Refuge du Lac Blanc - Le Brevent - Les Houches
- Distance: 20km
- Duration: (with breaks): 10h 00min
- Elevation gain/loss: 860m/2200m
Our final day! Mixed feelings about it as the prospect of ditching the backpack and sleeping in a nice comfy bed was very tempting, but I also started already missing the views I’ve been surrounded with in the past 8 days.
A long day was waiting for us as Lac Blanc is halfway between Tre-le-Champ and La Flegere, which meant that we had to conquer 1.5 stages (+2,000m altitude loss). Enough time to clear my mixed feelings 🙂
I woke up earlier to catch a glimpse of my last sunset in the mountains. I’m definitely gonna miss this.
The day looked promising with only a few clouds in the sky and Mont Blanc basking in the sun. After a simple breakfast we said goodbye to the wonderful Lac Blanc and hit the trail.
On our way to the highest point of today, Le Brevent (2526m), we passed numerous ski lifts, which is rather a sad and naked landscape to cross compared to remote and human untouched slopes we left behind.
Luckily we also got to climb up and rest our knees as the path became more snowy and rocky. In some sections we even had to use ropes and ladders.
We felt like experts after nines days in the Alps compared to some day hikers, who were visibly not comfortable with the snow and ladders at all. I guess the snow was a nasty surprise to them coming from a sunny Chamonix.
We reached Le Brevent and were surprised by masses of people at the top. Only a handful of weirdos like us came here on foot, while the vast majority took a lift from Chamonix.
Many people were wearing Instagram-proof clothes & shoes instead of mountain gear. I even felt out of place with my smelly clothes and a huge backpack.
Despite the interesting crowd around us, we decided to lunch at the top before descending all the way to Les Houches. Mont Blanc was fully showing off and so we had a proper sunny goodbye.
On our way back we could still observe lower glaciers for a while before descending to a forested area. From there the path seemed to never end.
This last part of the trail was really tough on us. Even though we had hiking sticks, the descent was really strenuous to our knees forcing us to take numerous breaks.
While our minds were already in bed, we slowly dragged our bodies down the hills.
After what felt as an eternity we finally made it to Les Houches, to the same sign, which marks the start of Tour du Mont Blanc.
We did it! 9 days and +200km of sheer beauty of Alps.
After a compulsory selfie in front of the sign we headed to the nearest supermarket and bought ourselves a pack of Snickers ice cream – the best reward for our tired bodies.
It was an amazing trip full of spectacular landscapes, definitely recommended. Till next time, Alps!
Day 9 tips
- If your knees are on weaker side, do yourself (and your knees) a favour and take that lift to Chamonix. Descend to Les Houches is reaaaaally long.
- Having a nice hotel (a nice bed to be precise) waiting for you at the end of the trip is a reward you definitely deserve!