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Les Houches to Les Contamines via Refuge de Miage

· 3 reviews · Hiking route · Rhône-Alpes

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Macs Adventure

Photo: Minna Harshbarger, Macs Adventure

Stuart Wilson
on the October 27, 2019

Stuart uploaded 3 images.

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The Tour du Mont Blanc begins with a steep climb from Les Houches out of the Chamonix Valley to Bellevue at 1801m.

difficult

Distance 18.1 km

7:26 h

1,440 m

1,262 m

2,111 m

995 m

The journey on the Bellevue telepherique is to be recommended, otherwise the day is quite a tough first day of walking.

There are two options for today's walk, this is the tougher option which is dominated by the Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnasay as you pass just beneath the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay. After passing the idyllic Chalet de Miage you descend to Les Contamines.

For the easier option via Bionnassay, please see seperate route named ' Les Houches to Les Contamines via Bionnassay'.

Author’s recommendation

This is your first day on the trail, take it easy and don't over-exert yourself. We highly recommend taking the Bellevue telepherique , this reduces the climb out of Les Houches by 800m.

Author

Anna Wren

Update: July 25, 2018

Difficulty

difficult

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

2,111 m

Lowest point

995 m

Track types

Asphalt

1.5 km

Dirt road

1.2 km

Forested/wild trail

1.9 km

Path

2.3 km

Road

1.1 km

Unknown

10.1 km

Show elevation profile

Safety information

Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains - always be prepared and carry appropriate clothing; warm as well as waterproof layers, hat and gloves etc. Please see your information pack for a detailed packing list.

Tips and hints

The walk is used on the following itineraries:

WFSTMBH1, WFSTMBC1, WFSTMBC2, WFSTMBCC, WFSTMBCH, WFSTMBHC, WFSTMBR1, WFSTMBR2

Start

Les Houches (1,003 m)

Coordinates:

45.892393, 6.799900

DMS

45°53'32.6"N 6°47'59.6"E

UTM

32T 329312 5084445

w3w

///groom.riser.stopgap

Destination

Les Contamines

Turn-by-turn directions

These maps and routes are designed to be used in conjunction with the TMB guidebook and IGN maps.

TMB Variant: Les Houches - Refuge de Miage – Les Contamines

Distance : 18 km

Duration: 7.5 hrs

Ascent / Descent: 1478m / 1318m

Map: IGN 3531 ET ST-GERVAIS

Guidebook: Page 43: Les Houches – Refuge de Miage – Les Contamines

Transport: Optional Bellevue Telepherique from Les Houches to Bellevue.

Optional Bellevue Telepherique from Les Houches to Bellevue.

This cable car reduces the climb out of Les Houches by 800m and is to be recommended.

The lift operates daily between approx. the 10th of June and the 24th of September. Check the link below for specific timetables.

http://www.chamonix.com/telepherique-de-bellevue,231,fr.html

Note: When you leave the top station go down the hill, across the tramlines and turn left to join the variant to Col de Tricot.

Note: This is a very demanding option, especially if not taking the cable car.

Note

all notes on protected areas

Coordinates

45.892393, 6.799900

DMS

45°53'32.6"N 6°47'59.6"E

UTM

32T 329312 5084445

w3w

///groom.riser.stopgap

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

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Rating

5.0

(3)

Sam Fromartz

July 21, 2019 · Community

Well, we did not follow the advice to take the moderate route and instead opted for this one. Even with the tram it is an arduous hike and would only be advisable if you’re in good shape and have trained for this. The ascent to Col de Tricot is pretty intense, the first 45 mins or so like walking up very big steps. Then the grade moderates but you still have another hour or so of serious uphill. The pass at Tricot was gorgeous but then you the decent to refuge do mirage, which is also intense. If your glutes and hamstrings got a workout on the ascent, your quads and knees will get pounded going down for an 1.25 hours. But then we had a lovely lunch at the Refuge (we brought food but they were serving lovely lunches). From there one more steep uphill for about 45 minutes to Le Truc. Then another 1.5 hours downhill on road and trail into Contamines. We were beat by the end — all told 6 hours of walking, most of it steep up and down. But what a stupendous hike. Absolutely gorgeous.

Comment

Kevin Sorenson

August 05, 2018 · Community

An excellent first day, sun was HOT, but the Refuge de Miage was a great break in the day for lunch and a cold beverage.

Comment

Richard Lander

July 10, 2018 · Community

Great walk and fab weather

Comment

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Reviews

Difficulty

difficult

Distance

18.1 km

Duration

7:26 h

Ascent

1,440 m

Descent

1,262 m

Highest point

2,111 m

Lowest point

995 m

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