Tour des Combins (HHT3) Self-guided
Hike Like a Local
Circular Trek
Alpine Lakes
Glacier Views
Authentic Mountain Huts
Solitude
The Grand Combin massif, just two valleys east of the famous Tour de Mont Blanc, offers sweeping panoramas across the Swiss and Italian Alps. With each twist and turn, you’ll uncover new views of snow-capped 4,000-meter peaks, glaciers that gleam against rugged cliffs, and valleys blanketed in lush greenery. It’s the kind of high-alpine beauty that makes the Tour des Combins hiking tour truly memorable - and a top choice for hikers looking for a quieter, wilder route.
Along the way, you might spot playful marmots or the elusive ibex before bedding down in quiet mountain huts that blend traditional and modern architecture, nestled in breathtaking surroundings. This Tour des Combins hut-to-hut hike is designed for experienced hikers who want long, rewarding days and the comfort of staying in well-placed huts each night.
While most of this Valais hut-to-hut trek is spent high up in the mountains, you’ll also have the opportunity to sample local culture. In the charming ancient village of St Rhemy en Bosses, you will find ‘Jambon de Bosses’, a ham product flavored with a unique local mix of mountain herbs. Climbing up to the St. Bernard Pass, you’ll be walking one of the most ancient and storied paths crossing the Alps—and at the pass you’ll find a museum documenting local history.
This high Alpine tour is for experienced hikers, offering the opportunity to savour the region’s treasures from the solitude of remote trails. We recommend it as a top pick for fit, experienced hikers who want an authentic, backcountry feel - without having to plan everything themselves. We handle the logistics and support you throughout the trek with our e-guidebook and offline navigation app, so you can hike with real peace of mind.
Location
Bourg St. Pierre, Switzerland
Airport
Geneva, Switzerland
Season
Late-June to Early September
Responsible Travel Score
GO Hike the Tour des Combins
Tour des Combins Self-guided Itineraries
Condition
Difficulty
Condition
Difficulty
More Tour Photos from our Facebook Album
Quiet trails. Big terrain. Zero crowds.
Circling the Grand Combin massif, the Tour du Combins winds through the Swiss and Italian Alps past glaciers, 4,000-metre peaks, historic mountain passes, and remote huts that feel worlds away from everyday life.
Just two valleys east of the Tour du Mont Blanc, this is an unforgettable trek for experienced hikers who value solitude as much as the views.
📍Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins itinerary
🔗 https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/hht3-6/
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #tourdescombins #combinsmassif #alps #huthiking
Hut views don`t get much better than this!
📍Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins
🔗 https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/hht3-6/
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventuresunguided #alps #switzerland #italy
Not all epic hikes make it to the spotlight—and honestly, that’s part of what makes these two so special. ✨
🏔️ Tour des Combins
Just two valleys east of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc, the Tour des Combins circles the dramatic Grand Combin massif, weaving through the Swiss and Italian Alps. Think snow-capped 4,000-meter peaks, ancient routes like the St. Bernard Pass, and quiet mountain huts tucked among glaciers and meadows. It’s a dream for experienced hikers craving solitude, challenge, and an authentic Alpine experience.
🥾 Tour of the Vanoise
Nestled in a rugged corner of the French Alps near the Swiss border, the Tour of the Vanoise offers all the beauty, charm, and wildlife of the Mont Blanc region—without the crowds. The trails stay high, the terrain is mellow, and the hut hosts are as welcoming as the marmots that pop up along the way. It’s a perfect option for hikers looking for comfort, fewer steep climbs, and more time to soak in the alpine magic.
Sometimes the best trails are the ones that stay a little quieter. 🌿
Which would you choose—remote adventure or peaceful alpine charm? 👇
Photos 1 & 2: www.alpenventuresunguided.com/HHT5
Photos 3 & 4: www.alpenventuresunguided.com/HHT3
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventuresunguidedHHT5 #alpenventuresunguided #alpenventures #alps
Stress-free hiking starts with good planning—and that`s where we come in! Take it from Emily, an Alpenventures client who tackled our Tour des Combins trek:
“Even though I am a seasoned hiker and traveller, I valued the time I saved by using Alpenventures to find a good route and reserve the huts. Everything, including the vegetarian dinners and picnic lunches I had ordered in advance, went perfectly as planned. The customer service I received was excellent, especially the communication which was all done via email. The Alpenventures team also kept me updated on weather and track conditions before and during the trip. I have already recommended Alpenventures to friends, and I hope to use them again soon.”
📍Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins
🔗 https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/hht3/
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventuresunguided #alpenventures
scenes (& sounds) from a solo hike on the Tour des Combins
#tourdescombins #alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #sony #sonyalpha #sonya7iv #filmmaker #outdooradventure #womenwhohike #womeninfilm #film #travelfilm #alps #switzerland #italy #seissalps #italianalps #italia #hike #solohike
“We absolutely loved the Tour des Combins! Because it’s not one of the more popular routes, it had a more authentic and less touristic feel. The terrain, the food, and the accommodation—everything was perfect!” 💬
Experience the Alps beyond the crowds with Alpenventures UNGUIDED.
📍Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins (Switzerland & Italy)
🔗 https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/hht3/
📸 Clients Sarah & Boden
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventuresunguided #alpenventures #alps
Want to hike in the Alps without a guide—but skip the hours of research and logistics? We’ve got your back.
“Having a knowledgeable person doing all the heavy lifting took a lot of the pressure off of us, so all we had to do was hike and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.” — Lisa
That’s exactly what we aim for: you focus on the trail, we handle the planning. Lock in your 2026 adventure at 2025 prices before midnight (CET) October 7.
👉 www.alpenventuresunguided.com
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventures #alps #hiking #adventure #wanderlust #selfguidedtour #mountainlife #explorethealps #trekking
After long days weaving through the mountains, there’s nothing more rewarding than arriving at a hut — warm food, tired legs, and views that remind you why you came in the first place.
📍 Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Grand Tour des Combins
🔗 https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/hht3/
📸 Alpenventures` Social Media Coordinator Kendra
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventures
You can imagine my frustration when I realized I forgot to pack a book and my journal on a 9-day solo hike through the Alps…
But I’d rather be bored with nothing to do at a mountain hut than bored with a long to-do list at work, right?
All jokes aside, mountain huts are truly a treat & the people you meet along the way make the experience so much more special.
1️⃣ Cabane FXB à Pannossiére
2️⃣ Rifugio Frassati
3️⃣ Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosse
#tourdescombins #grandtourdescombins #swissalps #italianalps #alps #switzerland #italy #sonyalpha #sonya7iv #alpenventuresunguidedHHT3
What you see vs. what we see ⛰️
This could be you on our Tour des Combins tour!
📍 Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins trek
🔗 https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/hht3/
📸 Adventure Planning Expert Jonathan
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventures
"The Tour de Combins was incredible! The views, treks, and huts were all fantastic!! It was the perfect challenge for me and my friends. Would 1000% do it again!"
📍 Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins trek
🔗 https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/hht3/
📸 Alpenventures client, @lucydimock
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventures #alps
There`s nothing better than a couple of friends perusing the Alps in the summer ✨️
📍 Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins trek
🔗 https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/hht3/
📸 Alpenventures client, @lucydimock
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventures #alps
Just two valleys over from the ever-popular Tour du Mont Blanc, Jonathan—one of our Adventure Planning Experts—is hiking the Tour des Combins.
With a similar elevation profile, equally stunning alpine views, and none of the crowds, this lesser-known circuit is the perfect alternative for those craving solitude in the mountains.
Want to experience it for yourself? We’ll help you plan it all.
📍Alpenvetures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins
🌏️ Switzerland & Italy
🔗 https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/hht3/
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventuresunguided #alpenventures
📍Tour des Combins: Day 5
"For the fifth day of our TDC tour, the sun was out straight away, brightening spirits and warming souls. Our gear dried up (mostly) and we started the hike with a 1,000` climb to Col de Champillon. Clouds obscured the lower valley while the sun shone bright off the new snow on the high peaks of the Grand Combin massif and Mont Blanc--we once again had views of Mont Blanc now that we had crested the col.
From the col we descended over 4,000` as we winded through valleys to the very small town of Saint Rhemy-en-Bosses. It was a nice, warm and welcome low key 11 mile day after the challenges of yesterday."
📸: Alpenventures client @chossartisan
📍Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins trek
#alpenventures #alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alps
📍Tour des Combins: Day 4
"This was to be the tour`s longest mileage day at nearly 15 miles with, yet again, nearly 4,000` of ascent. On top of that, the weather was incredibly challenging with strong winds and a steady rain all day long.
We started with an 800` descent from Cabane Chanrion with a few thunder claps in the sky leading to a steady drizzle down to the Dranse de Bagnes river. From the river we kept our spirits high as we ascended the 2,000` to the Fenêtre de Durand pass in the driving rain and wind. Strong winds and steady rain with low clouds at the pass made for an anticlimactic entry into Italy -- we were simply motivated to descend as quickly as we could to warm up. The trail turned to a small stream in many places and included at least two major mandatory-wading stream crossings on our way down into the lower basin.
At last, the rain let up a bit but the clouds remained so we stayed damp and chilled. Our lightweight rain jackets and pants were soaked through making for a somewhat miserable march across the basin to the warm and welcoming Italian Rifugio Champillon.
At the rifugio we stripped off our wet clothes and changed into our dry, warm clothing. We each downed a mug of steamy hot cioccolata calda, an extremely thick and delicious hot chocolate drink."
📸: Alpenventures client @chossartisan
📍Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins trek
#alpenventures #alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alps
📍Tour des Combins: Day 3
"We hiked from the awesome Cabane FXB Panossière over the Les Otanes Col, the standard tour`s highpoint, before a long, 3,000` descent to the Mauvoisin Dam. Passing through a steep, cool tunnel museum documenting the dam`s construction (it was built circa 1950), we popped out on the dam proper to make the crossing.
After the crossing, we hiked along the lake`s east side on a rising traverse giving way to incredible views the higher we got. Along the way we saw a number of ibex and marmots. After 12 miles and nearly 4,000` of ascent, we arrived at the modern Cabane Chanrion in the late afternoon. The weather had been partly cloudy with ideal temperatures for hiking--a lovely day in all respects."
📸: Alpenventures client @chossartisan
📍 Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combin trek
#alpenventures #alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alps
📍Tour des Combins: Day 2
"We left the views and easy access to major highways behind and got deep into the wild alps with the hike from Cabane de Mille to Cabane FXB Panossière, a hut perched on the edge of the mighty Corbassiere Glacier on the north side Grand Combin massif.
I took a couple "extra credit" alternative routes during the day to meet back up with the crew at different spots. The first alternative route was over Mount Rogneux (10,118`) where the clouds obscured the views, unfortunately. The second alternative was over the Col de Avouillons (8,700`) to get a great view of the Corbassiere Glacier from above.
We then crossed the impressive Corbassiere Bridge, an over 600` long suspension bridge 200` above the glacier. It was incredible to spend the afternoon sitting outside the hut watching and listening to the glacier. This day was 11 miles and ~4,700` of ascent."
📸: Alpenventures client @chossartisan
📍Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins trek
#alpenventures #alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alps
📍 Tour des Combins: Day 1
"The Tour des Combins is a multi-day hiking circuit in the Pennine Alps, spanning both Switzerland and Italy. The trek circles the Grand Combin massif, one of the highest mountain ranges in the Alps. The hike typically takes 4-6 days to complete and covers about 65 miles, depending on the route. It offers stunning alpine scenery, including views of glaciers, high-altitude passes, and deep valleys.
We started our tour in Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Switzerland. Our first day was a nice intro day of seven miles with 3,500` of ascent to the Cabane de Mille hut. From the hut we had good views, albeit mostly cloud covered, of the Mont Blanc massif. The hut itself is quite modern, sleeps roughly 60 people, and has a couple showers."
📸: Alpenventures client @chossartisan
📍 Alpenventures UNGUIDED`s Tour des Combins trek
#alpenventures #alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alps
⛰️ TOUR DES COMBINS ⛰️
The Tour des Combins hut-to-hut hiking tour offers charming huts, stunning vistas, and a physical challenge, making it, in our opinion, the best option for experienced hikers looking to immerse themselves in an authentic Alps hiking experience.
Located just two valleys east of the Tour du Mont Blanc, this trek circumnavigates the shimmering glaciers of the Grand Combin massif, crossing borders between Switzerland and Italy.
While it shares some characteristics with the Tour du Mont Blanc, such as border crossings and circumnavigating a large massif, the Tour des Combins is best suited for experienced hikers seeking solitude and a true local Alps experience, far from the crowds.
Are you up for the challenge?
For more information about this tour, visit www.alpenventuresunguided.com.
#alpenventuresunguidedHHT3 #alpenventures #alps
⛰️ TOUR DES COMBINS ⛰️
With charming huts, stunning vistas, and physical challenge, the Tour des Combins hut-to-hut hiking tour is, in our opinion, the best option for experienced hikers who want to ditch the crowds and immerse themselves in an authentic Alps hiking experience.
Located just two valleys to the east of the Tour du Mont Blanc, this tour circumnavigates the shimmering glaciers of the Grand Combin massif as it crosses borders, switching between Switzerland and Italy.
While it does share a few characteristics with the Tour du Mont Blanc, such as crossing borders and circumnavigating a large massif, it is best suited for experienced hikers who don`t want much interaction with civilization, and who truly want to experience the Alps as the locals do.
Are you up for the challenge?
Head on over to our website for more information about this tour: www.alpenventuresunguided.com.
#alpenventuresunguidedhht3 #alpenventures #alps
