TMB Stage 9: Guide from Trient to Tre-le-champs

Introduction

Welcome back to our Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) series! In this collection of posts, we’re guiding you through one of the world’s most iconic long-distance hikes. Along the way, we’ll share stunning landscapes, rewarding challenges, and the unmatched beauty of the Alps.

In this post, we’ll take on the TMB Stage 9, hiking the official route from Trient to Tré-le-Champ. This stage crosses the border into France at Col de Balme, marking the end of our least favorite section of the trail and the start of a more scenic path over the next few stages.

We hiked this section in mid-July, and the weather was perfect, with clear skies and ideal temperatures for hiking.

Get our complete map of the Tour du Mont Blanc for yourself to get all trails, routes, water points, camping spots, refuges, and so on….

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

Statistics

Today the statistics are as follow:

• Total distance: 13.6km
• Elevation gain: 1231 m
• Elevation Loss: -1116m
• Highest elevation: 2208m
• Lowest elevation: 1283m

If we look by section of the stage, we have approximately:

• Trient to Col de Balme 5.92km, +983, -68.9m
• Col de Balme to Possettes: 3.7km, +221m, -247m
• Possettes to Tre-le-champs : 4.02km, +27.7m, -804m

Tip: Always travel with a filtered water bottle — it saves money, reduces plastic waste, and keeps you hydrated wherever you go.

TMB Stage 9 Trient to Tre-le-champs – Step by Step

Leaving Trient

It’s time to begin Stage 9 of the TMB! As you leave the charming town of Trient behind, the trail starts with a steady uphill climb. The first part of the hike takes you through a forest, but this section won’t last long.

Follow the signs to Col de Balme, which will lead you toward the border between Switzerland and France. If you need to refill your water, be sure to do so in Trient, where you’ll find a few water points before you begin the ascent.

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

Col de Balme

After leaving the forest trail, it takes about 30 minutes to reach Col de Balme, where the scenery becomes truly stunning. At the Col, you’ll find a small mountain hut, perfect for refilling your water, using the restroom, or grabbing a bite to eat.

Make sure to fill up your water bottles here, as there won’t be another water point until the end of the hike. We took a well-deserved break to relax, take in the incredible views, and recharge for the rest of the journey.

Check our Google Map of the Tour du Mont Blanc

Col des Posettes

Next, head towards Col des Posettes. From the intersection just before Col de Balme, follow the signs for Col de Posettes for about 25 minutes. This section includes a short downhill before a steady uphill climb.

Along the way, we couldn’t help but stop and take in the stunning views, so we took a small break to enjoy the scenery. Continuing on, you’ll eventually reach Aiguilettes des Posettes, offering even more breathtaking vistas.

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.

Tre-le-Champs

After reaching Aiguilettes des Posettes, it will be time to begin the descent to Tre-le-Champs. While the views remain stunning at the higher altitudes, this part of the trail is often our least favorite.

The descent becomes steeper as you approach the forested lower section of the mountain, where the scenery starts to change. However, the journey down still offers beautiful landscapes, and it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the peaceful surroundings before reaching your destination.

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

Auberge de la Boerne

We had reserved a camping spot and dinner at this small campsite next to a mountain hut. in Tre-le-Champs There’s a fountain with fresh water, which is a nice perk.

The campsite is cozy but can get packed by the end of the day. The hut has shared facilities, including one WC and three showers. You can imagine that the WC can get busy, and there may be a bit of a wait. However, the hot water is available 24/7, which is a great convenience.

Dinner was served in courses: starting with a salad, followed by meat with sauce and rice (a veggie pie for the vegetarian option). Unfortunately, they forgot our vegetarian meal, even though we confirmed it upon arrival. Afterward, we had cheese (brie and tome) and finished with apple compote for dessert.

The best part of dinner was meeting a Polish girl hiking the TMB and a French father and daughter who were also on a multi-day hike.

The camping cost €8 per person, and the meal was €17 per person.Overall, the night was quiet, and everything went smoothly. While we recommend the campsite, we can’t say the same for the dinner.

And that was the end of our TMB Stage 9 from Trient to Tre-le-Champs.

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