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Green hillsides lead to Orsières

Although the Grand Combin does not impress itself upon Val d’Entremont as it does on Val de Bagnes, it’s a major massif with several high summits, big snowfields and glaciers. As its name suggests, the six-day Tour des Combins makes a circuit of the massif to give the experienced mountain walker some truly spectacular views and reasonably tough days. The trek leads through tracts of wild country and crosses several passes, but it also visits attractive small villages on the Italian flank. (For further information see: www.tourdescombins.ch)

Day 1: Leaving Bourg-St-Pierre the route heads north to the chapel of Notre Dame de Lorette where a path rises through forest on the east flank of the valley, leading to the alp of Creux du Mâ. It then sweeps up to the lower Boveire alp at 2230m and continues on a long contour with Mont Blanc’s outlying peaks on show to the west. In a little over 4hrs from Bourg you reach the grassy Col de Mille and the timber-built Cabane du Col de Mille at 2472m. Views include the Grand and Petit Combin, Mont Vélan, Grandes Jorasses and Mont Dolent.