Val Veny ‘balcon’ day hike - Italian Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) TMB stage out of Courmayeur

Equivalent to anti-clockwise stage 4 in Kev Reynolds’ TMB (Tour Mont Blanc) guidebook. This stage can be walked independently, not as part of the whole 10 day trek. Features a moderate 600m/600m elevation gain/loss, and spectacular and continuous views of the Italian side of the Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco). Total walking time of the full day hike as marked: 5-6 hours excluding optional detours (Lago Miage and Rifugio Elisabetta). Generally recommended from June to September, but check weather forecast and avoid in bad weather.

1. Get to La Visaille (1800m) at the top of the Val Veny valley road. Either drive all the way up and park between the bridge and the closed gate, or take the hourly Val Veny bus from Courmayeur to the last stop. Savda bus schedule: http://www.autourdumontblanc.com/en/index.cfm/public-transport.html
2. Walk up the valley for about an hour (ascending about 200m), and connect to the main TMB trail near Combal (2000m). Optional 30 min detour to Lago Miage (recommended).
3. Ascend along the TMB for about an hour to the highest point of the trail (2400m), then descend to Rifugio Maison Vieille (2000m).
4. From Rifugio Maison Vieille you have several options:
a. Easiest: Descend to Courmayeur (1300m) using the Dolonne cable car in July-August only: http://www.courmayeur-montblanc.com/?
b. Longest: Descend to Courmayeur (1300m) on foot, following the main TMB trail
c. Shortest: Descend straight to Val Veny valley (1700m), where the aforementioned bus has multiple stops along the valley road.
d. Closing the loop: Descend back to La Visaille (1800m), where your car is parked - this route is marked on the map.
For options C and D - take trail number 6 which goes north-west from the Rifugio clearing.

There are 3-4 Rifugios along the walk (see way marks), where you can get drinks and food or spend the night. Check availability by phone or email (beds must be booked way ahead in July and August). Rifugio Elisabetta has the best views (especially at sunset and sunrise), but requires additional one hour walk each way.