Introduction

Welcome back to our Tour du Mont Blanc series! In this series of posts, we’re taking you step by step through one of the most iconic long-distance trails in the world. Our journey is filled with breathtaking landscapes, rewarding challenges, and the pure beauty of the Alps.

In this post, we’ll cover day 4, where we hike the official TMB Stage 4 route from Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur. However, we’ve decided to take a small detour from the regular trail to visit the beautiful Cabane du Combal and the stunning Miage Lake.

We hiked the TMB Stage 4 from Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur at the end of June, a perfect time when the trail is alive with summer blooms and the weather is ideal for hiking.

TMB Stage 4 Hiking Tips and At a Glance

Stage 4 Hiking Stats: (Official)

• Distance: 15 km
• Highest point: 2,424m
• Lowest point: 1,176m
• Elevation gain: 648m
• Elevation loss: -1,625

If you are looking for another stage or a complete guide, you may want to check:

• TMB Stage 1: Guide from Les Houches to Les Contamines
• TMB Stage 2: Guide from Les Contamines to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
• TMB Stage 3: Guide from Croix du bonhomme to Rifugio Elisabetta
• TMB Stage 5: Guide from Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti
• TMB Stage 6: Guide from Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly
• TMB Stage 7: Guide from La Fouly to Champex
• TMB Stage 8: Guide from Champex to Trient
• TMB Stage 9: Guide from Trient to Tre-le-champs
• TMB Stage 10: Guide from Tre-le-champs to Flégère
• TMB Stage 11: Guide from La Flégère to Les Houches
• Half TMB Guide: Hike the Best of Tour du Mont Blanc
• Hiking Tour du Mont Blanc: The Complete 11-Day Guide
• 15 Proven ways to shortcut the TMB
• 10 Easy Ways to Stop the TMB
• 12 best Tour du Mont Blanc tips
• The Best Tour du Mont Blanc Packing List

Step by Step from Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur

Rifugio Elisabetta to the intersection

We woke up around 6:30 AM to pack our things and head down for breakfast at 7:00 AM. The breakfast was simple but satisfying. By 8:00 AM, we were ready to leave Rifugio Elisabetta and set off on the trail. About an hour later, we reached the junction where we could choose between the official route to Veille Arps Supérieur, the detour to Cabane du Combal and Miage Lake, or a path leading down the Val Veny valley.

The first part of the trail was a slow downhill stretch, which then leveled out into a pleasant, flat route. It was a great warm-up, offering easy walking with stunning views to start the day.

Cabane du Combal and Miage Lake

We veered off the official route and made our way towards the Cabane du Combal, where we dropped off our bags before continuing on to Miage Lake. The lake, formed by the melting ice of the Miage glacier, was just a 25-minute walk away.

From the refuge, it’s a short uphill hike to reach the viewpoint, taking about 10 minutes. Afterward, we continued for another 15 minutes to reach the stunning lake. We took our time enjoying the scenery before heading back to the refuge. On our return, we refilled our water bottles; just ask the staff there to refill from the tap.

Intersection to Vieille Arps Supérieur

By 10 a.m., we were back at the intersection and ready to continue on the official trail. From here, the path begins to climb steadily uphill. Along the way, we passed some beautiful ruins that offered an incredible view of the Val Veny valley.

The ascent wasn’t too steep and was gradual, making it manageable. We took several breaks to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, and at one point, we were treated to a stunning sight: four glaciers visible at once. The views were truly a highlight of the day!

Vieille Arps Supérieur to the cable car station

As we continued, the trail gradually descended toward Rifugio Maison Vieille. The atmosphere shifted as we entered a more touristic area, and we began to encounter more hikers, including families enjoying the scenery.

Up until this point, we had mostly been alone on the trail, but now we were surrounded by more visitors enjoying the amazing landscape. It was a reminder of how accessible and popular this part of the TMB route can be.

Descent to Courmayeur

This section of the trail was probably one of our least favorite. For about 1.5 to 2 hours, we descended steeply, mostly through the forest with little to admire along the way. The descent takes you from 1686m to 1210m in less than 2-3 kilometers, which can feel quite challenging on the knees.

In high season, if you’re looking to save time or energy, you can skip this section by taking the cable car. This offers a quicker and more scenic route down, though we opted to stick with the traditional trail for the full experience.

Hotel Stella del Nord

After a long day of hiking on the TMB Stage 4 from Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur, we had originally planned to stay at Camping Grande Jorasses, but the weather took a turn for the worse, with rain pouring. Feeling tired and not wanting to set up camp in the rain, we decided to head to a hotel for the night instead.

Before going, we checked the bus schedule just in case we needed to adjust our plans. Once we arrived at the Stella Del Nord Hotel, we found it listed on Booking.com, but decided to inquire directly at the reception desk. The price was the same as on the platform (with the Genius discount), plus a small local fee of 1€ per person.

The hotel had a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, beautifully decorated with a comfortable room that included a double bed, a little desk, a wardrobe, TV, mirrors, and a bathroom complete with towels and soap.

As a lovely touch, we were greeted with complimentary tea and cookies. Breakfast was included, and when we requested it a bit earlier at 7:00 am instead of the standard 7:30 am, they happily accommodated us. The service was warm and friendly, making it a perfect place to rest after a day of adventure.