Tour du Mont Blanc (Italian Section)

The Italian section of the Tour du Mont Blanc, specifically the Val Ferret stretch, delivers 17 kilometers of front-row seats to Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc at 4,809 meters. This segment is cheaper than the typical Alpine trek, with rifugio dormitories averaging €35 per night including dinner, compared to the French side's €50. The trail skirts immense glaciers like the Glacier du Trient, with 80% of the path offering uninterrupted views of the Mont Blanc massif—a higher percentage than #1's Dolomite vistas. Hikers gain 1,200 meters in elevation across moraines and larch forests, meeting hardy cows and medieval stone hamlets. In July, temperatures hover at a pleasant 18°C; by September, the golden larches provide a photographer's dream. This portion of the TMB is considered the most scenic, combining the grandeur of the highest peak with intimate Italian hospitality.