WT18 catalog single pgs

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One of the “Great Hikes of the World” is
the walk that encircles Mont Blanc from
France to Italy to Switzerland. We’ve
honed this hiker’s classic to perfection
with impeccably designed days that bring
you to epic glaciers,
across wildflower-
carpeted meadows, and
into mountain hamlets
as we hike in to discover
each valley’s cultural
delights. Overnights are
in cozy mountain hotels
and hikers’ inns, and
our team of Trip Leaders (up to three
on each trip) brings esprit de corps to
the adventure.
Days 1-2 Chamonix / Col de Tricot The
charming alpine town of Chamonix sits
right at the foot of glacier-clad Mont Blanc
(15,770'), western Europe’s highest mountain.
One of our warm-up hikes brings us up to
the Col de Tricot (7,000') for panoramic
views of the snow-covered Dômes de
Miage, one of the most spectacular ridges
on the Mont Blanc massif.
Days 3-4 Into Italy / Col de la Croix-
du-Bonhomme From the lovely chapel of
Notre Dame de la Gorge, an ancient
pilgrimage site, we hike through gentle
glades and forests and up through the
superb gorge called the Nant Borrant as we
make our way to the top of the Col de la
Croix-du-Bonhomme. The next day, crossing
into the Aosta region of Italy on foot,
we enjoy fantastic vistas of Mont Blanc’s
11,000-foot-high southern face. On
ON FOOT FROM FRANCE TO ITALY TO SWITZERLAND
one festive evening, we may find ourselves
passing the traditional grolla (a bowl of
espresso and grappa, flambé!) to toast our
day’s adventures.
Days 5-6 Into Switzerland / Champex /
Trient Glacier / Col de la Forclaz Crossing
into Switzerland on foot, we traverse the Val
Ferret, with its flower-filled meadows and
charming chalets. From lakeside Champex,
our hikes take us along the edge of the
magnificent Trient Glacier to Col de la Forclaz.
Days 7-8 Col de Balme / Chamonix Our
trail climbs through a serene larch forest
to the Col de Balme (7,234'), the border
between Switzerland and France. With the
glory of the Mont Blanc massif before us,
we look over the beautiful Chamonix Valley
and descend, coming full circle on this
classic adventure. Depart on Day 8.
“I had an amazing
time. Everything had
been thought of and
the trip ran perfectly.
It was a superb
adventure.”
Bridget G.
Wanaka New Zealand
We bring you from France to Italy to Switzerland on foot as you circle the glorious “crown jewel” of the Alps. PHOTO: RUTH TOMLINSON
COMBINE ANY TWO EUROPE TRIPS FOR A $400 PER PERSON DISCOUNT! 38