This Backpacking Europe hike rounds the Mont Blanc Massif covering a distance of approximately 170 km with 10 km of up and down and passes through Switzerland, Italy and France.
Mont Blanc Massif
It is a classic long distance hiking trail. The European backpacking route is usually hiked in seven to ten days. It is also the route of an annual marathon. Start points are Les Houches in the Chamonix valley or Les Contamines in the Montjoie valley in France, Courmayeur from the Italian side, and either Champex or a point near Martigny in Switzerland.
Mont Blanc Massif View From Les Houches
The trail passes through 7 valleys around Mont-Blanc, an anticlockwise start in Chamonix would lead through the Chamonix or Arve valley, Montjoie, Vallee des Glaciers, Italian Val Veni, and Val Ferret, Swiss Val Ferret, and either the Arpette or Trient valley in Switzerland.
Chamonix Valley
The Backpacking Europe trail has changed over the years and many alternatives exist. Some of these require greater fitness, awareness and skill. Other trails are less demanding, which are quicker than the usual Backpacking Europe trail but have poorer views of the mountains.
Between the top of Brevent and the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, the trail meets with the backpacking in Europe long distance trail GR5 as it makes its way to the Mediterranean Sea. A connection can also be made with the walkers’ Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt in the Swiss Alps.
Accommodations exist along the entire backpacking Europe route. The accommodations are from separate rooms to large mixed sex dormitories. One can obtain cooked meals at many of these locations. Beginning at Les Houches one might expect overnight stops at Les Contamines, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme refuge or Les Chapieux, Elisabetta Soldini refuge, Courmayeur, Elena refuge, Champex, Trient village, Argentiere, La Flegere refuge and return to Les Houches.
Hike From Les Chapieux to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
The abundance of accommodation backpacking Europe makes for very flexible trip planning. The popularity of the trail can lead to problems finding accommodations towards the end of the day. It’s possible and suggested to book accommodation in advance.
The highest points of the backpacking Europe route are the Col des Fours in France and the Fenetre d’Arpette in Switzerland, each at 2,665m (8,743 ft). This is not high enough to cause altitude sickness, but the route represents a tough physical challenge.
Col des Fours
It is important to have experience hiking in mountains. The weather can change very rapidly, and you should always be equipped for the worst.
The route passes through or near the towns of Martigny, Courmayeur and Chamonix. Bring your camera and gear backpacking Europe and have fun! When backpacking across Europe, you never know what you’ll see or experience!
Martigny, Switzerland
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