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

Seven kilometers. That's all Stage 10 of the Tour du Mont-Blanc covers - the shortest stage on the entire circuit. And yet, it's the one that hikers bring up first when you ask them about their favorite moment. The Grand Balcon Sud rolls out 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 unbroken backdrop. You'll climb eleven metal ladders, cross the Reserve naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges, and have the option of a detour to Lac Blanc - the most photographed reflection in the Alps.

Mountain hiking guides, we've hiked this balcony in every kind of weather. On a bluebird day, it's a parade of summits that leaves you speechless. In fog, it becomes an intimate walk through rhododendrons and larches, punctuated by sudden openings onto glaciers. This article covers the complete route, the variants, where to stay, and a few stories the trail doesn't 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 defining moment: eleven metal ladders, followed by a chimney with footholds and an exposed ledge, then you arrive at Tete-aux-Vents (2,132 m) with the entire Mont-Blanc massif laid out in front of you. A 7 km balcony suspended 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 gains elevation quickly. After roughly an hour of steady climbing through larch trees, the trail reaches the ladder section. Eleven metal ladders in succession allow you to scale a rock barrier, followed by a chimney fitted with footholds and an exposed traverse. The passage is airy but well-secured, and requires zero climbing technique. Your hands are just there for balance, nothing more.

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

The Grand Balcon Sud: A Balcony Facing Giants

From Tete-aux-Vents, the trail drops gently across the slope. On your left, the panorama unfolds from east to west like a relief map brought to life: 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) towering above the Mer de Glace. Next come 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's the entire massif summarized in a single view. Very few trails in the Alps deliver a panorama this comprehensive, for this long. The balcony continues for several kilometers, passing the Chalet des Cheserys (1,998 m) before reaching the Refuge de la Flegere (1,877 m).

The Drus: A Pillar That No Longer Exists

Directly across the valley, the Drus command your attention. Their silhouette has changed. In 1997, a seismic collapse tore away part of the Petit Dru. Further rockfalls followed in 2003, 2005, and 2011. The famous Bonatti Pillar - where Walter Bonatti pulled off a solo six-day climb in 1955, one of the greatest feats in the history of mountaineering - simply no longer exists. The mountain took it back.

In 1741, the Englishmen William Windham and Richard Pococke were among the first foreign travelers to visit Chamonix. Windham described the "glacieres of Chamouni" in a report that caused a sensation in London's scientific and literary circles. He already mentioned the Aiguille du Dru in his panorama from the Montenvers, though he got east and west mixed up in his description. Their visit sparked a fascination that would transform a remote Alpine dead-end into the world capital of mountaineering.

The Lac Blanc Detour

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

The Chamonix guide Armand Charlet turned the Aiguille Verte into his personal obsession: he climbed it over a hundred times by different routes. Standing at Lac Blanc, you start to understand how a mountain can become that kind of fixation.

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

The Reserve naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges

The entire Stage 10 passes through the Reserve naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges, established on April 30, 1971 in Chamonix. Covering 3,270 hectares, it protects one of the richest alpine ecosystems in the region. The name "Aiguilles Rouges" likely comes from the reddish tint of the rocks that make up the massif. Entry is free. A visitor center at the Col des Montets offers exhibits on local wildlife and plants.

The founding philosophy of the reserve fit in a single sentence: "We shall protect nature in order to protect humankind!" Half a century later, the Grand Balcon Sud trail is living proof: chamois, ibex, and marmots are regularly spotted on the slopes.

Accommodation at La Flegere and Nearby

• Refuge de la Flegere (1,877 m): the classic end-of-stage stop. Dormitories, half-board, terrace facing 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'll 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, more 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 take 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. Bring 1 to 1.5 liters. There are no stores on the trail.

Weather and Timing

The stage is short (3-4h without the Lac Blanc detour), so there's no need to rush out of the gate. The slope faces west: morning light illuminates the Mont-Blanc massif across the valley, making it the best time for photos. The trail gets sun-baked 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 concern. Hikers who struggle with heights 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 1 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, bolted into the rock, and well-maintained. They're vertical or very steep, and you'll want to use your hands for grip. The chimney that follows has built-in footholds. The exposed traverse is the most impressive section, but the path is wide. In dry conditions, it's actually fun. In rain, the rock can get slippery: exercise extra caution, or take the lower variant.

Can you combine Stage 10 with Stage 9?

It's doable but tough. Linking Trient, Tre-le-Champ, and the Refuge de la Flegere means roughly 20 km and 1,900 m of elevation gain. Some 7-day itineraries do it. In our TMB in 7 days, we handle this section differently to keep your energy reserves intact.

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

If the weather is clear and your legs are willing, the Lac Blanc detour is worth every meter of extra climbing. The reflection of Mont-Blanc in the lake is one of the most iconic images in the Alps. Budget about 1h30 more (round-trip from Tete-aux-Vents). If fog hides the summits, the lake loses its main draw.

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 finest viewpoint on the entire TMB, before a long 1,500 m descent to Les Houches. It's the grand finale - the loop closes.

You've just arrived from Stage 9, Trient to Tre-le-Champ via the Col de Balme: the return to France is behind you. To see where this stage fits in the bigger picture, the complete Tour du Mont-Blanc guide covers all 11 stages, variants, and logistics. If you'd like to experience the TMB in comfort with hand-picked accommodations and a dedicated guide, the TMB in 7 days with Altimood packs the best of the circuit into one week.

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