Tour du Mont Blanc, Stage 5: From Courmayeur to La Fouly

Travel Tips & Tricks

The fifth stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc is a major transition day, a journey within a journey. Leaving the bustle of Courmayeur, you enter the Italian Val Ferret, with a new country—Switzerland—in sight. Crossing the Grand Col Ferret, the highest point of the day, is far more than a simple geographic border. It marks a striking shift in landscapes, atmospheres, and cultures. This is the very essence of adventure travel in Europe, an experience that we at Grand Angle have been passionate about sharing since our beginnings. This stage, linking two of the three countries on the tour, perfectly illustrates the richness and diversity of this iconic trek.

Itinerary: from one Val Ferret to the other
Grand Col Ferret: an emblematic passage
Landscapes and atmosphere: the serenity of Valais
Organizing your TMB with Grand Angle

Itinerary: from one Val Ferret to the other

Today’s stage is long, about 20 kilometers, with a fairly balanced elevation profile. Expect around 860 meters of ascent and 900 meters of descent. Walking time is estimated between 6 and 7 hours. To optimize effort and focus on the most spectacular section, it is common to take a bus from Courmayeur to the bottom of Val Ferret, at Arnuva (or Arnouva).

The ascent from Arnuva

From the hamlet of Arnuva (1769 m), the trail gradually rises through a magnificent setting. It passes near the Elena Refuge, the last opportunity to rest before the big climb. The balcony path offers retrospective views of the Grandes Jorasses and the Pré de Bar Glacier. This is familiar terrain for our guides on guided hikes, who know exactly where to stop to admire the view or observe alpine flora.

The long descent to La Fouly

After crossing the Grand Col Ferret, a long and pleasant descent begins into the Swiss Val Ferret. The trail winds through alpine pastures along the Dranse de Ferret. You pass several mountain farms, such as La Peule, where local products can sometimes be tasted. The landscape, lush and dotted with larches, contrasts with the rugged Italian side. The stage ends gently in the small village of La Fouly (1610 m), the first Swiss village on the TMB route.

Grand Col Ferret: an emblematic passage

The Grand Col Ferret (2537 m) is one of the major passes of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Crossing it is a highlight, marking entry into the canton of Valais. From the summit, the view is twofold. On one side, you look back over Italy, with Mont Dolent (3823 m) in view—the unique peak where the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland meet. On the other side, a gentle panorama opens over the Swiss Val Ferret, with its less jagged but equally majestic peaks. It is a true natural and climatic frontier.

Landscapes and atmosphere: the serenity of Valais

The contrast is immediate. While the Italian side is dominated by rock and ice, the Swiss side of Val Ferret is a land of pastures, forests, and pastoral traditions. The architecture also changes: the stone houses of Val d’Aosta give way to the dark wooden chalets typical of Valais. The atmosphere in La Fouly is that of a peaceful mountain village, inviting contemplation and rest. This is a different facet of the Alps, softer and more bucolic, a beautiful introduction to a trek in Switzerland.

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Organizing your TMB with Grand Angle

This long transition day is precisely the type of stage where planning makes all the difference. Whether you choose our 10-day guided formula or prefer the autonomy of the 12-day self-guided TMB, we take care of logistical details such as luggage transfer and accommodation reservations. You can thus fully focus on walking and enjoying the scenery. Arrival in Switzerland marks a turning point in the adventure, before continuing to the sixth stage towards Champex. For any questions about preparing your Tour du Mont Blanc, our experts are available to advise you and help design the trek that suits you best.