Col de Tricot

Col de Tricot sits at 2,120 metres in the commune of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, wedged between Mont Vorassay and the Aiguille de Bionnassay, right beneath the Bionnassay Glacier in the Mont Blanc massif. It's one of the most photographed spots on the Tour du Mont Blanc — a variant that drops straight into the valley instead of skirting around it, giving hikers views that the standard route misses.

How do you get to Col de Tricot?

The most popular loop starts at Le Champel (around 1,166 m) and follows the Chemin de l'Ormey before the real climb to the pass begins; the descent then heads toward the Chalets de Miage. The full loop covers roughly 12–14 km with close to 1,000–1,300 m of combined ascent and descent, taking 5 to 6 hours at a steady pace.

A shorter option climbs from Refuge du Fioux via Bellevue — about 2 hours to the pass, with the round trip plus a break taking 4–5 hours over roughly 700 m of elevation gain. A third approach starts from the village of Bionnassay (Auberge de Bionnassay), where Col de Tricot forms the first leg of the classic TMB route.

What will you see along the way?

The signature feature of the crossing is a tall suspension footbridge spanning the Bionnassay glacial torrent — one of the most photographed pedestrian crossings in the French Alps. From the pass itself, the view opens onto the Bionnassay Glacier, the Mont Blanc massif, and the southern ridge of the Aiguilles Rouges.

On one side of the pass, hikers regularly come across grazing sheep flocks guarded by patous — Great Pyrenees mountain dogs. It's worth keeping a respectful distance and not approaching the flock when the dogs are present.

Where can you eat or stay overnight?

On the far side of the pass, toward the Miage glacier valley, sit the Chalets de Miage — a refuge with a restaurant where hikers can stop for a meal mid-route. The spot has built a reputation for its homemade blueberry pie, a favourite among hikers finishing this leg of the trail. Overnight stays at the refuge require advance booking, as does the alternative Chalets du Truc on the opposite side of the valley.

When's the best time to visit?

The hiking season around Col de Tricot generally runs from mid-May to mid-November, depending on snow conditions and weather that particular year. Summer months (June through September) see the heaviest foot traffic, especially from hikers completing the full Tour du Mont Blanc circuit.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the hike to Col de Tricot? Depending on the route chosen, anywhere from about 4 hours (from Refuge du Fioux) to 5–6 hours for the full loop from Le Champel.

Is the trail difficult? It's a demanding mountain hike but doesn't require technical climbing gear — the steepest sections are the final climb to the pass and the descent into the Miage glacier valley.

Can you stay overnight nearby? Yes, at either Chalets de Miage or Chalets du Truc, provided you book a spot in advance.

Is Col de Tricot part of the Tour du Mont Blanc? Yes, it's a popular variant of the first stage of the TMB, chosen by hikers looking for a more dramatic route than the standard path via Bellevue.