The Tour Ronde has a fantastic situation on the southern edge of the Vallée Blanche. The views from the summit of the massive and complex Brenva face on Mont Blanc, of the steep south face of Mont Maudit, and of the granite towers of the Grand Capucin are impressively close. One can also see down into the Val Veni in Italy, over to the Dent du Géant, the huge face of the Grandes Jorasses, and beyond to the Aiguille Verte, and the Aiguille d'Argentière.

The Southeast Arête of the Tour Ronde is an excellent moderate mixed climb, with airy sections on the granite crest, over and around numerous towers, finishing with easy snow and a last bit of scrambling along the crest to the spectacular summit block.

We usually climb the Tour Ronde in two days, typically basing from the Torino hut, just over the border in Italy at the southern extreme of the Géant Glacier. The hut overlooks the Italian Val Veni and the alpine village of Courmayeur. Great pasta and espresso!

The approach to the Torino hut can be done completely via cable car from Chamonix, going first to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, and then continuing on the Hellbronner lift for an extremely scenic traverse above the Vallée Blanche. This approach day can be made to accommodate another short climb, such as the Cosmiques Arête on the Aiguille du Midi, or the Traverse of the Aiguille d'Entreves.

Alternatively, of course, an ascent of the Tour Ronde can be fit into a longer itinerary taking in various climbs and summits in the Vallée Blanche. Some options are the Dent du Géant, the Trident du Tacul or the Pyramide du Tacul.