station le tour

• domaines skiables & sites
• Aiguille du Midi
• Montenvers - Mer de Glace
• domaines skiables débutants
• Balme (Le Tour)
• la Vormaine
• Grands Montets
• Les Houches - Saint-Gervais
• Tramway du Mont-Blanc
• Skyway Monte Bianco
• Forfaits & Billets
• Tous nos billets & Forfaits
• MONT BLANC Unlimited
• CHAMONIX Le Pass
• Séjour 100% Piétons
• Forfaits les Houches
• carnet avantages
• Tous nos billets & Forfaits été
• Adhésion MONT BLANC Rapidcard
• ouvertures & météo
• ouvertures annuelles
• foire aux questions

Balme Tour-Vallorcine , c'est deux accès pour un immense domaine ! Depuis le village du Tour (11 km du centre de Chamonix), l'accès se fait par la télécabine de Charamillon qui sera remplacée à Noël 2022. Depuis le village de Vallorcine (15 km du centre de Chamonix), il se fait par la télécabine de Vallorcine , tout près de la frontière suisse .

Ce vaste domaine en fond de vallée offre un panorama exceptionnel sur la vallée de Chamonix et même la Suisse !

Baigné de soleil , le domaine skiable de Balme ouvre à 21 pistes variées et faciles pour garantir de superbes journées de ski plaisir à tous. De son point culminant situé à 2270 m, découvrez de nombreuses pistes bleues et rouges.

Ici, c'est deux versants, deux plaisirs ! Le versant Vallorcine qui vous fait redescendre à 1264 m et le versant du Tour qui vous conduit à 1462 m. Quand vous serez en bas, vous n'aurez qu'une envie : remonter pour mieux redescendre !

À Balme, ne ratez pas Summit Park , notre snowpark . Conçu pour les plus engagés des skieurs , c'est l'un des plus grands espaces freestyle d'Europe ! Si vous êtes fans de piquets, un stade de slalom filmé et chronométré "départ à deux" vous permet de lancer vos plus grands défis !

Si vous aimez les raquettes , découvrez également de magnifiques parcours balisés et sécurisés en direction de la Suisse ou de l'Aiguillette des Posettes (2200 m).

On a même pensé à vos envies de petit break ! Le domaine skiable de Balme est riche en bars et de restaurants pour tous vos moments gourmands. Comme quoi, tout a été prévu pour votre plaisir !

Pour une journée entre amis ou en famille, un week-end découverte ou de courts séjours , réservez en ligne afin de gagner du temps !

Et profitez de votre séjour pour découvrir les autres merveilles du MONT-BLANC Natural Resort , le plus grand des terrains de jeu naturels !

• Présentation des sites et domaines
• Balme (Le Tour - Vallorcine)

Domaine skiable de Balme

Skiez sur 2 versants, vivez un double plaisir .

Balme Tour-Vallorcine , c'est deux accès pour un immense domaine ! Depuis le village du Tour (11 km du centre de Chamonix), l'accès se fait par la télécabine de Charamillon remplacée depuis Noël 2022. Depuis le village de Vallorcine (15 km du centre de Chamonix), il se fait par la télécabine de Vallorcine , tout près de la frontière suisse .

Partagez vos moments ! #balme | #visitMontBlanc | @montblanc_nr

Forfaits & billets, anticipez & économisez = ski malin.

Des tarifs ski imbattables . Réservez maintenant !

Vous êtes visiteur à la journée ? en séjour ? Bénéficiez des prix les plus bas pour cet hiver en achetant votre forfait en ligne .

Forfait ski 1 Jour de 44,00€ à 53,60€ au lieu de 67,00€ -->

Forfait séjour de 219,30€ à 334,00€

Forfait piétons séjour 2 jours à Chamonix : 105,00€ puis 15,00€ / jour supplémentaire

Forfait ski & visites de 60,00€ à 83,00€ au lieu de 83,00€ -->

Forfait ski & visites de 163,70€ à 258,40€ soit 45,70€ la journée -->

En temps réel :

• Remontées ( 0 /3)

00:00 - 23:59

TC CHARAMILLON

Fermé : Réouverture le 8 juin

TC VALLORCINE

Fermé : Réouverture le 22 juin

TSD AUTANNES

• Aujourd'hui
• Hauteur de neige cm
• Neige fraîche cm
• Dernière chute de neige : 20/04/2024
• Vent 4 Km/h

Dernière mise à jour : 23/04/2024 07:02

• Neige fraîche 0 cm
• Vent 11 Km/h

Bulletin du jour

Webcam balme - 2270m, plan 3d de balme, accessibilité, horaires du domaine de balme.

• Ouverture 00:00
• Dernière montée pour l’aller-retour 16:30 pour Charamillon
• Dernière montée pour l’aller simple 16:45 pour Charamillon
• Dernière descente 17:00 pour Charamillon
• Fréquence En continu
• Accès télécabine Charamillon ou Vallorcine
• Accès au télésiège des Autannes
• Télécabine Charamillon et télésiège des Autannes

Questions fréquentes

Quelles sont les dates d'ouverture du domaine .

Retrouvez notre planning d'ouverture en cliquant ici .

Quel forfait me donne accès au domaine skiable ?

Il n'existe pas de forfait sectoriel pour le domaine de Balme. Le CHAMONIX Le Pass est un forfait ski à la journée ou en séjour à Chamonix, qui vous donne accès au domaine skiable du Brévent. Le forfait séjour 100% Piétons (de 2 à 21 jours) est le forfait 100% piétons à Chamonix. Vous souhaitez skier, visiter et profiter d'autres avantages, choisissez le forfait MONT Blanc Unlimited .

Existent-ils des restrictions ?

Les enfants peuvent emprunter la télécabine de Charamillon et de Vallorcine à partir de 1 an sous votre responsabilité. Les animaux sont interdits sur le domaine skiable, en revanche ils sont acceptés tenus en laisse dans la télécabine de Charamillon et la télécabine de Vallorcine. Personnes à mobilités réduites : handiski possible sur le domaine skiable Snowscoot, fatbike, luge : interdits sur le domaine skiable

Existent-ils des tarifs spécifiques ?

Les enfants de moins de 5 ans bénéficient de la gratuité sur présentation d’un justificatif d’âge, uniquement en caisses. Nous n’avons pas de tarif spécifique pour les demandeurs d’emploi & étudiant. Personne à mobilité réduite : tarif spécifique se renseigner.

Comment me rendre au domaine de Balme (Le Tour - Vallorcine) ?

L'adresse GPS du Tour est 226 Chemin des Quiesets 74400 ARGENTIERE, visible sur Google en cliquant ici L'adresse GPS de Vallorcine est Chef Lieu 74660 VALLORCINE, visible sur Google en cliquant ici Le parking situé au départ de la télécabine du tour est le plus proche, le parking est gratuit (attention places limitées). Le parking situé au départ de la télécabine de Vallorcine est le plus proche, le parking est payant (attention places limitées). Votre forfait vous procure la gratuité sur le réseau bus de Chamonix.

Restaurants

Charamillon self, chara vente a emporter, les ecuries de charamillon, l'alpage de balme.

• Lignes pour le Tour : 2 et 13
• Lignes pour Vallorcine : 18 et train
• 2 télécabines
• 2 télésièges
• 2270 m sommet du domaine

Afin de vous accueillir cet hiver dans les meilleurs conditions, vous trouverez ci-dessous nos informations à jour suite aux dernières annonces gouvernementales.

Nos brochures en version digitale

Consulter l’ensemble de nos brochures en version digitale pour accéder à l’ensemble des tarifs et dates d’ouvertures de nos différents sites & domaines.

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Chamonix Mont-Blanc

Les Houches

Saint-Gervais

Courmayeur - Italie

Nos forfaits et billets hiver

Nos forfaits et billets été

Le MONT BLANC Rapidcard

Information :

Accès domaine skiable Tour-Balme : amènagement parking relais des îles Dès ce samedi 10 février et jusqu’au 10 mars 2024, un parking relais gratuit au lieu-dit les îles de plus de 200 places sera relié au domaine du Tour par une navette directe gratuite également qui circulera en continu toutes les demi-heures de 9h à 17h30. Par ailleurs, les lignes régulières du haut de vallée (payantes) (N°2 – Le Tour : toutes les 30 minutes sans desserte des Grands Montets et n° 15 SKI BUS - Chamonix – Le Tour : toutes les 10 minutes en pointe via les Grands Montets) se voient renforcées par un doublage SKI BUS Les Iles – Grassonnets - le Tour via les Grands Montets toutes les 30 minutes, de 8h40 à 18h30.

Towns & Hamlets

Contributors:

Le Tour is located at the north-eastern end of the Chamonix Valley past Argentiere near the border with Switzerland. Being at the end of the valley, it finds itself surrounded by mountains on all sides. There are many trails heading in all directions from Le Tour. On the eastern edge lies the Montagne de Posettes with its highest point being the crest summit of the Aiguillette des Posettes . On the north-eastern side lies the ski domain of Le Tour with its highest point being the Tete de Balme summit at 2321m right on the edge with Switerland. On the western side lies the Montagne de Peclerey with the hamlet of Le Planet located at a plateau below it.   The Petit Balcon Nord starts at Le Tour and enables you to visit all the hamlets and towns all the way down to Chamonix using a low altitude but very scenic and easy nature trail.

Le Tour is one of the main ski areas of the Chamonix Valley and in the summer the ski lifts are open for hikers, runners and mountain bikers. For mountain bikers there are marked trails of varying difficulties and the lifts enable you to bring your bike up. For hikers and runners the lifts enable easier access to higher altitude routes such as the trail taking you to the Refuge Albert Premier next to the Glacier du Tour . The glacier can be seen from the valley floor and the hamlet of Le Tour but the best views are definitely from the trail to the refuge and the refuge itself.

Le Tour has a Catholic Church and a beautiful little Chapel located very close to each other in the heart of the hamlet. Le Tour has a couple of restaurants located around the bottom of the lift station. There are no bakeries or super markets at Le Tour with Argentiere being the nearest town for those type of facilities. The nearest train station is Montroc-le-Planet from where you can either walk up to Le Tour or take the bus. Le Tour has a bus stop near the lift station. There is lot of parking around the lift station too in case you want to visit by car.

Nearest Town

Accommodation

Looking for more towns and hamlets?

Linked Trails & Points of Interest

These are the trails and points of interests linked to this Hamlet

Loop Trail:

A fantastic family-friendly loop between the hamlets of Le Tour and Montroc with a nice variety of forest, views and charming hamlets

End Apr - End Oct

Hiking Time

1.5 - 2.0 Hours

Elevation +

+226m / -226m

4+ Years old

Running Time

45 - 75 Mins

Technical Difficulty

Dogs Allowed

Low altitude, easy and family friendly trail that takes you from Le Tour, to Argentiere to Le Lavancher and ends up in Chamonix using the Petit Balcon Nord (PBN)

Mid Apr - End Oct

2.5 - 4.0 Hours

+226m / -683m

7+ Years old

1.5 - 2.5 Hours

Very Easy (1/5)

Exceptional

This route takes you from the village of Le Tour to the high altitude refuge Albert 1er, right next to the Glacier du Tour

Start Jul - End Sep

3.0 - 5.0 Hours

+862m / -862m

Above Average

Small Catholic Chapel in the heart of the hamlet of Le Tour

High altitude Refuge at 2702 meters right next to the Glacier du Tour

Mountain Ridge

Crest Summit above Le Tour on the crest towards the Tete de Balme

Small Hamlet on the road from Argentiere to Le Tour

Glacier above the town of Le Tour with the trail to the Refuge Albert 1er enabling close access

Memorial for Jean-Marie Blanc who died in a helicopter crash in 1977

Large snack with huge terrace in between the Charamillon and Autannes lifts

Location & Map

Below you will the location of this point of interest on the map. You can click the button to show the nearby trails and points of interests that are listed above on the same map. Another option is to visit our complete interactive map that shows everything that is listed on our website.

• Mont Blanc Tunnel closed from 2 Sept to 16 Dec 2024
• Skier 25, dies on Aiguille Verte after 500 meter fall
• Magic Mont-Blanc, from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 April 2024
• In Chamonix, which ski resorts are open for spring skiing?
• Refuge Grands Mulets opens 4 April 2024 and conditions for ski ascent of Mont Blanc

At the foot of Mont Blanc (4808m or 15,770ft), the highest mountain in western Europe, Chamonix's alpine town atmosphere

The resort of Chamonix has three 5 star hotels, eleven 4 star hotels, twenty two 3 star hotels, thirteen 2 star hotels

TransferFix, we help you find your Chamonix transfer

Opening Dates 2024

Since 1934, Snell Sports has been the largest mountain shop in the Chamonix Valley.

Compare & Book Online with Chamonix.net

Webcam of le tour, balme, vallorcine ski resorts from charamillon.

Charamillon 4 chairlifts at 1850m, departure from les Autannes - La Balme Ski Resort

More webcams from the chamonix valley, brevent plan praz arrival station.

Vallorcine / La Poya Ski Slopes

Aiguille des Chamonix

Social Networks

Latest News

Le Tour Ski Resort Guide

Le tour, france.

Rated: 3/5 (from 6 ratings)

The ski area of Le Tour is in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,450m 4,757ft .

Le Tour is part of the Ski Pass Mont Blanc area with access to 952km 592 miles of downhill skiing, with 507 marked pistes, served by a total of 248 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Le Tour itself (10 pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Ski Pass Mont Blanc ski resorts of Argentière , Chamonix , Combloux , Cordon , Les Contamines , Les Houches , Megève , Passy Plaine Joux and St Gervais Mont-Blanc .

With ski lifts as high as 2,190m 7,185ft , snow cover is generally reliable.

Le Tour offers good sking, particularly, for Intermediate skiers.

Snowboarding

Le Tour offers some good boarding.

Notable Ski Runs

The longest possible descent in Le Tour is 3km 2 miles long.

Snow and Weather

When will it snow in le tour.

The next notable snow forecast is 5cm 2in , expected on 24 April.

See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update, or   Join our Snow Mail Here

Snow this week

Ski area stats, le tour ski area, ski pass mont blanc ski area, altitudes & slopes, le tour ski area heights, ski slope aspects.

Le Tour has ski slopes facing north, south, as well as east and west, offering both sunny and sheltered skiing.

Ratings & Suitability

Ski hire in le tour, save on ski hire in le tour.

Save up to 50%

Ski Hire Shops in Le Tour .

For more information, see our page about Le Tour Ski Hire .

Ski Lessons in Le Tour

To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see Le Tour Ski Schools and Le Tour Ski Instructors .

You can select and book a lesson online now, with our partner SkiBro.

Location and Map

Where is le tour.

This ski resort is in the French Alps in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Bonneville.

How to get there

 by air.

The nearest airport to Le Tour is Sion , 54 minutes drive away.

Annecy , Berne , Turin Caselle , Lyon Bron , Basel and Milan Malpensa airports are all within three hours drive.

Sion is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions , so you can be on the piste quickly.

Ski Lift Capacity

The five ski lifts are able to uplift 8,700 skiers and snowboarders every hour.

Snow Making

Snow-making is available, on 3km 2 miles of ski runs, with 23 snow cannons.

Season Dates

When is le tour open.

We don't currently have confirmed season dates, but hope to soon.

NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions .

Talking about Le Tour

Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...

• Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley
• Accommodation
• Usual information & services

Balme - Charamillon Gondola

• Presentation
• Opening dates

Hiking and mountain biking between France and Switzerland. From the Charamillon cable car, you will meet along the paths the herds of the last breeders of the valley with fabulous views.

The most courageous will go as far as the Aiguillette des Posettes, famous for its fabulous view of all the surrounding peaks. There are also marked mountain bike trails for beginners and advanced riders (see page 38).

Spring-summer-autumn 2024 lift timetable

• Contact via email
• +33(0)4. See the number
• How to get there

Informations liées

Tête de Balme

Col de Balme

Charamillon

Snowshoeing route of Balme

Domaine skiable la Vormaine

Ski area Balme - Vallorcine

Parking du Tour - Balme

Télécabine de Vallorcine

Le Tour & Vallorcine Ski Area

Skiing & boarding in le tour & vallorcine ski area.

Mountain Restaurants in Le Tour & Vallorcine

• L'Alpage de Balme  | Charming wooden cabin provides traditional mountain food such as Croutes, Steak and Chip, Goats cheese salad etc. Situated at the bottom of the l’Aiguillette drag lift.
• Le Cafe Comptoir  | Fabulous rustic restaurant at the base of the Vallorcine lift serving excellent fresh French cuisine
• Chalet de Charamillon  | Canteen style restaurant and snack-bar with sunny terrace. Offers heaty French favourites at the top of the Charamillon lift
• Les Ecuries de Charamillon  | The refuge restaurant is just above the beginning of the Les Autannes lift. It serves traditional savoyard cuisine and has an attractive terrace
• L'Olympic  | A popular restaurant right by the base of the Charamillon lift offering good value Fondue and Raclette
• Le Passon  | Close to the lift station this snack bar and restaurant has a good selection of dishes to fill you up after an active day on the mountain

Apres Ski in Le Tour

Interactive piste map of le tour & vallorcine, lift status - le tour, webcam - le tour, le tour & vallorcine ski area at a glance.

• Snowmaking machines: Yes
• Resort height: 1850m
• Highest lift: 2250m
• No. of lifts: 8
• No. of pistes: 23
• Total piste length: 29km
• Snow parks: Yes
• Purpose built: No
• Intermediates
• Snowboarding

• Nos stations
• Chamonix-Le Tour

Snow Report for Le Tour

• France (246)
• Le Tour (Lat Long: 46.00° N 6.93° E )
• 6 Day Forecast
• 12 Day Forecast ( )
• Last 7 Days ( )
• Snow Alerts
• Snow Finder
• Snow Report
• Ski Resort Guide
• Live Weather
• Resort Reviews (2)
• 2271   m
• 1868   m
• 1464   m
• Resort Info

Le Tour snow report:

The Le Tour snow report is: 0 out of 10 Lifts open. Our model predicted that 9cm (4 inches) of snow fell over 48 hours between Sunday 21 of April at 8PM and Tuesday 23 of April at 8PM CEST at the mid mountain level. Compacted depth will be less.

Fresh snow depth:

Last significant snowfall:, le tour snow depths:, le tour resort conditions:.

Our Snow Report for Le Tour brings daily updates on the snow conditions, snow depths, piste and offpiste conditions and the number of open ski lifts. The latest Le Tour snow report shown below was updated on 23 Apr 2024. Snow Reports are provided regularly throughout the ski season courtesy of our own network of ski resort managers, the Skiclub of Great Britain and Skiresort Service International GmbH. In addition to the current report on ski conditions, we also provide webcams (including a 4 week cam archive), current live observations from nearby weather stations and also historical snow data for Le Tour.

Last snowfall:

Resort report:, le tour snow conditions.

• Last 7 days
• This season
• 0 Bluebird Powder days
• 6 Powder days
• 0 Bluebird days

Le Tour Last 3 days snowfall map

Latest snow reports near Le Tour:

34 km away from Le Tour

Resort closed for the season. See you this summer! from La Giettaz en Aravis

18 km away from Le Tour

Snowing at a moderate rate at Flaine. No wind here. Cold. There is a dusting of fresh snow. Lifts are closed. No pistes are open. Powder snow off-piste! from Flaine

Snow History

Week 4 of april has on average:.

Snowbird Replacing Historic 53-Year-Old Chairlift

Snowbird ski area in Utah is staying open at least to the Memorial Day holiday at the end of next month, but has just closed its historic double chairlift for the final time to allow construction crews time to work on its replacement.

Le Tour Snow Depths:

Recorded snow depths for the upper and lower slopes in Le Tour 2023 - 2024. The long term average for the upper slopes is also shown for comparison.

Snow reports for resorts near Le Tour

Find the best conditions for skiing and snowboarding near Le Tour using our Snowfinder page .

Notes on the Le Tour Snow Report

The snow report describes the piste and off-piste ski conditions at Le Tour. You can submit an updated snow report here. Piste and off-piste are often different so we ask snow reporters to describe Le Tour piste and off-piste conditions separately. If these details are missing from the Le Tour snow report, you can predict off-piste conditions using the snow depth, the date of the most recent snowfall at Le Tour, the Le Tour weather report and the forecast. Members can check the hindcast for a timeline of Le Tour weather conditions. This detailed weather log makes it easy to predict snow conditions at Le Tour, even when the snow report is too old to be useful. The hindcast shows when our weather model last predicted snowfall at Le Tour. It shows how much snow we think fell then, and the way freezing level, wind and weather have varied through time. You will be able to predict whether to expect off-piste powder, slush, spring snow, ice or wind crust. If you see a report of powder or fresh snow conditions several days after snow last fell, there is usually a good reason. At crowded ski resorts, off-piste new snow will be tracked out within hours of a fresh fall but wherever crowds are light in relation to the accessible terrain, it will be possible to stay fresh much later, perhaps several days later. Alternatively, strong winds sometimes redistribute powder snow enough to cover old tracks, or it may simply be that the ski area was not fully open for some period after the snow fell, so fresh snow that fell a while ago has remained un-tracked until this report. Whenever weather conditions change, Le Tour snow conditions will change too, so it is important to check the time and date of the Le Tour snow report and to guess what effect the weather will have had on snow quality between then and now. For example, the Le Tour snow report on Friday afternoon may indicate fresh powder but if Friday night is mild and rainy then ski conditions will be very poor on Saturday morning. Conversely, if the weather stays stable and cold, the same snow report can be valid for more than a week. We advise that you check the Le Tour snow forecast to see if conditions are likely to change before your visit. Many skiers enjoy moguls and fast icy pistes but for off-piste skiers and free-ride snowboarders, fresh snow starts to deteriorate from the moment it settles. Wind, rain and periods of above-freezing temperature are the primary cause of the evolution from fresh powder to windslab, ice or slush. High altitude slopes that are shaded from the sun and sheltered from the wind preserve powder stashes longer after fresh snowfall. If the snow report mentions pockets of powder at Le Tour, study the Le Tour piste map in relation to the wind direction to determine the most likely locations.

We stress the importance of checking the date on the Le Tour snow report particularly around weekends. For example, the snow report for Le Tour on Friday may indicate powder after recent snowfall but following a sunny and busy weekend, when the locals hit the mountains en masse, the ski conditions (at any resort) can deteriorate rapidly and late arrivals may see very different ski conditions. Of course some people look for deteriorating conditions in the snow report for the likely development of mogul fields but for powder lovers and particularly snowboarders this can mean tracked out off-piste snow. Of course, this doesn’t always happen quickly after fresh snowfall particularly at quiet North facing resorts at high altitude where genuine powder stashes may be found days or even weeks later. It is worth checking the piste map for Le Tour (found in menu above) for the location of favourable slopes that may be described in the "Le Tour Snow Conditions" part of the snow report. In addition to checking the Le Tour snow report we recommend that you check the snow forecasts found in the menu at the top of the page along with our ski resort guide.

• Where to stay – Chamonix
• Geneva Airport to Chamonix
• Itineraries
• Tour du Mont Blanc Refuges
• Refuges ebook

Tour du Mont Blanc public transport

Slash your TMB trail time by taking public transport along your Tour du Mont Blanc.

The Tour du Mont Blanc trekking route packs a punch with it’s 170 kilometres over demanding terrain. Days are long on the trail and with the serious elevation gain (& loss) it’s possible that you might need a helping hand along the way.

If you’re behind schedule, hit bad weather or say trekking with kids, there are a number of transport options on most of the Tour du Mont Blanc stages. These mainly consist of public buses that run along the valley floors or cable cars and chair lifts that can whip you up and down mountains in a jiffy.

We would highly recommend the following Tour du Mont Blanc public transport to cut trail times, especially if your hiking with kids or if the weather becomes untenable. Many of the shuttle buses merely run along mundane sections of valley floors so you’re not actually missing much by taking them. 

On average expect to be on the TMB trail between 7-9 hours per day. When I hiked with my 10 year old, it took us that with all the transport options! Without taking all the TMB transport options, I know we definitely could not having hiked the TMB with our kids. It would have been way too much. 

Check out the public transport below and build them into your planning so you know where to save tired legs or as plan B in bad weather. Figuring out what your speed will be during your planning isn’t easy so give yourself extra time, each day.

Much of the Tour du Mont Blanc transport options are only available during peak periods, July & August. Below are all the Summer 2023 timetables. As soon as they become available at the beginning of the 2024 summer season I will update them one by one. This is usually mid June. You can use the 2023 timetables below to get an idea of frequency for 2024 – the timetables are always very similar. Be aware of public transport & exit points along the trail in case of sickness, mild injury or bad weather – it’s always good to have an exit strategy to fall back on.

1. Les Houches – Bellevue Cable Car 

OPEN JUNE 3rd – SEPTEMBER 10th 2023

Right at the beginning of the Tour du Mont Blanc on Stage 1 (Les Houches – Les Contamines) you can cut 2 hrs off the trail time by catching the Bellevue cable car instead of hiking up from the valley floor.

The 2023 cable car tariff is €17.50 one way for an adult and €14.90 for children up to 14 years old/over 65s. Annoyingly they don’t have a family one way ticket but if you are a family of 5-7 you will only pay for 2 adults & 2 children (the 3rd, 4th or 5th child is free). It takes merely 5 minutes to get to the top of the Bellevue Plateau (1800m) and it runs frequently (approximately every 20-30 minutes). 

Many hikers take this short cut so don’t worry there are still plenty of TMB signposts once you get out of the cable car. You will then only have to walk only 15-20 minutes to pick up the ‘proper’ TMB track. The cable car starts running at 7.30am in peak season (10 July – 27 Aug 2023)

2. Tresse/La Chapelle – Les Contamines – bus

STAGE 1 CATCHING THE BUS FROM LA CHAPELLE TO COURMAYEUR

If you come out onto the road at Tresse Le Quy, TURN LEFT and walk up to the next bus stop at La Chapelle to catch the bus. The bus stop on your right only gets picked up very infrequently.

This bus is handy to take if you are trekking the stage 1 traditional route (NOT the stage variant route which conveniently pops you out in the centre of Les Contamines next to the church).

When you’ve descended into the Montjoie valley the TMB track will eventually hit the main road into Les Contamines. It’s here (or nearly here) that you can catch the public bus into Les Contamines. 

Don’t make the mistake we’ve made before of coming straight off the track out into the village of Tresse and waiting at the bus stop literally opposite (Tresse Le Quy). The TMB trail actually crosses the main road here and continues on the opposite side of the valley up into the town of Les Contamines. It’s another 1 hour hiking.

We intended to cut this 1 hour from our trail time and waited at the Tresse bus stop for what seemed like forever. We’d planned to take the bus as I’d actually added a further hour onto our first day schedule by planning to hike from Les Contamines onto the first refuge Nant Borant. A clever tactic to reduce the second days hike (which is notoriously hard over the Col du Bonhomme) by an hour the following day.

It backfired. The bus never arrived and so we reluctantly carried on, traipsing along the trail and wearily hit Les Contamines dog tired with a worn out 10 year old and my weary 65 year old mother. It turned out that the tourist office had put up a timetable at the Tresse bus stop with the incorrect highlighted times. In fact we should have walked up the road to t he next bus stop, La Chapelle to catch the bus. The bus takes a circular route round to La Chapelle and only comes down to Tresse a couple of times a day. Check the 2023 bus timetable below if you are thinking of catching this bus, take a photo of it. If you are close to 14.00 and 17.30 then when you pop out on the road from the trail with Tresse Le Quy bus stop over the road to your right, turn right and walk the 5 minutes up to Le Pont des Crouets to make sure you’ll get the bus. The 17.30 is the last bus from here so if its later than this the bus comes down to La Chapelle at 18.13, 18.43 and 19.13 so in this case turn left on the main road and walk up to the bus stop.

La Chapelle – Les Contamines (Chef Lieu) – ND de la Gorge Bus Summer 2023 timetable

Les Contamines – Notre Dame de la Gorge – Free shuttle bus

There’s a free shuttle bus ( navette ) from Les Contamines to Notre Dame de la Gorge – the furthest point up the valley where the road stops and the trail continues. Catch the navette from outside the tourist office in Les Contamines. Notre Dame de la Gorge is the last stop on the route so it’s easy to see where to get off and the driver is very friendly, so if in doubt just ask. Catching the navette cuts 5km off the trail and will save you an easy hour.

This free shuttle bus is the same one that comes up the valley from Tresse Le Quy and La Chapelle (see above) so if you’re pushing on through to Refuge Nant Borrant on your first day, or if you’re heading to the campsite at Notre Dame de la Gorge, you can stay on the bus all the way. Otherwise stop overnight in Les Contamines and catch the bus from the tourist office in the morning.

This service operates from the end of June and runs every 45-60 mins from 07.45 from Le Pont des Crouets which would arrive at the bus stop outside the tourist office (Chef Lieu) at 07.58.

Les Contamines (Chef Lieu) – ND de la Gorge Bus Summer 2023 timetable

This is the same timetable as above as the bus that picks up from La Chapelle continues into the centre of Les Contamines and out the other side on towards Parking Notre-Dame de la Gorge. This means that if you are not aiming to stay in the town of Les Contamines overnight and you have no need to get supplies from the three small supermarkets on the main road then you could stay on the bus and continue all the way to Notre-Dame de la Gorge. This is perfect for instance if you are staying at Refuge Nant Borrant – the first refuge on the trail after Les Contamines (2 hours walking from Les Contamines centre or 1 hour walking if you are going to take the free shuttle bus to Notre-Dame de la Gorge).

Les Chapieux to Village des Glacier or Les Mottets refuge – shuttle bus

Les chapieux shuttle bus.

Great news! This year the Les Chapieux shuttle bus will run from 19th June instead of the beginning of July AND will continue up until 8th September! This is fantastic news for early trekkers and later trekkers.

There are mini bus shuttles ( navettes )from Les Chapieux to La Ville des Glaciers and further to the Les Mottets refuge parking. The navettes leave regularly from Les Chapieux and I would highly recommend saving your legs by catching it. It costs €4.00 per person whilst children 12 and under are free. Below are the timetables – the first is between June 19-25th, the second timetable (peak summer) runs more frequently.

Where to buy your ticket?

Buy your ticket from the information centre, a small wooden shack near the shop in Les Chapieux (there’s not much there so don’t worry you can’t miss it!) It’s also here where the shuttle bus depart.

Tip: If you’re staying the night in Les Chapieux, buy your ticket as soon as you arrive for your bus the following morning. Yes you’ll be tired and a cold beer at the bar at Refuge de la Nova will be calling your name. However the information centre is only 100m from Refuge de la Nova and does close around 6pm. If you miss it, you’ll have to buy your ticket in the morning and chances are the first bus at 7.40am will be full. The next bus in peak summer isn’t until 8.50am so if you want to get an early start perhaps if you’re going all the way through to Refuge Maison Vielle or even Courmayeur you need to get on this first bus.

We missed buying our tickets the night before and it was quite busy when we turned up first thing at 8am when the hut opened, so we didn’t manage to get onto the first bus. We bought tickets for the 9am departure to Village des Glaciers, so we were happy enough and it didn’t hold us up really on our schedule, but I would recommend hot footing it to the information shack as soon as you arrive the afternoon before to bag tickets for the 07.40 shuttle the following morning.

If you’re pressing onto Les Mottets for the night and you’re exhausted by the time you hit Les Chapieux, the last bus to Les Mottets parking leaves at 16.25 arriving at 16.55. If you arrive after this the 16.55 and 17.35 bus does go to Ville des Glacier which is three quarters of the way to Refuge Mottets so catch one of these and then just walk the rest of the way up the road. You can’t miss the refuge – you’ll see it down in the valley and there’s a clear path down to it.

Do I buy a ticket to Ville des Glaciers or Les Mottets Parking?

Unless you’re staying at Refuge des Mottets, catch the bus to Ville des Glaciers. This is around half way. The bus will stop in the large car park there. Ville des Glaciers is a small hamlet with a cheese farm. I recommend a 10 minute stop at the cheese farm before pressing on! Note: there is no accommodation in Ville des Glaciers.

From Ville des Glaciers you will cross the river and the TMB track winds gradually up and past Refuge des Mottets which is down in the valley. At this point you’ll be starting the ascent of the Col de la Seigne.

If you catch the bus all the way to the Les Mottets parking, you’ll have to walk down a steep hill from the parking to the actual refuge (in the base of the valley) and then up again from the refuge on the path on the opposite side of the valley to pick up the TMB trail.

The bus to Bourg St Maurice

There’s also a shuttle bus that runs from Les Chapieux to Bourg St Maurice (€6.00) at 18.15h every day (2023 times). This means if you’ve booked your Tour du Mont Blanc late and you haven’t managed to get any accommodation in Les Chapieux, as long as you make the 18.15h bus, you can find some accommodation in Bourg St Maurice and then head back to Chapieux on the 07.55 shuttle (2023 times) in the morning to pick up the trail. (I talk more about this in my  Tour du Mont Blanc Refuges post ).  Note that this is just one bus run down to the valley – if you miss this then you’ll have to pay for an expensive taxi to come up for you (60 euros Taxi Arthur – email: [email protected])

Another option, if you haven’t managed to secure accommodation in Les Chapieux is to book the next refuge, Les Mottets, as the shuttle bus from Les Chapieux drops you at their parking spot (so it’s just a 10 minute downhill stumble to the refuge). Make sure you’re on the last shuttle bus from Les Chapieux or face the 1 hour walk (or book a taxi!). Note: Refuge Mottets is very popular. Don’t expect to book a bed if you are late in your planning however they regularly have cancellations so it’s worth checking here online for their availability.

Taxi – Les Chapieux

In June and September it’s possible to get a taxi from Les Chapieux to Bourg St Maurice (20 minutes down into the valley by car). You need to pre-book. Places are limited. Pay the driver. Taxi options are: Taxi Besson 00 33 (0) 4 50 93 62 07 http://www.taxi-montblanc.com Taxi Gé : 06 13 63 39 42 Taxi Aarthur https://www.taxibourgsaintmaurice.com email: [email protected] Expect to pay 60 euros from Chapieux to Bourg St Maurice and 75 euros from Bourg to Ville des Glaciers the following morning – this is recommended as this is where the shuttle bus from Les Chapieux drops off. It saves around 1.5 hours of walking.

La Visaille to Courmayeur – bus

If you want to fast track stage 4, there’s a regular bus service from La Visaille to Courmayeur. La Visaille is a small hamlet in the Val Veny. It’s approximately a 50 minute walk from Cabane du Combal. It then takes 23 minutes to get into the centre of Courmayeur.

If you were leaving Rifugio Elisabetta, it’s an easy stroll along the straight Roman road (40-50 mins) until you hit a bridge at Lac Combal (you won’t see the Lac, it’s slightly higher on the opposite side, but you will see the lovely A frame Cabane du Combal refuge across the way). From the bridge it’s a half an hour walk down the road, then picking up a track for 10 minutes to arrive in the village of La Visaille.

From La Visaille a bus goes directly to Courmayeur. This is a good option if your legs can’t handle the TMB trail along the Col Chécrouit ridge all the way to Courmayeur and believe me it’s actually shockingly demanding. There are no cols to climb on stage 4 but the trail is undulating and seemingly never-ending. That said, it’s a stunningly beautiful section of the trail.

From this summer (2023) the La Visaille bus is now free! Yay!

La Visaille – Courmayeur bus timetable – Summer 2023

You can see the summer 2023 timetable for the La Visaille – Courmayeur bus more clearly here https://arriva.it/app/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/000931-CourmayeurValVeny.pdf

If you are trekking on the shoulder season and the La Visaille bus service has either not yet kicked in or has sadly finished for the season you can pre-book a taxi from La Visaille to Courmayeur with Prime Taxis. You can pre-book via WhatsApp on +39 347 447 8544.

See for yourself what you would miss by taking this section by reading our  Day 6 Elisabetta to Courmayeur post here.

La Maison Veille – Courmayeur – chair lift  & Dolonne cable car

OPEN FROM 1 July – 3 Sept 2023

Dolonne gondola 9:30-17:50

Maison Vieille chair lift 9:30-17:20

After hiking along the Mont Saxe traditional TMB route, you’ll finally reach Rifugio Maison Vielle on your descent into Courmayeur. The Maison Vielle chairlift descends down from immediately outside the refuge to the mid station of Plan Chécrouit (1702m), from where you can catch the Dolonne telecabine down to the village of Dolonne (1221m). From Dolonne a regular bus service takes you into the Italian town of Courmayeur.

It costs €15 for an adult (and €9 for a child under 12 or over 65s) for both the chairlift and the telecabine down to Dolonne. 

Click here to see the live website with the above timetable.

Courmayeur is a good place to have a day’s rest if you are continuing on full circuit of the TMB trail or if you’re only planning to hike half the trail from Chamonix to Courmayeur, we’d recommend returning to Chamonix for a few rest days before leaving the Alps.

Catching the bus back from Courmayeur to Chamonix

If you’re only trekking half the Tour du Mont Blanc, then it’s here you can catch a bus through the Mont Blanc tunnel back to Chamonix.

There are a few bus companies that provide this service. It takes 45 minutes to arrive in Chamonix.

SAVDA buses depart at 9h, 11h, 12h, 14h, 16h & 18h. One way costs €15.

Flixbus offers super cheap deals at around €5 each. Download their apps below to check out their timetables.

Courmayeur – Bivio Rifugio Bonatti – bus

Bus No 5  from Place Le Monte Bianco runs along the valley floor of Val Ferret and can drop you at stop “Bivio Refugio Bonatti’. This stop is located slap bang at the bottom of the vertical trail that leads straight up to Refugio Bonatti. The hike will take roughly an hour. The bus is now free from this summer – yay!

If you want to take the bus to the end of the line to start climbing the Grand Col Ferret the last stop is called Arnouva or Arp Nouvaz Cap.

Taking the bus along this section is a good back up plan in very bad weather.

You can see the Summer 2023 timetable for the bus to the stop below Bonatti Hut here https://arriva.it/app/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/000924-CourmayeurValFerret-1.pdf

Ferret – La Fouly – bus

Taking the bus from ferret to la fouly.

After hiking over the Grand Col Ferret, you might want to catch the bus on the very last section from Ferret to La Fouly which will save you 45 minutes on the trail. The same bus goes onto Champex-Lac seven times a day so if you’re looking to skip stage 7 this is the bus you’ll need to take.

You’ll see the bus stop at Ferret immediately on your left as you reach the first buildings of Ferret. The timetable on the bus stop is impossibly hard to fathom. Plan ahead by visiting www.cff.ch and choosing FERRET and LA FOULY VS and check the timetable for your dates. Make a note of the timetable. It’s possible to book your ticket online or if you’re unsure which bus you want to catch, you can just pay on the bus. They now accept euros so its not necessary to have Swiss francs on you.

La Fouly – Champex-Lac – bus

A lot of TMB hikers skip Stage 7 entirely as a way to save time on the trail. It’s argued to be the most unremarkable section of the trail, the route passing through gentle meadows and through charming Swiss villages.

If you plan to take the bus from La Fouly (or Ferret) to Champex-Lac, you will need to change buses in Orsières, the largest town in the area. You’ll first catch a bus from Ferret or La Fouly to Orsières, and then a second bus from Orsières to Champex-Lac (very easy to change from bus 1 to bus 2). 

You find all the details of the schedule on  www.cff.ch , where you can put your starting point (Ferret or La Fouly) and your arrival point (Champex-Lac), the date and the time you want. It will give you the price and you can book online if you wish, or pay cash to the driver. You can pay for the bus either in euros or Swiss francs

It cost us for a single ticket from Ferret to Champex-Lac CHF12 (or €12) for an adult and CHF6 (€6) for a child. 

There are no public transport options to cut down stage 8 of the TMB, however you can miss it out altogether by taking a bus from Champex-Lac to Orsières, then catch a train from Orsières to Col de la Forclaz (you will need to change in Martigny. It takes around 2.5 hours.

You can check the timetable ( horaires ) and the price at  www.sbb.ch

Stage 9 Col de la Forclaz – Trés-le-Champ

Post bus – Col de la Forclaz – La Peuty or Trient

From the Col de la Forclaz it’s possible to catch the post bus down the steep hairpin road to La Peuty or Trient, shaving an hour off your day.

The bus goes approximately four times a day with two early pick ups at 06.33h and 8.28h, a lunch pick up at 12.28h, and an evening pick up at 19.28h. Make sure you double check the timetable at www.carpostal.ch/valais  or email [email protected] as times may have changed since this post was written.

Expect to pay around CHF2.20 for a single ticket. It takes around 4 minutes to get down to La Peuty or Trient. Note Trient is slightly off the TMB trail so only go here if you’re planning to stay there overnight. If you’ve stayed the night in Col de la Forclaz, get off at La Peuty to remain on the direct trail.

If you’re pushing on through to La Peuty or Trient to stay the night instead of staying at Col de la Forclaz, it’s probably not possible to catch last post bus at around 19.28h otherwise you’ll probably miss your refuge dinner which will probably be around 19.00-20.00.

Hitching from the Col de la Forclaz

It’s also possible to hitch from the Col de la Forclaz down to Trient. The road is very busy as it’s the main road into Switzerland from the French border. Trient is only 10 minutes in the car via the road, whilst the TMB hiking route takes you directly down through the forest, taking around an hour.

Le Tour – Charamillon chair lift

Once you reach the Refuge du Col du Balme on Stage 9, you can either continue on the TMB trail which will climb the Col du Posettes and descend down to Tré-le-Champ, or you can catch the Charamillon chair lift and the Le Tour cable car down to the village of Le Tour at the end of the Chamonix Valley. This is a highly recommended in bad weather as the Posettes ridge is highly prone to lightning. It’s also a recommended quick option if you are aiming to stay in Argentière or Chamonix instead of at Refuge La Boerne, which is an excellent refuge, however often full. Those wanting a private room should head to accommodation options in Argentière. Read about Argentière’s accommodation options in my accommodation guide .

The 2023 Charamillon chair lift costs €14 per adult and €10.50 per child one way on just the chair lift which takes you half way down the mountain – you’d then need to walk down the home piste to Le Tour. Or you can pay €35.00 per adult, €28.00 child/senior to take both the chair and the bubble down to the valley floor. It’s pretty expensive! If you want to save money there is a good track underneath the ski lifts where you can walk down to the village.

If you want to stay in Argentière or Chamonix for the night and pick up the trail again at the beginning of stage 10 in the morning, you can catch the train to Montroc (the stop after Argentière). With your free carte d’hôte card from your Chamonix hotel, the train is free! Plus it’s a lovely way to travel along the Chamonix Valley as the train has large sloping windows to enable you to see the beautiful peaks. After getting off at Montroc train station you simply walk to the end of the platform and turn right and veer right again. This takes you to the back of the train station into a small car park. Here you will find an unmarked trail that leads to the village of Tré-le-Champ. It takes around 15-20 minutes to walk up. You can then walk straight through Tré-le-Champ to the start of the trail which is only 2-3 minute walk up from the hamlet on the main Col du Montets road. The trail starts from the main car park on the left.

Stage 10 – Tré-le-Champ to La Flégère

There are no short cuts on stage 10 of the TMB. It is possible to take the La Flégère cable car down to Les Praz, the village just 5 minutes on the bus from Chamonix (or a 30 minute walk along the river) if you wanted to stay overnight in Chamonix rather than staying in Refuge Flégère. There is some accommodation in Les Praz if you wanted to be straight back on the cable car first thing in the morning to pick up the trail. Have a look at my recommended Les Praz hotels in my accommodation guide .

The 2023 tariff one way down from La Flégère was €17.50 per adult, €14.90 per child/senior.

Stage 11 – La Flégère – Les Houches

Brévent cable car

Stage 11 is a stunning section of the Tour du Mont Blanc trail with incredible views of Mont Blanc. If you have hiked the stunning Balcon Sud section from La Flégère, once you get to the Brévent ski area, you can opt to take the cable car from Plan Praz (the Brévent mid station at an elevation of 2000m) to the top of the Brévent summit (2525m). Taking the cable car means you will cut out actually climbing the Col du Brévent so you’ll slash your trail time by approximately 2 hours of the traditional TMB (or an hour if you plan to hike the Charles Bozen piste – the wide 4 x 4 stony track up). Personally whilst the piste is an easier route, it is devoid of the charm of the high route traditional TMB route so I would either trek the col or take the cable car.

The 2023 summer the Brévent summit cable car from the mid station (Plan Praz) cost €16.00 one way for an adult and €10.50 for a child/over 65. It’s then a 4-5 hour descent from the summit down to Les Houches.

Le Parc Merlot navette

There is a regular navette (bus) service from the Merlot animal park to Les Houches from Monday to Friday. If you happen to be trekking stage 11 on either of these days, you ‘might’ be able to catch the navette service after the extremely long descent from Brévent. Your knees will have taken a beating with the 9km descent. I say ‘might’ because before you could pay €2 to use this service however now the service is free for people wishing to visit the Parc.

The bus runs from Les Houches train station up to the Merlot park (car park P1) and back departing every 30 – 40 minutes from from  9:30  to 17:00 pm . The return runs every 30 min to 45 minutes from  9:55 to 6 pm  (arrival at les Houches train station). The buses run in conjunction with the trains arriving and departing from Les Houches train station. For 2024 info check the up to date information on the Parc Merlot’s website .

Further Reading...

What is a Chamonix guest card ? (carte d’hôte)

78 comments.

The bus/shuttle information you listed here is exactly what I am looking for. Many of my friends signed up a Mont Blanc tour for August 2022, I want to join them but I am a slow hiker, my comfort zone is 8 miles with 1500 feet gain/loss. I am thinking if I can take buses here and there, perhaps I can do it? I am 67, I hike about once or twice a week within my comfort zone. Based on the info I provided above, do you think I can do it? Any advice? Thank you.

tourdumontblanchike

Hi Shouee, thanks for getting in touch. I think you could do it but you would have to train to try to get your 1500 ft (approx 500m) gain/loss increased. Yes the public transport links would help but there are still some sections where there is no transport available and it’s over 1300m+ gain and 900m+ descent (example stage 2 over the Col du Bonhomme & Col du Croix du Bonhomme). It may be that you could cut some of these sections out entirely. Are your friends taking a guided tour? If so, then the tour operator can give you lifts over certain sections if they do luggage transfers which they almost certainly will. If your friends are planning to trek independently then you would need to plan carefully. However as it’s next year you have a lot of time to train if you want to set yourself the challenge. Have you seen our training video by Neil Martin-McClean? It’s on the website under the planning section – getting fit. It is an excellent video on simple exercises you can do to prepare yourself, as well as putting in the time walking longer hike times and training on hills. I am positive you can do it Shouee with some planning and commitment to training. Mags

Hello, to break up the 1300 ascent to Croix the Bonhomme we stayed the night in Rfuge La Balme, so it too took us 2 days to do this stage.

Good plan – it’s a long stage! I’d be interested to hear your experience of staying at Refuge La Balme?

Bonjour! We are a family of 4 with kids ages 12 & 15 currently hiking the trail. We camped by La Balme a few nights ago and joined at the refuge for dinner. It was delicious with huge portions, the staff were friendly. And we completely forgot to give notice that our daughter is vegetarian when we made a reservation earlier in the day and they still accommodated us. We had a great experience there.

Hi Emily thanks so much for the feedback on Refuge Le Balme. I’ve stayed there myself only two weeks ago and I too had a fantastic experience. I’ve now changed the info on the website to reflect this. It’s so brilliant when the owner or staff changes for the better! Happy days! I hope you & your family are enjoying the tour. I’d love to hear more about your trek. Best. Mags

the public transport detail here is incredibly helpful. im doing a self planned trip and can do the hikes but plan on using transport as much as i can to save my knees and to make the trip more enjoyable. thank you!

Hi David, I’m so pleased my transport post has helped you. We found it invaluable in hiking the trail. Have a great tour!

Hi, this is brilliant information! However, you refer to the Mont de la Saxe area as being in Stage 4. I think you mean the Col Checrouit area in stage 4….. the Mont de la Saxe area is in stage 5 after Courmayeur. Again, many thanks for the excellent info!

Brendan – well spotted! You are absolutely correct! Thanks for the heads up 🙂

SWEE KENG Aw

Thanks for sharing, it’s been super helpful so I can look forward to plan my hike and also save my knees whenever possible.

Thank you for this incredibly useful information! From Champex-Lac we are looking to take Fenetre d’ Arpette (in good weather) to the Trient area. We are staying near Le Châtelard Frontiere for the night and trying to find the most efficient way to make that transfer after we arrive in Trient. Right now I’m seeing taking the 213 bus to Martigny and the train from there to Le Châtelard Frontiere. We’d be so thankful for any insight or other ideas you may have, thanks again! What an amazing resource your blog is!

Hi Stacey it’s seems crazy to get the bus back to Martigny to then take the train to the border as you go back on yourself but public transport is hard in this section. When are you hiking? There is a post bus that goes from Col de la Forclaz down to the border but this seems to only be from 17 July – 15 August so only in the peak month. If you are hiking next summer within these dates then this is the way to go. It’s frustrating because the drive is only 15 minutes or so to Chatelard. The other option is to hitch – there is a lot of traffic going down from the col. Or the third option is to hire a taxi to come and take you from Chamonix. It may well be cheaper than the bus/train tickets depending on how many people are in your group? I have advised this to another group hiking that wanted to skip stage 9 and arrive in Tré-le-Champ. Try CVT (Chamonix Valley Transfers)

Thanks for your wonderful and informative blogs. It seems most public transport ends in early September. Anyway or could I get a taxi. Thanks very much!

Hi Jin. Yes most public transport that aren’t on the main bus routes ie the shuttle buses, cable cars etc all close generally at the end of August. Taxis are still available but it’s wise to pre-book if possible as there are not so many taxis here ie: there isn’t a taxi rank or taxis that you can hail. Have a great hike. Mags

Hi. Love your site !!!

Do you happen to know if they would allow me to take my dog on the Prarion Gondola? Thanks

Hi James, I believe dogs are allowed on the Prarion gondola but need to be on a leash once up there. Thanks. Mags

Your info has been very helpful. Thank you for going to the effort. We attempted the TMB about 20 years ago but were way too ambitious with our daily mileage and my knee gave out. We are reattempting next September at a much slower pace. I did not intend on using any alternative transportation but if things went bad again, it would be a great option. However, it doesn’t look like anything is still open the second and third week of September? Has it turned to winter by then? Is that the reason? Thank you.

Hi Tammy good to hear from you and sorry to hear about your knee on your first trek. No September is a wonderful month – Winter does not arrive until December, however most of the alternative transport is only offered in the peak tourist weeks on the trail which ends at the end of August. I hiked the trail solo in September of this year and none of the transport was available apart from the regular bus service from Ferret or La Fouly to Champex Lac. I am sure with hiking the trail at a much slower pace that you will be fine with no back up transport. September is a glorious time to hike! Just to let you know I will shortly be releasing my TMB refuges e-book – this will give extra info on all the refuges. Let me know if you are happy for me to add you to my mailing list for when it releases! Best wishes. Mags

Tammy Kimbrough

Great. Thank you for your reply. I have everything settled except my last day and I just cannot get my head around it. Can you please help? We are staying in Tre-Le-Champ on September 19. I believe all lifts etc.. will be closed. My plan was to hike from Tre-Le-Champ to Lac Blanc to Flegere to Planpraz and get a car or bus to Chamonix. However, I was told there are no roads or wheeled transport from either Brevent or Planpraz and we would need to hike the whole way from either, which may be too much. We must end up in Chamonix in order to fly out from Geneva the next day but we do not want to entirely miss the Grand Balcon. What are our options? I have heard the hike from Planpraz to Chamonix is grueling. In order to take a car or bus, must we go to Argentiere from Flegere? If we could take a cable car or lift to Brevent or Planpraz at the beginning of our hike, on September 8, where should we go in order to not feel like we completely miss this last leg and at least see a portion of the Grand Balcon? Or, will all lifts be closed at that time too? Sorry so long winded but this last day is stumping me. Thank you!!! Your blogs have been very helpful!

Hi Tammy September is a tricky time when it comes to the cable cars or chair lifts as they will all be closing. Some stay open longer than others but its at the discretion of the Compagnie du Mont Blanc, the company that operates the lifts so it cannot be planned ahead normally. But you should be able to see the closing dates once the summer is in full swing so you should be able to plan this nearer to the time. You are correct there are no roads from any of the mountains in Chamonix – you have to walk up and down if the cable cars or chair lifts aren’t working. The easiest way to walk down is down from La Flégère as the route is wide. This would mean you can hike up from Tre-le-Champ, see Lac Blanc and then descend to La Flégère – you will still see epic views of Mont Blanc if the weather is playing ball. If you want to hike a bit further then continue along to Plan Praz – it is very steep to descend from here but not unachievable. You would not want to continue down to Les Houches along the normal trail from Le Brévent if you are coming from Tre-le-Champ in one day as it is too far. If you are able to take a cable car on Sept 8 – get the bus to Les Praz and take the La Flégère cable car up and walk along the Grand Balcon to Plan Praz. Hope this helps.

Hi! My sis(68) and I (62) are planning our trip to tmb next July. Thanks so much for the info and would love more info on refuges and how to book them. Thanks so much! Ann

Hi Ann. I’ve written a TMB refuges ebook which discusses in one of its chapters how to book the refuges and lots of in-depth info on what to expect, hut etiquette, hut food/dinners/vegetarians & vegans plus an in-depth in over 23 refuges/accommodation options along the trail. It’s $9.99 to buy the 84 page guide. Here’s the link https://tourdumontblanchike.com/tmb-refuges-ebook/

Hmmm. I thought I left a reply yesterday, but I don’t see it so apologies if this is a repeat question. First, thank you so much for all of this fantastic information! It is so very helpful and well organized. My question is regarding the sections in Switzerland. Can you recommend a particular hike or 2.5 day -3day hike? After my trip in 2020 was cancelled, I am finally going to the Mont Blanc area solo in July of 2022! I am arriving early from Paris and have 3 days until my scheduled hikes in the Chamonix and Courmayour areas begin. I will be using public transportation. I was hoping to do some hikes in all three countries and was wondering if you have suggestions for the “best of” the TMB and, particularly, hikes and stays in Switzerland? I reviewed your information and it looks like it is most concentrated in the Chamonix, Les Houches, Courmayour areas rather than the Switzerland areas. Also, I am hoping to find lodging for the two nights prior to my scheduled hikes somewhere cool and interesting with great hikes – maybe in Switzerland if it is worth it. Do you have any recs? Finally, there are two or three “free days” to explore on your own during my scheduled hike time from Chamonix and Courmayour. Any thoughts on best, most stunning day hikes accessible by public transport?

Hi Stacy I don’t know many other trails in Switzerland to be honest. I just haven’t spent so much time there apart from the TMB trail. The landscape is more gentle in Switzerland and I prefer the rugged, wild mountains on the French/Italian sides.What is spectacular though is the alternative stage 8 and 9 route on the TMB which takes you over the Col du Fenêtre and past the Trient Glacier. I have heard that a stay in the Trient Glacier hut is awesome but have never done it so you might want to research that. I love the Albert 1er hut hike from Le Tour which goes right up to the Le Tour glacier. Also the day hike from the mid station of the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix over to the Montenvers is one of my favourite walks in Chamonix – the viewpoint Le Signal is incredible. You can then either walk down to the valley floor or take the Montenvers train down. An unforgettable stay is at the Montenvers Hotel Refuge – it’s not a refuge at all but a beautiful old hotel that housed the first travellers to the Mer de Glace glacier who used mules to travel up from the valley floor – it is wonderfully historic and very comfortable. Highly recommended!

Rui Severino

Hello, thanks for such a valuable info, very much appreciated. Looking at doing a partial TMB this year and due to time restrictions this info is just great. Still looking at best options as for easier route, best views and how to make best use of our limited time. As we can only do 4 stages and looking for easier routes, what would be your best advice southern or northern part? Also we will be camping and then spending one day in Charmonix. Cutting some time of our legs with those tips will surelly help making our experience much more fun.

Hi Rui in my opinion the 4 stages from Chamonix to Courmayeur are the most spectacular. Be sure to hike the stage 1 variant if it’s good weather – it’s far more interesting that the traditional stage 1. You can then get the bus back to Chamonix from Courmayeur through the Mont Blanc Tunnel

Hello, thanks for all theses useful information about transport, This article actually let me run all around of tmb by taking all different kind of transportaion. im actuallly planning to go hiking this july-august. Since all timetables are about 2021, i wonder if there will be also same transportation schedule in this year, 2022! Im looking forward your relpy, thanks!

Hi Sue yes the transport will be the same this year but they haven’t yet updated their timetables from winter to summer. Normally this happens soon around the beginning of May so I will be updating our website soon with the 2022 timetables as soon as they are released. I’m so glad this article has helped you plan your TMB. Happy hiking! Mags

Hello Mags Thanks for the great information. We are planing to follow your way this year on July 2022. Do you know if the time table of the shuttles and buses will be the same this year? Thank you very much. Avraham

Hi Avraham the timetables will change slightly I’m sure. They have not yet been released but I’m keeping my eye out and will upload them on the website soon. Happy hiking! Mags

Jan Clark Harrison

Hello. THANK YOU so much. This is so helpful. However, I too am stumped on my last day. I am spending the night at Refuge de la Flegere and need to find transport to Chamonix on the next day, July 8, 2022. I am 64 and hiking solo and the downhill that day will be too hard on my knees. From Refuge de la Flegere can I hike a bit to a cable car or chairlift going down? If so, which one? Thank you so much for your help. Jan

Hi Jan, the La Flégère cable car is right next to Refuge de la Flégère so you can just take this down after breakfast. It goes down to the village of Les Praz. From here you can either walk along the river to Chamonix (30 minute walk – turn right out of the cable car station and continue along the main road until you reach a bridge. Just before the bridge on the left is a trail that follows the river to Chamonix). Or you can simply take the No 1 or No2 bus from the bus stop outside the cable car station back to Chamonix (4-5 mins). Have a great hike! I’ll be on the trail then too 🙂

Hi, This is super helpful information. My husband and I are planning on the TMB. we were hoping to take shuttle from Refuge de la croix du bonhomme to refuge Mottets. is that possible? if yes, which shuttle should we be taking? or should we take the shuttle from Refuge de la croix du bonhomme to Notra Dame de la Gorge and walk to Mottets? if yes, what is the hike distance, do you know? thanks for your help.

Hi Tuki there isn’t a shuttle from Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme – it’s a high mountain refuge and there are no roads from it. There is a free shuttle bus from the town of Les Contamines to Notre Dame de la Gorge and a paying shuttle between Les Chapieux and Ville des Glaciers then onto Parking Mottets. The shuttles only run in peak times so July and August. For hike times refer to one of the guide books or maps. I recommend this map which has a brilliantly laid out table which gives hiking times very accurately depending on whether you are a walker/trekker/fast packer/trail runner https://geni.us/5sjkl

We have just got back from 9 days on the TMB Your information was so helpful. If I may add a few points The circular bus in Courmayer goes up to Villair which cuts out a 100 meter elevation on what is a very steep climb up To Refuge Bertoni. It leaves at 08.15. The bus to Champex from Ferret and La Fouly was direct- so no need to change in Orsierres. There are three stops in Champex so look ahead where you are staying. We stayed at the amazing Hotel Alpina which was a short walk from the Le Signal stop. The timetable for the postal bus down to Le Peuty from Col de Forclaz has changed. The first bus is at 06.33 which we took . Made the huge climb up to the border much easier walking in the cool of early morning. The Charamillon cable car is closed for reconstruction till December I believe Once again thanks for all the information provided!

Hi thank you so much for this post, it is super helpful and so is the rest of the site! my wife and I are doing a portion of the TMB and we are ending in champex-lac and looking to bus back to chamonix. what are the best options for that? we are looking to do so either on sept 8 or 9th. Thanks so much

Hi Joe there is no direct link. You will need to go to Martigny and take the train.

Hi, thank you for sharing such a wonderful website! This might be a silly request as it appears to be late in the season, I was hoping to do a last minute TMB for 7-8 days, is this still possible to do? (Starting 23/24 Sept) I have been struggling today to connect all the dots with completing the best parts of the TMB and public transport that’s operating in late September. Is it also possible to arrange baggage transfers daily which would allow me to just enjoy the amazing scenery. If you have any advice, I’d really appreciate it! Thank you in advance

Hi the trail is still open so it’s just a case of piecing together which refuges are still open and as you say working out which public transport is still running. Bellevue cable car is still running and normal public buses but the navettes (shuttle buses) will have closed. Contact Taxi Besson direct to see if they will still offer a luggage transfer for you. I doubt they will still be operating but worth contacting them. Let me know how you get on. Good luck. It’s a great time to still do the trail if you can work it all out.

My partner and I are planning to hike the west half, Chamonix to Courmayeur with some rest days added to not feel rushed and enjoy the mountains!. Looking at Leaving Chamonix Friday, September 8 , 2023 and arriving Courmayeur Thursday, September 14, with extra day/night in the beginning in Chamonix and extra day/night in Courmayeur at the end. Is this too late in the season to utilize cable cars, shuttle transports, gondolas? We will use luggage transport. This website is so informative! Thank you so much for all the information and guidance!

Hi Barb sorry for my late reply! September is a great time to hike the trail but yes unfortunately a lot of the public transport will be closed. The Bellevue cable car in Les Houches will still be operating but the Maison Vielle chairlift and Dolonne cable car in Courmayeur would be closed. The shuttle buses at Les Contamines and Les Chapieux would not be operating either. La Flegere and Le Brevent cable cars in Chamonix should still be operating. The bus on stage 7 in Switzerland should still be running. This post has all the 2022 timetables for each public transport option so check these to find the closing dates which will give you a good indication for 2023. Unfortunately they do not release their timetables much ahead of time so only expect to see the 2023 in late June!!

Thank you so much for your magnificent website. I am in the early stages of planning a 5-6 day trek next September. This itinerary would not allow us to complete the circuit, so I am trying to find sources that might help me understand my public transportation options back to Chamonix if we were to stop at various points along the tour. I am aware of the bus from Courmayeur back to Chamonix, but is it easy to get back if we hike further? Many thanks, again!

Hi Kevin yes the bus is easy to catch back to Chamonix from Courmayeur. It gets a bit trickier the further around you walk. You could complete stage 5 and then get the bus back to Courmayeur from the end of Val Ferret although this service will stop at some point in September. From Champex-Lac it’s possible to get the bus to Martigny and then the train back to Chamonix from Martigny. From Trient you can order a taxi back to Chamonix. If you stay at Refuge de la Peuty they are excellent at arranging transport back to either the border or Vallorcine (where you can catch the train) or the whole way back to Chamonix).

Hello! I am planning to hike the TMB the first week of June. Are any of the transport options open at that time? Do you think the weather will be a huge factor? I appreciate all the information and congrats to you for doing the hike with your mom and daughter! Diana

Hi Diana, the trail doesn’t officially open until the 14th June (although as this is France you are still able to trek it if you wish before the 14th as long as you know and understand the risks) as there can still be a lot of snow on the trail (the ski season only ends in May!). Can you put your trip off for a couple more weeks? Even in June there is a high chance you will have to take hiking crampons and possibly an ice axe to be safe on certain sections. Last year however there was little snow late in the ski season along with a warm spring so there was no snow really left on the trail by the time it opened with seasonal weather being around 6 weeks ahead of normal. Of course we don’t know whether this will happen again next summer so you would need to be prepared for any conditions.

Thank you very much making/maintaining this wonderful site! It’s truly helpful to prepare TMB trekking. My wife and I plan to do it late June to early July in 2023. Our Stage 11 plan is: Start Refuge Lac Blanc – Hike to Le Brevent – (any maybe check Refuge Bellachat) – Go back to Le Brevent then ride Lift to Chamonix

My questions are; 1. Can I purchase lift ticket from Le Brevent directly? A hiker’s blog says she had to buy it at Plan Praz. Is it true? 2. Is it really tough to Hike to Le Brevent from Plan Praz? Some say it’s dangerous? 3. Do you think it’s worth going down to Refuge Bellachat then back to Le Brevent?

Thank you very much again!

Hi Jay. Plan Praz is just the mid station of Brevent so you can just buy it when you arrive after you have trekked from Lac Blanc. No it’s not that tough to walk from Plan Praz to the summit of Brevent. It will take around 2 hours. There are some metal ladders to negotiate but it’s all straight forward. I can’t see that it’s dangerous. I’m not sure I would descend as far as Bellachat if I wasn’t continuing down to Les Houches. Its quite a bit of a climb back up to Brevent. The ridge however is lovely to walk along – especially to get a photo on. Or you could walk down to the lake and then back up – it’s clear where this is from the top. However I don’t think you will feel like doing this and climbing back up if you have just walked from Lac Blanc. Why don’t you continue and stay at Bellachat and then descend to Les Houches the following day?

Hello! Thanks for answering to my questions. It’s great to hear that hiking to Le Brevent is not that tough. Hopefully there’s not much snow in early July around the area. Due to my limited vacation time, Refuge Lac Blanc would be the last stay before go back to Chamonix. Yeah, I heard about the good view from the ridge trail to Refuge Ballachat, but I may have to skip it. Let’s see how it goes.

Thanks again for your detail inputs! Happy New Year!!!

Hi Mags, Your blog is fantastic. Thank you so much for all the advice! I am planning to hike from Courmayeur to Chamonix in early July. I wanted to get your thoughts on combining stage 8 and stage 9, going from Champex to Auberge La Boerne in one day. Do you think this would be too difficult to do? What route/ shortcuts would you recommend?

Hi Katie. It would be too much to walk the Bovine traditional stage 8 and then all of stage 9 in one day. A better option would be to stay at Relais D’Arpmtte 45 minutes up from Champex Lac and do the variant stage 8 which you can combine with variant stage 9 and then stay at Refuge Col de Balme. The next perfect stop would be Refuge Lac Blanc if you can get in. Combining variant stage 8 and 9 is not for the faint hearted – it’s a very long day but with absolutely stunning scenery. You would not want to do this in bad weather though. Set off early!

This is a wonderful site! So helpful!

I am looking for information about taking the bus from Courmayeur to La Fouly. Is there a bus that takes this route? I cannot find information anywhere!

Many thanks.

Hello. No its such a long route around the mountains I don’t think the bus goes there. You could take the no 5 bus along Val Ferret to the last stop and climb the Grand Col Ferret and descend from there. It’s probably quicker than taking a bus! This would mean you would miss stage 5 but hike stage 6. You can also take a bus from Ferret (the first hamlet after the proper road starts on the Swiss side) down to La Fouly. You can read about both of these buses on my public transport/short cuts post here https://tourdumontblanchike.com/tour-du-mont-blanc-public-transport/ It would probably take you 4 – 5.5 hours hiking not including the time on the buses.

Hello ! What a great post ! I’m looking to get to refuge Nant Borrant to rifugio Elisabetta in 1 day. Any tips on how to cut down hiking time with the transport?

Thank you !

Hi Zoe. You would need to take the shuttle bus from Les Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers OR if the weather is good you can do the Col des Fours from the top of the Croix du Col du Bonhomme to Ville des Glaciers. The shuttle bus is the only short cut however the Col des Fours is shorter. My advice is to set off very early (take breakfast with you).

Mihai Stefan

Hi! Wonderful site and post! Extremely helpful! Is there any news on the shuttle from Les Chapieux to Bourg Saint Maurice, I can’t seem to find any timetable online. We are a bit worried as we couldn’t find accommodation in Les Chapieux or Mottets despite booking in November.

Hi Mihai yes the bus leaves Les Chapieux at 18.15 every day to return to Bourg St Maurice. You can see it on red on the timetable here https://en.lesarcs.com/hiking/les-chapieux It costs 6 euros per person. It returns the following morning a6 6.55am.

Alternatively you can order a taxi https://www.taxibourgsaintmaurice.com They’re good and cost is approx 60 euros from Chapieux to Bourg and 75 euros from Bourg to Ville des Glaciers the following morning (so you don’t need to stop at Les Chapieux and then wait for the shuttle bus to continue on to Ville des Glaciers). This saves you 1.5 hour of walking (Les Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers)

Many thanks for the reply, I must have looked at that timetable at least ten times without seeing it 🙂

You’re welcome 🙂

Thanks a lot ! We are going from 6-16th Sept. WIll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for keeping this information up to date!

You are welcome! 🙂

Hi! If I am hiking from Courmayeur to Bonatti and then want to take the bus to Grand Jorasses for camping for the night. How would I do that?

Then the next day would the bus drop me back to Bonatti so I can continue to La Fouly from there?

Also, how can I buy the tickets? I saw something that said I could purchase them in advance, but activate when I am boarding the bus – is that accurate for this situation?

Thank you so much for the detailed and organized information you’ve laid out!

Hi Tommy. It’s super easy to get the bus and from this year its absolutely FREE! So don’t worry about the ticket thing now. When you get to Bonatti there is a signposted trail heading downwards. It takes around 1 hour to get down to the main road at the bottom of the valley (Valley Ferret – the Italians call it Val Ferret). As soon as you hit the road there is a bus stop there (Bonatti bus stop) so you can pick up any bus coming from your right going to your left! You will not need to pay now. You need to ask the driver where to get off for Camping Jorasses as its not that clear however the campsite is on your right hand side so look out for it (as well as asking the driver). Yes the next day you just take the bus back to the Bonatti stop and climb back up. However if I were you and the day before I had reached Bonatti relatively early I would continue along the balcony trail and descend down to Chalet Hotel Val Ferret (a further 2 hours) then get the bus back from here – its the end of the valley. Then the next day you can simply take the bus back to the end of the valley instead of having to climb back up the mountain to get to Bonatti to then walk along the balcon and descend again. I think its easier this way just to have a slightly longer day the day before. Hope this makes sense? Best Mags

I’m departing tomorrow from Florida to Geneva, to walk the TMB with a friend who in Germany now. This trip was all planned and scheduled three years ago…..but then Covid arrived! So the second time should be the charm. We’ve talked about using buses on some of the routes (I’m 67 and he is 64) to minimize some of the more strenuous parts…and maximize the enjoyment. I’ll let you know in a month how it all turned out !

Hi Alan. Have a fabulous trek! Definitely use the shuttle buses and cable cars as much as possible – it will allow you to enjoy the trail even more! Let me know how you get on. Best. Mags

Incredibly useful information. Thanks for making effort to put this together. We have booked 10 days of TMB trekking, but one of the people is injured, so can not hike. He can drive. Can he rent a car and drive around TMB using the same route? We have already booked refuges so use that. Here is route Chamonix – Argentière – Trient – -Champex – La Fouly – Val Ferret- Courmayeur – Les Chapieux – Les Contamines – Les Houches – Chamonix. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

Hi Hemant. Sorry to hear one of your party is injured. Yes he can certainly drive around the route which is in most sections easy however in certain sections it will take them longer as they will have drive around the mountains. From Chamonix to Argentiere to Trient is very easy. To Champex-Lac is a bit further but only an hour, same with La Fouly. The biggest distance is getting from La Fouly over to Val Ferret which would take a couple of hours and then from Courmayeur to Les Chapieux is another couple of hours and again from Les Chapieux to Les Contamines but all fine with a car! If you look at google maps you will see the route. It sounds like you are not staying in any high mountain huts? Are you staying in Bonatti in Val Ferret? If so there is no road access so this could be a problem. If you are staying at Chalet Hotel Val Ferret or Hotel Lavachey these are on the main road in the valley of Val Ferret so both have road access. Hope this helps. Have a great trek! Mags

Truly appreciate your detailed note. Many thanks. We are staying in Hotel La Vallée Blanche in La Paludn ( and not in Val Ferret). and Hotel Maison St Jean in Courmayeur.

These are our Hotels.

Hotel La Vallée Blanche in Chamonix Hôtel Le Dahu in Argentière Auberge du Mont Blanc in Trient,  Hotel Mont Lac in Champex Auberge des Glaciers in La Fouly Hotel La Vallée Blanche in La Paludn Hotel Maison St Jean in Courmayeur Chambres du Soleil in Les Chapieux Hotel Le Christiania in Les Contamines – Montjoie Hotel Les Campanules in Les Houches Hotel La Vallée Blanche 

Hi Hemant. If your itinerary is chronological then you have made a mistake with La Paludn – it is on the far side of Courmayeur. There is no reason actually to stay in La Paludn unless you want to go up on the cable car to see Monte Bianco – it is not on the TMB route. You are missing traditionally Refuge Bonatti as the route (clockwise) would be La Fouly then Refuge Bonatti then Courmayeur. If Bonatti is full, you can either stay at Hotel Lavachey in the valley or take the bus along Val Ferret to Courmayeur. If you are hiking this section it would be two full stages from La Fouly to Courmayeur (via Bonatti) however La Paludn you would need to take a bus to from Courmayeur. I don’t normally advise on itineraries on comments but needed to point this out to you. If you would like further help on your itinerary I offer 1 hour zoom consultations. Best wishes. Mags

Manish Doshi

Thank you. We just came back from TMB. This was very useful.

Great to hear. Thanks Manish.

where is the bus stop in Les Chapieux which is going to Bourg Saint Maurice? thanks

Hi Wendy. The bus goes from outside the tourist information wooden hut in Les Chapieux. It’s a very small hamlet – you can’t miss it. Note that there is only one bus down to Bourg St Maurice at the end of the day around 6pm. They will release the 2024 timetable around the beginning of June. In 2023 it cost 6 euros per person. Do note that the bus is only a small mini bus so will only seat around 12-14 people so get there early or try to pre-book. Failing that you can get a taxi down to Bourg but these are expensive at around 60 euros and need to be pre-booked ideally. There is no phone signal in Les Chapieux however if you are stuck, the staff at Refuge de la Nova are extremely friendly and will happily call for a taxi for you (especially if you have a drink in the bar whilst you wait). Best wishes. Mags

Thank you very much I would like to know where to pre-book the bus ticket from Les Chapieux to Bourg Saint Maurice?

Hi Wendy I’m not sure if you can pre-book the bus ticket from Les Chapieux to Bourg St Maurice. You can contact the Les Chapieux tourist information to ask. They will open on 15th June 2024 – + 33 (0)9 88 77 38 97

Hi, I’m still in two minds about the trip I’m planning next year. Do the whole trip going from one accommodation to the next, or centre myself in Charmonix and maybe another town and travel by public transport to each section to complete that day, returning to Charmonix at night. Is this even possible?

Hi Sally it’s possible to do some of the stages basing yourself in some of the towns but impossible to do the whole tour like this. From Chamonix you could do stage 1 and get public transport back however this is quite long winded – a taxi (expensive) would be quicker or else you could do a stage 1 loop back to Chamonix. You can easily do stages 10 and 11 from Chamonix. You can catch the train to Trient and do stage 9 back to Chamonix. Trickier parts are stages 2 and 3 – these you wouldn’t be able to do day trips to. From Courmayeur you can do stage 4 and 5 easily as day trips. Hope this helps. Best wishes. Mags

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Tour du Mont Blanc Huts - the good, the bad & the ugly

Water stops on the tmb, tour du mont blanc hike, privacy overview.

© Le Tour des Stations

Le Tour des Stations cycling race, Verbier

Endurance cycling race passing through some the most beautiful destinations in the Valais

Imagine a cycling enduro race in the heart of the Swiss Valais, offering an exceptional sportive challenge linking the region’s ski resorts in a spectacular environment. The Tour des Stations consists of four different courses following the concept of the Marmotte Granfondo Series. 

Choose between 74km, 133km, 185km, or 242km.

The courses feature "hors categorie" climbs like the mythical Croix-de-Cœur, topping out at 2,174m altitude with its last 6km on gravel. In addition, the TDS Ultimate courses of 555km and 1,000km. The Tour des Stations goes through the picturesque Valais countryside and the resorts of Verbier, Crans-Montana, Nendaz, Ovronnaz, Anzère, Vercorin, Nax, Saint-Martin, Hérémence, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz, Conthey and Sion.

For more information and to sign up click on the website link.

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

© Alison Shayler

New lift station plans causing a stir at Le Tour

How far will the Le Tour lift renovation go?

Plans are underway to completely overhaul the Le Tour lift station within the next few years, possibly with a view to changing the location and redesigning the whole area.

The green gondolas of the Charamillon telecabine have been in service for over thirty years and are long overdue an update. The six seater gondola was designed to carry 1500 people per hour, but in reality the creaky old mechanisms are not reaching anywhere near that number. Plans are being made to replace not just the cabins but the entire lift station by winter 2018/19.

With Le Tour being the tiny little village that it is, and in such close proximity to the lifts, any renovations clearly need to be done in such a way that they will benefit rather than disadvantage the local residents. And there is quite a debate heating up about it already!

The Compagnie du Mont Blanc has been working with specialist consultants for the past two years to decide how best to redesign the lift station and a document was published this week by the Mairie (town hall). There are two possibilities regarding where the new lift station should be; one is to rebuild on the current location, the other is to relocate to the bottom of the car park on the right bank of the River Arve. The aim of the new lift station is not just to whisk people up the mountain quicker than ever before, but also to improve circulation of traffic in the village. At the moment, the parking at Le Tour is often congested and this causes increased pollution from cars and ski buses.

The new plans include a complete overhaul of all the buildings that make up the lift station, with a view to offering visitors better facilities in terms of ticket desks, toilets, first aid, ski school office, etc. The beginner slope at La Vormaine will also hopefully be easier to access and will have more of an open snowfront where events and activities can take place.

As with all big projects, there are those who are not so keen. Local residents fear that the renovations may destroy the authenticity of what is one of the oldest hamlets in the Chamonix valley. Many have raised concerns about destruction of natural habitats and the environmental impact of such a large construction project.

The main point of contention seems to be the proposal to relocate the lift station to the bottom of the car park. Many residents are concerned that this will lead to cables and pylons being installed too close to people’s houses, would destabilise the land on the Posettes face and possibly cause avalanches and/or flooding, would increase the amount of noise and traffic in the centre of the village, and may harm other local businesses that rely on the land such as farming.

However, many are also in favour of breathing new life into a long neglected part of the valley and are keen to have their opinions heard on how it can be done. If successful, the new development should ease noise and air pollution from traffic, make the centre of the village more attractive, and provide commercial opportunities for residents who operate local businesses such as café and ski rental shops. You can follow the discussion on the Facebook page La Torzeraine .

Le Tour and Vallorcine make up the resort of La Balme , the northernmost ski area in the Chamonix valley, right on the border with Switzerland. It has long been overlooked in the valley’s more recent upgrades, such as those at Les Grands Montets and Brevent. Renovating the lift station will be the first phase of a project that aims to improve the ski area by widening the "Bas de Solonge" piste, removing the three drag lifts at the bottom of the Posettes to replace them with a chairlift from the Plat du Caiset up to the Tête de Balme ski lift, and replacing the Autannes chairlift with a newer model.

The cost of the actual work is to be borne by the Compagnie du Mont Blanc and is expected to come in at around 16.6 million euros, plus an extra 2 million euros for securing the work site and the safety of the slopes. The cost of developing the surrounding area of Le Tour village is to be shared between the commune of Chamonix and the Compagnie du Mont Blanc, the amount has not yet been proposed as the details are still under deliberation.

Offices have been set up in Chamonix and Argentiere where anyone can go and view the proposed plans during the week of 20 to 24 March 2017. They will be available at the Maison de Village in Argentière on Monday 20th March from 09:00 to 12:00 and on Thursday 23rd March from from 15:00 to 19:00, or at the Mairie in Chamonix on Tuesday 21st March from 15:00 to 19:00, Wednesday 22nd March from 14:00 to 17:00 and on Friday 24th March from 15:00 to 19:00. You can also view the plans here .

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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