This hike is as epic as everyone makes it out to be.  The circuit rounds the Mont Blanc mountain range and winds through three countries. It is ~110 miles and has a cumulative ascent of ~36,000 ft! You can opt to stay in mountain huts (which are practically hotels) or you can camp it. I preferred to camp – it allows me more freedom to set my daily distances and gain some solitude. Amazing hike.

Due to a strange camera malfunction I lost the first two days of photos, but the remainder are gorgeous.

Looking back on Chamonix valley and north face of Mont Blanc

Goat

Fast forward two days: South face of Mont Blanc from Italy.

Nice campsite next to old, abandoned farm hut.

Said farm hut

Beautiful, but TINY little butterfly

Shoe for scale

Typical chalet

Rounding the mountain and heading back to Chamonix, 7 days later

Back to Chamonix!