The Tour des Combins – a 9-day international alpine trek Explore the epic Tour des Combins: an unforgettable alpine adventure that will plunge you into the heart of one of the most emblematic mountain ranges in the Alps! Much more than just a hike, this is an immersive experience that will take you through breathtaking landscapes, picturesque villages and majestic peaks!
Discover the majesty of the Grand-Combin: hike along ancient paths offering 360-degree views of the snow-capped peaks of the Grand-Combin, one of the highest mountains in Western Europe.
Experience the authenticity of mountain villages: meet friendly mountain communities and discover the local culture as you pass through unspoilt villages. Charming inns and restaurants will welcome you for well-deserved breaks, allowing you to sample the region’s culinary delights.
Challenge your limits: A little more demanding than its famous neighbour the Tour du Mont-Blanc, the Tour des Combins is a great physical and mental challenge. Cross Alpine passes, cross crystal-clear rivers and feel the adrenalin rush as you reach new summits.
An unforgettable journey: The Tour des Combins will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Photograph exceptional panoramas and experience an adventure that will stay with you long after you’ve left these majestic peaks.
Get ready to experience the very essence of the Alps. Book now for an unrivalled experience on the Tour des Combins, where adventure meets natural splendour.
Itinerary
Best period to go there
Prestations
Directions
From Bourg-Saint-Pierre, head north towards Boveire and then to the Coeur alpine pasture before reaching the Mille hut, the first stage of this trek. The second.
After passing the Col de Mille, the TDC trail gradually heads northeast to reach Treutse, at 2092 m, after about 1 hour. Heading east, the path through blueberry bushes and Swiss stone pines leads us to the Brunet Hut.
Continuing southeast, the trail takes us to the Sery footbridge spanning a narrow gorge, and, without major difficulties, we reach the location called “la Maye”. A steep zigzag ascent takes us to the long footbridge, nearly 200 meters long, spanning the waters and the Corbassière Glacier. Then, in just under an hour on an easy trail, we arrive at the François Xavier-Bagnoud Hut in Panossière.
After skirting the moraine on the right bank of the Corbassière Glacier, we begin a short but steep ascent to the Col des Otanes, at 2870m, the highest point of the TDC. An hour of descent brings us to Tseumette before reaching Mauvoisin.
By road, we access the top of the dam and cross it to reach the right bank of the lake. Continuing through a series of galleries, passing by waterfalls, then a good trail leads to the Ecuries du Giétro, buildings classified as “historical monuments”. Crossing the picturesque Tsofeirë plateau to reach the Tsofeirë pass and finally descending to the Chanrion Hut.
From the Chanrion Hut, a comfortable trail leads us to the Fenêtre pass (Fenêtre de Durand). From the Fenêtre de Durand, the well-marked trail first crosses a scree slope before finally reaching the pastures of Thoules. Here begins the agricultural road leading to the Balme alpine pasture and then into the Conca di By. From there, the trail ascends and joins 150 meters higher up the Ru de By, which we follow to Néan. Here we leave the Ru de By to ascend to the Tsa de Champillon, from where we reach the Letey Hut.
From the Letey Hut to Champillon, the fairly steep trail leads to the Champillon pass. We then take the descent towards the Menouve valley, up to Pointier mountain, then the trail leading to the Combe Germain alpine pasture and then onto the Ru d’Eternod, which we follow westward through a beautiful larch forest to reach the Barasson mountain. From here, a trail reaches the forest road descending to Saint-Rhémy.
From Saint-Rhémy, we reach the main village of Saint-Léonard, which we traverse until the church before continuing west and passing under the international road. We continue westward, passing under the covered road towards the Crévacol ski area. The path then ascends into the Comba de Merdeux to reach the Pier Giorgio Frassati refuge, passing through several alpine pastures.
From the Frassati refuge, we head northeast to reach the Ceingles pass at 2817m before descending into the Thoules valley and then briefly ascending to reach the Saint-Rhémy pass at 2563m. After a few switchbacks downhill, the path reaches Praz de Farcoz and the Grand-Saint-Bernard road above Fonteinte, finally reaching the Grand-Saint-Bernard pass, its hospice, and its famous dogs!
We start this stage by going back on the Italian side to the Baou alpine pasture, downhill, before ascending to the border to reach the Ferret pass and then on a pleasant path to the Fenêtre lakes. The trail continues downhill to the Plan de la Chaux alpine pasture and then a stone-paved road continues to descend. The path now leads to La Fouly. The last village in the Val Ferret is at 1600 meters above sea level. The hike ends surrounded by typical Valaisan chalets and the imposing peaks of Mont Dolent, Tour Noir, and Aiguille d’Argentière.
The morning hike leads to the Basset pass… almost 1200 meters of elevation gain (or 400 meters less with the chairlift)! Chamois, ibexes, and marmots make us forget the effort, and the panorama marvels us… From there, a beautiful descent awaits us to the Tsissette Hut.
From the Tsissette Hut, we continue north to leave the Combe de l’A and reach the village of Drance on the banks of the Dranse River before ascending to Liddes, the main village of the eponymous commune. The path then heads south into the Grand-Saint-Bernard valley, gradually ascending to Bourg-Saint-Pierre.
Getting there
Possible starting points: Mauvoisin Dam, Bourg-St-Pierre, or Saint-Rhémy en Bosses.
Exit the highway at Martigny or Aosta.
For Mauvoisin, follow the Grand-Saint-Bernard then turn left at Sembrancher and continue to the bottom of the Val de Bagnes.
For Bourg-St-Pierre, follow the Grand-Saint-Bernard from Martigny to the village.
For Saint-Rhémy en Bosses, follow the Grand-Saint-Bernard from Aosta to the village.
Parking gratuit à Mauvoisin, Bourg-St-Pierre ou Saint-Rhémy en Bosses
Possible starting points: Mauvoisin Dam, Bourg-St-Pierre, or Saint-Rhémy en Bosses.
Take the train to Martigny, then to Le Châble, and the bus to Mauvoisin.
For Bourg-St-Pierre, take the train to Orsières, then the bus to Bourg-St-Pierre.
For Saint-Rhémy en Bosses, take the train to Aosta, then the bus to Saint-Rhémy en Bosses.
Check the schedules at www.cff.ch