Tour du Mont-Blanc - day 2

The small Refuge du Truc was overall okay. The dormitory, now called Dortoir, was spacious and well ventilated, the sanitary facilities were absolutely fine. In good weather, we first hike down through the coniferous forest to the beautiful village of Les Contamines. Today, Tuesday, is market day. Cheese, sausages, and ham were offered for tasting and we bought some fruit. Above the village, we pass through a nice sports and adventure park. Then we reach the well-known pilgrimage church Notre Dame de la Gorge (1,210 m). After a short rest, we ascend along an old Roman road beside the gorge of the Bonnant stream, first through the forest and later through gentler terrain to Refuge de La Balme (1,706 m). After a break in the inn’s garden, the steep ascent begins in the afternoon over two plateaus to Col de Bonhomme (2,329 m). Here we can review our day’s route once more. After another hour through rocky landscape, we reach Col de la Croix Bonhomme and immediately below it our day’s destination, Refuge de la Croix Bonhomme (2,443 m), the highest hut on the TMB. We still get accommodation in a 6-bed room in the fully booked house. The evening menu is served at long tables for about 60 guests.