Ascent route
Miage-Bionnassay Traverse and Mont Blanc Ascent
The Miage-Bionnassay traverse is one of the most aesthetic itineraries in the massif. It combines ridges, glaciers, altitude and commitment, with around 1,200 m of ascent on day 2 for the Miage Domes traverse alone.
Written by Victor Michel — history enthusiast and passionate alpinist based in Chamonix. Published May 7, 2026 · Updated August 3, 2026
Quick summary
An aesthetic, committing ridge traverse graded AD-, combining the Miage Domes, Aiguille de Bionnassay and Dôme du Goûter before the summit. The Durier refuge (3,558 m), tucked between the two massifs, is among the hardest to access in the range.
Key takeaways
- Grade: AD- over the whole traverse
- Durier refuge (3,558 m), among the hardest to access in the massif
- Typical day 2: Aiguille de la Bérangère (3,425 m) then 5 Miage Domes (3,673 m), +1,200 m / −500 m
- Rock passage up to the 4th degree below the Bionnassay summit
Technical data
- SectorMiage, Bionnassay, Dôme du Goûter
- Key refugeDurier (3,558 m)
- GradeAD-
- Ascent (Miage Domes stage)≈ +1,200 m / −500 m, 6 to 8 h
- CharacterRidge, aesthetic, committing
- ForExperienced alpinists
Specific risks
- Exposure
- Narrow ridges
- Altitude
- Weather
Huts and key points
- Durier Refuge
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- Altituderando.com — Durier Refuge and Col de Miage
Other ascent routes
Safety: Conditions in the high mountains change rapidly. The information on this page replaces neither the judgement of a high-mountain guide, nor weather bulletins, nor official information from huts and mountain safety organisations.
