The Col du Tricot Variant

Travel Tips & Tricks

The Tour du Mont Blanc is an adventure with many facets. Beyond its classic route, it offers variants that allow experienced hikers to immerse themselves more deeply in the Alpine world. The Col du Tricot variant, during the first stage between Les Houches and Les Contamines, is a perfect example. It leaves the gentler Col de Voza path for a more aerial and spectacular crossing. This is a route we at Grand Angle particularly favor for what it offers: an intense and direct first encounter with the massif's majesty. This option transforms a warm-up into a true character stage, with striking panoramas of the Bionnassay Glacier and the Dômes de Miage.

An Alpine Route from Day One
Technical Profile: What to Expect
Highlights of this Variant
Geology and Landscapes: Facing the Bionnassay Glacier
When and For Whom? Our Expert Advice

An Alpine Route from Day One with Col du Tricot

The Col du Tricot variant is an alternative to the classic first-stage route of the TMB. Instead of following the Mont-Blanc Tramway path via Col de Voza, it diverges after the Bellevue cable car to follow a more demanding yet wilder trail. The route crosses the Bionnassay glacial torrent via a Himalayan-style footbridge before climbing to Col du Tricot, then descending to Les Contamines via the Miage and Truc pastures.

What to Expect on Col du Tricot

This variant is intended for hikers in good physical shape. Over approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 miles), it has nearly 1300 meters (4265 feet) of ascent and an equivalent descent. The highest point is Col du Tricot at 2120 meters (6955 feet). The climb is sustained, and the descent, long and sometimes steep, tests the joints. It is a significantly more demanding day than the classic stage, typical of the effort found on our sport hiking treks.

Highlights of this Variant

The Bionnassay Himalayan Footbridge

Shortly after departing Bellevue, the trail descends toward the Bionnassay torrent. Crossing it is done via a long suspension bridge, offering a striking and slightly vertiginous view of the turbulent waters coming from the glacier just upstream. This is an early highlight of the day.

The Panorama from Col du Tricot

The climb to the pass is the main challenge of the day, but the effort is well rewarded. Once at the top, a spectacular panorama opens onto the Dômes de Miage and the Aiguille de Bionnassay. The proximity to the glacier is palpable. It is one of the most beautiful passes of the Tour du Mont Blanc for the view it offers of this icy world.

The Miage and Truc Pastures

The descent leads to the Miage chalets, nestled in a green cirque at the foot of the domes. It is an ideal spot for a contemplative break. The trail then briefly climbs to the Truc chalets, another bucolic pasture, before beginning the final descent through the forest to reach Les Contamines.

Geology and Landscapes: Facing the Bionnassay Glacier

This variant is a direct immersion in a landscape shaped by glaciers. The view of the Bionnassay Glacier, suspended and crevassed, is constant. The glacier's terminus and moraines, accumulations of rocky debris transported by ice, can be observed in detail. The trail runs through the heart of the Mont-Blanc massif, offering a striking contrast between dark rock, bluish ice, and the intense green of the pastures.

When and For Whom? Our Expert Advice

We recommend this variant for hikers who are not afraid of elevation gain and who are accustomed to mountain trails. It should only be attempted in good weather with perfect visibility. Early in the season (late June, early July), snowfields may persist on the climb or descent of the pass, making the passage more delicate. Consult our article on when to do the Tour du Mont Blanc. This option is ideal for those completing the trek over a longer duration, such as our 12-day self-guided TMB, which allows time to enjoy these more demanding routes. For any questions on stage difficulty, contact our advisors to benefit from our on-the-ground expertise.