Tucked into the southern flank of the Mont Blanc range, the Val Montjoie is a valley that quietly stays under most hikers’ radar. This five-day trek follows steady mountain paths close to glaciers, past clear alpine lakes, and across open slopes where chamois and ibexes are often spotted. All this, far from the bustle of the better-known routes. As a highlight, we’ll summit Mont Joly (2525 m), one of the region’s most iconic peaks. Designed especially for beginners eager to take on their first long-distance hike, this tour offers an accessible yet unforgettable introduction to alpine trekking.
The Tour du Val Montjoie begins in Les Contamines-Montjoie, a charming mountain village framed by towering glaciers. From here, our goal for the day is the Refuge de Tré la Tête, a welcoming hut where hikers and alpinists cross paths. We’ll pause at the small but picturesque Lac d’Armancette, after which we continue into the wild Vallon d’Amancette, beneath the glacier of the same name. As we rise above the treeline, the landscape opens up and we make a gentle final ascent to the refuge.
Day two of the tour is an easier one, with several options depending on the group’s energy. We begin by descending a beautiful yet slightly technical trail to Nant Borrant, where we’ll likely pause by the river. From there, we hike up to the Refuge de Prés: a new, comfortable hut with all the modern amenities. Once settled in, you can relax on the sunny terrace, or, if you’re up for a bit more adventure, take a short hike to a nearby pass before returning to the refuge.
After a restful night, we head toward one of the true hidden gems of the Val Montjoie: the Lacs Jovet. Their striking colours are guaranteed to leave you speechless, and you may find yourself taking dozens of photos. After a relaxing break by the lakes, we retrace our steps, climb over the Col de la Fenêtre, and continue to our hut for the night: the Refuge de Roselette, nestled just beneath the Aiguille de Roselette. If time allows, we may even hike up to this charming little summit for an extra dose of views.
Day four is ridge day: a stage you probably won’t forget soon. We follow a long, elegant ridge line from the Aiguille Croche all the way to the iconic Mont Joly (2525 m). The views along the way are nothing short of spectacular: a full 360° panorama over the Mont Blanc massif, the Fiz, the Aravis, the Beaufortain, and, far below, Les Contamines – the village we’ll return to the following day.
The final day is an easier one, mostly downhill, yet still offering beautiful views of the Dômes de Miage right in front of us. As we’ll likely reach Les Contamines early in the afternoon, it will be the perfect moment to celebrate the end of the tour with a drink together. Bravo, you’ve completed your first multi-day hike!
Practical information
When
This hike will take place from the 31st of July to the 4th of August 2026.
Please note: these are the hiking days. To ensure you arrive on time and have enough time to travel home, we recommend adding an extra day before and after the trip for travel.
Price
The price for this trek is €890,00.
This includes:
-> Professional guidance by a mountain leader
-> 4 overnight stays in mountain huts
-> Tourist tax
-> 4 breakfast meals in the huts
-> 4 dinners in the huts
-> 4 picnic lunches
-> Informational booklet with extensive information about the trail to be fully prepared for this adventure
…and does not include:
-> Transportation to and from the start and end point
-> Snacks for the trail
-> Overnight stays at the start and end points
-> Travel insurance (including repatriation)
-> Personal expenses
-> Lunch for day 1
Accommodation
During the trek, we’ll spend our nights in cosy mountain huts along the way. These are small, welcoming refuges with shared dorms: usually one big room where about 20 hikers bunk down together. No need to bring a full sleeping bag: mattresses, blankets and pillows are provided. But to keep things clean and comfy for everyone, it’s mandatory to bring a sleeping bag liner and a pillowcase (a clean T-shirt works too in a pinch).
And: no stress about bookings, we’ve already reserved all the huts, so your bed in the mountains is waiting for you!
Transport
Transportation to and from the start and end point is not included in the price. You can drive to Les Contamines by car, take a bus there, or meet up with us at Plan B in Saint-Gervais, where we’ll be leaving to the starting point of the trail!
Food along the way
No need to stress about meals — the mountain huts we’ll stay at take care of everything. Each one provides a hearty dinner, a solid breakfast, and even a packed lunch (pique-nique) for the next day’s hike.
The only things you’ll need to bring yourself are snacks for the full trek (since we won’t pass any shops or resupply points) and your lunch for day one. That’s it! Everything else is sorted, so you can just focus on walking, eating, and enjoying the mountain magic.
FAQ
This tour is designed for beginner hikers with a moderate level of fitness.
The days are short in both distance and elevation gain, but you should have some prior experience with day hikes, ideally in mountain terrain. We keep an easy, steady pace with plenty of regular breaks.
The loop starts and ends in Les Contamines-Montjoie, a charming mountain village in the Mont Blanc valley. There’s free parking and a bus stop for local buses running through Saint-Gervais.
Aha, gear! Probably the most important thing when you head out in the mountains. Here’s a list of the things you’ll need:
Clothes
-Hiking shoes (boots or trail runners, depending on your preference)
-Cap*
-Warm hat
-Category 3 sunglasses
-Breathable long/short-sleeved T-shirts
-Fleece and/or down jacket
-Waterproof jacket
-Hiking trousers/leggings and/or hiking shorts
-Waterproof trousers
-Pair of (light) gloves
-Hiking socks (+liner socks*)
-Flip flops (for in the huts)
-Spare clothes as per your preference*
Food
-2L water bottle
-Pocketknife*
-Snacks for each day (not available in mountain huts)
-Lunch for day 1
General gear
-Pack (40-50L) + rain cover
-Hiking poles
-Headlamp
-Sunscreen and lip balm
-Sleeping bag liner + kussensloop
-Toiletry kit, towel, earplugs*, toilet paper
-Minimal personal pharmacy: blister plasters, medications for common ailments such as diarrhea, constipation, sore throat, headaches, pain, allergies
-ID, money for personal expenses
Items indicated with a ‘*’ are optional, take them if you prefer taking these!
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the Montjoie valley.
If you have a severe fear of heights, this tour may not be ideal, as parts of the route follow exposed mountain paths. These sections are not very technical, but they are high in the terrain. Hikers with a mild or moderate fear of heights generally manage them without any problem.
The mountain huts provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, you’ll need to bring your own snacks for the trail and lunch for the first day.
Our tour will be led by Thomas Debray, a mountain leader from Saint-Gervais, France. He’ll guide us safely, share fascinating facts about the flora and fauna, and ensure an enjoyable experience for all. I (Floor Denil) will also join. While I’m not a certified guide, I’ve gained plenty of mountain experience throughout the years and will share some hiking tips along the way.
There’s no luggage transport available for this tour, so you’ll need to carry all your personal gear yourself.
This is a group hike: we’ll stick together as a team, leaving and arriving at the huts as one.