Switzerland and Italy
Grand Saint-Bernard Pass
A historic crossing between Switzerland and Italy at 2,469 metres, home to the centuries-old hospice and its famous Saint Bernard dogs.
Tour des Combins
Plan your Tour des Combins
Build an itinerary around your hiking style, secure the best accommodation along the route and confidently prepare for a quieter self-guided journey through Switzerland and Italy.
The trail at a glance
What is the Tour des Combins?
The Tour des Combins is a multi-day hiking circuit around the Grand Combin massif, crossing remote valleys and high mountain passes in Switzerland and Italy. The trail combines dramatic glaciers, alpine lakes, traditional mountain huts and quieter paths than its neighbouring Tour du Mont Blanc. Your distance and daily stages will vary with your starting point, route and accommodation choices.
Classic route
140 km
87 miles
Elevation gain
8,450 m
27,700 feet
Typical duration
7–11 days
Shorter itineraries are possible
Countries
2
Switzerland and Italy
Highest point
2,863 m
Col des Otanes
Main hiking season
Jun–Sep
Conditions vary each season
Tour des Combins route map
Follow the circuit around Grand Combin
The Tour des Combins crosses Switzerland and Italy through Val d’Entremont, Val de Bagnes and the Aosta Valley. The circuit can be started from several locations rather than one compulsory trailhead.
In 2023, the Associate du Grand Tour des Combins re-launched the trail with an extension of the original route to include new highlights such as the route via Rifugio Frassati, La Fouly village and La Tsissette Hut, bringing the new route to 140km / 87mi. Older guidebooks are likely to follow the older route which was 100km / 62mi.
Use the map as an overview; build your own itinerary to compare starting points, daily hiking distance, elevation and accommodation along either the "new" or "old" route.
Explore the itinerary planner
Start planning
Plan each part of your Tour des Combins
Choose an itinerary that suits your group, understand the accommodation along this quieter Alpine circuit and keep up with conditions as your hike approaches.
The Hiking Club platform
See your complete Tour des Combins plan come together.
Turn the Tour des Combins into an itinerary designed around your group. Bring your route, accommodation, trail preparation and navigation together—and keep adjusting the plan as your trip takes shape.
Build your itinerary
Compare daily distance, elevation, hiking time, alternative
routes and transport.
Secure accommodation
Find huts, hotels and campgrounds connected to your route,
with booking information for each property.
Prepare confidently
Follow trail updates, closures, warnings, snow information
and recent community images.
Navigate your route
Download your personalised itinerary and GPS map files for
offline use.
Platform access from €79 · One purchase covers your hiking group
Lac de Mauvoisin, Switzerland
The itinerary you choose determines how much time you have to experience each valley, pass and mountain village.
Choosing your itinerary
How long does the Tour des Combins take?
Most hikers complete the Tour des Combins in 7–11 days. The right duration depends on your hiking speed, preferred number of hours on the trail, starting point and the route alternatives you include.
A shorter itinerary does not simply mean covering the same circuit more quickly. Starting from a different trailhead, changing your overnight stops or using available transport can create a very different journey.
Accommodation on the Tour des Combins
How do you book accommodation on the Tour des Combins?
More than 75 accommodation options are located on or close to the Tour des Combins. Where you stay will shape your daily stages, so compare overnight locations and booking options as you build your itinerary.
The trail combines remote mountain huts with hotels and guesthouses in the valleys. Some stages have fewer places to stay than others, making it important to consider accommodation and daily hiking statistics together rather than planning them separately.
Mountain huts and cabanes
Remote overnight stays in high mountain locations.
Hotels and guesthouses
Private rooms and additional facilities in the valleys.
Hostels and gîtes
Shared or private rooms in selected trail locations.
Campgrounds
Formal camping options along selected parts of the circuit.
Cabane FXB Panossière, Switzerland
A high mountain hut near the Corbassière Glacier on the Tour des Combins.
Accommodation availability and booking methods vary between properties. The Hiking Club platform brings together accommodation details, booking links and the overnight locations connected to your itinerary.
Around the Grand Combin massif
Tour des Combins main trail highlights
The main Tour des Combins route crosses historic mountain passes, glacier landscapes, high Alpine lakes and some of the most impressive terrain surrounding the Grand Combin massif.
Val de Bagnes · Switzerland
Corbassière Glacier
A dramatic glacier extending beneath the high peaks of the Grand Combin massif.
Val de Bagnes · Switzerland
Corbassière Footbridge
A 190-metre suspended bridge crossing the glacial moraine between Cabane Brunet and Cabane FXB Panossière.
Val de Bagnes · Switzerland
Mauvoisin Dam and Lac
A vast glacier-fed lake held by the 250-metre-high Mauvoisin hydroelectric dam.
Val d’Entremont · Switzerland
Col de Mille
An open mountain crossing near Cabane de Mille with views towards the Mont Blanc and Grand Combin massifs.
Val Ferret · Switzerland
Lacs de Fenêtre
A group of high Alpine lakes surrounded by mountain passes and views towards the Italian border.
Switzerland and Italy
Fenêtre de Durand
A remote high mountain pass crossing the border between Switzerland and Italy beneath the Grand Combin massif.
Choose your trailhead
Where should you start and finish the Tour des Combins?
The Tour des Combins is a circuit, so most hikers begin and finish in the same place. Bourg-Saint-Pierre is a natural starting point, but Le Châble, Mauvoisin and the Grand Saint-Bernard area may work better with your transport plans, accommodation and preferred first stage.
01
Bourg-Saint-Pierre
A practical starting point in the Val d’Entremont with direct access to the circuit. It works particularly well for hikers arriving through Martigny and continuing into the Swiss section.
- Best for
- Traditional circuit start
- Trail access
- Direct from the village
02
Le Châble
The easiest trailhead to reach by rail and a useful base for additional services. Local lifts and transport can help connect Le Châble and Verbier with the higher Tour des Combins route.
- Best for
- Public transport access
- Trail access
- Lift or local transport
03
Mauvoisin
A dramatic place to begin beside the Mauvoisin Dam and reservoir. This option places you immediately in the higher mountain landscape and may suit hikers already staying in the Val de Bagnes.
- Best for
- Immediate mountain scenery
- Trail access
- Direct from Mauvoisin
04
Grand Saint-Bernard
Begin around the historic pass or nearby Saint-Oyen for a cross-border start. Seasonal transport and the opening status of the pass should be considered when planning this option.
- Best for
- Italian or border start
- Trail access
- Pass or Saint-Oyen
Plan around your journey
Your trailhead changes every stage that follows.
Build the circuit from different starting points and compare daily distance, elevation, transport and accommodation before deciding where your Tour des Combins should begin and end.
Personalise the route
The main Tour des Combins route and its alternatives
The classic Tour des Combins already forms a complete circuit around the massif. Alternative routes and extensions allow you to add particular viewpoints, visit another mountain location or adjust the challenge of selected stages. Each choice changes your daily distance, elevation and accommodation options.
The dependable option
The classic Tour des Combins
The main route follows established mountain trails around the Combins massif through Switzerland and Italy. It connects remote valleys, mountain huts, villages and important passes to create a complete self-guided circuit.
- 140 km / 87 mi Classic distance
- 8,450 m / 27,700 ft Approx. elevation gain
- 2 countries Switzerland · Italy
Routes to compare
Three alternatives worth considering
These routes can add a summit, a quieter balcony trail or another lakeside destination to your Tour des Combins itinerary.
Summit route
Switzerland
Mont Rogneux
A demanding high-level alternative that reaches Mont Rogneux at 3,084 metres, with extensive views across the Pennine Alps towards Liddes and Verbier.
Balcony trail
Switzerland
Lac de Louvie
A scenic balcony route through the Haut Val de Bagnes, with views towards the Combins massif and opportunities to see ibex and marmots.
Extended route
Switzerland
Champex-Lac
Extend the circuit towards this lakeside mountain village to add another accommodation base, village services and connections with the wider trail network.
Build the route around your ability
See the impact before changing your route.
Add or remove route alternatives inside the planning platform and see your daily distance, elevation, estimated hiking time, transport and accommodation options recalculate.
Alternative routes may be unsuitable in poor weather, snow or difficult trail conditions. Always check current conditions and choose a route appropriate for your experience.
Champsec, Switzerland
An established campground near the route with facilities for hikers.
Sleeping under canvas
Can you camp on the Tour des Combins?
Camping is possible along some sections of the Tour des Combins, but not across the entire circuit. Most camping-based itineraries therefore combine established campgrounds with mountain huts, guesthouses or hotels where camping is unavailable or restricted.
A tent cannot be used everywhere on this circuit. Restrictions, protected areas and local rules can change. Check current regulations and signage, seek permission where required and follow instructions from local authorities, land managers and hut operators.
Combine different overnight options
Build a practical camping-based itinerary.
Add campgrounds, mountain huts and village accommodation to your itinerary, then compare the distance, elevation and estimated hiking time between each overnight stop.
Build a realistic budget
How much does it cost to hike the Tour des Combins?
The cost of a self-guided Tour des Combins depends on the length of your itinerary, your balance of mountain huts and village accommodation, room preference and food choices. Transport, insurance, equipment and travel to the trail should be considered separately.
Useful planning range
CHF 1,200– 2,000
Per person for a typical self-guided itinerary using a mixture of mountain huts and village accommodation.
Your overnight choices make the biggest difference.
A shorter itinerary using dormitory beds and included hut meals will generally sit toward the lower end of the range. Private rooms, additional hiking days and hotel stays in mountain villages can increase the total considerably.
This is a starting estimate rather than a fixed price. Costs vary with itinerary length, season, availability, exchange rates and personal spending choices.
Accommodation
Campgrounds, hut dormitories, private rooms and village hotels produce very different overall budgets.
Food
Half-board hut stays, packed lunches, restaurants and the limited availability of shops on remote stages all affect spending.
Duration
Additional hiking or rest days add accommodation and meal costs, even when the overall route remains similar.
Transport
Trains, buses, seasonal transport and lifts used to reach or adjust your itinerary should be added to your trail budget.
Typically included in the trail estimate
- Accommodation during the hike
- Breakfast and any required half-board meals
- Lunches, snacks and evening meals
Remember to add
- Flights and travel to your chosen trailhead
- Insurance, equipment and personal spending
- Extra nights, local transport and optional lifts
Build your own trip
Plan a budget around your actual itinerary.
Compare itinerary lengths, overnight locations, accommodation types and transport options before committing to your Tour des Combins bookings.
Budget figures are indicative and will vary by travel dates, exchange rates, provider pricing, availability and personal choices.
Compare Alpine trails
Is the Tour des Combins right for you?
The Tour des Combins offers a quieter Alpine circuit with dramatic glaciers and varied accommodation. Compare its distance, duration and character with three other journeys supported by The Hiking Club.
Current trail
Tour des Combins
A quieter circuit through Switzerland and Italy, combining remote valleys, dramatic glaciers and fewer hikers than the neighbouring Tour du Mont Blanc.
Distance
140 km · 87 mi
Typical duration
7–11 days
More established
Tour du Mont Blanc
A popular circuit through France, Italy and Switzerland with frequent accommodation, flexible stages and extensive transport options.
Distance
166 km · 103 mi
Typical duration
7–11 days
Longer journey
Walker’s Haute Route
A more demanding linear journey from Chamonix to Zermatt, crossing remote valleys and a succession of high Alpine passes.
Distance
213 km · 132 mi
Typical duration
11–13 days
Shorter traverse
Bernese Oberland Traverse
A flexible Swiss traverse connecting famous mountain villages, with spectacular scenery and several options for adapting the route.
Distance
102 km · 63 mi
Typical duration
5–8 days
Difficulty and preparation
How difficult is the Tour des Combins?
The Tour des Combins is a demanding mountain hike rather than a technical mountaineering route. The challenge comes from sustained climbs and descents, high mountain passes, rough terrain and several long stages through comparatively remote landscapes.
Your itinerary makes a significant difference. Daily distance, elevation, pack weight, route choices and recovery time can make the same circuit considerably more or less demanding.
Trail type
Mountain hiking
Elevation gain
Approx. 8,450 m
Typical duration
7–11 days
Repeated elevation
The circuit crosses a succession of mountain passes, producing substantial climbing and descending on consecutive days with limited recovery time.
Remote terrain
Some stages travel through isolated valleys and high mountain terrain with fewer villages, transport connections and easy exit points than busier Alpine trails.
Changing conditions
Snow can remain on high passes early in the season, while rain, wind, heat and thunderstorms can quickly increase the difficulty of exposed or uneven sections.
Your itinerary
Longer stages, high-level alternatives and a heavier pack all increase the challenge. Choosing suitable overnight locations is one of the most important planning decisions.
Jonas
Tour des Combins trail specialist
Expert Access
Plan your Tour des Combins with someone who knows the trail.
If you would like personal help, work with Jonas to design an achievable itinerary around your group, hiking dates, accommodation options and priorities. You can then continue booking and preparing independently inside The Hiking Club platform.
60-minute consultation
Your hiking companions can join.
Personalised itinerary
Designed collaboratively for your group.
Platform access
Continue planning, booking and preparing.
Planning questions
Tour des Combins FAQs
Clear answers to the questions hikers most often ask when deciding whether—and how—to plan the Tour des Combins.
How long is the Tour des Combins?
The classic Tour des Combins is approximately 140 km or 87 miles, with around 8,450 metres of elevation gain. The exact distance changes according to your starting point, route alternatives and use of transport.
How many days do you need for the Tour des Combins?
Most hikers complete the Tour des Combins in 7–11 days. Faster itineraries are possible, while a longer itinerary allows for shorter stages, more recovery time and additional route alternatives.
You can compare Tour des Combins itineraries before choosing a duration.
Is the Tour des Combins difficult?
The Tour des Combins is a moderately challenging mountain hike rather than a technical mountaineering route. Its main challenges are repeated climbs and descents, high mountain passes, uneven terrain, remote stages and changing alpine conditions.
The difficulty of your trip depends heavily on your daily stages, pack weight, route choices, trail conditions and preparation.
How popular is the Tour des Combins?
The Tour des Combins is considerably quieter than the nearby Tour du Mont Blanc. You will meet other hikers around the mountain huts and villages, but it is still possible to hike alone for long stretches and find quiet places to stop during the day.
Some accessible locations—including the Grand Saint-Bernard Pass, Mauvoisin Dam and Cabane Brunet—are also popular with day hikers, particularly at weekends. Most of these visitors leave the trail again by the evening.
Can you hike the Tour des Combins without a guide?
Yes. The Tour des Combins can be completed independently by experienced and well-prepared hikers. Self-guided hikers remain responsible for choosing an appropriate itinerary, monitoring current conditions, carrying suitable navigation tools and making safe decisions on the trail.
Learn how to prepare your route for offline navigation .
Where should you start the Tour des Combins?
The Tour des Combins is a circuit, so there is no single required starting point. Bourg-Saint-Pierre is a popular choice, but you can also start from Le Châble, Mauvoisin, the Grand Saint-Bernard Pass or Saint-Oyen.
Your best starting point may depend on transport connections, accommodation availability and the type of opening stage you want for your itinerary.
Should you hike clockwise or counter-clockwise?
Both directions are possible, and neither is universally better. Your direction changes the sequence of climbs and descents, the difficulty of individual stages and how the journey develops around the Combins massif.
It is best to compare complete itineraries in both directions rather than choosing direction in isolation.
Are there transport shortcuts on the Tour des Combins?
Yes. Buses, cable cars and chairlifts can be incorporated into some Tour des Combins itineraries to shorten a stage, avoid a difficult section or reduce the amount of climbing and descending.
Transport options are not available along every section, so they need to be considered as part of your complete itinerary. The Hiking Club platform includes relevant transport routes, seasonal schedules and costs to help you compare the options.
Can you camp along the Tour des Combins?
Yes, but it is not possible to camp legally along every section of the trail. Formal campgrounds are available in some valley locations, while bivouac rules vary between Switzerland and Italy and can also differ by municipality, protected area and land use.
A camping-based itinerary may therefore need to combine campgrounds, permitted bivouac locations and occasional nights in mountain huts or hotels.
When is the best time to hike the Tour des Combins?
The main hiking season generally runs from late June until early or mid-September. July and August usually provide the widest choice of open accommodation and the greatest likelihood that the higher passes are clear of lingering winter snow.
Conditions vary each year, particularly early and late in the season. Check the latest Tour des Combins trail updates before finalising your route and equipment.
Plan your self-guided Tour des Combins
Bring your entire Tour des Combins plan together.
Build an itinerary around your group, understand the accommodation available along your route, prepare for current trail conditions and take your personalised route with you on the trail.
- Compare routes and daily stages
- Check accommodation availability
- Set opening and cancellation alerts
- Review current trail updates
- Plan transport connections
- Download your route for offline use