All walks

The path along a green ridge dropping to the Col Sapin, with snow still lying in the gullies.
Photo Rémih, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped.

The balcony above Courmayeur

Col Sapin and Tete de la Tronche loop

The long way round behind Bertone, over a real summit, with the crowds left on the balcony below.

Hard

Distance
14.7 km
Ascent
1,546 m
High point
2,581 m
Walking, not counting the bus
6 to 7 h

Where it is

A drawn map of the Courmayeur valleys, not to scale. Courmayeur is in the middle, with the massif along the top. Line 924, Val Ferret to Arnouva; Line 931, Val Veny to La Visaille; Skyway Monte Bianco to Punta Helbronner. This walk runs between courmayeur and courmayeur.Mont BlancVal FerretVal VenySkywayBertoneBonattiElenaElisabettaCombalCourmayeurLavacheyArnouvaNotre-DameLa VisailleEntrevesPavillonHelbronnerDrawn, not to scale

Reading your answers

How high

2,581 mhigh point
1,989 mRifugio Giorgio Bertone
1,224 mCourmayeur, Piazzale Monte Bianco

The top stands 1,357 m above Courmayeur, Piazzale Monte Bianco. Total ascent is higher, because the path rises and falls on the way.

Before you go

What to carry. Boots, poles for the descent, food for the whole day, and a shell. Snow lies in the high cols into July.

If it goes wrong

112One number for mountain rescue, an ambulance, or the fire service. It is free, it works from a phone with no card and no credit, and it can put a translator on the line.

Worth reading before you leave. Soccorso Alpino Valdostano · The regional forecast · Wind and temperature up high

Worth knowing

A full day with a long descent at the end. Start early and take poles for the drop back into the valley.