Tour du Val Montjoie 5-day trek in the Mont Blanc region

Take to the trails of the Val Montjoie

This summer, come and enjoy the charms of the Pays du Mont-blanc thanks to a new itinerary devised by the Compagnie des Guides de Saint-Gervais – Les Contamines and the Saint-Gervais Mont-blanc Tourist Office. This 5-day hike takes you along the alpine trails around Val Montjoie. With family or friends, let yourself be guided by the professionals of the Compagnie des guides de Saint-Gervais/Les Contamines.

Tour of Val Montjoie - Day 1 Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc - Refuge de Miage

For departure you discover the Tramway du mont-blanc, an emblematic symbol of Saint-Gervais history. This journey aboard one of the 3 famous motrices Anne, Marie and Jeanne takes you to the Bellevue stop. A fitting name for such a splendid panorama. In front of you rises the Royal Way to the roof of Europe, Mont Blanc. You overlook the Chamonix valley and face its majestic peaks. The hike begins with a pleasant path along the mountainside.

At the edge of the forest, you’ll find yourself at the alpage de l’Are. Here you can meet numerous marmots as well as summering Hérens cows. The trail continues to the suspension bridge that crosses the crashing torrent of the Bionnassay glacier.

You’re on your way to the Col de Tricot, with its splendid views of the Bionnassay and Tête Rousse glaciers, and higher up, the Goûter refuge. At the summit of the Col de Tricot, which rises to 2120 m, you overlook the Miage mountain pasture and the small villages of Champel and La Gruvaz. You’ve arrived in this timeless place. The refuge de Miage is the perfect place to spend your first evening in the mountains.

Tour of Val Montjoie - Day 2 Refuge de Miage - Refuge de Tré la Tête

The second stage begins with a short climb to reach the Alpage du Truc. Here you can admire the view of the Aiguille de Bionnassay and the Dômes de Miage.

The hike continues to La Frasse, a hamlet in the village of Les Contamines Montjoie. The path through the forest takes you to Armancette, then along a balcony path to reach the Tré la Tête refuge. Along this path, you overlook the upper Val Montjoie and in particular the village of Les Contamines. On arrival at Tré la Tête, you can observe marmots and chamois.

Tour of Val Montjoie - Day 3 Refuge de Tré la Tête - Refuge des Prés

You’re on your way to the third stage of your journey. You’ll take a winding path through a spruce forest to reach the verdant Laya plateau. Along the way, you can admire the Combe Noire waterfall, a torrent flowing from the Tré la Tête glacier. You then pass over the famous Roman bridge. Then you arrive at Nant Borrant, a charming refuge where it’s good to rest and eat!

The day’s hike isn’t over yet. You continue on your way to the Plateau de la Rollaz. Ahead of you are the Aiguilles de la Pennaz and the Roches Franches. You can also see the impressive Col des Chasseurs. A final ascent brings you to the refuge des Prés in the large alpine pasture of the same name. This newly renovated and enlarged refuge offers you the comfort of sleeping in pretty rooms. The view is breathtaking. You can admire the sunset over the Mont-Blanc massif.

Our valuable advice... For a top trek!

Come with us...with an official guide

The guides will share with you their passion and knowledge of this rich natural, cultural and historical heritage.

Come equipped...with adapted equipment

With good hiking boots, a backpack, poles, sunscreen and, above all, a water bottle, you can hit the trails once you’re equipped!

Go, breathe...respecting your environment

The Tour du val Montjoie will plunge you into a wild and preserved natural environment. In addition to the Contamines Montjoie nature reserve, you will cross several protected natural areas.

Tour of Val Montjoie - Day 4 Refuge des Prés - Refuge du Mont-Joly

You’ll start today’s hike at the Col de la Fenêtre. The trail takes you into the Savoy Alps, to Hauteluce, a neighboring commune of Les Contamines Montjoie. The trail winds along a balcony to the top of the Bûche croisée chairlift, on the slopes of the Contamines ski area.

You’ll then pass over the Col du Joly, the border between the Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments. The route takes you up to the aiguille Croche, a peak culminating at 2,487m. The trail becomes steeper and more vertiginous, following the ridge to reach Mont-Joly via some steep passages.

This balcony trail offers you an extraordinary view of the Mont-Blanc massif. Your arrival at Mont-Joly at an altitude of 2525m is rewarded by the spectacle of the landscape around you. A 360° view of the surrounding valleys and snow-capped peaks. With a front-row seat to the Mont-Blanc, you can appreciate the calm and serenity of this place.

You then begin the descent to the refuge du Mont-Joly, the highest restaurant in the Evasion Mont-Blanc domain. This small refuge welcomes you for the last night of this journey.

Tour of Val Montjoie - Day 5 Mont-Joly Refuge - Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc

The last day has arrived. It’s time to return to the valley. Taking the paths through the forest or along the ridges, you’ll cross the alpine pastures of Saint-Nicolas de Véroce. To finish the hike, you’ll follow the schoolchildren’s path to reach Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc.

On your return to civilization, all that’s left to do is enjoy the charm of the village, a drink on the terrace, a visit to the museum or a good meal at one of Saint-Gervais’s many gourmet addresses.

View or download the map

This brochure will enable you to establish the best possible itinerary for your trek, book huts, consult variants, … Ready for the adventure?

Tour du Val Montjoie +

The Company Guides of Saint-Gervais / Les Contamines

The company will take you on this trip to help you discover and make the most of our valley: hut reservations and luggage tracking are included in the booking, for five days of tranquility.

Possibility of a family tour with children on accessible variants. Please call us to discuss