Aug 28 – Sep 7, 2026
Day-by-day
Every stage merges Martin's expedition checklist with Frans's group schedule. Where the two disagree, both options are shown.
- Travel0Fri, Aug 28
Arrival — Everyone converges on Chamonix
FranceSleeps atGîte Michel Fagot / Airbnb (40 route du cottage)- Team arrives throughout the day at Geneva (GVA)
- Transfer GVA → Les Houches (~1h)
- Community dinner together at 18:30
• Martin: EasyJet EJU5503 ALC→GVA, arr 09:20• Gîte check-in strictly 15:00–18:00 · €1.80 city tax cash - Day 11Sat, Aug 29
Les Houches → Refuge de la Balme
France- Distance
- 24.6 km
- Ascent
- +1797 m
- Descent
- −1105 m
- Duration
- 11h 35m
- Dest. elev.
- 1706 m
Sleeps at- First real day on the trail
- Bellevue cable-car shortcut can save ~2h of ascent
- Dinner at 18:30 — arrive by 18:00
• Cash only at refuge (€28.80 balance)• Sleeping-bag liner mandatory - Day 22Sun, Aug 30
Refuge de la Balme → Les Chapieux
France- Distance
- 10.9 km
- Ascent
- +934 m
- Descent
- −1081 m
- Duration
- 6h 45m
- Dest. elev.
- 1554 m
Sleeps at- Col du Bonhomme + Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
- Tartiflette or diots at the refuge
• Trekking poles recommended — possible snow patches - Day 33Mon, Aug 31
Les Chapieux → Courmayeur / Rifugio Maison Vieille
Italy🚩 France → Italy at Col de la Seigne (2516m)- Distance
- 24.6 km
- Ascent
- +1702 m
- Descent
- −1307 m
- Duration
- 11h 50m
- Dest. elev.
- 1956 m
- Crossing into Italy at Col de la Seigne
- Stop at La Casermetta Environmental Centre (free WiFi)
- Listen for whistling marmots
• Martin at Maison Vieille (€41 + €1 tax, cards ok)• Group of 3: Gran Baita, Courmayeur — breakfast incl. - Day 44Tue, Sep 1
Val Veni → Val Ferret
Italy- Distance
- 25.3 km
- Ascent
- +1928 m
- Descent
- −1848 m
- Duration
- 13h 40m
- Dest. elev.
- 2061 m
- Emerald Lac du Combal + Cabane du Combal
- Southern flank of Val Veni, Mont Blanc massif views
• ⚠️ Lodging decision pending — Bonatti confirmed for group of 3, Bertone/Lavachey requested; Martin at Elena• Consider bus/cab shortcut to Arnuva if skipping a night - Day 55Wed, Sep 2
Rifugio Elena → La Fouly (Switzerland)
Switzerland🚩 Italy → Switzerland at Grand Col Ferret (2537m)- Distance
- 12.3 km
- Ascent
- +633 m
- Descent
- −1070 m
- Duration
- 6h 20m
- Dest. elev.
- 1600 m
Sleeps at- Wave goodbye to Italy at Grand Col Ferret
- Demi-pension: dinner + breakfast included
- Pre-paid picnic bag for tomorrow (€14)
- Day 66Thu, Sep 3
La Fouly → Champex-Lac
Switzerland- Distance
- 15.7 km
- Ascent
- +805 m
- Descent
- −904 m
- Duration
- 7h 00m
- Dest. elev.
- 1444 m
- Pastoral meadows and wooden hamlets like Les Arlaches
- Arrive in “Little Canada” — Champex-Lac
• CHF or EUR accepted · plenty of dinner options in town - Day 77Fri, Sep 4
Champex-Lac → Trient
Switzerland- Distance
- 15.3 km
- Ascent
- +1010 m
- Descent
- −1208 m
- Duration
- 8h 10m
- Dest. elev.
- 1300 m
Sleeps at- Bovine route past Alp Bovine cattle farm
- Views over Rhône valley and vineyards
- Free guest sauna 15:00–19:00
- Day 88Sat, Sep 5
Trient → Tré-le-Champ / Argentière
France🚩 Switzerland → France at Col de Balme (2191m)- Distance
- 13.4 km
- Ascent
- +1274 m
- Descent
- −1139 m
- Duration
- 8h 10m
- Dest. elev.
- 1395 m
Sleeps at- Mont Blanc reappears from Col de Balme
- 🎂 Alejo's birthday
- Day 99Sun, Sep 6
Grand Balcon Sud → Chamonix
France- Distance
- 24.1 km
- Ascent
- +2211 m
- Descent
- −2629 m
- Duration
- 15h 50m
- Dest. elev.
- 1035 m
Sleeps at- The famous Grand Balcon Sud
- Tête aux Vents cairn (2132m) + iron ladders (or Col des Montets variant)
- Spa access at the Heliopic to soothe hiking muscles
• Pre-payment €210 done · €2.60 city tax on arrival - Travel10Mon, Sep 7
Departure — Chamonix → home
France → homeSleeps at—- Transfer Chamonix → GVA (allow 2h)
- Martin: EJU1293 GVA→BCN 18:40 · VY1306 BCN→ALC 22:00