Les Houches walks

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 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 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.

First stage of the Aiguilles Rouges tour.

This stage begins with a forest climb with views of Mont Blanc and the Bossons glacier. Continuing with a panoramic hike over the Passy reserve, we pass Lac de Pormenaz and arrive at Refuge de Moëde Anterne which overlooks the Mont Blanc mountain range.

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.

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.

A circular walk from Les Contamines Montjoie up to the Refuge de tré la Tete and views of the Tré la Tete glacier, then descending to Combe Noire to the waterfalls before returning past the pretty chapel of Notre Dame de la Gorge.

Many of you are familiar with the Mer de Glace and its trusty red cogwheel train. This time, however, you won't be using the train - you'll be climbing Mer de Glace on foot. Don't worry, you'll be able to admire the little red train as you make your way up. The hike continues as far as the ladders leading down to the Mer de Glace. From here on, the ride becomes mountaineering, and it's time to turn back.

3rd° loop of the Arve descent, from Les Tines, up through Le Lavancher and Petit Balcon Nord, superb scenery and a very pleasant forest crossing, and a descent as close as possible to the river.

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).

Fourth stage of the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges.
This stage is on the Mont Blanc GRP® route, with the Mont Blanc massif and its glaciers as a panorama. Balcony hike to Planpraz. The panorama on arrival at Brévent is exceptional.

Hiking facing the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix peaks.

A hike for those who want to enjoy the high mountains without too much elevation gain. It's ideal for children aged 8-10, to help them appreciate the mountains.
You'll enjoy a panoramic view of the Mont Blanc range from the Chamonix side.

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.

Lovely loop at the end of the Grand Balcon Nord, Chamonix valley.

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.

This 11th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) is practically all downhill (with obvious exceptions at La Flégère, up to the Col du Brévent and Le Brévent and the Tête de Bellachat). The Refuge Lac Blanc is at 2,352m and the Chalet Les Méandres is at 1,100m. 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.

9th stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc, from the Refuge du Lac Blanc to Chamonix.