This stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc is shorter than most, only 8 km (5 miles) or 9 km (5.5 miles), depending on the route taken, and the elevation gain is more modest 733 m (2420 ft). Still, the route is made difficult by the passage delicat, a series of cables, ladders, timber steps, and rungs that take the hiker up a steep rock face.
The rewards are tremendous, however. On Day Eight the TMB crossed above the headwaters of the Arve River and now follows the Grand Balcon Sud, which provides a panoramic view of Mont Blanc. At the top of the ladders, the TMB reaches a cairn on Tete aux Vents, from here to Brevent the views to the south are ever-changing panoramas of the entire north face of the Mont Blanc massif.
Tre-le-Champ to Tete Aux Vents Avoiding the Passage Delicat
For hikers with vertigo or who have doubts about their hardiness on rungs and ladders, an alternative is to follow the road from Tre-le-Champ toward Col des Montets, turning onto the Pedestre du Pays Mont Blanc, which leads through an arboretum. From there follow the signs to La Flegere, branching left until the trail rises to become the Grand Balcon Sud, according to Kev Reynolds’ Tour of Mont Blanc (Cicerone).
The breathtaking vista of endless mountains and the needle-sharp peaks of the Mont Blanc Aiguilles Rouges changes constantly along the Balcon and once on top the TMB here is fairly easy going.
Many Options for Summer Hikers from La Flegere
The view from La Flegere is astounding and from this vantage point a Tour du Mont Blanc trekker can see the whole route just traveled, including the Col de Balme. The Refuge La Flegere has both private rooms and dormitory space. Hikers who still have a bit of energy can either hike or take the cable car up another notch to Lac Blanc and Refuge Lac Blanc, where either refreshments or overnight accommodations are available.
Those who have decided they’ve had enough can bail out at La Flegere and take the cable car down to Chamonix Le Plaz and end their Tour du Mont Blanc. In fact, if the weather is bad and time is short, it’s an easy road walk from Tre-le-Champ to Le Plaz or even Charmonix. Or it’s possible to take the cable car up from Le Plaz to Refuge La Flegere and continue to Les Houches (or Charmonix) along the TMB on Day Ten.
Lyda Phillips - Lyda Phillips is an award-winning journalist, novelist and screenwriter. As a reporter for daily and weekly newspapers and United Press ...
