French & Italian Alps Hiking & Walking Tour
Chamonix, Mont Blanc & the Magic of the Alps
Journey through storybook villages, forested foothills and imposing glaciers as you experience the best of the Italian and French Alps. Two countries. One breathtaking mountain range. Sublime.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
From $5,899 - $6,099/person
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Savor the exquisite cuisine, warm hospitality and lively traditions of two distinct mountain cultures in France and Italy
- Stroll through the streets and among the shops of charming Chamonix, chic Megève and historic Courmayeur tucked into the Mont Blanc foothills
- Walk across the snowfields of Glacier du Géant with an expert high-mountain guide
- Marvel at the glacier-carved valley of Val Ferret as you hike along the famed Tour du Mont Blanc
- Visit needle-like Aiguille du Midi and take a cable car to its summit to behold breathtaking views of the Chamonix Valley and surrounding peaks
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start Geneva, Switzerland Airport & Travel Details
- Hike in the hills above Combloux to an Alpine meadow and catch your first glimpse of legendary Mont Blanc
- Savor a lunch of regional specialties, including homemade cheeses, at a high-elevation refuge
- Walk in the old-school chic hamlet of Megève, tucked in the rolling Mont Blanc foothills
- Once a simple farming village, Megève now brims with sophisticated boutiques and is a delight to explore on foot
- Lounge by the pool or at the spa at our cozy mountain retreat.
Night 1
Luxury Hotel
This early 20th-century resort, one of Megève's first, offers breathtaking views, an elegant rooftop bar and a prime location just steps from the village center.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Jaw-dropping vistas of commanding Mont Blanc steal the show
- Hop aboard a historic cogwheel train from Saint-Gervais-les-Bains alongside climbers setting off for the summit
- At Aiguille du Midi, trek along a stunning balcony trail to the Signal de Forbes overlook
- Gaze down over the Alps’ second-largest glacier, the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice)
- Take in spectacular views of Mont Blanc while hiking to the famed mountaineering town of Chamonix
- An alpinist’s mecca in any season, this captivating hub earned its status as a world-renowned ski resort when it hosted the first-ever Winter Olympic Games
- Celebrate with a dinner of hearty highland fare.
Nights 2-3
Luxury Hotel
Dating back to 1849, this refined garden retreat was fully reimagined with elegant, contemporary interiors that honor its alpine heritage. With elevated, locally inspired cuisine at its signature restaurant, Le Matafan, and uninterrupted views of Mont Blanc, it offers a classic Chamonix experience. (spa, pool)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Let’s go to Italy, or shall we say, andiamo in Italia!
- Walk with expert high-mountain guides across the Glacier du Géant, where we'll see the Dente del Gigante (Giant’s Tooth)
- Enjoy a picnic lunch at 11,000 feet
- Discover the town of Courmayeur, a historic capital for mountaineering and hiking
- Explore the gorgeous Val Ferret valley on the Italian side of Monte Bianco
- Follow a portion of the Tour du Mont Blanc trail
- Marvel at peaks that seem to stretch forever above the valley and glacial river below.
Nights 4-5
Luxury Hotel
Mountain charm and tradition are highlights of this hotel, as are its stunning views of the Italian Val d’Aosta Alps. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Geneva, Switzerland Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 2-4
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Lightweight carbon hiking poles
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
