Introduction: Escape the TMB
There could be many reasons why you would want to stop the Tour du Mont Blanc (Escape the TMB).
Maybe you injure yourself during the trek or get another problem back home that can’t wait, and you are force to stop the TMB.
Another reason could be the weather. We have been on the TMB during beautiful sunny weather as well as rainy day. And when you are looking at 3 days without break from the rain, it could be a great decision to stop the TMB. As with rain comes fog and you basically cannot see a thing anymore.
We will review stage by stage how to get back to Chamonix.
Table of Contents
Be Aware: Escape the TMB
Depending on when you are hiking the TMB, you will have more or less options. During the high season, normally all of them are available. But low season could be trickier. You will need to check before you go on the latest timeline for all alternatives.
Get our full map
Get our complete map of the TMB for yourself to use online, offline with all trails, routes, water points, camping spots, refuges and so on….
Escape the TMB
Stage 1: Les Houches – Les Contaminés
From les Contamines, there is a simple way to stop the TMB. You can simply ride on the BUS 84 to Saint Gervais and from there hop on the Mont Blanc Express Train to Les Houches or Chamonix.
Stage 2: Les Contaminés – Les Chapieux
Once on the Stage 2, one way to stop the TMB, is to walk back to les Contamines. And then follow the way to escape the Stage 1.
The other one is from Les Chapieux, take the bus to Les Mottets, follow the TMB route to Cabane du combal and then exist the TMB route to Val Veny valley to take the bus to Courmayeur. From Courmayeur you can take the bus to Chamonix. (Same idea as Stage 3)
Stage 3: Les Chapieux – Rifugio Elisabetta
One hour after Rifugio Elisabetta is Cabane du Combal, exist the TMB here and follow the road that goes in Val Veny valley to take the Bus to Courmayeur from La Visaille. Then follow the Stage 4.
Stage 4: Rifugio Elisabetta - Courmayeur
From Courmayeur, you can take the SAVDA bus to Chamonix via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. From there you can ride on the Chamonix bus back to your car or to the city.
Stage 5: Courmayeur - Rifugio Bonatti
From Rifugio Bonatti or even along the stage 5 you could take the trail down to Val ferret Valley. From there, ride on the bus to Courmayeur and then take the SAVDA bus to Chamonix.
Stage 6: Rifugio Bonatti – La Fouly
If you still are in the Italian part (before Grand Col Ferret) you can hike back down to Val Ferret valley and take the bis from Arp Nouvaz to Courmayeur, then follow the Stage 4 escape plan.
If you passed the border, then you will have to follow the TMB trail to Ferret (before la Fouly) and take the bus 272 to Orsières. Then follow the escape route from stage 7.
Stage 7: La Fouly – Champex
From Champex, you can take the bus 271 to Orsières. From there you can ride on the train to Martigny and change there to the Mont Blanc Express that goes to Chamonix.
Stage 8: Champex – Trient
From Trient, you can take the bus 213 to Châtelard VS, Frontière. From there you can simply connect to the Mont Blanc Express. If the bus is not available, Hitchhiking is common there.
Stage 9: Trient - Tre-le-Champ
From Tré-le-champ, you can walk to the Mont Blanc Express station called Montroc-le-Planet to ride the train until Chamonix.
Stage 10: Tré-le-Champ – La Flégère
From La Flégère, you can take the cable cars down to Chamonix and then hop on a local city bus.
Get our full map
Get our complete map of the TMB for yourself to use online, offline with all trails, routes, water points, camping spots, refuges and so on….
“The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
