Mont Blanc Walks Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Argentière, Chamonix Valley
This evening we meet you at your accommodation at Yeti Lodge to discuss the week ahead. There will also be a chance for the guide to check out your clothing and gear and decide if you need to pick up any further items of equipment before setting out in the morning.
Day 2. Lac Blanc
Lac Blanc, our target for the day, is one of the most stunning locations in the area. It was recently voted by one magazine as the most beautiful day walk in the world! Our route begins at the Col des Montets where we climb steadily on a well graded path to reach the ridge line. As we head towards our destination we pass through the Nature Reserve with its landscape of granite cliffs, small lakes, juniper, and alpenrose. The Reserve is also famous for its ibex and we often get very close to these wonderful animals. As we make our way along the ridge the views of the Mont Blanc range unfold before us. After arriving at Flégère we save our knees by taking the cable car to the town of Chamonix below. Ascent 900m Descent 500m
Day 3. Tour des Fiz
Today we head up the mountainside to the viewpoint at Plaine Joux where we begin a two day trip in the mountains. The aim is to complete the Tour des Fiz which takes us into the beautiful Nature Reserve below the stunning cliffs of the Rochers des Fiz. We climb steadily until we reach the Col de la Portette at 2354m, before dropping into the meadows below. Here you can often spot marmots, ibex, and the rare Gypaète Barbu or bearded vulture which has been successfully re-introduced to the area. The Refuge de Sales, where we spend the night, is an ideal spot to enjoy the local wildlife. Ascent 1050m Descent 500m
Day 4. Tour des Fiz
This morning we descend through the Gorges de Sales, before traversing the mountain to the historic Alfred Wills Refuge where we can stop for coffee. We then climb to the alpine pastures and lake where the ‘pastous’, huge white Pyrenean sheepdogs, usually spend the summer guarding the livestock. These dogs are amazing to watch and can be seen working the herds on their own with no human guidance! After reaching the Col d’Anterne at 2257m, we begin the steady descent back to our starting point at Plaine Joux. Ascent 830m Descent 1300m
Day 5. Walking with Dinosaurs!
It’s off to Switzerland today to enjoy the scenery from the Lac de Emosson, a fine viewpoint. We trek up the Gorge de la Veudale in pursuit of the most well know prehistoric site of its kind in Europe. Eight hundred dinosaur footprints from 250 million years ago can be seen on an ancient fossilised beach on our route. We then descend through wild land by the side of the lake when there is the opportunity to stop at a mountain refuge for coffee and cake, before our final descent back to our starting point. Ascent 570m Descent 570m
Day 6. Mont Buet Ascent – Trek to Refuge de la Pierre a Berard
Mont Buet is a superb 3000m trekking peak which offers stunning views to the snow-clad peaks of the Mont Blanc range. We make our ascent over two days with a night spent at a mountain refuge in the beautiful Berard Valley. Today is a short day to ensure we are well rested for the summit day. We propose a morning’s rest in Argentière and most probably lunch, prior to setting out. Then, in the afternoon, we make our way up the valley through one of the wildest parts of the Aiguille Rouge range. We stay at the refuge for the night. Ascent 600m
Day 7. Mont Buet Summit Day
We start out early with a steep climb up to a large and impressive boulder field. As the gradient relents we find ourselves on a gentle snow slope then at last, beyond the Col de Salenton, only the final steep haul to the summit remains. At the summit, we are treated to arguably the finest mountain views in the Mont Blanc Massif. From here, it’s downhill all the way, stopping only for well deserved refreshment before the final valley section back to the village of Le Buet. Ascent 1170m Descent 1760m
Day 8. Departure Day
Today is departure day and the end of a week which has included some of the very best alpine walks in the Chamonix valley area.
Please be aware that the itinerary is flexible and at the discretion of the guide, and that changes may be made due to weather and conditions.
