TOUR DU MONT BLANC
The Guide to Camping
FOR THE COMPLETE GUIDE PLEASE REFER TO THE CICERONE GUIDE WRITTEN BY KEV REYNOLDS 'TREKKING THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC'
DAY 1: LES HOUCHES - LES CONTAMINES
CAMPSITE: Camping Le Pontet
DISTANCE: 16KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 646M
HEIGHT LOSS: 633M
We started the walk at 8am with a backpack stocked up with 2 liters of water and snacks. It was a warm day but rainy day. For the next 2 hours we walked uphill to the Col de Voza where we filled our water bladders and carried on downhill to Les Contamines. The route provided plenty of places to refill water and buy snacks. To reach the first campsite follow the signs to Le Pontet, do not turn left uphill to Les Contamines centre, walk along the river for approximately 40 minutes until you reach the campsite. This route will take you through a large campsite, keep walking until you see signs for another campsite on the right. This will bring you to Le Pontet Campsite (hot showers, wifi 1 euro). We reached the site at 4pm.
Start of the TMB route at Les Houches
DAY 2: LES CONTAMINES - LES CHAPIEUX
CAMPSITE: Refuge and Camping De La Nova
DISTANCE: 18KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 1316M
HEIGHT LOSS: 929M
I personally found this day the most demanding. The height gain of 1316m and a temperature of 36c made the day even harder. We left at 8:15am and arrived into the campsite at 6:15pm. Ensure that your water is topped up and you have plenty of snacks. Refuge De La Nova provides free camping and toilets in the meadow opposite the refuge. You can use the showers at the refuge for a fee of 5 euros. I'd recommend an evening meal at the refuge, delicious, and buying a baguette and fillings at the shop onsite for breakfast.
Approaching the Aiguille de la Pennaz dominates
DAY 3: LES CHAPIEUX - RIFUGIO ELISABETTA
CAMPSITE: Campsite Monte Bianco, La Sorgente, Peuterey
DISTANCE: 15KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 1004M
HEIGHT LOSS: 258M
The walk starts with a pleasant 2 hour walk to Les Glaciers and an additional 30 minutes to Refuge des Mottets. Ensure you fill up your water as there is no water stations until you reach the first refuge. It's then a tough 2 and a half hour hike to Col de Seigne (no facilities) then another hour to Refuge Elisabetta. Lovely warm weather today. We left Refuge Elisabetta at 4pm and arrived 3 hours later at the campsite (long extra walk to site, although it is following the TMB direction). To reach the campsite follow the path from Refuge Elisabetta until you reach the small village of La Vielle and then follow the signs for the campsite. Good facilities and food at the site.
Arrived at Col de Seigne (border between France and Italy
DAY 4: RIFUGIO ELISABETTA - COURMAYEUR
CAMPSITE:
DISTANCE: 18KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 460M
HEIGHT LOSS: 1560M
DAY 5: COURMAYEUR - RIFUGIO BONATTI
DISTANCE: 12KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 860M
HEIGHT LOSS: 698M
DAY 6: RIFUGIO BONATTI - LA FOULY
DISTANCE: 20KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 895M
HEIGHT LOSS: 1410M
DAY 7: LA FOULY - CHAMPEX
DISTANCE: 15KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 420M
HEIGHT LOSS: 565M
DAY 8: CHAMPEX - COL DE LA FORCLAZ
DISTANCE: 14KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 1199M
HEIGHT LOSS: 1139M
DAY 9: COL DE LA FORCLAZ - TRE-LE-CHAMP
DISTANCE: 13KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 1069M
HEIGHT LOSS: 1178M
DAY 10: TRE-LE-CHAMP - REFUGE LA FLEGERE
DISTANCE: 8KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 733M
HEIGHT LOSS: 257M
DAY 11: REFUGE LA FLEGERE - LES HOUCHES
DISTANCE: 17KM
HEIGHT GAIN: 772M
HEIGHT LOSS: 1546M