TMB Stage 10: 7 km on the Grand Balcon Sud, facing the Drus head-on

Seven kilometers. That is the full measure of Stage 10 on the Tour du Mont-Blanc - the shortest stage on the entire circuit. Yet it is the one hikers cite first when you ask them to name the highlight. The Grand Balcon Sud traces a balcony trail facing the north side of the massif, with the Aiguille Verte (4,122 m), the Drus, the Mer de Glace, and Mont-Blanc as an uninterrupted backdrop. You climb eleven metal ladders, cross the Reserve naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges, and can take a detour to Lac Blanc - where the Alps deliver their most photographed reflection.

Mountain hiking guides, we have walked this balcony in every type of weather. Under blue sky, it is a procession of summits that leaves you lost for words. In fog, the experience shifts to something quieter - a walk among rhododendrons and larches, broken by sudden windows onto glaciers. This article details the complete route, the variants, accommodation options, and a few stories that the trail does not tell on its own.

The Route: Profile, Map and GPX

• Distance :↔ 6.2 km
• Dénivelé positif :↗ 692 m
• Dénivelé négatif :↘ 247 m

Stage 10 at a Glance

The highlight: eleven metal ladders, a chimney with footholds, and an exposed ledge, then you emerge at Tete-aux-Vents (2,132 m) with the whole Mont-Blanc massif laid out before you. A 7 km balcony path between sky and glaciers.

The Climb: Tre-le-Champ to Tete-aux-Vents

You leave Tre-le-Champ (1,400 m) on a forest trail that climbs briskly. After about an hour of steady ascent through larch trees, the trail reaches the ladder section. Eleven metal ladders in succession scale a rock barrier, followed by a chimney fitted with footholds and an exposed traverse. The passage is airy but well-secured, and no climbing technique is required. Your hands are just there for steadiness.

At the top of this section, the large cairn at Tete-aux-Vents (2,132 m) marks the high point of the stage. It is the central junction: left leads to the Lac Blanc detour; straight ahead continues along the Grand Balcon Sud toward La Flegere.

The Grand Balcon Sud: A Balcony Overlooking Giants

From Tete-aux-Vents, the trail descends gently on a traverse. To your left, the panorama opens from east to west like a relief map made real: the Aiguille du Tour (3,544 m), the Aiguille du Chardonnet (3,824 m), the Aiguille d'Argentiere (3,900 m), then the Aiguille Verte (4,122 m) and the Drus (3,754 m) rising above the Mer de Glace. Beyond them, the Grandes Jorasses (4,208 m), the Aiguilles de Chamonix, and the "Trois Monts": Mont-Blanc du Tacul (4,248 m), Mont Maudit (4,465 m), Mont-Blanc (4,809 m).

It is the entire massif condensed into a single view. Very few trails in the Alps offer a panorama this complete over such a sustained distance. The balcony continues for several kilometers, passing the Chalet des Cheserys (1,998 m) before arriving at the Refuge de la Flegere (1,877 m).

The Drus: A Pillar That No Longer Exists

Directly opposite, across the valley, the Drus command attention. Their profile has changed. In 1997, a seismic collapse stripped away part of the Petit Dru. Further rockfalls came in 2003, 2005, and 2011. The celebrated Bonatti Pillar - where Walter Bonatti achieved a solo six-day ascent in 1955, one of the defining feats of mountaineering history - simply no longer exists. The mountain reclaimed it.

In 1741, the Englishmen William Windham and Richard Pococke were among the first foreign travelers to reach Chamonix. Windham described the "glacieres of Chamouni" in an account that generated considerable excitement in London's scientific and literary circles. He already noted the Aiguille du Dru in his panorama from the Montenvers, though he mixed up east and west in his description. Their visit ignited a fascination that would transform a remote Alpine valley into the world capital of mountaineering.

The Lac Blanc Detour

From Tete-aux-Vents, a trail climbs to Lac Blanc (2,352 m) in roughly 45 minutes (+220 m of elevation gain). The milky color of the lake comes from rock particles pulverized by glacial abrasion. The first basin measures 3.30 m deep, the second 9.50 m. This is the place where the Aiguille Verte and the Drus produce their most celebrated reflection.

The Chamonix guide Armand Charlet made the Aiguille Verte his personal quest: he climbed it more than a hundred times by different routes. Standing at Lac Blanc, you begin to understand how a single mountain can become that kind of consuming passion.

The detour adds about 1h30 to your day, round trip from Tete-aux-Vents. Hikers who wish to overnight at the lake can stay at the Refuge du Lac Blanc (2,352 m), which offers dormitories and meals.

The Reserve naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges

All of Stage 10 passes through the Reserve naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges, established on April 30, 1971 in Chamonix. Spanning 3,270 hectares, it protects one of the richest alpine ecosystems in the region. The name "Aiguilles Rouges" likely derives from the reddish hue of the rocks making up the massif. Entry is free. A visitor center at the Col des Montets offers exhibitions on local wildlife and flora.

The founding principle of the reserve was summed up in a single sentence: "We shall protect nature in order to protect humankind!" Half a century later, the Grand Balcon Sud trail bears this out: chamois, ibex, and marmots are regularly seen on the surrounding slopes.

Accommodation at La Flegere and Nearby

• Refuge de la Flegere (1,877 m): the standard end-of-stage accommodation. Dormitories, half-board, terrace overlooking Mont-Blanc. Reservation essential in summer (tel: 04 50 55 85 88).
• Refuge du Lac Blanc (2,352 m): for those who want to sleep beside the lake and catch sunrise over the Drus (tel: 07 67 56 74 14). You will need to climb back up from Tete-aux-Vents.
• Hotels in Les Praz-de-Chamonix: accessible by cable car from La Flegere (15 min). More comfort, wider dining options.

Book by March for July-August, especially at the Refuge du Lac Blanc which has limited capacity.

Practical Tips

Water and Resupply

Water is available at the start in Tre-le-Champ (Auberge La Boerne), at the Refuge du Lac Blanc if you make the detour, and at the Refuge de la Flegere on arrival. A few streams flow early in the season, but they can dry up by August. Carry 1 to 1.5 liters. There are no stores on the trail.

Weather and Timing

The stage is short (3-4h without Lac Blanc), so a leisurely departure works well. The slope faces west: morning light illuminates the Mont-Blanc massif across the valley, offering the best conditions for photography. The trail is sun-exposed in the afternoon during summer. The ladder section should be avoided in rain (slippery rock).

Difficulty

The eleven ladders and the exposed traverse are the only technical consideration. Hikers uncomfortable with exposure can take a lower variant that bypasses the rock barrier (marked trail from Tre-le-Champ via the Col des Montets to La Flegere, about an hour longer). The rest of the route is a standard hiking trail, well-marked throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions About TMB Stage 10

Are the ladders dangerous?

No. The ladders are metal, anchored in rock, and well-maintained. They are vertical or very steep, and you will want your hands for grip. The chimney that follows has built-in footholds. The exposed traverse is the most impressive passage, but the path is wide. In dry conditions, it is actually enjoyable. In rain, the rock can become slippery: exercise additional caution, or take the lower variant.

Can you combine Stage 10 with Stage 9?

It is doable but demanding. Linking Trient, Tre-le-Champ, and the Refuge de la Flegere totals roughly 20 km and 1,900 m of elevation gain. Some 7-day itineraries include this combination. In our TMB in 7 days, we manage this section differently to keep your reserves intact.

Should you head up to Lac Blanc or go straight to La Flegere?

If the weather is clear and your legs are holding up, the Lac Blanc detour is worth every meter of extra climbing. The reflection of Mont-Blanc in the lake ranks among the most recognized images in the Alps. Budget about 1h30 more (round trip from Tete-aux-Vents). If cloud covers the summits, the lake loses its primary appeal.

What Comes Next on the TMB

From the Refuge de la Flegere, the next stage takes you to Le Brevent (2,525 m), widely considered the most impressive viewpoint on the TMB, before a long 1,500 m descent to Les Houches. It is the grand finale - the circuit closes.

You have just come from Stage 9, Trient to Tre-le-Champ via the Col de Balme: the return to France is behind you. To see how this stage fits within the full route, the complete Tour du Mont-Blanc guide covers all 11 stages, variants, and logistics. If you would like to experience the TMB with carefully selected accommodation and a dedicated guide, the TMB in 7 days with Altimood distills the best of the circuit into one week.

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