"The "challenge" was perfect for me. I felt pushed a bit beyond my limits on a few of the up-hills, but it was wonderful. Best of all for me, I had to concentrate on what I was doing at the time and was also fully able to enjoy the sights all around me. My #1 goal was met - Never thought about work! My first real vacation in three years!" C Meyer, MA
Highlights:
- Hiking in an area rich with alpine and cultural history, panoramic peaks, glaciers, alpine meadows, windswept passes and friendly small mountain towns
- Savoring French and Italian food (and hiking enough that counting calories is irrelevant)
- Chatting with the international hiking community that stays at the same places
- Taking the Heilbronner lift back across the entire massif
- Visiting the charming mountain towns of Chamonix and Courmayeur
Sitting astride the borders of three different countries (France, Switzerland, and Italy), the Mont Blanc massif is massive! Mont Blanc, at 15,536 feet, is the highest mountain in western Europe and the circuit around Mont Blanc is one of the premier hiking routes in Europe. While we will not be completing the entire circuit, the part of the route we travel is widely regarded as the best. If you are looking for a demanding trip, a classic hike in some of the most beautiful mountains anywhere, please join us as we hike one of the most scenic sections of the Mont Blanc circuit.
This trip is for: women in very good physical condition who wants to combine spectacular and at times strenuous hiking with staying in local hotels and connecting with the international population that treks here. While extensive hiking experience is not necessary, you should be prepared to hike all day, sometimes uphill for two hours at a time, with a pack containing your clothing and water. Some of the path is exposed and women with a serious fear of heights might find it difficult. There are also significant descents and women with knee problems may have difficulty.
Accommodations:
- three nights at Hotel St Croix in Chamonix, a small comfortable centrally located family-run hotel, with two women in each room
- two nights in family run hotels in Les Contamines (France) and Entreves (Italy)
- two nights (De la Nova and Elisabetta Refuge) at mountain huts where we will most likely all be staying in one room with bunk beds.
Maximum group size: 10
Trip price: $2175 (deduct $100 for registration prior to 3/1/08). $400 deposit.
Trip price includes:
- seven nights lodging at hotels and refuges
- all meals (except beverages and a few lunches) from dinner on Sunday through dinner the following Saturday
- guides services
- local transportation (once you arrive in Chamonix) including lifts and cable cars
Itinerary
August 31: Our trip begins on August 31 in Chamonix, the famous French mountaineering town where we’ll stay for the first two nights. Your guide will greet you at your hotel and then you’ll have the afternoon free before gathering for our welcome dinner. We’ll review the itinerary for the trip, go over some basic safety information, and then get to bed early.
September 1: We'll probably be feeling a bit of jet lag today, so an excursion to the Mer de Glace, the largest of the Mont Blanc glaciers, provides the perfect introduction to the area and the environment - while not being too taxing. We will begin by taking an historic cog railway ride to Montevers, visit an ice grotto carved into the glacier, and perhaps get to see mountaineers practicing for their summit attempt of Mount Blanc. After ample time to take in this amazing landscape, we will hike up from the glacier to treeline where the entire valley opens before us. We will enjoy fabulous views during our picnic lunch: the spectacular Mer de Glace on one side and the entire Chamonix Valley on the other. After lunch we will continue our "balcony" hike to the midpoint of the Aiguille Lift. We will take the lift down to Chamonix and have the rest of the afternoon free to explore this charming town.
September 2: Today we begin our trek, with a short bus ride to Les Houches and then a cable car to Bellevue. Now our true alpine hiking starts, as we pass the terminus of the huge Glacier de Bionnassy and then continue up through alpine meadows to the Col de Tricot (6,995 feet). Here we are rewarded with views of the Dome du Gouter and the entire Chamonix Valley. After our steep descent, we pass the villages of Miages and Truc, and then continue on to Contamines. Contamines is one of the larger villages in the region and, after at least six hours of hiking, we will find the Hotel Grizzli very welcoming.
September 3: We’ll start the morning with a short bus ride to the Notre Dame de la Gorge, a famous 15th century mountain church that is worth a stop. Our trail today is up the broad Mont Joie Valley with a total elevation gain of over 4,000 feet. Initially our route climbs steeply alongside the Bon Nant River, on a path believed to be 2,000 years old, part of a link from Gaul to the Roman Empire. We’ll cross a small ancient Roman bridge and continue upward, finally reaching the col du Bonhomme and then continuing along a ridge to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, our highpoint of the day. From here the path starts descending and we ford several streams on our way to the charming little hamlet of Les Chapieux and the hospitable Hotel de la Nova.
September 4: Today will be a relatively shorter and easier day, although we still gain over 3,000 feet as we climb from Les Chapieux to the Col de la Seigne. We’ll start on a narrow road that leads us to views of the summit of the Aiguille des Glaciers and past the Ville des Glaciers (where there is no real village and only one glacier). From there we climb to Col de la Seigne on the Franco-Italian border and get our first views of the Italian countryside, including the entire val Veny. We spend tonight in a true mountain hut, the Elisabetta Refuge, known for its good food, international clientele, and outstanding views.
September 5: In contrast to previous days, much of today is spent descending to the Italian resort town of Courmayeur. We’ll hike down the val Veny, with the Italian side of Mont Blanc with its many glaciers and craggy peaks a constant and gorgeous presence. Courmayeur is a mountaineering resort and after taking time to wander its narrow streets in search of pastry and local cuisine, we’ll take the bus to the more tranquil mountain village of Entreves.
September 6: Today we’ll take the Heilbrohner lift back to Chamonix. Not only is the scenery spectacular as the lift takes you into the heart of the Mont Blanc massif, but along the way you can take short hikes at a midpoint, admire the Mer de Glace, and even walk out onto the glacier without crampons on. We’ll arrive back in Chamonix for any last minute shopping you choose to do before gathering for our farewell dinner.
September 7: You can leave any time this morning, returning to the U.S. or perhaps continuing on to other European adventures.
