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Camping OptionsMost people use accommodation to complete the Tour of Mont Blanc, if you want to backpack the route there aren't camping options 'at every turn', a bit of knowledge is useful here so I've summarised the camping options I encountered.Start and Finish - Les HouchesA common starting point is Les Houches, there's a basic campsite here and you get access to supermarkets for provisions no …

CostI have included most of my costs for doing this trip - I've included costs where I've stopped and bought a snack, but not when I've bought a drink as these are discretionary. I haven't included buying food to cook, a lot of which was bought in the UK. Shopping in supermarkets round the route cost about the same as small convenience stores at home.Drinks and snacks bought at refuges are expensi …

Getting There and BackChamonix is such a popular destination that getting there and back is very straightforward, most people fly via Geneva Airport and arrange one of the many taxi/minibus transfers to Chamonix or its satellite towns and villages. The complexity and planning starts to have an impact if you don't want to be hanging around in Chamonix for an extra day while you get supplies etc, wh …

Backpacking the Tour of Mont BlancThe Tour of Mont Blanc is a circular route of about a week that circles the Mont Blanc massif rewarding the backpacker with some fantastic views of the summit and surrounding mountains. Passing through three countries the route is a succession of climbs and descents passing through and close to many alpine villages and a few towns.Although not a remote trek by any …

Photo Gallery Climb to Col de Balme Col de Balme To Fenetre d'Arpette Descent from Fenetre Champex Approach Grand Col FerretLook down Val FerretHiking Val FerretVal FerretMonte Bianco CampsiteWaymarksAbove Val VeniRefuge ElisabettaVal VeniCol de la SeigneCol du FoursRefuge BonhommeCol du BonhommeLes ContaminesArriving at Bel LachatCol du BreventLa FlegreLooking across to MBHiking high levelGear …

Trip ReportChamonix to Zermatt - a few weeks too early...We arrived in Chamonix in good time on the 18th June and could have camped easily, however I always plan the first night in some sort of accommodation because if the weather's bad you have the shelter and space to get your kit organised, you're guaranteed a decent nights sleep and you can get a good start in the morning. For us it was the Ho …