Self-Guided Mont Blanc East Hiking Tour

You arrive in the charming alpine town of Martigny, beautifully located near the Rhône River. Surrounded by vineyards and mountains, it’s the perfect peaceful start to your journey. You can walk through the old town, visit La Bâtiaz Castle or relax at a local restaurant and enjoy Swiss cuisine

In the morning, you transfer to Trient to begin your first hike. You climb the historic Col de la Forclaz pass, once an important connection between the Rhône Valley and Chamonix. From there, forest trails take you over Collet Portalo and towards the alpine pasture of Alp Bovine.

After a rest at this traditional mountain farm, you descend along dramatic cliffs and mountain streams. A farmhouse in the valley offers homemade local products.

The final gentle climb leads you to Champex-Lac, a serene lake surrounded by wooden chalets and pine forests, often called the “Canada of Switzerland.”

Today the trail leads you down along pleasant forest roads into the valley of the Dranse River. You follow the gentle course of the river as it winds through the charming mountain villages of Valais, where traditional wooden houses and peaceful alpine scenery create a calm atmosphere. Gradually, a scenic path climbs again above a rocky ravine carved by a mountain stream, guiding you toward the upper end of Swiss Val Ferret at La Fouly.

As you approach your destination, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with striking sand coloured cliffs and enormous glacier flanks dominating the horizon. The area is popular with rock climbers and experienced alpinists, and you will notice several small bivouac huts that serve as base camps for high mountain expeditions. In the afternoon, you may take a cable car to a panoramic viewpoint for even wider alpine views, or simply relax and absorb the serenity of this breathtaking mountain setting.

Today you cross your first major high mountain pass into Italy. The climb begins toward Alpe Peule, where you can pause and stock up on local products before continuing higher into the alpine landscape. The trail leads steadily upward to Grand Col Ferret at 2537 metres, marking the border between Switzerland and Italy. From the summit, the panorama opens dramatically over the Italian Val Ferret, where green valley slopes contrast with rugged rock faces and glacier covered walls.

The descent brings you directly to Refuge Elena, perfectly positioned beneath the glacier. Here you can enjoy an authentic Italian espresso while sitting on the terrace with breathtaking ice views in front of you. A scenic trail along the stream guides you down into the valley, followed by a bus transfer to the lively alpine town of Courmayeur

After breakfast, you return by bus to Val Ferret for a spectacular panoramic hiking day. The morning climb takes you onto a magnificent alpine trail with constant views of the Mont Blanc massif. The path leads to the legendary Refuge Bonatti, a famous hut deeply connected to the history of alpine mountaineering. From here you can choose between a shorter and more level route along the mountainside or a more demanding high alpine option crossing two additional passes along the ridgeline.

Both routes offer unforgettable scenery and eventually meet at Rifugio Bertone, where cappuccino and cake provide the perfect reward. In the afternoon, you descend to Courmayeur, known for its elegant pedestrian streets, rich mountaineering heritage and extraordinary views of Mont Blanc.

In the morning you transfer to Chalet du Miage to begin your final hiking stage. The trail winds through the wide and impressive Veny Valley, passing striking lateral moraines, unusual limestone formations and hidden glacial lakes. The landscape feels wild and expansive as you approach Rifugio Elisabetta, where you may enjoy traditional Italian mountain specialities on the terrace.

The route then climbs to Col de la Seigne at 2516 metres, where you cross from Italy into France and enter the region of Haute Savoie. From the pass, you descend into the beautiful Vallée des Glaciers, once used as alpine pastureland and now surrounded by herds of grazing cows. A transfer from Ville des Glaciers brings you down to Bourg Saint Maurice, a charming French alpine town on the Isère River. This is the perfect place to celebrate the completion of your remarkable three country journey.

Your journey officially ends in Bourg Saint Maurice. Before departing, you may explore the town, enjoy a relaxed walk through its traditional alpine setting, or take the funicular up to the hiking region of Les Arcs for panoramic views. If time allows, you can extend your stay and unwind further in the beautiful Savoie region before returning home.