tour du mont blanc early june

Planning for the Tour du Mont Blanc

After reading this Trek article almost two years ago, I put the Tour du Mont Blanc on my bucket list and mostly forgot about it. Until this past November, when I started longing for warmer weather and snowless hiking. As I tend to do when I’m nostalgic for my hiking fix, I started researching potential trips. Since I had finished my section hike of the Appalachian Trail in August 2017, I needed new trips to obsessively plan while I was in the throes of winter depression. I decided that for this summer, I wanted a hike that was something I could do in one shot and not have to break into sections. And I really liked the idea of getting out into the larger world, and backpacking around the Alps sounded like a blast. So I started planning. All I can say is, thank goodness for Google Translate.

How to Hike Tour du Mont Blanc

1: overview.

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is a loop hike of ~110 miles with ~30,000 feet of elevation gain (and subsequent loss) that circumnavigates Mont Blanc massif, a 16,000-footer in the Alps. The trail’s highest point is 8,700 feet, which is not high enough to cause altitude sickness in most people. It’s easiest to fly into Geneva (though there are many other options for transportation if you want to get creative and fly into other parts of Europe), and then take a bus or shuttle the 1.5-hour drive to Chamonix (pronounced sha-mo-nee), France, where most people start and end their hike. The trail goes through France, Italy, and Switzerland. It’s typically hiked counterclockwise, to make the elevation more gentle and put better views at the end. The trail has a classic route, with many variants as options to make it more challenging or, in one case, to avoid a section with metal ladders.

Courtesy of Flickr

It’s a popular trail for Europeans going on vacation during their summer break – July and August. Some Brits go adventuring on the Tour du Mont Blanc as well, but it’s pretty uncommon for Americans. Of the people who hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, something like 95 percent of them are either on a guided or self-guided tour. Unsurprisingly, it costs a lot to pay someone else to plan this for you; I saw anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 beyond the actual costs of the reservations. Many places offer the option of having your bag carried from hut to hut by donkey. If you’d like to pay REI $5,400 (doesn’t include transportation costs), you can do the Alps in style.

It’s worth noting that none of the guided trips and very few of the self-guided trips I found offer the option to hike the entire Tour du Mont Blanc . Almost every single one cuts out portions of it, and uses chairlifts to avoid longer ascents or descents. This didn’t sit well with me; I wanted to hike the entire Tour du Mont Blanc end to end, and I wanted to know where we were going and why. And I’m very frugal and the idea of paying someone else to plan my trip was physically painful to me, so I dug into it on my own.

The most popularly recommended guide book by far is The Tour of Mont Blanc: a complete two-way trekking guide by Kev Reynolds . It’s a comprehensive guide to hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, offering a lot of description about the trail’s surrounding landscape, with information about lodging, services, and towns. As a whole, they mainly offer phone numbers for each place of lodging, though sometimes websites are noted as well. I would recommend purchasing the book ($18) if you’re thinking about doing the Tour du Mont Blanc – it is worth the money. However, as a number-crunching hiker, it didn’t offer me quite what I wanted. The distance was only provided as totals for each section and the elevation profiles were so small, they were relatively worthless. I wanted something like The AT Guide or the Thru-Hiker’s Companion . As I couldn’t find this information anywhere, I ended up making my own mileage and elevation tables in Excel. I also ended up purchasing this map ($20); it took me a bit to find the Tour du Mont Blanc on the map, but once I did, it helped me with my planning process. There is also a really helpful interactive map here on the Autour du Mont-Blanc website.

For those who might want to tent camp the Tour du Mont Blanc, know that it’s more complicated than it might first appear. Not only can it be challenging to bring camping gear on an airplane, it’s illegal to wild camp along the entire TMB, except in emergency situations above 2,500 meters, including outside a hut. While there are often campgrounds in or near towns, it can make your mileage more complicated. Or you could do dispersed camping and risk the consequences of being caught – $650 fine per tent. Besides, who wants to carry a heavy pack when you really don’t have to? And showers every day can be so nice! There are a number of online resources available discussing the Tour du Mont Blanc as a tenting vacation, if desired. If I like the TMB, I may return in the future with a tent, but for now, I’d just as soon reduce the number of things that I need to worry about.

2: Transportation and Travel Dates

So first things first – what time of year to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc? Most hostels don’t open until mid-June, because there can still be substantial snow in the mountains up until the beginning of June. If you’re hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in June, it’s recommended that you check that huts and hostels will be open and bring traction devices like Microspikes. Yearly snowfall makes a difference, and if it hasn’t melted yet, some sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc can be completely impassable in June. July through mid-August are busier times of year, with Europeans on break, and July gets more rain than August or September, though all services are open and you’ll have warmer weather. Mid-August through the mid-September are generally nicer, with less people, less rain, and cooler weather. However, many hostels close in mid-September, so it can cut down on your lodging and refueling options if you go any later than that. And oh, there’s also an ultramarathon of the TMB each year in mid- to late August, so you may want to avoid those dates; it will be an absolute zoo. I had wanted to hike in mid-June but due to work and other summer hiking plans, I was locked into hiking this trip in mid- to late-July.

I used Google Flights , Scott’s Cheap Flights , and FareCompare to track the cost of various flights. Google Flights is a good tool to compare different departure locations; for my location, Boston was by far the cheapest. I kept an eye on the deals and jumped at round trip tickets for $633 per percon back in January. Most flights to Europe during the summer quickly work their way towards $1,000+ for a round-trip ticket. Buy earlier, and keep your eye out for flash sales.

Our economy tickets include one free checked bag. For the flight there and back, I’ll be putting my backpack inside a duffel bag that can be packed down once we arrive. The first hostel we’re staying at in Les Houches will hold a small bag for a euro per day, so we may leave the packed duffel bags and some town clothes in a small bag with them and retrieve them when we stay there again on our next-to-last night.

Something that came up for me as I began preparing my supplies was realizing that international travel can make it challenging to take medication. As someone who needs to inject medication, it was that much more complicated. So, the bottom line is this: for traveling to Europe, all prescription medication should be in its original container with the prescription label noting it’s yours. For traveling with syringes, you will also need to have a letter from your physician noting the medical necessity or they could be confiscated.

Shuttles Between the Airport and Chamonix

Most round-trip shuttles between the airport and Chamonix cost between $140 and 175. I found this prohibitively expensive, so I explored my options for bus and train travel. As best as I can tell, there isn’t a train station at the airport, so you would need to travel from the airport to a local train station. There are more public buses leaving from the Geneva bus station, but that’s a few miles away from the airport. I ended up settling on the Ouibus , as it’s $47 for a round-trip ticket and they leave from the airport every two hours and drop off in Les Houches and Chamonix. They also offer free rescheduling of your ticket if you reschedule 30 minutes or more in advance of the bus’s departure, and have a handy app to help you navigate that process. It does mean that we’ll end up returning to the airport for our flight home maybe an hour earlier than required, but it’s worth the price differential.

Reservations

I flailed around for a while, trying to figure out the best way to put in reservations for lodging on the trail. I was overjoyed when I found the Autour du Mont-Blanc . This is a wonderful site, and it’s almost everything you need to plan lodging for trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc. They help you plan an itinerary , based on where you’ll be starting and which direction you’ll be going. Once your starting point and direction are established, it will show you the nearest hostels and huts by walking distance, and also provides a lot of information about the services at the huts and hostels. Once you create an itinerary, it will assist you in reserving space at all of those places that offer online reservations. It will also tell you which places you must contact directly. Between this website, Google, and Kev Reynolds book, I was able to locate email addresses for all lodging that didn’t take online reservations, and placed all my reservations without making any phone calls. Before leaving on the trip, be sure to print out your reservation emails as proof. I read stories of people’s private room reservations not being respected because they hadn’t followed the directions to print out their reservation email as proof.

For Chamonix and Courmayeur, I found hotels through online searches. I found the hotels search within Google Maps to be the cheapest and most thorough option. For Courmayeur, we’ll be staying at Hotel Berthod ; in Chamonix, we’ll be staying at Le Vert Hotel . They were among the least expensive options, and both have excellent ratings on Google and TripAdvisor.   

When I placed my reservations, I paid 335 euros and 20 CHF to reserve or pay in full for lodging; six of the 13 locations did not require any payment to make a reservation. Only two places required full payment up-front, and those were the two hotels (Courmayeur and Chamonix). All said and done, it was $800 each for me and my partner to get lodging, dinner, and breakfast for 13 nights; for three of those nights, we paid a bit extra for a private room. Other locations offered private rooms, but they were substantially more expensive than the basic hostel option, and we were unwilling to pay the difference.

Travel Sheets

Travel sheets are mandatory and very much desired for staying in huts and hostels in Europe. They provide pillows and blankets but do not provide sheets. Since there will be lots of people before and after you, it’s really the best idea to bring travel sheets with you. I purchased these synthetic ones for $20 and my partner purchased these silk ones for $33.

Most hostels have a place to handwash clothes and let them dry. We expect that we’ll be able to use a washer/dryer at the two hotels we’re staying at, and other than that, we’ll be handwashing everything. In looking for unscented laundry soap to bring with us, I found these dry laundry soap sheets. They don’t count against your liquids and can’t spill in your luggage. They can be cut or torn into smaller pieces for handwashing in a sink, and one sheet will take care of a small to medium load of laundry.

4: Safety and Communication

Mountain insurance.

When hiking in more mountainous places like the Alps, mountain insurance is recommended, which will cover things like the costs of a rescue team or a helicopter rescue, should you or anyone in your party get hurt badly enough they can’t self-rescue. It can also cover the cost of repatriation, which is the cost to return you to your country in case of serious injury.

After considering my options, I went with a yearly membership to the Austrian Alpine Club’s UK branch . They openly accept applicants from the US, and mailed me my membership cards. Membership includes mountain insurance, discounts at many huts and hostels, as well as a quarterly magazine. An adult membership starts at $60. They offer a variety of discounts for seniors, young adults, teens, and children. I ended up paying ~$110 for my partner and me, as they offer a discount for people who live together. With the discounts we receive at huts and hostels, it will pay for itself on our trip.

Health Insurance

You don’t want to be left holding the bill if something goes wrong overseas. Both me and my travel partner checked with our health insurance companies, to be sure that they cover medical care outside of the US. I was able to confirm it through their website, while my partner had to call the insurance company directly.

Plug Converters

For this trip in Europe, a Type C (‘Europlug’) converter will meet your needs, as it can be used with plug types E, F, J, K and L . I purchased this one for $12. You should check on your device or charger to be sure it offers both 110 and 220 volts (generally noted as 110-220 on the plug or device). Most items will have no problem with using a basic plug converter and don’t need a voltage converter (unless they’re high-powered appliances like hair dryers), but it’s worth double checking before you leave.  

Phone Connection

While most hostels offer Wi-Fi, most huts do not. Given the complexity of this trip, I decided that I’d prefer to have full use of my phone during my trip and opted for a 30-day international phone pass. AT&T offers both a $10 per day and a $60 for 30 days international phone usage passport add-on, though it does need to be arranged prior to your departure.

I did research into currency exchange and found that ATMs and banks are your best bet for withdrawing money in the local currency. Airports do offer it, but will charge a huge percentage on top of the actual exchange rate. I will be getting a few hundred euros from AAA before we leave, just to tide us over and make sure we have something in case of emergency. There are ATMs available in: (France) Chamonix, Les Houches, Les Contamines, (Italy) Courmayeur, and (Switzerland) La Fouly. You’ll need to call your bank to make sure your ATM card will work. Check if your credit card company needs to be notified about you leaving the country or traveling. Most hostels require cash; maybe three to four  hostels (all in Switzerland) take credit cards.

On the Tour du Mont Blanc, the predominant language is French; Italian, German, and English seem to be the next most-common. Since neither of us speak French, we worked on our basics using Duolingo. It won’t be enough to carry on full conversations, but we’ll be able to have some basic exchanges. From what I read, making an effort to speak at least some French is much appreciated by the locals.

5. Trip Cost

Our round-trip flights cost $633 each, and included one free checked bag; the Ouibus cost $47 each for a round-trip ticket. Total cost for 13 nights and 14 days in Europe came out to $1,535 per person, excluding incidentals and lunch, including RT flight, RT bus between airport and Chamonix, mountain insurance, and lodging with dinner and breakfast included.

*Featured image thanks to Flickr

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To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Hi y'all, I'm Aubri ('Data'). I'm a queer, nonbinary hiker, backpacker, and trail runner (they/them pronouns, please). I've thru-hiked the AT ('13-'17), the Tour du Mont Blanc ('18), the Vermont Long Trail ('18), the John Muir Trail ('19, '21), the Tahoe Rim Trail ('19), and the New England Trail ('12-'17, '21), and summited all of the Winter New England 67, and completed the New England Hundred Highest and the Northeast 115 peaks. I've also run multiple 50ks, three 50-milers, and one 75-miler. I'm about 50% done with the PCT. This summer, I'm hiking the JMT with my partner, and section hiking more of the CA PCT. This winter, I'll be working on hiking the New England Hundred Highest. I'm hoping to thru-hike the Walkers Haute Route in Switzerland and section hike the rest of the PCT next year. At my day job, I'm a data-crunching research nerd, researching everything from medical outcomes for hospitalized patients to social determinants of health. During the week, I'm trail running, reading, and doing trapeze, and on the weekends, I'm generally out hiking some mountain somewhere. You can find trip reports and ramblings at https://transcendingmountains.blog/

This is a really informative post. Thanks for pulling all this together and sharing it.

Thanks for all the effort you have put into this; it will be a big help to many. Will look forward to reading about the trip after you return home…

You did a great job researching your trip and finding a way to keep the costs down. It’s hard to do all of this sight unseen.

I hiked part of the Tour du Mont Blanc when I did the GR5 (Holland to Nice, France). The Alps are amazing! Be prepared to be blown away by the beauty of it all. And I loved staying in the hostels on the trail. Les Houches (“lays hoosch”) sounds very familiar to me, so I assume I stayed there.

Please post a follow up report after your adventure. We’re all living vicariously through you.

Great post! Hope your trip was a blast.

Very informative, comprehensive and meticulous. Looking forward to your post on experience after the adventure !

Fantastic post! I’m planning my solo TMB for first week of july and I had very useful information from you. Thank you very much.

Very informative blog. We are doing the hike in August 2019 and done with most of our reservations. I wish I had come across your blog earlier. It would have saved us so much time 🙂

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At the foot of Mont Blanc (4808m or 15,770ft), the highest mountain in western Europe, Chamonix's alpine town atmosphere

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Tour du mont blanc hiking - routes, maps and itineraries.

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is a 170 km trek that encompasses the whole of the Mont Blanc Massif; with nearly 10 000m of cumulative descent and ascent it is usually completed in a number of days.

The TMB has a variety of accommodation facilities along the route (hotels and mountain huts with possibility for vehicle support) that allow you to really enjoy the scenery, take lots of photos and walk each day with just a light pack.

Alternatively, the TMB can be done completely self-sufficiently: you carry all your own food and camping gear. This gives you a better sense of freedom and the ability to go where you please whenever you want.

Tour of Mont Blanc General Information

Mont Blanc Tour mountain huts are open, in general, from mid-June until the first or second week in September. It is advisable to reserve a bed, particularly in the high season of mid July to mid August.

Early in the season is the quietest and most beautiful, but beware of old snow on the higher paths which could be icy and dangerous and would make an ice axe essential.

For additional safety or to just show you the way you could hire an Independent Trek Leader .

Wildlife on the Tour du Mont Blanc

Have a look at the Chamonix.net nature, fauna and flora page  for more information on wildlife you might encounter on the Tour of Mont Blanc. Chamois, deer, eagles and a range of beautiful alpine flowers can all be seen and photographed.

Tour du Mont Blanc Maps, Kit List and Equipment

Lightweight boots and shorts are sufficient as long as there are warm clothes in your backpack. Waterproofs are essential and trekking poles useful. Here are some of the best mountain equipment shops in Chamonix .

Do not forget sunglasses, skin and lip protection. Always carry drinking water and check the Chamonix weather forecast before starting your journey.

Maps for the Tour of Mont Blanc:

Tour of Mont Blanc - Route Descriptions

You have plenty of options: from 4 day sportive hikes to leisurely 12 day cultural experiences; there is not only one way to do the Tour of Mont Blanc. Here are a couple of different suggestions which may help you make up your mind on your particular style.

• You can go on your own with your own GPS track, or benefit from a mountain leader's experience
• You can carry your own gear or hike with a light pack with vehicle support
• You can sleep and eat in the refuges or carry a tent

Here is a list of contact information for the various mountain huts .

4 day trip: Not quite racing - but fast enough: For the hardcore hiker

This itinerary follows pretty much in the footsteps of the Ultra Trail race (which varies slightly from year to year). This is for very fit hikers and is done with only a light day pack, eating and sleeping in huts and is basically the run/walking version of the Tour du Mont Blanc. The times noted are for fit spandex-wearing (not obligatory!) hikers.

7 day trip: Hiking the Tour of Mont Blanc - hiker

Start with the previously mentioned itinerary and break up the days a bit depending on where you would like to spend the night.

For people who carry their own gear, plan on a 7 day trip.

9 to 11 day trip: Taking the time to look at the scenery

Of course if you really do have time, you can expand the experience. Here's an example of a slower pace, with time to veer a little off the path. This is described as an 11 day trip, but it would be really easy to knock off the first and last days as those days are dedicated to trekking in the Chamonix Valley.

Each year, in the last days of August, the trails around the Mont Blanc get really busy. This is because of one of the most amazing human competitions ever organized on this planet - The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc - so keep this in mind when planning your hike of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

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Tour du Mont Blanc

“ one of the most renowned hikes in the alps. ”.

8,291' 2,527  m

3,225' 983  m, 31,302' 9,541  m, 31,300' 9,540  m, know this trail, dogs unknown, features commonly backpacked · historical significance · lake · river/creek · views · wildflowers · wildlife, need to know, description, flora & fauna, trail ratings.

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Current trail conditions, conditions history, add check-in, nearby recommended routes.

Aiguillette des Posettes

3.6 mi 5.8 km • 2,460' Up 749.93 m Up • 771' Down 235.12 m Down

Lac Cornu, Lac Noir Out-and-Back

6.2 mi 10.1 km • 2,320' Up 707.25 m Up • 2,319' Down 706.81 m Down

Lac du Brevent and Aiguillette de Houches

5.8 mi 9.3 km • 1,725' Up 525.9 m Up • 1,712' Down 521.67 m Down

Montagne de la Cote

7.1 mi 11.4 km • 3,951' Up 1204.26 m Up • 3,951' Down 1204.18 m Down

TOR330_2022_VAR_OYACE

213.9 mi 344.2 km • 78,549' Up 23941.8 m Up • 78,525' Down 23934.3 m Down

Bionnassay Glacier's Hanging Bridge

4.5 mi 7.2 km • 1,531' Up 466.76 m Up • 1,376' Down 419.44 m Down

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• Dates & Prices

Celebrate Earth Day this April. MBT will be donating a portion of each booking, to our conservation partner, EOCA. Book now for 2025!

Tour du Mont Blanc Full Guided Trek

Hiking the tmb with our uimla guides.

Trek in Brief

Suitability & grading:

GRADE 3 DIFFICULT See trek grading for further information.

Accommodation:

9 x 3* Hotels, 1 x Auberge & 2 x Mountain Refuges

4 x B&B in Chamonix, Courmayeur, 8 x half board (B&B + 3 course evening meal) whilst on the tour

Group size:

Minimum 2 Maximum 12 (plus guide)

Bag transfer:

Single rooms:

Available 10 nights at £800

Dates 2024:

17 - 29 June / Fully Booked 24 June - 6 July / Fully Booked 1 - 13 July / Fully Booked 8 - 20 July / Fully Booked 15 - 27 July / 2 Spaces 22 July - 3 August / Fully Booked 29 July - 10 Aug / Fully Booked 5 - 17 Aug / Fully Booked 12 - 24 Aug / Fully Booked 2 - 14 Sept / Fully Booked 9 - 21 Sept / Fully Booked

Dates 2025:

16 - 28 June / 9 Spaces 23 June - 5 July / 10 Spaces 30 June - 12 July / 6 Spaces 14 - 26 July / 6 Spaces 21 July - 2 August / 8 Spaces 28 July - 9 Aug / 10 Spaces 4 - 16 Aug / 10 Spaces 11 - 23 Aug / 10 Spaces 1 - 13 Sept / 9 Spaces 3-15 Sept / 8 Spaces 8- 20 Sept / 6 Spaces

The Tour du Mont Blanc makes for an excellent multi-day trekking holiday in the alps. Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular long distance treks in Europe approximately 170 k in length with an accumulation of 9,500m of height gain. Starting and finishing in the Chamonix valley the route circumnavigates the ‘Mont Blanc Massif’ taking in some of the most spectacular alpine scenery through France, Italy & Switzerland. Bag transfer included.

suggested intinerary

Day 1 ARRIVAL IN CHAMONIX

On the day of arrival we have a trek briefing in the hotel lounge at 5pm, this gives you the opportunity to meet your guide & the rest of the group.

During the briefing we will go though all the necessary information including itinerary, accommodation, meals & bag transfer. The guide will also discuss plans for the first day of the trek. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have so you are fully informed before you start your adventure.

3* Hotel, private en-suite rooms, B & B

Day 2 CHAMONIX TO LES HOUCHES

We commence the Tour Mont Blanc full trek from Chamonix taking the cable car to the Planpraz at 2000m, from here we take the TMB route to the Col du Brevent, Brevent 2525m and descend along the stunning ridge to Refuge Bel Lachat. From the refuge, we make the long and tough descent via Parc Merlet to Les Houches and our hotel accommodation for the night.

Distance: 13k | Height gain: +700m | Descent: -1500m

3* Hotel, private en-suite rooms, evening meal & breakfast

This day often feels one of the toughest on the trek generally because people are not fully acclimatised. The descent can be punishing & is probably the most difficult during the trek due 1500m sustained down hill & at times rocky terrain. Walking poles are recommended to save the knees!

Day 3 LES HOUCHES TO LES CONTAMINES:

Our day starts with a cable car ride to the Bellevue 1802m with stunning views of the Mont Blanc range from high above the westerly end of the Chamonix valley. We then have a choice of routes to Les Contamines via Bionnassay & Chapel or the Col du Tricot & Chalets des Miage.

Using the cable car: Via Bionnassay: Distance: 15k | Height gain: +100m | Descent: -700m Via Col du Tricot: Distance: 13k | Height gain: +800m| Descent: -1300m

Day two & you are probably feeling a little tiered from the first day. The terrain is very different today, less rugged & more green as you will be trekking though high altitude pastureland. If you are trekking via the Col du Tricot check out the Blueberry pie at the Chalets des Miage, very memorable & delicious!

Day 4 LES CONTAMINES TO REFUGE NOVA or MOTTETS:

A great day ahead awaits and we make our ascent through three cols, Col du Bonhomme, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme & the Col des Fours 2665m. Descending steeply through the wild and remote landscape to either Chapieux and the Refuge Nova or Ville des Glaciers and on to the Refuge Mottets.

Distance: 20k | Height gain: +1500m | Descent: -900m

Dormitory (upgrade possible), evening meal & breakfast

On paper this looks like one of the longest & toughest days on the trek but don’t worry its very doable. There is a fair amount of height gain but it is integrated with sections of gentle terrain, which make the day more manageable. The key is to start early & allow plenty of time.

Day 5 REFUGE NOVA or MOTTETS TO COURMAYEUR:

If staying at the Refuge Nova we take the bus to Ville des Glaciers and continue on the trail to the Refuge Mottets. The Refuge Mottets is situated in a great position below the Col du Seigne 2516m, although we climb steeply at times we soon find ourselves over the col & across French/Italian border into Italy. We then make a descent into the stunning Val Veny with easy walking through the hanging valleys to Lac Combal. From here we descend La Visaille and take the shuttle bus to Courmayeur.

Distance: 14k | Height gain: +700m | Descent: -700m

One of my favourite days on the Tour du Mont Blanc, the views from the Col du Seigne is second to none! Once you are at the col & if the weather is right rest for a while & take in the far-reaching views in to Italy & Switzerland, just wonderful!

Day 6: REST DAY

The full trek offers a rest day in Courmayeur giving you the opportunity to reflect on the westerly half of the trek and relax and enjoy this beautiful Italian alpine town. Perhaps visit the spa at Pre St Didier, take the Skyway cable car to Point Helbronner or just wander though the historic streets & enjoy the delicious food & drink.

Day 7 COURMAYEUR TO LAVACHEY:

Fully refreshed we make our ascent to the Refuge Bertoni and enjoy amazing views of Mont Blanc and Courmayeur down below. We spend the rest of the day on a lofty traverse from high above the Val Ferret with stunning views of the Italian side of the Mont Blanc before descending to the valley to our accommodation in the beautiful Val Ferret.

Distance: 19k | Height gain: +750m | Descent: -350m

A steep but steady climb up to the Refuge Bertoni, it’s worth it because the coffee is fabulous & the views just stunning, elevenses’ here is a must! Fabulous views of some of the most famous peaks in the European Alps including Mont Blanc & the Grand Jorasses. And for the hamlet of Lavachey... it's just fabulous, if the night is clear go our side after diner & just 'be' in this impressive location.

Day 8 LAVACHEY TO LA FOULY:

An early start and a new country awaits, we continue through the Val Ferret to Arnuva before making our long ascent to the Grand Col Ferret 2537m via the Refugio Elena and the Italian/Swiss border. We then make a relatively easy and enjoyable descent via la Peule, Ferret to La Fouly and our hotel accommodation for the night.

Distance: 20k | Height gain: +900m | Descent: -1400m

3* Hotel private en-suite rooms, evening meal & breakfast

Again this day looks tough but the hard bits are nicely spaced with less challenging terrain & once at the Col stare in wonder at the view looking back at your last 3 days of trekking towards the Col du Seigne & over the boarder into Switzerland. The descent is long but at an easy angle & the path is good. Plenty of opportunity to stop for refreshments at Arnurva, Refuge Elena & La Peule.

Day 9 LA FOULY TO CHAMPEX-LAC:

An easy day in comparison walking in the beautiful Swiss Val Ferret. We then pass through the Swiss villages of Praz de Fort and Issert before make our ascent to the charming village of Champex-Lac and our resting place for the evening.

Distance: 15k | Height gain: +420m | Descent: -570m

The easiest day on the trek with only 400m of ascent, which comes at the end of the day. Relax and take advantage with a later breakfast before wandering down the beautiful Swiss Val Ferret. Cafe at Issert but its not open on a Tuesday so plan ahead if you are trekking this leg on that day of the week!

Day 10 CHAMPEX-LAC TO TRIENT:

An initial easy start to the day is to be had as we wind our way on easy paths to Plan de l'Au. We then climb up steadily to the Alpage Bovine 1987m and enjoy fabulous views over Martigny and the Swiss Valais. We spend the rest of the day making our descent to the Col du Forclaz 1526m with a final descent to Trient.

Distance: 18k | Height gain: +750m | Descent: -950m

Auberge with private rooms & shared facilities, evening meal & breakfast

The Bovine route is a fabulous day not too tricky over lovely terrain. Lunch stop at the high alpine farm at Bovine is a must, you can purchase local food or even eat your own picnic on the terrace as long as you buy a drink. Amazing views across to Lac Leman & down the Rhone valley.

Day 11 TRIENT TO ARGENTIERE:

Today we have two options as we can take the route directly to the Col du Balme from Trient or through alpine woodland to the Alpage of Tseppes, Catogne and on to the Col du Balme 2191m and the Swiss/French border. From the Col, we then make our descent to the hamlet of Le Tour and across pastureland to the village of Argentiere and our hotel accommodation for the evening.

Direct via the Col du Balme: Distance: 13k | Height gain: +900m | Descent: -900m or Via Catogne & the Col du Balme: Distance: 15k | Height gain: +1000m | Descent: -1000m

4* Hotel private en-suite rooms, HB

Personally unless the weather is bad take the route via Catogne, the views are far superior as one up high you take a lofty traverse with excellent views over towards Emossom dam & the Aiguille Rouges nature reserve.

Day 12 ARGENTIERE TO CHAMONIX

Our final day and a fitting end to the trek takes us back into the Aiguille Rouges to the stunning Lac des Cheserys & Lac Blanc 2352m. We then make a descent to Flegere and take the balcony path traversing high above the Chamonix valley to Planpraz at our starting point 11 days earlier completing the circuit. A final decent via the cable car back to Chamonix in time for a celebratory drink as you have just completed the Tour du Mont Blanc, one of the best multi day treks in the world. In the event of lift closures, we make our descent back to Chamonix via Flegere.

Distance: 14k | Height gain: +1200m | Descent: -500m

3* Hotel private en-suite rooms, B & B

A fitting end to the trek back in the Aiguille nature reserve with pristine views of the Mont Blanc massif & all its peaks & glaciers. Visiting the iconic Lac Blanc is a must & stop for refreshments in the refuge. It gets busy with day walkers in August so make an early start if possible.

Day 13 DEPART CHAMONIX

Breakfast is included however on the departure day you are free to leave at any time you wish.

Once you have completed the trek I hope you will agree that the Tour du Mont Blanc is truly an exceptional trek and has a worthy place as of one of the worlds top 10 long distance walks!

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Best Time to Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc

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Mont Blanc's scenery evolves from a wildflower spectacle to a magical winter wonderland throughout the seasons, transforming from an "easier" (for lack of a better word) trek to a more technical adventure. With such a diverse and ever-changing range of scenery to experience, many people wonder when exactly the best time is to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc.

To sum it up, the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is during the summer months, when warmer weather and more verdant, colourful, and untouched highlights paint the route with a myriad of colours. The downside to hiking during this time are the busier trails and higher chance of afternoon showers; a small price to pay for the picturesque scenery along the trail!

Continue reading to find a month-by-month breakdown of the best time to hike Mont Blanc—pick the time that suits your trekking style, skill and fitness level most, and off you go!

The best time to do the Tour du Mont Blanc: Season-by-season

Let's take a deeper look at the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc!

The best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is between June and September. July and August are peak months, meaning a busier trail but fantastic weather. Mont Blanc's summer months boast lush greenery cloaked with wildflowers, attracting a range of adventurers. However, the pretty scenery comes with a price— congested trails and accommodation can be tough to book. Side note: our article on booking accommodation for the Tour du Mont Blanc grants insight into hotels, hostels, and camping en route.

However, trail congestion remains relatively low during the shoulder months—June and September—but the weather may be more unpredictable. Expect lingering snow even in late June!

To be safe, if you're seeking a less technical trek or haven't gone on too many trekking trips, we suggest tackling the Tour du Mont Blanc in July and August—it may be busy, but the colourful, wild scenery creates the perfect distraction.

Prepare for an average of 2.4-2.75 inches of rain a day. Not sure what to bring for clothes? Our Tour du Mont Blanc packing list article unveils the necessities in detail.

Tour du Mont Blanc - The best time to hike is between June and September

September is one of the best months to complete the incredible Tour du Mont Blanc! However, similar to hiking in June, the moody weather propels a need to diligently prepare for your Mont Blanc trek . Most mountain huts remain open until mid-September, making it easier to book accommodation once all the families have settled back in their homes. October and November bring not-so-great conditions, such as shorter sunlight hours, cooler temperatures, and closed mountain huts.

Hiking in November requires more intense gear to combat the chillier conditions sweeping the wild scenery. But the mists of snow in November grant a magical setting!

September is one of the best months to complete the incredible Tour du Mont Blanc

Some intrepid explorers considering a winter adventure may want to think again. The conditions can be pretty dangerous, especially amid a never-ending biting cold. Of course, you can pair your walking adventure with skiing, but anyone considering hiking Mont Blanc between December and February should be well-trained experts! Even experienced snowshoers, skiers, hikers should consider booking a guide in case an emergency were to arise.

What usually accompanies winter? Snow! You'll probably experience an average of 2.5-4 inches of snow and temperatures ranging from -2°C to -8°C.

Spring is an exciting time for outdoor enthusiasts: the earlier months continue to provide fantastic skiing conditions while the snow melts, unveiling glimpses of the trails carved throughout Mont Blanc. We recommended staying away from hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc during March and April due to avalanche risk, melting snow, and cooler temperatures requiring more hardcore gear. Downhill skiers tend to enjoy these months—but this article isn't about skiing Mont Blanc, is it? The temperature increases in May, but the soggy trails aren't great for hiking.

Tour du Mont Blanc - fantastic skiing conditions in the earlt months of spring

Best time to visit Mont Blanc month-by-month breakdown

Still not sure when to go? Our month-by-month breakdown provides a deeper analysis of the best time to visit Mont Blanc.

Expect quieter trails with lower rainfall, but we still recommend looking into booking refugees, despite fewer people crowding the paths. Average Temperature: High 24℃/Low 11℃ Average Rainfall: 70mm

With schools out for the summer and people on holidays, the trails can get super busy! There's a little less rain in July compared to June, with a slight spike in temperature. Average Temperature: High 26℃/Low 13℃ Average Rainfall: 60mm

When is the best time to hike Tour du Mont Blanc - Beautiful valleys and rugged mountains surrounding the trail

August is basically the same as July, but with a minor increase in average rainfall. Either way, it's essential to pack rain gear for all summer months! Average Temperature: High 26℃/Low 12℃ Average Rainfall: 70mm

The weather may dip during September, but it remains pleasant! Plus, the summer crowds have dissipated, making for a quieter, scenic adventure. Even average rainfall drops ever-so-slightly from August! Plus, mountain huts tend to remain open until mid-September. Average Temperature: High 21℃/Low 9℃ Average Rainfall: 60mm

The weather may dip during September, but it remains pleasant

With most mountain huts closed until June, less sunlight, and more rain, October may not be the best month to attempt the Tour du Mont Blanc. However, the autumn colours painting the scenery really bring the true wonder of this epic long-distance route to life. Average Temperature: High 17℃/Low 5℃ Average Rainfall: 75mm

Thinking of hiking in November? Look into high-end winter gear that can keep you warm and cozy amid the mountain air. Snow also sprinkles across the land, creating cold and brisk temperatures. Average Temperature: High 10℃/Low 0℃ Average Rainfall: 80mm

Welcome to winter! Expect a blanket of snow, causing more technicalities along the trail. Therefore, we recommend only hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc with a guide during the winter. Average Temperature: High 6℃/Low -3℃ Average Snowfall: 90mm

While it's not advised to hike the entire Tour du Mont Blanc during winter, you can always use the snow to your advantage and snowshoe a section! Average Temperature: High 6℃/Low -3℃ Average Snowfall: 100mm

We would recommend avoiding exploring Mont Blanc during February! There are a lot of technicalities and snow. If you're bent on heading out in February, only consider going with a guide. Average Temperature: High 8℃/Low -2℃ Average Snowfall: 70mm

Ah, the bliss of spring! It's always nice escaping February, isn't it? Unfortunately, with melting snow comes avalanches. Maybe hold off on hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc for a short while longer due to the crazy weather! Average Temperature: High 8℃/Low -2℃ Average Snowfall: 70mm

While skiers still dominate Mont Blanc in April, the melting snow paired with lovely fauna makes for a stunning scene. However, we would still recommend keeping your hiking boots on your shelf as avalanches are still very much a thing during April. On the flip side, melting snow means a temperature increase! Average Temperature: High 15℃/Low 3℃ Average Snowfall: 50mm

Avalanches are still very much a thing during April

Dust off those hiking shoes! Although avalanche risk is still high, you'll still find some people exploring the area during May. Summer is still the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, but there may be some spots worth checking out for the day during May—you could explore trails around Chamonix, for example. Average Temperature: High 21℃/Low 9℃ Average Snowfall: 70mm

When is the best time to hike tour du mont blanc - Tour du Mont Blanc offers fantastic Alpine scenery

Now that you know the best time to hike, you can start looking into Tour du Mont Blanc tours or start booking and looking into accommodations if you're planning your trip. For even more information, check out extensive guide on Tour du Mont Blanc , which gives a broad view of the entire experience.

Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc is no easy feat, making it essential to do whatever you can to pick the right time to go, come prepared, and pack the right things. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to us, and we will happily answer any inquiries you may have!

Check out our series of articles planning an incredible Tour du Mont Blanc!

• Complete Guide to the Tour du Mont Blanc
• How long does it take to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?
• How to Prepare for the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Packing List for the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Where to Stay on the Tour du Mont Blanc
• When to hike the TMB?
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Tour du Mont Blanc
• 10 Interesting Facts about the TMB

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Why the Tour du Mont Blanc is the ultimate mountain hike

Nov 9, 2023 • 6 min read

Few multiday mountain hikes rival the Tour du Mont Blanc © Quentin Boehm

If you’ve got one European long-distance hike on your bucket list, it’s probably the Tour du Mont Blanc. It was on mine, too.

Views over sparkling glaciers, Alpine prairies and lots (and lots!) of cheese await anyone who embarks on this border-crossing trek. Circling the largest peak in the Alps , Mont Blanc, the trail covers 170km (105 miles), climbs more than 10,000m (32,800ft) in cumulative altitude, and weaves through three Alpine countries: France , Italy and Switzerland . Typically, the route begins and ends in Les Houches, France, and follows a counterclockwise loop around the mountain range.

Every dream feels far away – until we start to break down what we need to do to achieve it. Here’s what it takes to hike or run the Tour du Mont Blanc.

How I prepared for the Tour du Mont Blanc

Don’t laugh at the folks who’ve sawed off the handle of their toothbrush to save on weight. Many of the climbs along the Tour du Mont Blanc are arduous, and every gram really does count. 

My first question as I prepared my bag was, Where would I sleep? Opting for camping would make the trek feel really wild, let me spend more time in nature and give a bit more flexibility about where and when I’d arrive each night. On the flip side, this would mean my home would be on my back (like a turtle), and heavy enough to reduce my walking speed significantly.

The other option was to sleep in refuges , or mountain huts. Refuges can range from rows of bunk beds to rooms that are almost luxurious – yet what they all offer in common is a dry place, sheltered from the elements. Plus (with rare exceptions), the dinners are delicious. Staying in refuges means no need to pack any camping or cooking gear, freeing up a lot of room in your backpack. 

Each refuge has its own culture and way of working, says Céline Mila, the gardienne (caretaker) of Refuge des Prés in the Contamines Valley. “Usually that means taking off your shoes before entering, and taking your trash away with you. The best way to get oriented at the refuge is by coming to see us when you arrive – it’s our job to share the mountain culture with you.”

For my 2023 Tour du Mont Blanc, I decided to stay in refuges the whole way. 

What is the best time to do the Tour du Mont Blanc?

To beat the crowds, I decided to run the tour in mid-June. Even at the onset of summer, there was still quite a bit of snow above 1800m (5900ft), and many hikers brought along small snow chains to keep from slipping. I loved the extra challenge of the snow and the cooler daytime temperatures. July and August are the busiest months for the route, when the trail can sometimes feel like a highway. By September, things slow down again – but the huts also start to close up for the winter. While weather in the mountains can vary each year, usually July and August have the highest number of stable, rain-free days.

How long does the Tour du Mont Blanc take? And what do you eat along the route?

Hikers typically complete the loop in between seven and 10 days, and the fastest trail runners complete the journey in a staggering 20 hours. Regular trail runners tend to take things a bit slower, between three and four days. 

Since I was running the loop in four days, I packed only the barest essentials so as not to weigh myself down: a pair of leggings and a long-sleeve shirt to sleep in, a thin fleece for the mornings, a light raincoat, a pair of light gloves, a change of socks, my toothbrush, sunscreen, sunglasses and a headlamp. Plus, I wanted to eat as much local food as possible: crozets (cheesy pasta) in France, pizza in Italy and croûtes (a cheesy bread melt) in Switzerland.

Dinners were included in my demi-pension , or half-board. For lunch, I usually ordered the refuge ’s picnic to eat along the way. While they’re nothing fancy, the sandwiches or even just bread, smoked meat and cheese always hit the spot.

Alix Noblat , an ultra-trail runner and specialist in nutrition in endurance sports, once told me to eat every half hour – before my stomach starts rumbling. So I always keep a snack on me, like protein bars or Snickers. Anything that can give me an energy boost is always in my pack. 

The highs and lows of the Tour du Mont Blanc

After a few days on the trail, your sense of time and distance changes. Hikers will no longer measure their day by kilometers or hours traveled – but rather by the cols , or mountain passes, that they’ve reached. The most famous ones are:

• The Col du Bonhomme, which connects the lush Contamines Nature Reserve with the Alpine pastures of the Beaufortaine.
• The Col de la Seigne, at the border between France and Italy, with a spectacular view of Mont Blanc, Aiguille du Peuteurey, Dent du Géan  and the treacherous Grandes Jorasses.
• The Col Grand Ferret, at the end of the remote Val Ferret, which brings a long, steep climb – and a descent on the other (Swiss) side that’s rolling and blissful.
• The Col de la Balme, overlooking Chamonix valley, which brings hikers back into France for the final few legs before the finish.

And don’t forget the valleys. The TBM passes through winter-sports hubs like Chamonix and Courmayeur , as well as through smaller Alpine valleys. A standout valley is the Val Ferret: the trail runs high above the lush green pastures on the valley floor, giving a splendid view of the mineral rock faces of the range on the other side. Plus, the Rifugio Walter Bonatti ’s cappuccinos are the best you’ll find anywhere above 2000m (6500ft).

Do you need to be in great shape to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?

You should physically prepare for the hike, yes. Getting in shape for the TMB is a question of cardio training and foot preparation. Hikers should be fit enough to cover their desired distance each day, of course. But don’t forget to prepare your feet to avoid blisters: break in hiking shoes before the first day of the hike, and bring along anti-chafing cream if you’re worried you might have rubs. 

Ready to make it happen?

This is a trek you should book early – at least two months out – to find secure space at the refuges . Yet it can be planned at the last minute for those who prefer camping. Autour du Mont Blanc is an easy-to-use website that helps plan daily stages. You can also reserve huts here. 

The views…the food…the marmots! The Tour du Mont Blanc delivers at every step.

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Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc: An Overview Guide

Top tips and recommendations to hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc

[Updated April 2020]

This post contains affiliate links for which Expedition Wildlife may receive a commission (where applicable) at no additional cost to you.

Tour du Mont Blanc Statistics

Distance Total:   105 miles (170 kilometers).

Total Elevation Gain :  8,900 meters (29,200 feet).

Total Elevation Loss :  9,100 meters (29,855 feet).

Duration :  11 days .

Physical Difficulty Level :  High  – the consistent elevation gain and loss requires hikers to be in good physical shape prior to the trek.

Mental Difficulty Level :  Low  – well-marked trails, ample food and lodging availability, and lack of isolation on the trail give hikers a better peace of mind.

Gear Necessity : Good hiking shoes and trekking poles will be your most cherished pieces of gear on the TMB. Acquire sturdy layers, especially a high quality rain coat and rain pants.

Recommended Guides:  Cicerone’s  T rekking the Tour of Mont Blanc by Kev Reynolds is an essential, step-by-step guide to the trail. *This is our recommended guide to take with you on the trail!!*

The Tour du Mont Blanc website ,  montourdumontblanc.com   has information about all of the refuges and their contact information and availability.  The Tour du Mont Blanc Facebook page  is a great place to ask others about their experiences and recommendations for the trail as well as keep up with trail conditions and news as you prepare for your journey around Mont Blanc.

Click the Google Maps image to see all the stages listed on this trek.

About Mont Blanc and the Tour

About the tmb: a quick look.

The  Tour du Mont Blanc (aka the “TMB”) traverses the alpine environment surrounding the stunning and imposing Mont Blanc. It leads through three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland.

This famous trek has been listed as one of the top long-distance treks in the world  time and time again, and for good reason.

The elevation gain and loss are what make this trek more challenging, but overall the path is well-worn, well-marked, and wide enough that serious safety issues largely aren’t a concern.

Distinctive yellow diamonds with “TMB” inscribed in the center and red-and-white blaze marks are your hiking route markers. Note that some of these markers look like street signs, with a red and white blaze, and a direction towards a specific location. Because of this, knowing the main points along your hiking route will come in handy throughout the day.

You’ll walk through sweet towns, into remote mountain passes, through cow and sheep paddocks, along beautiful streams, and so much more. If you love hiking, this is definitely a trek for you!

About the Mont Blanc: A Quick Look

Mont Blanc is the symbol of the Alps, stretching high above the valley and imposing over everything in its wake.

The Mont Blanc, meaning “white mountain” after its year-round white peaks and glaciers, stands at 15,771 feet (4,807 meters) and is the tallest mountain in the Alps and Europe , outside of those found in Russia. Quite literally during this trek,  you will ascend and descend the equivalent of about 8 mountains , so the elevation gain and loss throughout the trek is no joke!

The Mont Blanc had been circumnavigated through its adjoining valleys and mountains by people for centuries. It wasn’t until 1786 that two men, Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel Paccard, summited the beast.

While you won’t summit the Mont Blanc on this trek (summiting is for those with mountaineering experience, a permit, and (usually) a guide), you’ll certainly experience everything this beautiful region and its people have to offer.

Follow the yellow diamonds labeled “TMB” for “Tour du Mont Blanc,” or the red-and-white blaze paint, as your route throughout the duration of the trek. Photo by Christa Rolls

Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc: An Overview

The Tour du Mont Blanc was a shock to my system after hiking the wilderness trails of Washington State.

This is a hut-to-hut hike

Most people “hut-hike,” or hike from hut (or hotel) to hut. Tent camping is limited along most sections of the TMB, including in the Vallee de l’Arve, the Vallee des Galciers, and in the Swiss and Italian valleys along the route.

The TMB is very popular

The trail will be busy – and I mean BUSY, especially in summertime. If you’re looking for more solitude, you won’t find wilderness or alone-time here. However, the experiences with your fellow hikers and the sights you will see make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Directionality matters

The most common direction of travel is  counterclockwise . This affords hikers the best views of the surrounding valleys as you come over the handful of passes from the west. However, it is, of course, possible to hike clockwise and go against the flow of traffic.

Chamonix is the popular starting point

Most people use  Chamonix  as their home base. It is a resort and mountain-side town famous for its association with the Mont Blanc.

The tramway that takes visitors halfway up the mountain to the Nid D’Aigle for the Mont Blanc views is popular among day visitors. The Tour du Mont Blanc trail itself, however, officially starts in Les Houches, a quick bus ride outside of Chamonix.

Weather can change quickly in the mountains

If the weather looks bad, DON’T opt for the high routes along the trail, such as through the Col de Tricot to Refuge de Miage.

Of course, if you choose to stay at this refuge and others along high routes, this will prove more difficult to avoid. The route is very exposed and can be dangerous in inclement weather.

On the first day, we ended up taking the low route through Bionnassay because thunder and lightning shrouded the mountains the entire day of our hike. Don’t worry, you’ll still have a beautiful hike on the low routes!

Dark thunderclouds shroud the mountains over Les Houches on day one of our trek. Photo by Christa Rolls

When to Go/Best Season to Hike the TMB

Late June to Late September  i s the typical time frame for hiking the TMB . This is entirely dependent on snow leftover from the previous season and winter weather that comes into the mountains in the autumn.

The high season is July and August, largely because of the more reliable weather and because this is the prime vacation period for most European countries.

The weather is very unpredictable in the mountains and can change extremely quickly. Keep this in mind as you plan your trip.

The Refuges, gites, and hotels will begin to open in June and will remain stocked and open in September. If snowy weather comes in early, it is possible for accommodations to close their doors early. A lot of these places require mules or helicopters to re-stock, or driving along winding mountain roads, hence why they might close earlier in inclement weather.

Avoid Ultra-Trail Season, if possible

The end of August is the ultra-marathon race around the TMB (the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc).

I recommend avoiding traveling during this time (unless you plan to do the Ultra, of course!). Otherwise, book your accommodation ahead of time, yield to runners, and prepare for things to be busy.

Even at the beginning of August, we experienced snow and cold, windy weather on the Col de la Seigne high pass. Photo by Christa Rolls

Cost of hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc

Plan for around  1000 Euro for the whole trek , including half-board accommodation (which includes a bed, breakfast, and dinner) and lunch options and snacks.

Upscale accommodation and luggage transfers cost more

You’ll pay about  500 Euro extra  for more upscale accommodations, or private rooms, and luggage transfers.

Yes, LUGGAGE TRANSFERS. It might cost quite a bit extra to get, but you’ll save a TON on weight carried. Remember all those mountains I said you would have to climb up and down?

Luggage transfers are possible only to other towns that have a connecting road, so there may be a night that you wouldn’t have your bag with you. In this case, you’ll want a decent sized day pack (around 30L or so) to hold your lunches/snacks, water, toiletries, and an extra change of clothes along with your layers and sheet liner.

There are a number of options for luggage transfers along the trail – Mont Blanc Treks ,  Taxi Mont Blanc , and  AlpenWild   are just a few of the options.

Added costs at refuges

Contact your on-trail accommodations to see whether you are required to bring your own linens and towel. Some will provide these to you at extra cost, and others you must provide for yourself.

In the event that you need to provide them for yourself, purchase a travel sheet liner   and a  lightweight, packable travel towel .

We didn’t experience issues with bed bugs, but note that the blankets provided in refuges and gites aren’t washed between uses. This is why you would need the cover sheet.

Money on the trail

You will switch from Euro to Swiss Francs (CHF) along the trail. Swiss accommodations will usually accept Euro, but if you change out for CHF ahead of time you’ll be guaranteed a better rate.

When you contact the refuges for your reservation, ask them ahead of time if they accept credit card. Many locations outside of main cities do not accept them. People have also noted that the Swiss territory, in comparison to the French and Italian sides, are comparatively more expensive.

Banks and ATMs can be found in Chamonix, Les Houches, Les Contamines, Courmayeur, and La Fouly.

The mountains and surrounding scenery is stunning at every turn along the Tour du Mont Blanc. This is the view walking up the Bon Nant Torr. Photo by Christa Rolls

Getting to Chamonix

Again, Chamonix is the primary location where people stay to prepare for the Tour du Mont Blanc trek. The trailhead, however, starts in Les Houches, so select which town you prefer. Chamonix is busier, but also has more shopping and other sights.

We flew into Geneva (the closest, large airport) and took a  FlixBus  to Chamonix. FlixBus actually ended up being an easy and inexpensive way to get to the trail, for around 30 Euro round trip.  OUIbus ,  SwissTours , and  EuroLines  buses will also make the trip from Geneva to Chamonix-Mont Blanc. The main bus station drops you off in the middle of Chamonix, about two blocks from the centralized, pedestrian walk of the town.

Use a Rideshare

If the timing lines up with your flight arrival, you can also look into using  BlaBlaCar , a ride-share app where locals will charge a reasonable fare for a spot in their car to a pre-specified end-destination. BlaBlaCar is a good option if you arrive at an odd time in the day, especially later, when the bus tickets are substantially more expensive.

Take the Train

The regional TER and TGV trains connect from main cities to Saint Gervaid-le Fayet. From here, you can hop on a local SNCF train, specifically the Mont Blanc Express, that goes to multiple villages in the area, including Saint Gervais-le Fayet to Martigny, Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentiere, and Vallorcine. Keep in mind, however, that trains have the potential to be affected by any government shut-downs, as well as funding and personnel staffing issues.

Want more epic hiking destinations? Check out our post on other long distance hikes, such as the GR 20!

Staying near and Getting to the TMB Trailhead

Staying in chamonix.

Our favorite place to stay in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is the  Chalet Hotel le Prieure – Chamonix .

If you book ahead of time, you can get insanely good deals on their recently updated rooms. Inquire about getting a mountain view room, for STUNNING views of the mountains at sunset!!

The rooms are spacious, clean, comfortable, and have a balcony. The location is such that you won’t be right in the middle of the loud pedestrian walk.

They also offer luggage storage for a reasonable cost of 5 Euro per day if you want to leave one of your big pieces behind during your trek. This is what we did, as Nathan brought his camera gear for the second leg of our trip to Spain, but he didn’t want to hike with all of it.

The Carte d’Hote, or Guest Card

Your accommodation in Chamonix should provide you with a  Carte d’Hote , or Guest Card, upon your arrival.

With this, you’ll have access to free services, including the buses that transport visitors around the Chamonix Valley (including to Les Houches!) and train travel between Servoz and Vallorcine.

You really won’t need this if you are just in town to hike the TMB. However, there are discounts to the Alpine and Mountain Museums, car parks in the Saint-Michel and Mont-Blanc region, and the Richard Bozon Sports Center.

If you are using an Airbnb or staying in another kind of private accommodation, you will have to visit the Town Hall or Tourist Office to acquire this card for 10 Euro per person for a weekly stay. Again, this isn’t worth it unless you plan to extend your stay in the Chamonix area to visit some of the other sites and museums. This is why staying in one of the hotels in Chamonix can be worth the cost!

Getting to the trailhead

The official trail of the Tour du Mont Blanc begins in Les Houches, at the Telepherique de Bellevue. Hike up the forest trails from town, or take the tram up. The hike starts heading uphill right away – It’s a long and arduous hike nearly every day, so prepare yourself.

It is up to you whether you would like to hike to Les Houches from Chamonix or start in Les Houches to end your trek in 12 days in the Chamonix-Les Houches region. Some people will opt to go straight to Les Houches to spend the night.

We took the free bus (with our Carte d’Hote) from Chamonix to Les Houches to get us started.

Chamonix is a beautiful and fun town to explore before or after your trek. Photo by Christa Rolls

Where to stay on the Trail

Planning out your accommodations for the trail is quite time-consuming, and likely why many people end up pre-purchasing a guided or self-guided tour.

In planning out our days, I mostly stuck to what the Cicerone guide recommended for us .

The challenge is ultimately contacting each refuge/hotel and keeping track of the following:

Deciding Which Refuge to Stay in

Consider the total distance you will need to travel between your starting and ending locations, and whether that distance is feasible for you.

A variety of room types may be available at various locations on the trail. Private rooms with shared or private bathrooms to ten person shared bunk rooms can be booked. If you have a preference, ask about availability during your correspondence.

Contact Each Refuge

To contact the refuges/hotels, some will have online forms available on the TMB website.  Others may only respond via email or phone line.

If your French is minimal, emailing is a good option, as you both can use Google Translate if needed.

I contacted all refuges/hotels by email and created a separate “Tour du Mont Blanc” folder in my Gmail account to keep track of TMB-specific correspondence with refuge/hotel personnel.

How Much Money is Needed per Refuge

Determine whether the refuge/hotel accepts credit card or cash only. In addition, keep track of those you pay for ahead of time and those who want you to pay on arrival.

I kept an excel spreadsheet with the locations I still needed to pay cash for on the trail. This way, I made sure to take out the appropriate amount prior to starting our trek.

What you Need to Stay at Each Refuge

Certain refuges provide linens and towels and some don’t. Ask during your correspondence whether this is something you will have to bring along with you.

The Caban du Combal sits along the Val Veni next to Lac Combal, a stunning, clear blue, glacial lake. This was one of our favorite places to stay during our entire trek. Photo by Christa Rolls

The main reason why you would want to book accommodation ahead of time is to secure yourself a bed without the worry of having to beat everyone else to the refuge.

Some people do this – get up first thing in the morning and hoof it as quickly as possible to their next refuge site.

As I mentioned before, I’m a pretty slow hiker and would always tend to arrive at my destination by mid-afternoon even after getting up earlier in the day. It was for my peace of mind that we had spots secured. Even though it took time to coordinate, it was worth it.

If you don’t book anything, you have the freedom to continue on or stop short on your hike whenever you would like. Otherwise, you risk losing a deposit to the places you’ve booked ahead of time.

Check out the embedded map found at the top of this post for the primary recommended huts, hotels, and refuges along the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Food on the TMB

You won’t ever run out of food availability on the trail (unless you go in the off-season and huts are closed until the following summer). There are so many places that offer snacks and full meals along the way in summer.

Of course, some breakfasts and dinners are better than others along the way. Our most favorite dinner was at  Les Chambres du Soleil   in Les Chapieux. Even if you don’t end up staying the night here, consider taking them up on their fabulous dinner and dessert.

Breakfast typically comprises of a hot beverage, bread with butter and confiture (jam), and sometimes some yogurt, cheeses, and meats.

There largely aren’t kitchens that are open to visitors in these locations, so if you’re attempting to save money by just renting a bed and cooking your own food, keep in mind that you’ll need to bring your own equipment.

The dining areas of refuges at dinnertime will be for those dining in ONLY, so if you’re making your own food you’ll need to do that elsewhere. Some places are pickier about this than others. Dinner always consists of salad or soup, a main course, and a desert.

Water on the TMB

Because of all the grazing land around the trail, DO NOT drink the water in streams without filtering it first. Cow, horse, and sheep feces can be found all along the trails and streams on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Consuming tainted water can give you a nasty stomach bug.

You will frequently come across accommodations where there will be potable water to fill up your bottles or Camelback. Given this, you really only need to fill up for the day when you embark each morning.

If you’re planning any side excursions, however, and tend to drink a ton of water during your hikes (like me), it might be worth it to bring along a Sawyer Mini or Lifestraw , or water purification tablets . I always hike with a 3L Camelback on longer day hikes. Despite the added weight (every 16 oz. of water is about a pound of weight), this is worth it to me since I hydrate so much.

Some streams along the trail may stop flowing in late summer, but you really won’t have an issue with filling up along the way.

TIP: Consider doing some longer day hikes prior to your trip to gauge your water intake.

All potable water locations will be clearly marked as such with  “ Eau Potable . ”  Avoid water sources that say “ Eau Non Potable ,” as the “ non ” (meaning “ no “) indicates it should not be consumed.

Livestock of all kinds can be found literally on the trail along the Tour du Mont Blanc. Exercise caution when passing animals with young. Photo by Christa Rolls

Miscellaneous Tips for Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc

Be mindful about where you end up hiking.

And follow the TMB trail blazes (a yellow diamond or red-and-white blaze).

The extensive number of hikers and subsequent erosion has created some meandering trails that lead off of the main trail. Most eventually lead back to the main trail, but some don’t. These have the potential to create other unwanted trails from people hiking all over.

Learn some French

I know, I know, learning languages is hard. But learning a few phrases will make speaking to some of the locals a lot easier.

Many people will be speaking English on the trail, as people from countries all over the world will be hiking the trail. However, refuge personnel may speak less English.

Although you’ll pass through Italy, French is still widely understood in this bordering region next to France. In addition, the region you will be hiking through in Switzerland is the French-speaking side of the country.

At the very least, learn to say the basic phrases, such as: hello ( bonjour  or  bonsoir ), please ( s’il vous plait ), and thank you ( merci ).

Get good hiking poles

The consistent elevation gain and loss can be especially hard on your knees and legs. Hiking poles will alleviate the pain somewhat. These are my favorite .

Get good hiking shoes

You’ll be walking in your shoes A LOT over a two-week time frame. While good hiking shoes or boots can be expensive, it’s worth it to get a pair that fit your feet well and are comfortable.

I swear by my Vasques , and I never have to break them in.

Take time to explore some of the towns and villages along the way

You’ll come across some wonderful valleys and alpine prairies, as well as plenty of places to do a side hiking trip.

This is another reason I like to book my accommodation ahead of time. My mind is on exploring and taking my time along the trail instead of racing to the next hut!

Take time for a rest day

If you need it, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with giving your body a break.

This is a long trek, so listen to what your body needs and modify your hiking days accordingly.

For a halfway hike, Courmayeur is a good place to stop if you don’t have as much time to hike. Buses go through the mountain pass straight back to Chamonix, costing around 15 Euro per person.

By the time you get to Courmayeur, your body will likely be ready to keep on trekking!

Don’t take the hiking guide to heart 100% of the time

While guides are there to help you with some navigation, logistics, and accommodation information, everyone hikes differently.

The difficulty level and hiking times for each day may vary from person to person. I tend to hike an hour or two longer than the suggested hiking times, while some people I know hike about two hours faster than the suggested hiking times.

Be kind to yourself and recognize you can hike your own hike!

The sun is a welcome friend after getting snowed on in the high mountains! Note that layers are incredibly important for this trek, as the weather can change very quickly. Photo by Christa Rolls

Gear Recommendations for the Tour du Mont Blanc

My pack weighed about 10 kg without water –  your pack should only be about 20% of your body weight . The full list of the gear I brought is as follows.

Backpacking Gear

• Deuter Lite 60+10 SL Hiking Pack  with  Rain Cover  (her)
• Gregory Baltoro 85L Pack  (him)
• Small, lightweight, collapsible day pack  (for day hikes)
• Black Diamond hiking poles
• Petzel Headlamp
• Collapsible cup /mug
• T itanium spork other eating utensil

Food and Water

• Camelback 3 L bladder
• Lunch and/or snacks for day-time hiking on the trail

Clothing and Footwear

• Vasque hiking boots
• Three pair hiking socks ( SmartWool  and  Darn Tough )
• Reef flip flops  (or other house shoes)
• Three pair Patagonia hiking underwear  (originally purchased on discount at REI)
• Two hiking bras  (originally purchased on discount at REI)
• One pair Columbia convertible pants
• Two moisture-wicking long sleeved shirts
• Two moisture-wicking short sleeved shirts
• Patagonia fleece  (given to me by a mountain hut manager after someone left it for a month)
• Smartwool long john pants  (originally purchased on discount at REI)
• REI puffy jacket
• North Face rain jacket
• Columbia   Rain Pants
• Buff neck warmer
• North Face glove liners
• Prana ear warmer

Emergency and First Aid

• First Aid kit : alcohol wipes, antibacterial ointment, antidiarrheal, antihistamines, ibuprofen, Dramamine, antacid, epipen, gauze, medical tape, small round of duct tape, safety pin
• Hiking whistle  (check the chest buckle on your hiking pack – some have a whistle built in)
• Travel Insurance  – we recommend this for every trip you take!

Health and Hygiene

• Toiletries: wet wipes, face wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, nail clippers, contacts and glasses, sunscreen, mini toothbrush, toothpaste, concealer wand (for after trip), sunscreen lip balm, collapsible hair brush, care plus clean bio soap (biodegradable; for skin, hair, dishes, and clothes)
• Lightweight camping towel
• Sac a la viande/sleeping bag liner , or travel sheet liner
• Sunglasses  and baseball hat
• Cicerone guide to hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc – excellent guide for the surrounding area’s accommodations, food options, alternative routes, and natural features
• Waterproof trekking map of the Tour du Mont Blanc

Tools and Repair items

Backpacking extras.

• Eye mask and earplugs   (if you are a light sleeper, definitely don’t forget ear plugs if you’re sleeping in dorm style rooms)
• Phone charger and battery charger pack
• Dry bag  and large trash bag to line the inside of our our packs (in addition to rain cover)
• Stuff sacks for organizing gear (e.g., one sack for kitchen, one for food, one for clothes, etc.)

Personal Items

• Credit cards and ID/passport

There are a few other gear considerations to keep in mind for your trip

• We did not end up deviating from the regular route to alternative routes or climbs, so we didn’t end up using the detailed trail map. If you decide you want to go on some of the higher routes or add climbs to your trip, consider obtaining IGN 3531 ETR and IGN 3630 OTR waterproof maps to assist in your navigation.
• We monitored the online forums prior to our trek to ensure there was no snow left on the ground. By mid-to-late July most of the snow has begun melting away. If you anticipate there being snow on the trail, bring crampons or yak-traks along in the event that things get slick and icy.
• Accommodations will provide you at least with a pillow and wool blanket, but they may not wash them or put covers on them. This is what the travel sheet liner is for.

Tourist Office Locations and Information

For more information on activities in the surrounding area, contact the region’s corresponding tourist information office.

Chamonix Tourist Information Center

Address: 85 Place du Triangle de l’Amitié, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

Phone: +33 4 50 53 00 24

Website:  chamonix.com

Tourist Office Les Houches

Address: 9 Place de la Mairie, 74310 Les Houches, France

Phone: +33 4 50 55 50 62

Website:  leshouches.com

Courmayeur Tourist Information Office

Address: CSC Centro Servizi, Viale Monte Bianco, 10, 11013 Courmayeur AO, Italy

Phone: +39 0165 842060

Website:  lovevda.it

Champex-Lac Tourist Information Office

Address: Route du Lac 38, 1938 Orsières, Switzerland

Phone: +41 27 775 23 83

Website:  champex.ch

Get ready for an incredible display of stars at night if the sky remains clear. Photo by Christa Rolls

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the top treks in the world for good reason. It’s a stunning, fun, and unforgettable way to experience the Alps.

After your trip, consider visiting the Aiguille du Midi and Mer de Glace to see the Mont Blanc up close .

Tell us about your TMB experiences in the comments and feel free to message us with any questions or for more details!

Happy Hiking!

Christa and Nathan

About the Author: Christa

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I’m off to hike the TMB at the start of August so I really appreciated your article. Whilst we are doing a 7 day itinerary there is some really useful information in here which i will be using for our trip, thanks for taking the time to write this piece. Cheers and happy hiking!

Ceri, so glad some of the information was useful for you! Have a safe and wonderful trip, and please let me know how it went when you get back!

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Tour du Mont Blanc: When to Go

The best time to go.

There is no best time to go, but most people will trek the Tour du Mont Blanc during the summer from the end of June to the middle of September. At this time, most of the old winter snow will have melted, the weather will be warm and the hotels will be open. If you try to go too early there is likely to be too much snow lying around and if you go to late most of the hotels will be shut. The other factor is how busy the trail will be. Undoubtedly, the trail is at its busiest in early August when many Europeans take their annual holiday and the weather is perceived to be the best.

TMB in June or earlier

It is not sensible to try the Tour du Mont Blanc earlier than the middle of June, although some people do. They key problem of going too early is that you will encounter patches of snow left from the winter and some of these patches can be very large! This presents hazards to hikers who would describe themselves as summer walkers and do not have the requisite skills to either safely cross the snow patches or know what to do in case of a slip. The old winter snow is bullet-hard and if you slip you could slide a long way and possibly hit a rock, leading to all sorts of nightmare scenarios.

The snow will only soften and melt with help of the summer sunshine and some years summer can be later than normal. Some of the snow patches can be huge and, if it has been a hard winter as it was in 2013, you will find yourself walking on snow for 2-3 hours when crossing the mountain passes such as the Col du Bonhomme or Grand Col Ferret . 2013 was a long, hard winter and the warm weather did not arrive until early July. Conditions like this are dangerous due to the likelihood of a slip and also the chance of being swallowed up into the deep snow: some trekkers have literally fallen into deep ‘man-holes’ of snow and taken a very long time to get out.

Assuming the winter has not been hard, late June is the best time to consider starting the Tour du Mont Blanc and has the added bonus of quieter trails and all of the Alpine plants coming into flower. At this time, there is still snow much higher up in the mountains and so the wildlife, such as bouquetin or chamois , will naturally be found on the lower slopes: it is not uncommon to see them at this time of year. The hoteliers are also in better moods as they tend to get ground down as the season progresses!

TMB in July and August

July and August are good time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc as the trails will be clear of snow and the weather will generally be good. However, late July and early August are still traditionally when Europeans take their annual holiday and so the trails can be quite busy. It is not uncommon to see up to ten groups leaving one village at a similar time and this causes traffic jams for the first half of the morning. Many groups trek in an anti-clockwise direction and so by travelling in a clockwise direction you can avoid this. Salamander Adventures trek clockwise precisely because of this reason. The number of people on the TMB is, however, limited by the number of beds in each village: and so there is a finite number of people you will find on the trail . The weather in July and August generally follows a pattern of hot days that become more humid as the day progresses and end with a thunder storm, often with spectacular lightening shows. You should also expect frontal weather from the Atlantic Ocean bringing rain storms and cold fronts: this tends to happen once or twice a fortnight.

TMB in September

September is generally a much calmer month and the weather is generally more stable, often characterised by a long period of high pressure. This gives long days of fine weather and evenings that are cooler than in June, July and August. The trails will be quieter and you will see the beginnings of Autumn with golden colours coming out and lots of mushrooms at ground level. In theory, it would be possible to extend the season into October, but hotels in one or two key villages shut around 15-20 September and so makes the trek not possible.

The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc

The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (known as the UTMB) is an annual running race when athletes compete on the 165km long TMB – some in under 20 hours! It normally runs in the last weekend of August and attracts over 5000 runners and all their families. It means that many of the hotels – particularly in Chamonix and Courmayeur – are full and it is very difficult to secure accommodation. It would only be sensible to try and do the TMB at this time if you book your accommodation via a reputable trekking company.

It is possible to do the TMB in winter, but only on skis or snowshoes. You should only undertake this if you are an expert ski mountaineer or have used snowshoes on many occasions in remote and challenging environments.

Tour du Mont Blanc Hike: Route, Preparation & Tips for 2024!

Close views of the mighty Mont Blanc reveals scenery that changes by the minute and cuisine that changes almost as quickly — Tour Du Mont Blanc is a dynamic must for any hiker’s bucket list.

The Tour du Mont Blanc hike starts and ends in Chamonix, the adventure capital of Europe, and passes through Italy, France and Switzerland. Each country has its own character; the Italians have their espresso, the French have baguettes, and the Swiss have their chocolate. The same goes for the landscape; each section of the trek has its own identity.

With a minimum of eight days of hiking, it’s no small feat. Every day, you will climb about 3,000 feet and then descend another 3,000 feet, traversing five major passes through three different countries. After putting in 12 to 18 miles every day, you can bet that the effort is worth it. There’s a reason why the Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most famous hikes in the world.

Pros and Cons of Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc

The hiking trails making up TMB have been used for centuries by local shepherds. Only when Horace-Bénédict de Saussure was looking for the best way to summit did the Tour de Mont Blanc hike become popular. It’s believed that no one had climbed Mont Blanc before Saussure offered a prize to anyone who could reach the summit.

The goal seemed unattainable. He trekked the Tour du Mont Blanc time and time again in hopes of cracking the code. Two Chamonix natives, Michel Paccard and Jacques Balmat, made the first ascent, and Saussure followed in their footsteps as third. Maybe on your trek you’ll find a hidden route in the mountain that hasn’t been discovered yet!  

My guiding led into backpacking all over the world

My guiding history started on a whim, but it was also the best whim to happen. I started guiding when I was 23 years old and fresh out of university. I decided to go on a hiking trip for nine or 10 months. At one point, I saw a group on a trek all being led by this guide. I just watched them and thought, I would really fancy doing that. Seemed like quite a sweet gig. From there, I wrote letters to all of the British guiding companies asking for a place on the team. I luckily landed a job. 

Within a month, I was hiking in Morocco and felt like I had been a guide for years. My life encompassed an absurd amount of backpacking all over the world. I was young and in love with the guiding lifestyle. I went to the Himalayas for hiking in Nepal , all over India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan. We trekked in Iran and Slovakia. I led Soviet scientists when the Iron Curtain had only been lifted a year before. To say I found the tours extraordinary is an understatement. From there, the hiking and guiding never stopped.

Chamonix became my homebase as a Tour du Mont Blanc guide

I spent about five or six years trekking, meeting people and traveling freely. I started working in an office, but I felt like I needed to get back out on the trail. I decided to start my guiding business. But when it was still a baby, I had a young family, so our home base was crucial. We settled in Chamonix — well, “settled” is the wrong word. We lucked out with living in Chamonix.

The village is the start and the end of the Tour du Mont Blanc, as well as the only place on the trek where you can actually live. We lived there in Chamonix about seven years before we moved on, but Tour du Mont Blanc still holds a special place in my heart. Now, after 15 years at this point, my baby is decidedly grown up. 

My favorite experience on the Tour du Mont Blanc

There are more than I could count, but the first that comes to mind is when we found ourselves in the middle of a whiteout when we were expecting sunshine. Some people who were with me forgot to bring gloves; they stood there with socks on their hands.

Each pass of the Tour du Mont Blanc is different. While the itinerary of the days might be similar — starting in a valley, heading over a pass and back down to a different valley — the views on the Tour du Mont Blanc never cease to amaze me. You have lakes and rolling pastures on some days, enormous mountains and high passes on others. Quaint villages where you’ll have espresso and gelato in the mornings, then French wine on a porch in the evenings. Not a single second on the Tour du Mont Blanc is dull.

My favorite view, and one that rivals the Trolltunga hike for me, is on the last day, the last segment of your hike from Les Houches to the Chamonix Valley. You are standing there looking straight down this majestic valley that just continues on and on—and Mont Blanc is right next to you the whole time!

What to Expect on the Tour du Mont Blanc Hike

Hiking tour du mont blanc is best hiked in reverse .

Traditionally, the TMB is done counter-clockwise. After doing the Tour du Mont Blanc many times, I decided to try going clockwise, like I was hiking in Cinque Terre . Initially, everyone tried to convince me otherwise — you don’t break tradition. But the hike just made more sense to me this way. With the counter-clockwise route, the first three biggest passes are crossed at the beginning.

The first night in the hotel people are panicking. I can see on their faces that they’re all thinking “Is she going to make it?” The uncertainty created an uneasy atmosphere, and that’s not really how you want to start the Mont Blanc hike. The clockwise route offers you a mellow first couple of days. You adapt to the terrain, weather, altitude and all kinds of elements. You then attempt the big passes on the last three days. The route is also visibly less crowded in the clockwise direction. You even avoid the crowds in the peak season. 

How do I plan a Tour du Mont Blanc?

Like choosing your route when climbing Matterhorn , planning this tour is a matter of personal choice. Do you want to go on the counter-clockwise Mont Blanc hiking tour? More people will go in the same direction. For some, being part of a group feels comforting. The counter-clockwise route is the traditional one, but I find the clockwise to be so much more enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Mont Blanc hikes.

You could also just hike it twice—once in each direction—and decide for yourself! I’m going to describe my favorite version of the clockwise Tour du Mont Blanc hike. If I went into all the different options here, it would go on for ages. Instead, I’ll stick with the highlights.

Start in Chamonix before trekking to Argentiere  

The first night on my Mont Blanc hiking tour, I like to spend time in the Chamonix Valley. Technically, this day is included in my trip, but just preparing by enjoying this quaint mountain town and maybe taking the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi .

If you’re coming from afar, the best place to fly into is Geneva, Switzerland. Chamonix is about an hour drive from there. The next morning, I embark on my first hiking day. My trek starts from Chamonix on the Grand Balcon Sud to Lac Blanc. We then trek to Argentiere to spend the night there.

Stops in Champex and Courmayeur are ideal for sightseeing 

Bright and early, I traverse the Col de Balme and on to my home for the night at La Forclaz. On the third morning on the Mont Blanc hiking tour, I head along the Bovine route to Champex. After I settle in my hotel, I can rent a boat and find some trout, or for a bit of an adrenaline rush, I might jump into the ice cold water around Champex.

On the fourth day, I head to La Fouly, where four alpine pastures are used to produce cheese in a traditional Swiss method. Having a raclette for dinner is a must. Our itinerary for the fifth day on the Tour du Mont Blanc consists of the hike from La Fouly to La Plaud near Courmayeur. I highly recommend a detour to the Grand Col Ferret.

Halfway through the trek, we all deserve a rest day. On the sixth day of the Mont Blanc hike, I like to take a rest day in Courmayeur, Italy. The town is car-free and paved with cobblestone. You can find high-end Italian clothing and restaurants alongside family-run boutiques.

Return to Chamonix after sweeping views of France and Italy  

After a long (and hopefully relaxing) day, I head to Chamieux going over Col de la Seigne, the border of France and Italy, on the seventh day of the Tour du Mont Blanc. While standing on the top, looking at the French side, you’ll see the spectacular Vallée Blanche. On the Italian side is the Val Veni and the Grand Col Ferret.

On the eight day, I start my trek early to Les Contamines to cross over the Col du Bonhomme, where the sound of ringing cowbells fills the air. The final day of your hiking tour, I head from Les Contamines to Les Houches. Once I’m finally back in the Chamonix Valley, a celebratory macaron is in order.

One more important thing to note is that you do not need any special documents to pass through the different countries. If you fly into France, Geneva, or any other location, the rest of the trip doesn’t require any visas. 

Tips for Hiking Tour Du Mont Blanc

How long does it take to hike the tour du mont blanc .

Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc depends on your ability to walk between 12 to 18 miles per day. The classic Tour du Mont Blanc trail  is about 110 miles long, so we break our tours down to six to nine days on the trail. In addition to the classic route, many variations have evolved.

You can go on a detour to one of the many scenic lakes, maybe take the trail up a harder mountain pass, or go around some of the challenging sections of the hike. Overall, the Mont Blanc hike variation can either shorten or extend your route compared to the classic one.

Just like when you’re trying to find the best trail for hiking in the Dolomites , there are no better or worse options—it all depends on what you want to do. The flexibility of the Tour du Mont Blanc accommodates hikers of all levels. You can easily complete it with a super fit 30-year-old and a smaller preteen in the same group.

How many miles is the Tour du Mont Blanc hike?

The typical TMB trek is 110 miles long, but because of the many variations that number is an estimate. It’s not like the Superior Hiking Trail , where you have to hike the whole 300 miles — by taking public transport, cable cars and avoiding the more difficult mountain passes, you can cut off almost 50 miles of hiking.

Some people can’t get enough of Mont Blanc and want to prolong their tour, which is also perfectly doable. Some options include the Tête de la Tronche, Col du Sapin and Col Entre Deux Sautes, which extends the segment between Rifugio Bertone and Rifugio Bonatti in Italy.

Another option I recommend is heading over to Cabane d’Orny , a mountain hut between La Fouly and Champex-Lac in Switzerland. Lastly, you can trek to Lac Blanc , a beautiful lake in the Aiguilles Rouges mountains, which offers a spectacular view of the Mont Blanc massif.

How difficult is the Tour du Mont Blanc? 

The TMB is a hike—some even consider it a walk—not a technically difficult climb. I have seen a family with a 12-year-old complete the Tour du Mont Blanc. I’ve also seen a 78-year-old man hike the entirety like it’s nothing. While you don’t need any prior mountaineering or hiking experience, you do need to be in good shape.

Every day is physically demanding. The days are long, elevation gain is significant, and the ascents and descents can be steep. Each day is relatively similar. You start in the valley, hike up over a pass, then back down to a different valley. Your body needs to be able to handle the elevation changes in different terrain each day.

With a little bit of training, running and weekend hikes, truly anyone can do this. Start off with running two-three times a week for a couple of months. Once you have built your stamina, start running or hiking uphill to train your muscles on steeper terrain. About one or two months before your trip, put on your backpack and your hiking gear. Find some hikes nearby, so you can get used to carrying your gear and the weight of your pack. 

Can you camp on Tour du Mont Blanc?

You can camp on Tour du Mont Blanc, as well as stay in refuges or in hotels. The Tour du Mont Blanc accommodations are superb and honestly quite luxurious compared to some other hiking accommodations. One of the many great things about the Tour du Mont Blanc is the flexibility of the accommodations. Not all of the accommodations are always available.

For example, it’s inevitable that you will stay in a refuge at one point. The refuges are a must for a classic experience. You’ll enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner from local ingredients and a cozy atmosphere with other hikers. The campsites have sinks, toilets and showers with warm water. The hotels are similar to your regular ones, but with a much better view of the mountains. 

How do I plan a Tour du Mont Blanc hike?

First choose which direction you want to go in when planning your Tour du Mont Blanc hike. The traditional counter-clockwise or the clockwise direction. The clockwise is my personal favorite because of the easier start. Plus, you are hiking in the opposite direction of most other people. You will have all of your mornings on the trail alone and only run into people later in the day. Hike the counter-clockwise direction if you are unsure about the Tour du Mont Blanc and want the comfort of camaraderie of other hikers on the trail, or if you want to stick to the tradition.

Secondly, pull out some maps and look at the different variations of the Tour du Mont Blanc. You can decide which suits you the best. The classic route is mapped out, but you can shorten or lengthen that route. You can opt to skip some hard passes or make the hike even more challenging for yourself. 

What is the best time of year to do the Tour du Mont Blanc?

The best time of year to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is in the summer months, from late June to early September. In this period, the weather is generally the most pleasant, and the days are the longest. Also, the trails will be well-maintained, and the refugios will be open, which makes finding accommodation very easy. Remember that TMB is crowded during the peak season, so don’t forget to reserve refugios in advance!

A rule of thumb: If you plan on hiking in August, your refugios and hotels should be booked by the end of March. 

Campsites are the only accommodations you do not need to make a reservation. I’m a fan of the convenience because it allows flexibility while hiking. Let’s say something unexpected happens, you can always change your plans and go to a different campsite. Keep in mind however that camping is not available at all points along the route.

If you perhaps prefer cooler weather and fewer crowds, consider doing the TMB hike in the shoulder season – in May or October. The weather is usually more unpredictable in the shoulder season, with a higher risk of rain and snow. Still, if you prefer silence when hiking, the trails will be generally less crowded and the scenery won’t lose its majesty.

Ultimately, you should be prepared for all weather conditions on TMB, regardless of the time of year you decide to visit.

Hiking Tour du Mont Blanc guided or solo?

The trails of Tour du Mont Blanc are very well labeled and with many other travelers on the same route, so doing the TMB alone is not a hard feat at all. The one downside to hiking solo is reserving the accommodations. You should always explore many different itinerary options. The refuges and hotels book up months in advance. The route travels through three different countries, each with its own language, which can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare.

How much does Tour du Mont Blanc cost?

A guided Tour du Mont Blanc hike will cost you around €1,300 to €1,500. Keep in mind this means all expenses are covered. Plus, you’re traveling with a professional.

Here is a list of other costs for the Tour du Mont Blanc hike:

Accommodation

• The Tour du Mont Blanc average refuge price is €54 per person and the average campsite is €12 per person.
• A hotel in Chamonix is about €85 per night and in Courmayeur is about €132 per night.

Transportation

• You’ll most likely fly into Geneva and take a bus to Chamonix for €43 round trip.

Food & Drinks

• a beer might cost you around €6
• a baguette €2
• a sandwich about €10
• dinner at the mountain hut for around €25

The prices vary from place to place but you can use these numbers as a reference point. You can make the trip more expensive by staying in nicer hotels and dining in more pristine restaurants. The price point doesn’t really get cheaper. 

Challenges to expect on the Tour du Mont Blanc

The weather on the Mont Blanc hikes is one of the biggest challenges. You can prepare for the difficulty by training. The weather is completely out of your control, and it can switch on you in a second. You could find yourself in the middle of a blizzard or a thunderstorm without much warning from mother nature. The weather in TMB strikingly resembles the conditions on the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland  or the weather you’ll encounter hiking New Zealand’s North Island .

For the most part, hiking during the day on the TMB is warm and full of sun. The evenings are cool with an occasional sprinkling of rain. Don’t be fooled, however. You should be wary of temperatures that could cause heat stroke or extremely cold, stormy temperatures all in the same day.

What should I bring to the TMB?

When going on the Mont Blanc hike, everything is a luxury. Pack only the bare necessities (emphasis on necessities). The heavier your pack, the harder the trek will be to cover long distances every day. You only need two or three shirts, socks and pants. No more than that. If you are worried about smelling bad, don’t. Everyone is in the same boat. Clothing is extremely heavy, so that big extra sweater you wanted to bring? Leave it at home. Your down jacket will suffice. Plan how much food you’re going to need each day and which days you’ll refill your food supply. You won’t want to carry more than you need. 

Chamonix has more sports stores than you can imagine. If you forget anything at home, you’ll be able to find it in Chamonix most of the time. I recommend Snell Sports for more luxury options and Decathlon for budget-friendly gear.  

Here is list of (some) things you will need:

• High quality hiking boots
• Down jacket
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Hat and gloves
• Supportive backpack 
• Base layers (top and bottom)
• Mid layer—usually a fleece 
• Hiking pants (shorts as well if you want)
• 2-3 pairs of underwear
• Money 
• Maps and guide book

Sales Director at Salamander Adventures, Natalie is a former hiking guide who has travelled extensively around the world leading treks of all sorts. Her favourite areas are the South Downs, Amalfi Coast and the Mont Blanc range.

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What is the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?

by Trekking Mont Blanc | 24 November 2022 | Tour du Mont Blanc: tips

The best time to do the Tour du Mont Blanc is not necessarily easy to find. It can vary from year to year and it depends on how you like to experience your trek.

Depending on whether you prefer solo treks and bivouacs or accompanied and animated stays, you will not have to do the Tour du Mont Blanc at the same time.

Generally, it is said that  the best season to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is summer .

But summer is long! Will you have the same experience if you leave on June 15 or September 15?

In addition, it may be possible, under certain conditions, to  use the TMB trails at other times  of the year.

How do you do it?

All our answers are here 🙂

Doing the Tour du Mont Blanc: what period?

1 – spring.

It is  not recommended to trek in the Northern Alps in spring .

At this time of year, the snow is still very abundant on the mountain trails. It can continue to fall in April, May and even June.

In addition, the snowpack becomes more and more unstable as we approach summer as it begins to melt. This presents  an increased risk of avalanches  and accidents in the mountains that should be avoided.

Moreover,  the mountain huts are still closed  at this season.

However, in spring, nature slowly wakes up and the days get longer. If it is not possible to walk the high altitude trails of the TMB, you can however discover the Mont Blanc region in other ways.

For a weekend or for the Easter holidays, for example, you can :

• make  day hikes, in star formation , around your place of accommodation if the snow allows it, of course.
• if the snow is still present,  go snowshoeing around Mont Blanc , to enjoy the silence and the great immaculate spaces.
• ski touring on the trails of the Tour du Mont Blanc  or in the neighbouring valleys.
• or go on excursions to the various villages in the area to  taste the local culture and gastronomy .

You will adapt your program according to the snow conditions at that time. Either way, there are plenty of options for exploring the Mont Blanc region in the spring 🙂

Summer, the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc

When you ask yourself “ What season should I do the Tour du Mont Blanc? “, summer is the most appropriate.

Okay, but at the beginning or the end of the summer? And in the middle?

Discover our explanations in order to  choose the ideal moment of departure  to live the experience of your dreams on the TMB!

Starting June 15

From mid-June, the accommodation and  mountain huts on the Tour du Mont Blanc  are open.

The duration of sunshine is maximum at this period and in the mountains. The temperatures in the mountains are mild and pleasant. Moreover, the flowering is very intense at this time of the year and the mountains are dotted with flowers of all colors.

In short: it’s a great time for trekking, hiking,  bikepacking  and travelling!

However, make sure you are properly informed about the state of the trails before you leave, especially at the beginning of the summer. For this, you can  contact the tourist offices, the hut wardens and the PGHM .

Indeed, it is not uncommon for some passes and high altitude passages to remain encumbered late by snow, sometimes until mid-July.

In this case, you may need to consider adding crampons and an ice axe to your  trekking equipment  or adapting your route.

Be aware however that the Tour du Mont Blanc is a route that is generally clear very early in the season, unlike other trekking routes that are sometimes snowed in very late (the Tour des Écrins or  the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise , for example).

Doing the Tour du Mont Blanc in June allows you to enjoy nature at its best and to walk on paths that are still little used.

July, August, favourite period for trekkers

From mid-July to mid-August,  all the conditions are there to do the Tour du Mont Blanc :

• The trails are clear
• The days are quite hot
• The huts and accommodation are open
• The sun rises early and sets late
• Life in the villages and huts is in full swing

Not surprisingly, it is from July 15 to August 15 that the TMB is most visited. Every year, hikers and mountain lovers from all over the world come to admire our beautiful mountains.

If you want to meet people during your trek, this is the perfect time!

And if you plan to do the Tour du Mont Blanc at this time and want to avoid the crowds, you can choose to  do it the other way  around. This way, you won’t follow the groups as you will only pass them.

You can also modulate your stages to spend the night in less popular accommodations than the big classics. The number of campsites, gîtes, inns, B&Bs and hotels gives you a wide choice of places to stay.

After August 15

From August 15th onwards, the number of people on the Tour du Mont Blanc trails decreases greatly. It is a quieter period.

And yet, until the second half of September, it is still summer! Even though the days are getting shorter, they are still  sunny and long enough  to offer good hiking conditions.

In addition, the vast majority of shelters are still open.

Doing the Tour du Mont Blanc in September allows you to take advantage of the mild mountain climate and uncrowded trails.

The period from August 15th to September 15th is  an excellent time to do the Tour du Mont Blanc  in a relaxing atmosphere.

Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in autumn

Contrary to popular belief, it is quite possible to do the Tour du Mont Blanc in the autumn.

Specifically  between September and the end of October  at the latest.

Then the days start to get too cold and too short without special equipment.

At this time of the year, the mountain landscapes are adorned with beautiful colours. The paths are almost deserted and the atmosphere is soft, calm, inviting to reverie.

This is a time of year that mountain hikers looking for  solitude and introspection  will particularly appreciate.

However, the possibility of doing the TMB in this season varies from year to year. Early snow can be enough to render the hiking trails impassable and ruin your trekking plans.

Moreover, in this season, the mountain huts are closed and you will have to bivouac. However, bivouacking in summer or winter does not require the same equipment, the same preparation nor the same tolerance to the lack of comfort!

Doing the Tour du Mont Blanc in autumn is possible and it can be a great experience but you have to know how to postpone or turn back if the weather decides to do so .

Doing the TMB in winter?

Doing the Tour du Mont Blanc in winter is possible.

But not for everyone.

At this time of year, snow and ice are omnipresent in the mountains and the conditions are nothing like those in which we evolve in summer.

The mountains in winter may be the same place but it’s not the same world.

To  do the Tour du Mont Blanc in the middle of winter , you need to be experienced in mountaineering techniques and have a lot of experience in the mountains to evolve and  evaluate the risks of the terrain .

This is no longer a trek without any particular technical difficulty as it is in summer. We are talking about a  winter trek in difficult  and risky  conditions !

Such an adventure with an emphasis on exploration and high mountains can offer unforgettable memories in fabulous and grandiose landscapes. However, it is only for those who are experienced in mountain sports in difficult conditions.

Reaching certain passages such as the delicate Fenêtre d’Arpette (2665 m), for example, the highest point of the TMB route, is not at all the same thing in summer or in winter!

You should bear this in mind if you are planning to do the Tour du Mont Blanc in winter. We recommend that you first  speak to a mountain guide  to discuss your winter trekking plans.

If not, there are options to safely hike the TMB trails  during the winter 🙂

For example, you can experience  ski touring  for a day or a few days on the Tour du Mont Blanc route or in the neighbouring valleys.

A snowshoeing trip  is also a great way to discover the Mont Blanc region under the snow.

In any case, we advise you to be guided by a mountain leader  for such excursions, as the risks in the mountains are much higher in winter than in summer, due to the presence of snow, which makes the terrain much less readable.

You now know more to answer this famous question:  when to do the Tour du Mont Blanc?

If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to  contact our trekking agency specialized in the Tour du Mont Blanc .

Our guides will be happy to chat with you and give you all the answers you need 🙂

See you soon!

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Itinéraires, refuges, conseils de préparation physique, liste de matériel et vêtements... Toutes les réponses aux questions que vous vous posez sur le plus beau trek d'Europe se trouvent ici ! Forts de leur expérience, nos guides ont compilé tout leur savoir dans un guide complet de plus de 50 pages. Téléchargez-le gratuitement ici 🙂

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