The Arpette Pass variant

Travel Tips & Tricks

Among the Tour du Mont Blanc variants, one has gained an almost mythical status: the Arpette Pass. Considered the most difficult stage of the entire route, it is a true test for the most seasoned hikers. Replacing the bucolic crossing via Bovine on the stage between Champex and Col de la Forclaz, this route plunges the hiker into a mineral, wild, high-altitude world. It is a challenge, both physically and mentally. At Grand Angle, we recommend it to our most experienced trekkers, those who seek to confront the mountain in its rawest and most spectacular form.

An alpine challenge at the heart of the TMB
Technical profile: a demanding stage
The route: from Val d'Arpette to the Trient Glacier
The reward: an unbeatable view
For whom and when? Our expert advice

An alpine challenge at the heart of the TMB

TMB : La variante de la Fenêtre d'Arpette

The Arpette Pass is an alternative to the classic route of the seventh stage, entirely in Swiss territory. Instead of bypassing the massif via the Bovine pastures, it crosses through its heart via a high, technical pass. This choice radically transforms the day's experience: leaving forested trails for a face-to-face with rock, scree, and ice. It is the essence of a sport hiking, where intense effort is the price for exceptional landscapes.

Technical profile: a demanding stage

The numbers speak for themselves and illustrate the difficulty of this variant. Over a distance of about 14 kilometers, the elevation gain is formidable: nearly 1200 meters up and 1180 meters down. The highest point is the famous Arpette Pass, a narrow breach in the mountain at 2665 meters altitude. The terrain is challenging, especially in the final part of the ascent and the beginning of the descent, which run through scree fields and blocky chaos where the trail is barely marked.

The route: from Val d'Arpette to the Trient Glacier

The climb through Val d'Arpette

Starting from Champex-Lac, the trail enters the peaceful and green Val d'Arpette. The first part of the hike is pleasant, but the landscape quickly becomes more mineral. The slope gradually steepens, and the path turns into a trace winding between stone blocks. The final climb to the pass is very steep, requiring high concentration and the use of hands in some sections.

The descent to Trient

Crossing the "pass" is an intense moment. The following descent is equally steep and technical at the start. The trail plunges toward the Trient Glacier, offering constant views of this ice giant. After reaching the Glacier Chalet, the path becomes easier and joins the village of Trient or Col de la Forclaz.

The reward: an unbeatable view from Arpette Pass

vue imprenable depuis la fenêtre d'Arpette

The colossal effort is rewarded with a striking natural spectacle. Upon reaching Arpette Pass, the hiker is granted a plunging, direct view of the Trient Glacier. One can observe in detail its plateau, seracs, and crevasses. It is a vision of high mountains in their purest form, a panorama only reachable on foot and forever etched in memory. It is one of the most striking viewpoints of this trek in Switzerland.

For whom and when? Our expert advice

This variant is only for highly experienced hikers, sure-footed on difficult terrain and not prone to vertigo. It must only be undertaken in perfect weather, stable and fog-free. The presence of snowfields early in the season, even in July, can make the passage extremely dangerous without specific equipment (ice axe, crampons). Checking conditions before starting is crucial. This option can be considered on our longer trips such as the 12-day self-guided TMB, which allows waiting for the right weather window. For our guided groups, the guide alone decides the route's feasibility depending on the group's level and conditions. To see if this adventure is right for you, contact our advisors; their expertise is your best guarantee for a successful Tour du Mont Blanc trek.