The TMB variants
Each variant replaces a section of the main route. Some climb higher for a better view, others stay low when the weather turns. Here is how to choose.
Updated
Comparison
| Variant | km | D+ | Max alt. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Col de Tricot | 13.3 | 851 | 2,124 m | Hard |
| Col des Fours | 6.5 | 208 | 2,656 m | Hard |
| Mont de la Saxe · Tête Bernarda | 10.0 | 700 | 2,540 m | Moderate |
| Fenêtre d'Arpette | 13.1 | 1,124 | 2,630 m | Hard |
| Les Grands variant | 9.0 | 1,093 | 2,208 m | Hard |
| Descent via Le Tour | 6.2 | 76 | 2,202 m | Easy |
| Low route via Vallorcine | 14.2 | 983 | 2,069 m | Easy |
| Lac Blanc | 4.8 | 281 | 2,354 m | Moderate |
Col de Tricot
13.3 km · +851 m · 2,124 m max
From Bellevue, a suspension bridge over the Bionnassay glacier torrent, a steep climb to Col de Tricot (2120 m), then down to the Miage chalets and Le Truc. Wilder and harder than the main route through Bionnassay village.
Col des Fours
6.5 km · +208 m · 2,656 m max
The highest point of the TMB (2665 m), between Croix du Bonhomme and La Ville des Glaciers, skipping Les Chapieux. A sporty shortcut, but snow often lingers into July: avoid in bad weather or early season.
Mont de la Saxe · Tête Bernarda
10.0 km · +700 m · 2,540 m max
Ridge route above the Italian Val Ferret, facing the Grandes Jorasses, between Rifugio Bertone and Rifugio Bonatti. One of the best viewpoints of the tour, but exposed to wind and storms.
On stage 5 · Courmayeur → Rifugio Bonatti
Fenêtre d'Arpette
13.1 km · +1,124 m · 2,630 m max
From Champex to Trient over the Fenêtre d'Arpette (2665 m): steep boulder field, stunning Trient glacier views, then down to Chalet du Glacier and along the bisse to Col de la Forclaz. Only in good weather and without snow.
On stage 8 · Champex-Lac → Trient
Les Grands variant
9.0 km · +1,093 m · 2,208 m max
Balcony path above the Trient glacier to the Les Grands hut, then up to Col de Balme. Quiet and wild, with a few exposed sections equipped with chains.
On stage 9 · Trient → Tré-le-Champ
Descent via Le Tour
6.2 km · +76 m · 2,202 m max
From Col de Balme, a direct descent to Le Tour village then Montroc and Tré-le-Champ, instead of the Aiguillette des Posettes. Easier, with supplies in Le Tour.
On stage 9 · Trient → Tré-le-Champ
Low route via Vallorcine
14.2 km · +983 m · 2,069 m max
Bad-weather route through the Catogne pastures, Vallorcine and Col des Montets, avoiding Col de Balme. Ideal in poor weather, with a train station and shops in Vallorcine.
On stage 9 · Trient → Tré-le-Champ
Lac Blanc
4.8 km · +281 m · 2,354 m max
Detour to Lac Blanc (2352 m) and its reflection of Mont Blanc, one of the most famous spots in the Alps. Possible night at Refuge du Lac Blanc (book very early), then down to La Flégère.
On stage 10 · Tré-le-Champ → La Flégère
How to choose your variants
- In June and late September, skip variants marked “snow possible”: Col des Fours and the Fenêtre d’Arpette often keep steep snow patches.
- Decide on the morning itself, based on the forecast: a high variant with storms forecast is pointless and can be dangerous.
- Count the extra ascent: a variant often adds one to two hours to an already long day.
- Lac Blanc is the best value variant: a small detour for one of the finest views of the tour.