Tour du Mont Blanc • Three Countries

Start your trek off in Chamonix with a first day to wander the city’s lively streets, do a bit of shopping or pamper yourself at a local spa.

Jump on a bus to Les Houches then get the Bellevue Cable Car up to 1800m. Rather than take the French normal route up to the Gouter hut at 3800m and summit at 4810m, you hike the mountain’s edge to Col de Voza then saunter down into the valley. Inspect perfectly maintained local rooftops with their large flat stones, as you hike to tiny mountain hamlets with Mont Blanc watching you from a distance. Next your route parallels the rushing River Bon Nant on its way to the friendly alpine village of Les Contamines. Pick up an ancient Roman trail, one of Europe's most famous footpaths, traversing flower-filled meadows and striking woodlands to a picture-perfect mountain refuge, a typical colourful chalet with breath-taking views.

Spend the night here in small 6- to 9-person dormitories and enjoy a hearty evening meal served in the chalet's cosy dining room.

Challenge: 7 hours, 20.5 km / 12,5 mi, 990 m ascent, 1095 m descent

Trek the Plan des Dames up to Col du Bonhomme (elevation 2329m) and press on to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2479m). A peculiar combination of stones marks the top of the pass, where you whip out your camera to capture vast valleys stretching out for miles. A long descent dallies through open meadows down to Vallee des Chapieux, where you criss-cross bubbling brooks past sturdy mountain huts to reach the tiny idyllic hamlet of Les Chapieux.

Challenge: 7 hours, 15 km / 9,5 mi, 900 m ascent, 900 m descent

Steel yourself for the longest, most demanding day of your holiday . . . made easier by surprising scenic landscapes all the way. After two days spent walking in France, you zip over the Col de la Seigne (2516m) and hike Val Veny into Italy. All told the route includes a climb through a deep gorge and immense pastures against a bizarre lunar backdrop, while the Aiguille des Glaciers peaks loom large in the distance right on the border with Switzerland. Once on Mont Blanc’s ‘other side’, you’re treated to magnificent views of stunning snow-capped peaks.

Depending on availability you’ll be booked at the ‘rifugio’ in Les Blanche or walk 5,5km further and get the bus to Courmayeur.

Challenge: 5/7 hours, 14 - 19 km / 8,5 - 12 mi, 1250/1500 m ascent, 1180/1380 m descent

If you stayed at Rifugio Elisabetta, first you trundle 5,5km / 3,5 mi down the hill to get the bus to Courmayeur. Today’s two-part route traverses this renowned ski resort, where you can pause for an invigorating cup of coffee. Next a steep ascent leads up to a level section and you hike to Val Ferret among meadows, conifer woods and alpine streams beneath the sharp, awe-inspiring silhouette of the Grand Jorasses. For a more relaxed day, spend time strolling the streets of Courmayeur then take a bus to Val Ferret.

Challenge: 2.5/4.5 hours, 5.5 - 12 km / 3,5 - 7,5 mi , 300/900 m ascent, 800/400 m descent

Set off uphill, passing farmhouses in ruins as you begin your journey into Switzerland. Hike the first 4km / 2,5mi on a surfaced road or take the SAVDA shuttle from your hotel. A steep but rewarding climb ends at Rifugio Elena then you carry on toward the border via Col du Gran Ferret (2537m). Stop to catch your breath, only to have it taken away again! Literally, as immense imposing vistas sweep across the receding glacier and perpetual snows of Triolet and Pre de Bar. Walking down through open meadows, you find very few signs of human activity. The sole testimony to life lies in a few lone-standing mountain huts near the remote hamlet of Ferret. Ambling onward to La Fouly, the trail cuts through idyllic scenes of fragrant pine forests, crystalline creeks and quaint wooden bridges. Simply to die for!

Challenge: 6 hours, 18 km / 11 mi, 870 m ascent, 920 m descent

After a few tougher routes, you take it easy today. The river sets the tone for a long gentle walk where dense woodlands are interrupted by cliff walls and sparkling streams. Stop to rest at Les Arlaches and marvel at its traditional wooden houses built on sturdy stone bases. A lengthy winding climb is thankfully not too steep, and intriguing wooden sculptures pop up alongside the trails to capture your attention. From Orsieres the trail takes off downhill to the ideal alpine village of Champex-Lac, situated on the shores of a serene lake.

Challenge: 6 hours, 18 km / 11 mi, 700 m ascent, 715 m descent

Prepare for a spectacular hike over the Fenêtre d'Arpette (2665m) then down the Glacier du Trient to the village of Trient, situated at 1300m on the Martigny-Chamonix pass road. If weather conditions are not the best, do not dismay! The stunning alternative surges up to 2050m linking Arpette and Trient via Champex-d'en Haut and you’ll thrill to breath-taking panoramas, extraordinary cool woodlands and colourful meadows.

Challenge: 7 hours, 15.7 km / 10 mi, 710 m ascent, 1125 m descent

Save an enduring mental photo as you linger over the last views of Mont Blanc on your final walk of the week. High above the ski resort of Le Tour you hike toward Lake Charamillon, situated at a stunning 2271m, then wander through the immense Glacier du Tour back into France. An exhilarating rocky crest trail provides astounding views of the glittering icy glacier and nearby valleys. Standing on the very border between Switzerland and France, you’re blinded by the shimmering white of Mont Blanc, especially bright on sunny days. Dazzled by loads of light, you make your way slowly down through pastures into Argentière.

For the hotel version, you will take the bus to Chamonix this afternoon and back tomorrow morning to walk the last route. Unfortunately there are no hotels available in that stage.

Challenge: 4 hours, 14.5 km / 9 mi, 985 m ascent, 905 m descent

Plan to make an early start on this rather long route and set off for the pretty little village of Les Frasserands, a perfect French alpine array of typical wooden houses. Pause for a few pictures along the botanical path then climb uphill into Aiguilles Rouges Natural Park. From there, start your descent to La Flegere or test your legs on the ascent to Lac Blanc, aided by a metal ladder (reject this option if you don’t like heights). This afternoon’s painfully panoramic route reveals the Mont Blanc Massif dead ahead with the striking summits of Aiguille Verte, the Drus, Aiguille du Midi, Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Blanc. In Planpraz you get the cable car down to Chamonix (last departure at 5 pm). If fatigue or waning daylight become a problem, opt to get the cable car from La Flegere.

Challenge: 8/7 hours, 19.5 - 17.5 km / 12 - 11 mi, 1620/1440 m ascent, 970/790 m descent

Your self-guided tour of Mont Blanc comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Extra nights can be booked in advance.