home to herds of tawny Tarine cows, to Ville des Glaciers, where a short transfer takes us to our inn.
Day 5 — Wednesday, July 21: Les Chapieux to Les Contamines-Montjoie
Distance: 10 miles (16 km) | Elevation gain: 3,000 ft (915 m) | Accommodation: Hotel La Gélinotte, Les Contamines-Montjoie, France
The longest day of the week. We climb from the Chapieux Valley through alpine pastures to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,479 m), then traverse to the Col du Bonhomme (2,329 m), a natural terrace and a good spot for a break. A long descent (about 4,250 ft) through the Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve leads past Notre-Dame de la Gorge and its Baroque church to the village.
Day 6 — Thursday, July 22: Les Contamines-Montjoie to Chamonix
Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km) | Elevation gain: 4,250 ft (1,295 m)
The biggest climb of the week. We head up the Miage valley, where the trail steepens on the way to the Col du Tricot (2,120 m / 6,955 ft) and a view of the southwest face of Mont Blanc. We cross the suspension bridge over the Bionnassay torrent, then ride the Bellevue cable car down to Les Houches and take public transport back to Chamonix. We’ll gather tonight for a farewell dinner!
FAQs and More Info
What is included? Not included?
Included:
- A state-certified mountain guide (12 people maximum per guide)
- 5 nights in small hotels and inns, double or twin rooms
- 5 breakfasts (Days 2–6), 6 picnic lunches with hiking snacks (Days 1–6), 5 dinners (Days 1–5)
- Bellevue cable car ticket on Day 6
- Transfers during the hike by local taxi and public transport
- Daily luggage transfer between hotels
- Amazing camaraderie and life-changing hiking, of course!
- The joy and satisfaction that you’re helping support vital non-profit work
Not Included:
- Travel to/from Chamonix (nearest airport: Geneva, GVA)
- Airport transfers
- Hotel nights in Chamonix before Day 1 and after Day 6
- Dinner on Day 6
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Single supplement ([$X])
- Travel/supplemental medical insurance with repatriation coverage (required)
- Trip cancellation insurance (strongly recommended)
What level is this hike? Can I do it?
This is an intermediate to advanced hike (depending on your fitness). Days run 6.8–10 miles with 2,300–4,250 ft of climbing, about 5–7 hours of hiking. Trails are generally well maintained but have roots, rocks, and some short off-trail sections. You carry only a daypack. This hike suits people who exercise regularly, are willing to train for it, and have some multi-day hiking experience. This is not a beginner hike. Once each day’s hike starts, you walk to the finish, so come prepared for back-to-back days on your feet.
Arriving & Departing (Important Information)
Arriving
Fly into Geneva Airport (GVA), about an hour from Chamonix, and plan to arrive in Chamonix by Friday, July 16. The group meets at 6 pm on July 16 — location TBA. The hike begins on the morning of Saturday, July 17.
Departing
The hike ends in Chamonix on the afternoon of Thursday, July 22. Plan to stay in Chamonix that night or book a late transfer to Geneva.
What should I pack?
Your luggage travels between hotels in one soft duffel or bag — no hard suitcases — with a 15 kg (33 lb) limit. Bags over the limit will not be transported. On trail you’ll carry a daypack with water, lunch, and layers. Plan on broken-in boots or trail shoes, a rain jacket, a warm layer, a hat and gloves, sun protection, and trekking poles for the long descents. A full packing list will be in your Trip Guide.
What’s the weather like in on the Tour de Mont Blanc?
July is peak hiking season. In Chamonix, daytime highs are usually in the low-to-mid 70s °F (22–24 °C), with nights around 50 °F (10 °C). The passes sit between 2,000 and 2,500 m, where it can be 15–20 °F cooler, windy, or foggy. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July, so the guide may start the day early. Snow patches can linger on the highest passes into July.
What are the travel documents/passports required?
You will need a valid passport. France, Switzerland and Italy are all in the Schengen Area, and U.S. passports should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date. If you hold a passport from another country, check your country’s requirements.
Accommodations & Single Supplements
This is an all-hotel, double occupancy trip in small hotels and mountain inns. Let us know if you’d prefer a twin (two beds) or double (one bed) room. We do our best to room people of the same gender together. Some inns have shared bathrooms. The single supplement for the trip is [$X].
Is my U.S. medical insurance valid while traveling outside the U.S.? Should I get travel insurance?
Travel/supplemental medical insurance on international Climate Ride trips is required. Many domestic health insurance companies do not provide coverage outside of the United States, and before leaving for the event, travelers should speak with their healthcare providers to determine if they will be covered. Several private insurance companies offer short-term travel/medical insurance. Check out Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, or other comparable companies.
Remember, travel insurance can only cover expenses you have paid for (flights, additional hotels, etc). It cannot cover your fundraising. Be sure to read the fine print on the travel insurance that you buy.
Can I use my U.S. debit or credit card?
Yes. Cards are widely accepted in Chamonix, Courmayeur, and most hotels. The trip crosses two currencies — euros in France and Italy, Swiss francs in Switzerland (Days 1–3) — so carry a little of each for small cafés and mountain huts along the trail.
Where do my proceeds go?
This is a special Climate Ride Funders Trip, and your fundraising goes directly to the programs that drive our mission. It underwrites Green Fondo events, funds scholarships that put young sustainability leaders in the saddle, and powers our Justice & Access Grants. It also supports our bikepacking program, which gives grants to trail coalitions and helps cyclists build independence and grit.
Hiking around Mont Blanc is half the fun.The other half is helping grow Climate Ride into an advocacy powerhouse for active environmental philanthropy and lasting sustainable solutions.
Climate Ride holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (its highest) and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly GuideStar). All donations are tax-deductible. Grantee selection is not available on this trip.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates
Fundraising Deadlines:
| $500 | 10/20/2026 |
| $2,300 | 11/19/2026 |
| $4,600 | 12/22/2026 |
Transfer Deadline: There are no transfers for this event. Donations are non-refundable.
Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
Photo Gallery
Full Event Story
Your Alpine Adventure Awaits!
Join us on a guided hike around Mont Blanc, at 15,774 ft (4,806 m) the highest peak in the Alps. The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe’s classic long-distance trails, circling the massif through France, Switzerland and Italy.
This six-day trek covers 51 miles and about 18,500 ft of climbing. It hikes the best sections of the full 105-mile (170 km) loop and uses short transfers to skip the valley-floor stretches. Every night is in a small hotel or inn, and your bag is waiting when you arrive, so you hike with only a daypack.
We start in Chamonix and cross the Col de Balme into Switzerland, then hike over the Col de Portalo to the lake village of Champex-Lac. The Grand Col Ferret takes us into Italy and the town of Courmayeur. From there we climb the Val Veny past Lac Combal to the Col de la Seigne and back into France. The longest day crosses the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and the Col du Bonhomme to Les Contamines-Montjoie. On the last day we climb the Col du Tricot, cross the Bionnassay suspension bridge, and ride the Bellevue cable car down toward Chamonix.
Our guides come from the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, founded in 1821 and the oldest mountain guide company in the world.
Hike Highlights
- Three countries in six days: France, Switzerland and Italy.
- Seven high passes: Col de Balme, Col de Portalo, Grand Col Ferret, Col de la Seigne, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Col du Bonhomme, and Col du Tricot.
- Views of Mont Blanc from all sides, including the glaciers of the Italian south face.
- Expert guides from the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix.
- Luggage moved for you: hike with a daypack and find your bag at each night’s hotel.
- A Swiss lake village, an Italian mountain town, and French alpine villages along the way.
Is This Hike For You?
Our guide partner rates this a moderate trek, 3 out of 5. Hiking days are 6.8–10 miles with 2,300–4,250 ft of climbing, about 5–7 hours on the trail each day. Hikers should be comfortable on rocky, rooty mountain trails and with long climbs and descents on back-to-back days. This is not a beginner hike.
This is a Climate Ride Funders Trip — every dollar you raise goes straight to work for Climate Ride, no grantee selection required. Your fundraising directly supports the programs that drive our mission: underwriting Green Fondo events, funding scholarships for young sustainability leaders, and powering our Justice & Access Grants. The trail around Mont Blanc is only half the adventure. The other half is helping build Climate Ride into an advocacy powerhouse for active environmental philanthropy and lasting sustainable solutions.
