Whilst every place along the Tour du Mont Blanc is visually stunning, the Val Ferret really does take some beating! Val Ferret is a valley in Italy which runs from Courmayeur to a tiny hamlet called Arnuva. Whilst it’s possible to walk this stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc along the valley bottom, the balcony trail is far more interesting.
On Alpenwild’s Tour du Mont Blanc, we do this hike on the fifth day, after three days of hiking and a well-deserved rest day in Courmayeur. We hike straight from our hotel in Courmayeur to the trail head (stopping via the bakery for fresh bread for our pic nic lunch of course!)
One of the best parts of the Val Ferret balcony trail is that most of the ascent is gained in the first couple of hours, leaving a more leisurely afternoon to enjoy the views. After two hours of hiking up a forest trail, the trees clear and the Bertone Refuge comes into sight. Here you can reward your efforts with a cappuccino on the sun deck.
With most of the hard work done, the afternoon is spent meandering along an undulating trail which affords spectacular views of the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the Grand Jorrasses. On this day of the Tour du Mont Blanc you are walking on the opposite side of the Mont Blanc Massif to Chamonix. Looking back towards Courmayeur, it’s possible to see the Col de la Seigne which divides France and Italy. And looking ahead, the Grand Col Ferret rises up, forming the natural border between Italy and Switzerland.
After a few more hours of hiking you will reach a junction. From here you can descend to the valley floor or continue along the balcony trail. If the weather is good, I like to stay high as the views are better and the trail goes past the cosy Bonatti refuge. I always stop here for another coffee (when in Italy!)
From the Bonatti refuge it’s just a couple more hours hiking to reach the tiny Arnuva hamlet at the end of Val Ferret. On Alpenwild tours we stay in Arnuva overnight in a beautiful rustic family owned hotel. The hotel only has 10 rooms and is nestled into the hill side to keep it safe from avalanches in winter. On a summers day it’s lovely to spend the afternoon sunbathing on the grassy terrace, gazing up at the glacial peaks. With so little light pollution in the valley, it’s worth staying up late as on a clear night, it’s possible to see the milky way.
From Val Ferret, the next stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc is to climb over the Grand Col Ferret and wave goodbye to Italy and hello to Switzerland. More on that in a future post!
Are you planning to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?
If you’re planning to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc this summer and looking for a luxury guided trip – why not check out Alpenwild’s Tour du Mont Blanc?
You may also enjoy some of the other articles I’ve written on the Tour du Mont Blanc:
- Packing list for the Tour du Mont Blanc
- Is a guided Tour du Mont Blanc or self guided Tour du Mont Blanc for you?
- Are you fit enough to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?
- Wildlife on the Tour du Mont Blanc
- The best time of year to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc
If you have any questions about the Tour du Mont Blanc, leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to answer.
An avid climber and environmentalist, Jen’s passion for the mountains and the natural world is contagious. When she’s not guiding, Jennifer spends her free time climbing, skiing, travelling and trying to keep up with her dog on trail runs. Sociable, caring and always smiling, Jen is the perfect guide to keep you laughing and motivated on your journey. She looks forward to meeting you next summer!
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