Tour du Mont Blanc, Stage 10: from Chamonix to Les Houches, completing the loop

The tenth and final stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc carries a special emotion. It is the day of the last effort, the final ascent, but also a day for reflection. Leaving Chamonix, the trail climbs one last time to offer, from the summit of Brévent, a final panorama of the entire massif. It is like bidding a last farewell to these giants of stone and ice that you have come to know intimately. At Grand Angle, we understand that this stage is no mere formality. It represents the culmination of a human and sporting adventure, a moment of pride and contemplation before descending to Les Houches, where it all began.

• The Brévent route: one last panoramic balcony
• The final descent to Les Houches
• Landscapes and emotions: a final look back at the journey
• The Tour du Mont Blanc: a complete adventure with Grand Angle

The Brévent route: one last panoramic balcony

This final stage is a major challenge, with a long and demanding climb from Chamonix. The route covers about 17 kilometers with nearly 1500 meters of ascent and 1550 meters of descent. For a gentler version, lifts can be used.

The ascent to Brévent

The trail leaves the center of Chamonix and tackles the slopes of Brévent. It is a sustained and demanding climb through the forest up to Planpraz (2000 m). From there, the path becomes more alpine and rocky, reaching the summit of Brévent at 2525 meters. To ease this final stage, many hikers, including those on our self-guided circuits, opt for the Planpraz or even Brévent cable cars. This allows them to focus on the most spectacular part without the exhaustion of the full ascent.

The summit panorama

Arriving at the summit of Brévent is a true visual shock. An orientation table allows hikers to identify every peak, needle, and glacier stretching from the Aiguille du Tour to Mont Blanc itself. It is the most complete viewpoint on the northern side of the massif, a grand finale for this tour.

The final descent to Les Houches

From the summit of Brévent, a long descent of more than 1500 meters brings hikers back to their starting point. The trail, initially rocky, crosses the Carlaveyron Nature Reserve, where ibex can often be spotted. It then passes near the Bellachat refuge, offering a last pause with Mont Blanc in view. The remainder of the descent winds through the forest, with sometimes steep switchbacks that test the joints one last time before reaching the heights above Les Houches. Returning to the village carries a unique flavor, the taste of accomplishment.

Landscapes and emotions: a final look back at the journey

What makes this stage so special is the retrospective view it offers. From Brévent, one can trace parts of the path taken over the previous days. You can spot the Col de Voza, crossed during the very first stage, and admire the glaciers that seemed so close in Italy and the Swiss valleys you traversed. Memories of the past ten days flood in, a mix of fatigue, pride, and nostalgia. It is the final point of a journey that is much more than a sporting challenge; it is a deep immersion in one of the world’s most beautiful massifs.

Continue exploring the TMB 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

See all TMB stages ➜

The Tour du Mont Blanc: a complete adventure with Grand Angle

Completing the Tour du Mont Blanc is a memorable experience in any hiker’s life. At Grand Angle, we are proud to accompany enthusiasts on this legendary route every year. Whether on our most complete programs such as the 12-day self-guided TMB or shorter options like the 10-day guided circuit, our goal remains the same: to allow you to experience this adventure in complete peace of mind. Our field knowledge and logistics (luggage transport, accommodation bookings) free you from all constraints. You have walked the ten stages of the tour with us, and we hope it inspires you to take the first step. To make your project a reality, contact our experts who will guide you to the program that suits you best.