Tour du Mont Blanc, Stage 3: From Les Chapieux to Refuge Elisabetta

The third stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc is much more than a simple day of hiking; it is a passage, an emotional and visual shift. Leaving the pastoral hamlet of Les Chapieux, the hiker embarks on a gradual ascent that will lead from France to Italy. Crossing the Col de la Seigne is a highlight of the trek, revealing a side of Mont Blanc of striking harshness and majesty. At Grand Angle, we have guided travelers on this trail since 1983, and this stage remains one of the most memorable. It embodies the essence of trekking: effort rewarded by panoramas that redefine our perception of the mountains.

• The route: from Vallon des Glaciers to Val Vény
• Col de la Seigne: a gateway to Italy
• Geology and landscape: Mont Blanc’s wild side
• The Grand Angle experience for your TMB

The route: from Vallon des Glaciers to Val Vény

This stage is of moderate difficulty, characterized by a long ascent and a short descent. It covers approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), with an elevation gain of about 1000 meters (3280 feet) and a descent of only 250 meters (820 feet), as the Elisabetta Refuge sits at high altitude. Plan for 4 to 5 hours of effective walking.

The ascent through Vallon des Glaciers

Starting from Les Chapieux, the trail gently follows the Glaciers stream. The path passes through the hamlet of Ville des Glaciers, where farms still produce Beaufort cheese. The ascent then becomes steeper towards the Mottets Refuge, the last possible stop before the main effort of the day. The landscape gradually shifts from pastoral to increasingly rocky as altitude is gained.

Arrival at the Elisabetta Refuge

Once the Col de la Seigne is crossed, the descent to the Elisabetta Refuge is relatively short. The trail drops into the Italian Val Vény, offering constant views of glaciers that seem within reach. The refuge (2195m/7200ft), a former military barracks, is ideally located facing the Lée Blanche Glacier (Ghiacciaio della Lex Blanche) and near Lake Combal. Its friendly atmosphere and panoramic terrace make it a rewarding stop after the climb.

Col de la Seigne: a gateway to Italy

Crossing the Col de la Seigne (2516m/8255ft) is undoubtedly the highlight of the day. This pass, one of the most beautiful of the Tour du Mont Blanc, marks the border between Savoie and the Aosta Valley. Upon reaching the ridge, the scenery changes dramatically. The French side, with its gentler curves, gives way to a strikingly vertical spectacle. The gaze plunges over the southern face of the massif, much steeper. Here, one fully grasps the complexity of this granite fortress, a vision that leaves a lasting impression on all trekkers, whether on a guided trek or hiking independently.

Geology and landscape: Mont Blanc’s wild side

The contrast between the two sides is striking. On the Italian side, Mont Blanc (or Monte Bianco) reveals a much steeper face. From the pass, you can admire the full Peuterey ridge, with the Aiguille Noire, Aiguille Blanche, and Grand Pilier d’Angle leading to the summit. The Miage and Brenva glaciers, among the largest in the Alps, carve dizzying cliffs. This asymmetry is explained by the push of the African tectonic plate, which "lifted" the massif more intensely on the Italian side. This landscape, both magnificent and intimidating, is an open-air geology lesson and an invitation to continue the adventure with a trek in Italy.

Continue your TMB exploration stage by stage

• TMB - Stage 1: Les Houches to Les Contamines-Montjoie
• TMB - Stage 2: Les Contamines-Montjoie to Les Chapieux
• TMB - Stage 3: Les Chapieux to Elisabetta Refuge
• TMB - Stage 4: Elisabetta Refuge to Courmayeur
• TMB - Stage 5: Courmayeur to La Fouly
• TMB - Stage 6: La Fouly to Champex
• TMB - Stage 7: Champex to Col de la Forclaz
• TMB - Stage 8: Col de la Forclaz to Argentière
• TMB - Stage 9: Argentière to Chamonix
• TMB - Stage 10: Chamonix to Les Houches

The Grand Angle experience for your TMB

Crossing a border on foot is a powerful symbolic experience. It is the essence of travel that we cultivate at Grand Angle. Whether you choose the flexibility of our 12-day self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc or the conviviality of the 10-day guided version, our teams ensure your only concern is to enjoy the moment. We manage logistics and reservations, giving you full freedom to immerse yourself in the landscapes. This third stage is a perfect transition before tackling the next stage towards Courmayeur. For more information on different ways to experience this iconic trek around the Mont Blanc massif, contact our expert advisors who will guide you to the option that suits you best.