TMB Stage 8: Guide from Champex to Trient

Introduction

Today marked Stage 8 of our TMB out of our 11-day journey on the TMB, where we hiked from Champex to Trient. We had originally planned to tackle the renowned Fenêtre d’Arpette route, but with uncooperative weather and rain pouring down since yesterday afternoon, we opted for the safer, regular trail instead.

The day’s hike led us through charming little villages before transitioning into a forested path with rolling uphill and downhill sections from Champex to Trient. While the views from the top might have been rewarding on a clear day, they were fleeting in today’s gloomy weather.

If you’re considering the TMB stage 8 from Champex to Trient, know that the trail offers a peaceful atmosphere and passes through some picturesque spots, but the highlight of this stage is often weather-dependent. Sometimes, it’s okay to adjust your plans and save your energy for the breathtaking sections that lie ahead!

By the way, we made a complete Google Map of the Tour du Mont Blanc with all the information you need.

Stage 8 Hiking Stats:

• Distance: 17,1 km
• Highest point: 2,053m
• Lowest point: 1,282m
• Elevation gain: 1,372m
• Elevation loss: -1,562m

Read: The Ultimate 11-Day Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking Guide

TMB stage 8: Champex to Trient

Leaving Champex

We woke up around 6 a.m. wow, what a noisy night with the trains passing by. Sleep was not the highlight. The rain was still pouring, and the fog was so thick you couldn’t see much of anything.

We unpitched the tent and tried to let it dry a bit before heading for breakfast. Turns out, we were the first ones awake today, which made sense because the weather wasn’t exactly inviting.

Soon, other hikers showed up, and we all started chatting about what to do next. Should we keep going? Should we stop? Everyone was weighing their options.

The forecast said three more days of rain meant only the last day of the hike would be nice. The Germans at the campsite were thinking about heading to Chamonix to wait it out, while others were leaning toward quitting the TMB.

We didn’t have a clue what to do either, but by 8 a.m., we packed up the tent anyway. By 8:30 a.m., we were back on the trail, trudging through the rain and hoping for the best. Sometimes you just gotta keep moving, even if you’re not sure what’s ahead.

Tip: We used this MSR tent — super reliable, easy to set up, and held up perfectly in all weather conditions.

Champex to the first valley

We headed out of Champex-Lac, walking through a bit of forest before passing by some small villages. At that point, our jackets were still holding up, keeping us mostly dry. It wasn’t exactly fun, but it was manageable.

Tip: We hike with Osprey backpacks and can’t recommend them enough — the Talon 44 and Tempest 40 are comfortable, durable, and great for any adventure.

Uphill

Then the trail led us deeper into the forest, and it stayed that way all the way to the top of the hill. The uphill climb was definitely a challenge—not the hardest we’ve done, but it felt way tougher with the constant rain. At some point, our jackets just gave up, and we ended up completely soaked. It wasn’t exactly the most enjoyable stretch, but we kept going.

Tip: Make sure to pack quality waterproof jackets — one for him and one for her — they’ll make all the difference on rainy days.

Summit

When we finally made it to the top, we could only guess how amazing the view might have been on a clear day. It would’ve been such a great reward after the climb, but all we got was a thick layer of clouds and fog. Not much to admire, so we just kept moving. We passed a small restaurant up there but didn’t stop and carried on down the trail.

Tip: We use Black Diamond walking poles for Men and Women — sturdy, lightweight, and perfect for both easy trails and tougher hikes.

Downhill to Trient

Then it was just straight downhill through the forest—nothing too exciting to talk about. We basically rushed down like maniacs, trying to get it over with. Part of the trail was completely flooded, and by then, even our hiking boots gave in and filled with water.

We finally made it to Col de Forclaz at 12:20 p.m., and thank goodness because we were absolutely freezing!

Tip: We use Black Diamond walking poles for Men and Women — sturdy, lightweight, and perfect for both easy trails and tougher hikes.

Col de Forclaz to Trient

There was still about 30–40 minutes left to hike to Trient, but as we were checking things out, a bus pulled up. Without much thought, we hopped on, and in just 5 minutes (for 7.2 CHF total), we were in Trient.

On the bus, we met three hikers who had also started from Champex but had taken public transportation the whole way to Trient. They were planning to hike a bit further to the next refuge but said they’d probably stop if the weather didn’t improve. Seemed like everyone was trying to figure out how to deal with this endless rain!

Check our Google Map of the Tour du Mont Blanc

Stop of the TMB

We originally planned to camp near Refuge Le Peuty, but with the weather as it was, we decided to switch to staying in a refuge. So, we headed to Refuge de la Grande Ourse. When we arrived, the cleaning team was the only one there, but they called the boss, who showed up a little later.

We chatted with him, and he told us he still had rooms available. However, when we mentioned that we were thinking about stopping the TMB because of the weather or heading back to Chamonix, he advised us to stay in Chamonix instead of here.

He explained how to get there, but mentioned that we’d just missed the bus to the train station. He suggested hitchhiking, but seeing how drenched we were, he kindly offered to drive us himself. Honestly, he was incredibly friendly and helpful.

During the ride, we chatted a bit, and he told us it had been a rough year for the TMB, with only about 20% of the usual number of hikers. It really put into perspective how much the weather and other factors can impact the trail experience.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Return to Chamonix

We ended up at the train station in Chatelar Frontière, where we took a moment to change into dry clothes, grab tickets for Viaduc Sainte Marie (the TMB parking in Les Houches), and wait in the small waiting room. Luckily, the station had clean toilets, which was a nice little bonus.

The train tickets cost 15.4 CHF per person. We caught the 1:58 p.m. Mont Blanc Express train to Vallorcine, where we switched to another train heading to Saint-Gervais. Even though you switch trains at the border, it’s all covered under the same ticket, so it was an easy process.

We arrived at the station near the parking lot about an hour later, and after another 10 minutes of walking, we were back at our car. And with that, our TMB adventure ended—for now. We’ve decided to come back in June next year to finish the trail. Until then, TMB!

We will have to finish our TMB another time.

Read: The Ultimate 11-Day Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking Guide