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Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking Tours

Tour du mont blanc.

• Hike Europe's incredible, world-famous long-distance Alpine route
• Awe-inspiring panoramic mountain views at every bend of the trail
• Three countries in one hike; France, Italy & Switzerland
• Savor delicious classic cuisine, from tasty cheeses to local wines
• Stay in traditional alpine mountain huts or cozy historic hotels
• Hassle-free hiking: all our trips include bag transfer & 24/7 phone support

Circling Western Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc (15,780 ft), this 100-mile alpine trail crosses through three beautiful European countries- France, Italy and Switzerland. With far-reaching landscapes, wildflower meadows, high mountain passes, and snow-covered peaks, this glorious route is the epitome of an alpine adventure. The unmatched sunsets and alpenglow are the perfect complement to the unique mountain culture of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Not only do we have unrivaled knowledge and expertize in the area, we’ve also sent thousands of Macs customers on the TMB and refined our tours to provide the most fulfilling self-guided hiking experience. Self-guided hiking means having the freedom to explore independently at your own pace, along well-waymarked routes, with our 24/7 first-class support. The hiking days are consistently long and remote, making it a suitable accomplishment for the experienced long-distance hiker.

The option to choose between the Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort , staying in cozy hotels, and the Tour du Mont Blanc in Huts , staying in traditional mountain huts, allows hikers to choose their experience based on their preferences. Staying in the huts not only immerses you in the mountain culture but also fosters comradery with fellow hikers, adding to the overall sense of adventure and community.

Featured Tours - Tour du Mont Blanc

Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort

Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort

Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort (extended)

Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in Huts

Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc in Huts

Classic Walks of Mont Blanc

Discover tour du mont blanc.

It's an awesome, long distance circular hike around the mountain of Mont Blanc, crossing three countries – France, Switzerland and Italy.

We've constructed various routes to choose from. Complete the full route , which is around 100 miles or if you're short of vacation time, just the best stages .

The highest elevation you'll reach is 8,823 ft, which is at the mountain pass ‘Grand Col Ferret’. This is on the Italy / Swiss border – so you can have your feet in both countries!

July to mid-September is the time to travel. Outside this period snow can be problematic.

There's a lot of ascent– in total a staggering 34,776 ft but the incredible views and experience you're rewarded with, make the journey worth it!

HUTS - Tours In Huts

Traditional mountain huts (refuges/rifugios) create a sense of comradery, mountain culture, and good spirits. Dining is a communal event where one pot meals served by the local hut owners are enjoyed round a long table with other travelers. This is often a highlight where memories are made. Chat with fellow trekkers, exchange stories from the previous days, and get excited about future hikes.

The beds are set up dormitory style and are either bunk beds or raised mattresses next to each other. The dorm rooms range from sleeping 4 to 20 people and are mixed gender. The huts have shared and mixed gender restroom facilities.

COMFORT - Tours In Comfort

The 'In Comfort' tours offer overnight stays in historic alpine hotels nestled in iconic TMB mountain towns. We hand-pick the hotels for their location, welcoming staff members, and local cuisine.

On some nights there are no alternatives to mountain huts. In these instances, we try to book you in a private room. These will most likely have shared restroom facilities and may not have a double bed option.

The best place to view all the tours together is in the ‘featured tours' on this page. From here you can select your tour depending on the below questions.

• The majority of days are 12 miles longs with ascent and descent.
• How many days am I able to walk back to back this distance
• How fit do I need to be for the TMB
• We offer 14 days / 12 days / 8 days or 5 day tours.
• Hotels with the odd night in a private room in a refuge
• Huts in dormitories rooms

We have several excellent blogs with further information, our favorites are: 25 Frequently Asked Questions and Top tips for hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc

Raclette - A type of cheese that's melted and eaten with potatoes, gherkins, pickled onions and cured A type of melted cheese that is enjoyed with potatoes, cucumbers, pickled onions and cured meats. Raclette is just as delicious as it is filling. Depending on the hut, the cheese will either be melted over a personal table-top grill or a massive hot iron and will coat your plate and toppings.

Tartiflette - Reblochon cheese melted over a mixture of potatoes, onions, bacon and chives. It's the epitome of alpine comfort food—providing the perfect balance of warmth and satisfaction, especially after a long day on the trail.

Rosti - A Swiss version of Tartiflette that includes grated fried potatoes covered in Gruyére cheese and topped with ham and often a fried egg. Mushrooms are also often added, traditionally foraged from the surrounding hills.

Beers - If you enjoy a drink, be sure to look out for Bierre Leman and Veyrat - two local beers that are often served in the area.

Wine - There's a French belief that wine expresses the characteristics of the area it's grown in. If you enjoy wine, we absolutely recommend you taste the local varieties along the way!

Génépi - A local liqueur often enjoyed after dinner, Génépi tends to be an acquired taste with a sweet herbal chamomile and absinthe flavor. We encourage anyone with adventurous palates to try this!

Great news - Luggage transfer is included as standard. This means you are able to enjoy the hiking with just your essentials in your daypack.

Our responsible and friendly baggage handlers will take you main suitcase/luggage to your next overnight destination. As they move hundreds of bags each day, they can only accommodate one 33lbs bag, per person.

The Bonatti Refuge and Lac Blanc Refuge are incredible alpine mountain huts that you may stay in during your trip. Due to their remote location, they are inaccessible by road. Therefore, you will need to carry your overnight items on these days if you are booked in Bonatti or Lac Blanc, but no stress, you will be reunited with your main bag the following day!

Availability dependent, the 'complete' TMB tours will have an overnight at Refugio Bonatti, and the 'complete in huts' will have nights in both Bonatti and Lac Blanc.

Macs Adventure has been running self-guided hiking adventures on the Tour du Mont Blanc since 2010.

Follow Bill and Malin on their TMB journey! 

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Alpenventures UNGUIDED

Responsible adventure travel, 10 things to know about the tour du mont blanc.

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is, arguably, the best-known hut hiking tour in the Alps. This high-altitude multi-day hike in the Western Alps uses an extensive network of mountain huts, as well as accommodations in small villages, to circuit around the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc. Hikers on the TMB experience an explosion of food, culture, and nature unlike anything they have likely experienced before.

But what if I told you that you can get all that elsewhere in the Alps without the crowds, and for less money, all the while getting a more authentic and local experience?

It is a secret that shouldn’t be a secret. I will never say that the Tour du Mont Blanc is anything less than spectacular. But before selecting the most marketed circuit in the Alps for your adventure, let me share some things you should know about hut hiking in the Alps.

10 Things to Know About the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)

10. The TMB covers approximately 170 km. (110 miles), and gains 10,000 m. (32,808 ft.) of elevation

The TMB is not a walk in the park. If you cover the circuit in 11 days, you are looking at about 3,000 ft. of elevation gain per day. Now, that’s doable for most frequent hikers on a Saturday or Sunday, but eleven days one after another with that kind of elevation gain requires training.

9. Most hikers take 11 days to complete the route, but individual legs can be varied to meet hikers’ preferences

One of the great things about the TMB is the ability to vary the length of your hiking days as you like. The downside is that when you do the TMB, you are committing to walking the distance around a huge massif. It is not easy to shorten the overall distance, as the public transportation does not connect conveniently to other points on the tour.

8. The highest point is 2,665 m. (8,743 ft.)

This might not seem very impressive to my dear friends living in Colorado, but I need to mention that tree line in the Western Alps is at about 2,200 m. (7,200 ft.). Do not underestimate the amount of time that will be spent in alpine environments.

7. The TMB is not the only hut hiking tour in the Alps. There are over 800 mountain huts spread all over the Alps, enabling countless hut to hut circuits and traverses

This is a very important point that many do not realize. The TMB is not the only hut to hut hiking option in the Alps; it is simply the most marketed one. Now, there are two huge barriers to finding alternative hiking options for English speakers: 1) your English-language search for tours in the Alps will generate guiding companies and general information in the search results, without delivering the details you need to plan it yourself; 2) booking hut accommodations is more complex and time consuming than expected, often requiring a phone call from a speaker of the local language. The good news is that I am here to help you navigate through all that, and get you on an adventure in the Alps that is less crowded, meets your needs, and enables you to experience the Alps the way the locals do. Oh, and I should mention that I will customize to any budget.

6. A main highlight is that it covers 3 countries: Italy, Switzerland, and France.

This is one of my favorite things about the TMB – it covers 3 different countries. If you only make it to the Alps once or twice in your life, then you might as well try to cover several countries. The TMB is great for that. There are also other ways to cover multiple countries, such as a 3-country hut to hut tour through Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. There is also a fabulous alternate circuit to the Tour du Mont Blanc that is just two valleys East, traveling through 2 countries: Switzerland and Italy. But if you really want a comprehensive experience in the Alps, with multiple countries, lots of nature, cultural experiences, and calorie burning, consider a bike tour . Did you know you can ride your bike, mostly on car-free bike paths or small farm roads, all the way from Munich to Venice ? Now you do! Add that one to your list!

5. The TMB is not for beginners. Hikers need to be conditioned to tackle significant altitude gain daily, and prepared to face exposure and climbing sections on ladders

We all know famous hikes strewn with inexperienced hikers just because they are famous – Angel’s Landing in Zion NP US, Half Dome in Yosemite NP US, and Besseggen Ridge in Norway, to name a few. The TMB is also on that list, but more due to how strenuous it is, even though there are some ladder sections that introduce exposure. I, personally, do not recommend the TMB for beginners. I also don’t find that the TMB is exactly the right fit for many experienced hikers. There are other hut tours in the Alps with exciting cabled sections, some with via ferratas, and many with non-technical (crampons, but no rope) glacier crossings; all appealing features for experienced hikers. And if you like to eat, there is a hut to hut tour just for that as well. Where I will certainly give the TMB credit, is that it is perfect for experienced and fit hikers who prefer comfort and luxury along the way, and are willing to pay for it. Let me just clarify though, comfort and luxury is always relative.

4. The TMB is among the best-known hut tours, and is therefore also among the most crowded and expensive hut tours in the Alps

My mantra about adventuring in the Alps – the most marketed tours aren’t necessarily the best tours. This holds true for mountains, as well as hut hiking tours, and just about everything else. The TMB is crowded, more so in recent years than it was in previous decades. It also tends to be more expensive. Why? Anything that goes through Switzerland is going take extra currency out of your wallet. Also, the fact that the TMB goes through so many villages, means you will probably stay in one or two hotels along the way, which are more expensive than staying in a mountain hut.

3. Accommodations on the TMB need to be booked early, and start to fill up one year in advance. Elsewhere in the Alps, huts start to fill about 3 months in advance

Thanks to its popularity, some of the accommodations book up very early. This is sticky, because you can end up booking most of your accommodations, and then run into one that doesn’t work, and you need to re-do the whole thing. It is also important to be aware that not all huts on the TMB are equal. Do your research beforehand. If you end up too late in booking the TMB, no worries. As long as you are 3 months in advance of your tour, there should be another hut tour available that is just as amazing. And if it is last minute, get in touch with me, and I will see what I can dig up.

2. There is a helpful planning website that you can even use to book some (not all) of your TMB huts: http://www.autourdumontblanc.com/en/

Thanks to this website, it is feasible for you to plan and book your own TMB circuit, without relying on a booking company like mine. However, be warned: the accommodations not available for online booking, will present challenges, and will be very time consuming to book. If you don’t have the time to put into this, then either book only accommodations that you can book on the website (which will lead to a very strange itinerary), or give me a call.

1. During the annual ultra marathon around the TMB, the winner usually covers the entire circuit in around 20 hours. That’s one option to get around the hassle of booking accommodations!

I just want to pay tribute here to all the amazing ultra marathoners who run the entire TMB without even one overnight at a hut. You are amazing!

<<shout-out to Alpenventures’ customer, Erik, who will be running it this summer, directly following his hut to hut hike>>

Now that you are a little more informed about the pros and cons of the TMB, I urge you to start making your dream hiking tour in the Alps a reality. Access the TMB Planning Guide , as well as the FREE TOUR DU MONT BLANC PLANNING TOOLKIT , which includes GPS tracks, distances, elevation profiles and maps for the entire TMB, broken down into 24 segments to simplify your planning.

For those of you who prefer something else, I encourage you to check out the:

Tour du Mont Blanc Alternative

For those of you who love to eat, the Culinary Delight Hut Hiking Tour

If that still doesn’t cover what you are looking for me, feel free to shoot questions at me either on the Alpenventures UNGUIDED Facebook Page , or via email, [email protected] . I am happy to help you get the most out of your adventure in the Alps.

Please share this with all your hiking friends. This is information that every hiker with a bucket list should know!

Note: More observant readers may have noticed that I am carrying full backpacking gear in one of the pictures. Back-country camping is illegal in most of the Alps. Yes, as an inexperienced Alps hiker I did illegally back-country camp on the TMB (although I also did it legally, sleeping near a hut with permission, and in a campground). I haven’t done that since. Why? First of all, the Alps are steep and there are not a lot of flat spots, let alone nice spots where somebody else has camped before. Secondly, backpacking is less fun when everybody else is flying past you on the trail with their light day packs, bee-lining it to their cozy hut for the night where they will drink a beer and be served a warm meal. As much as I love backpacking, now I just stay in the huts.

#tourdumontblanc #huthikingtours #hiking

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Tours must be booked as is. No modifications can be made. These itineraries are very limited and are first-come, first-served.

We have a limited selection of Guaranteed Itineraries for the Tour du Mont Blanc

These itineraries are pre-booked and reservations are guaranteed. There are very few of these itineraries remaining, and when they are gone, they are gone.

Well and Good Travel

The Foolproof Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary: 10-Days

10 days of hiking in the Alps – the ULTIMATE wellness trip if you ask me. This Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided itinerary follows the traditional TMB route, includes tips, daily trail specs, and accommodation suggestions, and addresses some of the most common questions you might be asking yourself as you begin planning your tour.

The Tour du Mont Blanc, or the TMB, is a 105-mile (170 km) trail that circumnavigates Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe. The TMB is often considered one of the most beautiful through-hikes in the world, introducing hikers from around the globe to the exquisite and dramatic scenery of the Alps.

👉 Don’t forget travel insurance for this trip! I always use SafetyWing !

Want to save yourself a lot of planning time? Check out Skyhook Adventures’ 10-day guided trek if you want all of your accommodations, food, and transportation taken care of!

Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary 10 Days

This itinerary does not include, but I recommend, staying in Chamonix for a couple of days before and after your tour, first to acclimate and then to relax.

The TMB is broken up into “stages”. Traditionally, there are 11 stages but depending on how many days you want to trek you can find different versions of the stages.

During your planning, and your trekking, take all distance, time, and elevation markers or estimations with a grain of salt. Mileage on GPS and in guidebooks and blogs rarely match up, and there are a lot of variables that affect the accuracy of the time estimations. The trail markers seem to allot 30 minutes for every mile, but depending on your age, the weather, and what shape you’re in, that will be different for every person. For your own sake, just always assume you’ll have an additional mile or 30 minutes 🙂

Tour du Mont Blanc Trek Specs:

• Distance: 105 miles / 170 kilometers
• Route Type:  Loop
• Starting Point: Les Houches (traditionally)
• Direction: Counter-clockwise (although it can also be hiked clockwise)
• Total Elevation Gain/Loss:   33,632ft / 10,251 m
• Maximum Altitude: 8,500 ft / 2600 m
• Days To Hike: 7-12 days
• Countries: France, Italy, Switzerland
• Difficulty: Difficult (never flat, always up or down)

Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary Disclaimers:

• Most stages have alternative route options, or “variants”, as they are called. This itinerary follows the traditional TMB route, except for day 10. Refer to the recommended guidebooks for variant options.
• Some stages have options to use public transport and lifts/gondolas to accelerate and shorten the path. This itinerary discloses any shortcuts by calling out *SHORTCUT*.
• There are many mountain huts/refuges along the TMB to choose from. This allows for total personalization of your trek. The huts recommended in this 10-day tour du mont blanc itinerary are huts that I stayed in and will provide my honest opinion about.

Day 1: Les Houches to Les Contamines

Do not get off at the first stop in Les Houches – stay on until you see the Office de Tourismo (on your left). Here you will see the TMB starting point arch. Take a photo and walk onward for about 10 minutes until you see the “Telecabine Bellevue”. *SHORTCUT* This will cut off a 2600 ft / 800 m climb through the forest. Begin your trek at the top of this cable car.

You’ll pass through many towns and villages today, and you won’t feel very “out there”. The signage is decent, just make sure you pay attention and don’t pass any turnoffs. Use the guidebooks and GPS for support.

✔ Mileage: 9 miles / 14.5 km (if you take the cable car, 11 if you don’t)

✔ Elevation Gain: ~ 1000 ft / 300 m (if you take the cable car, 3550 ft if you don’t)

✔ Estimated hiking time: 5 hours (with cable car)

💤 Where to stay: Gai Soleil

Gai Soleil is a quaint and quiet hotel just off the main road in Les Contamines. There is a lovely yard to relax in after hiking all day. The rooms are basic but very comfortable with amazing views. Breakfast was great and there is wifi. I would recommend staying here.

Day 2: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

💪 This is one of the most challenging days of this 10-day tour du mont blanc itinerary.

Today you will climb over two Cols (mountain passes). You will see fewer towns and be pleasantly surprised by the beauty that is everywhere. Be prepared for lots of elevation gain and possible weather. It can get very cold (and wet!) at the top of the cols.

When you begin to descend from the second col, you’ll pass Croix du Bonhomme – a refuge. Stop here for hot chocolate or coffee but DO NOT stay here (outhouses, flies, no showers, etc).

BONUS: Look out and listen for lots of Marmots as you descend from Croix du Bonhomme!

✔ Mileage: 14 miles / 22.5 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 4500 ft /3000 ft down

✔ Estimated hiking time: 7 hours

💤 Where to stay: Auberge de la Nova

You will see the Auberge immediately as you descend into Les Chapieux (there isn’t much else here!). Try to get a private room if you can – unless you are fully comfortable sleeping in dorms. The dinner was one of the best dinners of the trek! Hot showers but no wifi or service.

Day 3: Les Chapieux to Rifugio Cabane du Combal

🌀 One of the most beautiful days of the trek!

Today you will get your first view of Mont Blanc from the trail and cross over into Italy via Col de la Seigne. To begin, take a bus from Les Chapieux to Les Mottets (NOT Ville des Glaciers).  *SHORTCUT* This will cut about an hour and a half of walking on a skinny paved road which made sense to us (and most others).

There is a small wooden information center in Les Chapieux, just outside Auberge de la Nova. You can buy bus tickets here – try and buy them the night before in order to get the first bus, otherwise, you may have to wait until the 9 am bus (or just walk).

BONUS: When you get to Cabane du Combal, continue on another 10 minutes to see Lac Miage and the adjacent moraine – you’ll see the signs outside the rifugio. If you sit and listen at the top, you’ll hear small rockslides happen every few minutes as a result of the melting glacier.

The All Trails map linked below maps you to Rifugio Elisabetta. A lot of people like to stay here but I saw the sleeping area and would highly recommend continuing on to Cabane du Combal. It’s another 30 minutes and 1.5 miles on FLAT gravel road. Definitely stop at Elisabetta for a cappuccino though. You’ll have to climb up their long and steep driveway but it is worth it!

✔ Mileage: 10 miles / 16 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 3400 ft / 1036 m

✔ Estimated hiking time: 5.5 hours

💤 Where to stay: Cabane du Combal

Cabane du Combal is a very sweet rifugio with large, clean rooms and the dinner was really very good. They tend to get herds of ibex hanging around (hence their logo), so be on the lookout! We saw several here 🙂 Lastly, there is no wifi or service here.

Also read: Tour du Mont Blanc Refuges: Everything You Need to Know

Day 4: Cabane du Combal to Rifugio Maison Vieille

🌀 One of the most beautiful days of this tour du mont blanc itinerary!

This was one of my absolute favorite days. It was a short day but SO beautiful. On several days you trek through villages and towns, but this day you are just in the mountains the entire time. You’ll be walking at eye level with glaciers and alongside grazing sheep and cows. Take your time and admire the beauty in every direction.

ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY: As much as we loved Maison Vielle, I recommend continuing past Rifugio Maison Vielle and booking a hotel in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is the largest town you will go through and a great opportunity to stay somewhere nicer, and it will balance out the distances on days 4 and 5. The Alltrails map below goes to Courmayeur.

✔ Mileage: 6 miles / 9.6 km (to Maison Vieille)

✔ Elevation Gain: 1900 ft / 600 m

✔ Estimated hiking time: 3 – 4 hours

💤 Where to stay: Rifugio Maison Vieille

As I mentioned, I would continue on to Courmayeur. However, if you choose to stay at Maison Vieille you can spend the afternoon lounging in lawn chairs and sipping on cold beers. This is a popular lunch stop for day hikers so it’s very busy and fun. They only have dorms – no private rooms, FYI. But, they do have wifi.

Day 5: Rifugio Maison Vieille to Rifugio Walter Bonatti

Maison Vieille is situated at the top of a ski lift. When you depart on day 5 you can either sleep in and wait for the ski lift to open at 9 am to take you down to Dolonne or you can walk down the very steep descent which will take you about 2 hours. * This is another reason to stay in Courmayeur because you can take the ski lift down in the afternoon the day before.

*SHORTCUT* We chose to save our knees and took the ski lift as soon as it opened. You have to take a Gondola following the lift which drops you in Dolonne. You’ll walk about 10 minutes to Courmayeur. Build in some time to walk around and get some coffee if you can because it’s very cute here.

Next, begin your ascent through a paved neighborhood and then into a popular wooded hiking area. Stop at the top at Rifugio Bertone for a snack and beverage and then continue on. Today is another day of hiking eye to eye with massive glaciers… in fact, you’ll be sleeping directly across from one at Rifugio Bonatti!

✔ Mileage: 9 miles / 14.5 km (from Maison Vieille)

✔ Elevation Gain: 3600 ft / 1100 m

✔ Estimated hiking time: 6 hours

💤 Where to stay: Rifugio Walter Bonatti

Rifugio Bonatti is situated directly across from a massive glacier – it is an unbelievable location. The rifugio is a little newer and offers dorms and private rooms that are quite comfortable and clean. The dinner was pretty good. You have to get a coin for the shower and only get 4 minutes. There is no wifi, but some service. Although, if you ask nicely the staff might share the wifi password.

Day 6: Rifugio Walter Bonatti to La Fouly

On day 6 of this Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, you’ll cross over into Switzerland. This is an absolutely stunning day of hiking, especially the climb to Grand Col Ferret (tough!). Prepare to see lots of rolling green hills, glaciers, cows, and sheep.

✔ Elevation Gain: 3200 ft. / 975 m

💤 Where to stay: Auberge des Glaciers

This Auberge is right in the center of town – as soon as you enter La Fouly you will see it. The rooms were cute (private) and the showers were hot! Dinner was delicious but it was an expensive auberge/refuge. Conveniently, there is a market right next door if you need to stock up on snacks.

Day 7: La Fouly to Champex

Day 7 is one of the easier days of this Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary. You will be in the forest most of the time. Look for wooden animal carvings along the whole trail. This day was very rainy for us – several people ended up taking the bus from La Fouly to Champex to avoid hiking in the rain. We were soaked by the time we got to La Fouly but ultimately we were glad we didn’t take the bus. You’ll pass through some really interesting and tiny Swiss towns today – not the most exciting day though.

✔ Mileage: 9 miles / 14.5 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 2000 ft. / 609 m

✔ Estimated hiking time: 4.5 hours

💤 Where to stay: Hotel Splendide

I had originally booked Hotel Belvedere, but when we arrived I was informed I accidentally booked it for the night before. They didn’t have room for us the night we needed it but it ended up being a BLESSING IN DISGUISE. Belvedere was very dark and dingy and the husband of the husband-wife combo was RUDE. We went next door to Hotel Splendide which happened to have a cancellation. It was such a treat to stay there. The rooms are sweet and gorgeous – amazing views and breakfast!!

Day 8: Champex to Trient

This day was challenging for us, mentally. Not incredibly tough but it felt very long. This was the easiest stage to get lost, in my opinion. When you leave Champex Lac, stay on the main road through town, following the TMB signs. If you turn off the road too soon you’ll find yourself in a maze of trails and the GPS is unreliable here. You’ll see a large boulder with “bovine TMB” painted on it. This is where you turn off.

When you reach Trient, continue on another km (15 minutes) to reach Le Peuty – it’s on the map.

BONUS: If you do the main route and not a variant, you’ll pass by Alp Bovine, a small unassuming rustic restaurant in the hills. The homemade tarts are AMAZING. The views and atmosphere are warm and authentic. A must-stop.

✔ Mileage: 12.5 miles / 20 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 2800 ft. / 853 m

💤 Where to stay: Le Peuty

I booked Le Peuty on a whim because it looked unique and fun and wow am I so glad I did. This was one of, if not the top place of all the places we stayed in this tour du mont blanc itinerary. The atmosphere and vibes here are unbeatable. There is a dorm above the kitchen, a huge field for camping, and one private yurt. I booked early enough that I was able to get the yurt and it was awesome. The BEST part of our stay though was hands down the food. Dinner was cooked fresh from scratch and could have come from a multi-star restaurant. Breakfast was equally as delicious. Best food and best vibes of the trip.

Day 9: Trient to Tre le Champ

This was one of our favorite days of the TMB. Our bodies felt conditioned to the daily grind and the weather and views were gorgeous. You’ll return to France today, via Col du Balme. It’s a steep ascent to the top so stop at the top for a coffee or beer (and photos!). As you reach the top you regain an unobstructed view of Mont Blanc and it remains in site the rest of the trek.

✔ Mileage: 10.5 miles / 17 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 3400 ft. / 1036 m

💤 Where to stay: Auberge la Boerne

The location of this Auberge is great, it’s very cute and rustic, unique, and has a very cool history. However, the dorm we stayed in was literally the size of a closet (not joking see pictures). It was fine – just funny. The dinner was also not very good – maybe the worst of the whole trip. All part of the experience though! I’d probably choose to stay here again versus hiking down into Argentiere if that’s any consolation.

Day 10: Tre le Champ to Chamonix

The final stretch! Today you will go through the “ladder section” which you will hear about during your TMB planning. It is a little nerve-wracking, but totally doable so don’t be deterred. If you have an intense fear of heights, you can avoid the ladders by doing the Col Des Montets variant.

We decided to take our first variant today and go to Lac Blanc. It adds on another hour or so and a bit of elevation gain but the views are worth it in my opinion. And the hike out of Lac Blanc is very cool and different from much of the rest of the path.

When you reach the ski lift, take it down to La Flegere, then continue on the TMB path to the Plan Praz gondola. This will drop you in Chamonix! Below is the trail map to La Flegere. If you want to do the Lac Blanc variant, just follow the signs once you get to the top of the ladder section.

There are a number of options to descend into the Chamonix valley (i.e. at La Flegere, Plan Praz, or further along) so decide what is best for you. We felt strong when we reached La Felgere so we decided to continue to Plan Praz. You do NOT need to buy lift cable car tickets ahead of time. However, make sure you get there before they close (5 pm).

✔ Mileage: 11.5 miles / 18.5 km

✔ Elevation Gain: 3200 ft. / 990 m

💤 Where to stay: Grand Hotel des Alpes

Treat yourself! Stay at the Grand Hotel des Alpes , in the center of Chamonix. They have an amazing spa with a gorgeous sauna and hot tub area (this was the major selling point for me). The rooms are stunning and the beds are amazing just stay here!!

Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary Planning Resources

Blog posts, facebook groups, the official TMB website, GPS and weather apps, and guidebooks are all of the resources you will need to plan and hike your tour du mont blanc itinerary.

This Facebook group is very active and super helpful. People share their experiences, share all sorts of tips, and provide a decently accurate picture of what the current conditions and situation is on the trail.

I carried Jim Manthorpe’s Tour du Mont Blanc guidebook (2nd edition) with me and while it is not always 100% accurate, the detailed maps and elevation and distance charts were really helpful. He also covers all of the different variants available to you.

The official TMB website is a somewhat helpful planning resource. It is also the only way to book some of the refuges so if you plan on staying in mountain huts you will need to utilize this site.

Meteoblue is a helpful weather app to have – again, not always accurate of course but it’s more detailed than weather.com.

Tour du Mont Blanc Alltrails

While not always accurate, alltrails was the best GPS app for us. There are a number of route options that are downloadable. This way, if you don’t have service (which you won’t) you can still use the map. Alltrails has all of the traditional stages mapped out, as well as variants, alternative stages, and the entire loop even.

You will need to create an AllTrails account. Search for your desired stage, crosscheck it with guidebooks to make sure it’s accurate, and then download it. While you are hiking you will be able to go into the app and click on the respective stage and the app’s GPS will follow along the route.

FAQs About the Tour du Mont Blanc Hike

If you are just getting started with your TMB planning, I’m sure you have a LOT of questions. Don’t worry, everything will start to make sense and come together. It seems more daunting than it actually is. Hopefully, this FAQ gets you off to a good start!

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

August. I hiked this tour du mont blanc itinerary August 13th-22th and it rained two of those days. Earlier August you may see less rain, but I think generally anytime in August is a great time to hike the TMB. It was in the 80s in Chamonix, but higher up on the trail it was perfect hiking weather (60s and 70s).

If you go in June, you may encounter remnants of winter, in July it may be scorching hot, and in September it could snow. That being said, the trail will be busy June through September.

How much water should I carry on the TMB?

At least two liters. Although, you may need three liters during the hottest months or if you are planning on hiking longer distances than most people each day.

I carried two 1 liter Nalgene’s (I am not a fan of camelbacks) and never ran out of water. There are several water troughs along the route to refill if you are running low, although I recommend that you never begin the day with less than two liters just in case.

There are some occasions, particularly towards the end of summer, when the water is not flowing in all of the troughs along the trail. That being said, we found at least one water refill trough at every stage – and usually several.

How far in advance should I plan my Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary?

Approximately, 6 to 10 months. If you plan on staying in refuges/mountain huts along the trail, you’ll need to book them well in advance. I booked all of our accommodations about 7 months ahead of our trip. If you plan on camping you have some more freedom to start your planning later.

Do I have to start the TMB in Les Houches, Chamonix?

No, absolutely not! Les Houches is the “official” starting point, and made the most sense for us because we wanted to spend time in Chamonix before and after our trek. However, there are several other starting points – pretty much any main town along the path can be a starting point. The only other starting point I would consider, personally, is Courmayeur.

How do I book the refuges?

The refuges, also called mountain huts, rifugios, and auberges, depending on what country you’re in, can be somewhat challenging to reserve. They need to be booked early if you want a guaranteed spot, and they all have different booking processes. For more information on how to book the refuges, refer to my post Refuges: Everything You Need to Know .

What gear do I need for the TMB?

See Tour du Mont Blanc Packing List [COMING SOON].

What To Expect on The Trail

• A variety of weather! Make sure you pack for every condition.
• Wildlife! Specifically, marmots, ibex, chamois, vultures, deer, sheep, cows, and goats.
• Crowds. The TMB is one of the most famous treks in the world, you are going to be hiking with a lot of people. There are days when you may not see many people, but most days you will see a lot. One positive is that it makes the trek feel very safe and is a great option for solo female hikers.
• Wild berries! You will find wild blueberries along much of the route, and occasionally some wild raspberries.
• Water refill stations. As I mentioned earlier, there are several water refill troughs along each leg of the hike. Make sure to always pack enough water for the day in case they are dry. Check Facebook groups to know the status of the water before you go.

Wrap-Up: Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary 10 Days

So, if you are on the fence about hiking the TMB, let me just give you a little push. Allow yourself to breathe in the freshest of air, to gravel at the massive glaciers all around you, to sleep in places so remote that the stars seem brighter and more abundant than any place you’ve ever been. Give yourself a screen break, clear your head, and meet amazing people from around the world. Eat fresh homemade food every day, and drink untouched mountain spring water.

Use this Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary as a starting point – take what works for you and customize the rest to your needs.

Jade Gershen is the founder of Well and Good Travel. She has lived on three continents and explored more than 20 countries in the past 10 years. U.S. based, she also shares her favorite places to go and things to do in the States. Having experienced the impacts of chronic stress Jade has a particular interest in using travel and outdoor adventure to improve well-being and shares that with her readers.

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The Tour du Mont Blanc hike: everything you need to know

Photo by Ana Frantz

The Tour du Mont Blanc (literally meaning “around Mont Blanc”) is a world-renowned, 170 km hiking trail in the French Alps, passing through France, Switzerland and Italy.

Split into 11 stages, the tour starts and ends in Les Houches in the Chamonix Valley. However, unlike many other mountaineering challenges in the area, it requires little to no climbing skills.

In this post, we cover everything you need to know about the Tour du Mont Blanc, from its history to the best time to go, as well as details of the routes, where to stay and top tips.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about this mountain hike…

The history of the Tour du Mont Blanc

There is a long and rich history behind the Tour du Mont Blanc hike. First attempted by “Horace Benedict de Saussure” in 1767, the trail was walked by Roman soldiers and Celtic tribes who used the “Col Du Bonhomme” as a trade route, as well as shepherds who would move their herds between the valleys.

The Tour du Mont Blanc hike: key details

The Tour du Mont Blanc hike can only be completed in summer, from mid-June until the end of September. If you’re thinking of cutting certain stages, the public transport options (cable cars and shuttle buses) only run in July and August.

What to pack

It goes without saying, you need to be incredibly stringent when it comes to packing – you will thank yourself later!

Pack as light as you possibly can and omit any luxuries you can live without. Before departing on your adventure, make sure you test all of your gear out thoroughly to see if it’s comfortable and can withstand the requirements.

If you struggle to narrow it down to the essentials, then you may want to look at organising luggage transfers to make things easier.

Here’s an idea of what to take with you on the Tour du Mont Blanc hike:

• Backpack : The type of backpack you need depends on whether or not you plan on camping or staying in mountain refuges. If you’re camping, you’ll need a backpack with a 50-60 litre capacity, for the latter you’ll need a 25-30 litre backpack. Ensure your bag has chest and hip straps to spread the load, plus a waterproof cover. Kids will need to carry their own small backpacks with all the same features.
• Clothing : Layers are absolutely essential. You need to be able to adjust and adapt according to the conditions on any given day. Include a variety of lightweight, synthetic layers which will dry quickly if you get wet plus a fleece , waterproof jacket / trousers , a couple of pairs of hiking shorts and approximately 3 technical t-shirts.
• Socks: 4-5 pairs of socks
• Boots: Do not scrimp on your boots, invest in a high-quality pair and wear them in thoroughly before you head off. We’d recommend heading to an outdoor sports store where professionals can advise you on the best model for your needs and the shape of your feet.
• Comfy shoes: Some flip-flops or lightweight slippers for your overnight stays will be a welcome relief.
• Trekking poles: Even if you’re used to hiking without them, poles will be essential for this trip. Take a look at these top-recommended makes and modes .
• Hiking crampons: You may not think these are a necessity when hiking in summer, but high altitudes mean snow and ice patches even in July. Discover some top picks here .
• Sleeping bag liner: For hygiene and comfort reasons, many refuges will require you to have a sleeping bag liner for your stay.

The overall mountain hike is 170 km/105 miles long and split into several stages which pass through 7 valleys. There are a number of variants that you can choose to take, and you can choose from a guided or self-guided tour.

In this post, we’ve gone with a route that has 11 stages. Each stage averages approximately 13-20 km in length and takes around 7-9 hours a day.

With the route we outline in this post, most hikers will complete a stage per day, with more advanced trekkers doing it even more quickly. However, some may choose another route, going at a more leisurely pace which can take up to 14 days to complete the entire tour.

Do bear in mind though, that although the tour is open to all, it is a challenging expedition.

There are a number of access points including Les Contamines (France), Courmayeur (Italy) or Champex-Lac (Switzerland). So if you want, you can choose to hike sections of the route if you don’t have the time to complete it in full.

Most people choose to navigate the trail anti-clockwise . This is so you can enjoy maximum views of Mont Blanc along the way. But, because this is the most popular route, it can get busier than going clockwise.

For those who don’t have time to hike the whole tour in one go, or are doing it with kids, splitting it in two can be a good option. You can do this by completing the Les Houches to Courmayeur section one summer and then returning to Courmayeur the following summer to hike back to Les Houches and conclude the circuit.

Below we’ve listed the details of each stage. To jump to a certain stage, click on the links below:

Stage 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines

📈 Elevation: 646 m

📉 Descent: 6333 m

🥾 Distance: 16 km

💪 Difficulty: Moderately difficult

🛏️ Accommodation: Refuge de Bellachat , Refuge de Miage or Auberge du Truc , Refuge de Nant Borrant

Stage 1 of the hike kicks off in Les Houches. From there, you will pass through Bionassay and into Les Contamines.

If you choose to do the first part of the trail on foot, you’ll be thrown in at the deep end, with a 600 m climb up to the Col du Voza . There, you can marvel at the views of the Dome du Gouter and Aiguille de Bionassay . However, if you’d prefer a gentler start, then opt to take the Bellevue cable car up to preserve your energy.

For another variation, take the route through the Col du Tricot to experience even more magnificent views. However, this route is a challenge and is home to rougher terrain, so should not be attempted in bad weather.

You can also skip this stage altogether and begin from Les Contamines, which you can access by bus or taxi from Chamonix. This is a good option if you want to shorten your overall hike. Alternatively, Les Contamines is just over 1 hour by car from Geneva airport, so if you’re travelling from further afield, you could begin your trip from there directly.

Stage 2: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux

📈 Elevation: 1316 m

📉 Descent: 929 m

🥾 Distance: 18 km

💪 Difficulty: Moderate

🛏️ Accommodation: Refuge de la Nova ,  Chambres du Soleil , Refuge des Prés

The second stage is a challenging one, with an elevation of 1316 m over Col du Bonhomme and Col du Croix du Bonhomme.

Due to the altitude, there are some snowy patches even into summer, so make sure to pack the correct gear, especially if hiking early in the season.

Alternatively, you can cross the Col des Fours  and head straight down the (very steep and potentially icy) descent directly to Ville des Glaciers and stop at Refuge des Mottets . This will save time on stage 3, but this route is not recommended for beginners or leisurely hikers.

Stage 3: Les Chapieux – Rifugio Elisabetta (Italy)

📈 Elevation: 1004 m

📉 Descent: 258 m

🥾 Distance: 15 km

💪 Difficulty: Easy – moderate

🛏️ Accommodation : Rifugio Elisabetta

The Col de la Seigne marks the beginning of the Italian portion of the trail at stage 3. Here, you will have the option of taking a shuttle bus from Les Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers to cut approximately 1 hour off your route.

The Col de la Seigne climb is gradual, however, by this stage, it can feel challenging as the past two days begin to catch up with you. But on the plus side, you’ll be rewarded with a cultural treat at La Casermetta Museum!

Stage 4: Refugio Elisabetta – Courmayeur

📈 Elevation: 460 m

📉 Descent: 1560 m

🛏️ Accommodation : Cabane du Combal , Hotel Chalet Val Ferret , Hotel Funivia , Gite le Randonneur du Mont Blanc

Stage 4 demands less elevation than stage 3, but by this time, you will be feeling the effects of your hike, so don’t forget to pace yourself.

Expect a steep descent from Refugio Elisabetta down into the Val Veny and onto Lac Combal. From there, you’ll climb up to L’Arpe Vielle Superior , onto Mont Favre , before reaching Col Chécrouit and descending into Dolonne and finally reaching Courmayeur .

If you want to cut out the last bit, in peak season you can take the chairlift from Col Chécrouit to Dolonne. Alternatively, you can catch the bus from La Visaille to Courmayeur to make things a bit easier.

Stage 5: Courmayeur – Rifugio Bonatti

📈 Elevation: 860 m

📉 Descent: 101 m

🥾 Distance: 12 km

🛏️ Accommodation : Rifugio Bonatti

Throughout this stage, you can enjoy a climb through the woods before taking a quick break at the Refuge Bertone . From there, you’ll traverse the side of the Mont de la Saxe and eventually reach Rifugio Bonatti .

Again, if you’re in need of a shortcut, you can take a bus from the Place Le Monte Bianco to the Bivio Refugio Bonatti bus stop. However, you will still need to hike for 1 hour up to the refuge – so don’t get too comfortable!

Stage 6: Rifugio Bonatti – La Fouly (Switzerland)

📈 Elevation: 895 m

📉 Descent: 1410 m

🥾 Distance: 20 km

💪 Difficulty: Moderatey difficult due to length

🛏️ Accommodation : Rifugio Elena , Gîte de la Léchère , Auberge des Glaciers , Gîte de La Fouly , Chalet ‘Le Dolent’ , Hotel du Col de Fenêtre , Hôtel Edelweiss , Maya-Joie

It’s time to head into Italy! And the gentle nature of this leg of the tour is a welcome relief after the tougher foregoing days.

You’ll make your way up the grand Col Ferret , before descending into Val Ferret and onto La Fouly, where there are a number of places to stay.

Stage 7: La Fouly – Champex-Lac

📈 Elevation: 420 m

📉 Descent: 565 m

🛏️ Accommodation : Auberge Gîte Bon Abri , Relais d’Arpette , Chalet La Grange

Stage 7 is another fairly undemanding stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc. From La Fouly, you can enjoy a pleasant stretch through forest and meadows before a final push uphill to Champex-Lac . Some may choose to take the bus to Champex-Lac instead from Ferret or La Fouly to save time and money.

Stage 8: Champex-Lac – Col de la Forclaz – Trient

🥾 Distance: 16 km to Col du Forclaz, 18 km to Trient

💪 Difficulty: Difficult

🛏️ Accommodation : Auberge Mont-Blanc , Hôtel du Col de la Forclaz , Refuge Le Peuty , La Grande Ourse

Take in the views of the stunning Canadian-style lake in Champex-Lac before making your way through green pastures and meadows and passing picture-perfect Swiss chalets.

However, although there’s no col, the climb from Plan de l’Au buvette (1330 m) to Alp Bovine (1987 m) is extremely challenging. Once you reach Alp Bovine , you’ll have a further 53 m ascent before a well-deserved descent through woodland to the top of the Col de la Forclaz.

From here, you can choose to either catch the bus, saving yourself 1 hour more hiking, or continue by foot onto Trient.

Stage 9: Trient – Tré-le-Champ (France)

📈 Elevation: 1137 m

📉 Descent: 1077 m

🥾 Distance: 14.3 km

🛏️ Accommodation : Auberge la Boerne

Having completed the Swiss phase of the hike, this stage brings you back into France via the Col de Balme. This is a moderately difficult portion of the hike, however the stunning views of the Chamonix Valley will be worth the challenge.

If you want a wider choice of accommodation, you may be better off heading onto Les Frasserands or Argentiere where there’s a bit more going on.

Stage 10: Tré-le-Champ – Flégère

📈 Elevation: 1043 m

📉 Descent: 495 m

🥾 Distance: 8.6 km

🛏️ Accommodation : Refuge de La Flégère

With the home stretch in sight, the penultimate section of the Tour du Mont Blanc hike is an unforgettable one.

Adventurous hikers will love navigating their way up the metal ladders, platforms and steps that aid this rocky stage up to the Tête aux Vents (2132 m). From here, marvel at the stunning Alpine views prior to continuing on to Flégère via the higher trail which brings you to Lac Chesery (camping permitted) and onto Lac Blanc (camping not permitted).

Bear in mind, Lac Blanc will likely be busy up until 3-4 pm as this is a particularly popular hotspot for day-hikers in summer.

Stage 11: Flégère – Les Houches

📈 Elevation: 772 m

📉 Descent: 1546 m

🥾 Distance: 17 km

Finally, we come to the end of the tour! The considerable descent of the final stage will certainly make you glad to see the finish line. However, the remarkable views of Mont Blanc from the “balcon sud” will make it worth your while.

When you get to Brévent , you have two options: take the cable car to the summit or set your mind to the last ascent, which will take you between 1-2 hours.

Before reaching your journey’s end, you’ll need to descend some rough terrain on your way back to Les Houches – but just think of the sense of achievement once you get there!

Wildlife spotting

The French Alps are a hot spot for a rich variety of wildlife and summer is the perfect time to spot them! Keep your eyes peeled along the way and you may be lucky enough to spot some of the following:

• Golden eagle
• Bearded vultures

Have a look at our post on summer animals in the Alps to find out more about each species.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the top-rated mountain hikes in France. If you’re an avid hiker and you have the time and resources to do it, you should definitely give it a go! You’ll be able to test your limits, take in some breathtaking views and maybe even spot some mountain wildlife along the way.

We hope you found this introductory guide helpful. However, this topic is extensive, so there’s plenty more reading to be had! Here are some more resources you may find interesting about The Tour du Mon Blanc and hiking in France:

• Tour du Mont Blanc website
• Bookatrekking.com (guided and self-guided tours)
• A guide to refuges along the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Walking holidays in the Alps: our favourite walks
• 5 reasons to visit the Alps in June
• 5 reasons to visit the Alps in July

Further Reading...

7 Spring hikes around Lake Annecy

The top 5 things to do in Les Houches

Guard dogs in the Alps: how to behave if you meet a big white sheep dog when hiking

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discovering the Alps on foot

TOUR DU MONT BLANC HIKE

Discover the alps by hiking the most iconic trail in europe.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a 170 km trekking trail through France, Italy and Switzerland. Circumnavigating Western Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, it is one of the world’s classic multi day treks and is on every serious hiker’s bucket list.

Tour du Mont Blanc Hike is a blog dedicated to all aspects of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc trail. Our aim is to make your TMB less stressful in the planning stages, more enjoyable on the trail, and unforgettable for all the right reasons!

We’ve trekked the trail. Struggled with the planning. Agonised over the stages.

The tour du mont blanc in numbers.

.ugb-4e73f3a .ugb-blockquote__quote{fill:#f4f4f4 !important;opacity:1;width:49px !important;height:49px !important;left:24px !important;top:88px !important}.ugb-4e73f3a .ugb-blockquote__text{font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,"Apple Color Emoji","Segoe UI Emoji","Segoe UI Symbol" !important;font-size:17px !important;font-weight:600 !important;letter-spacing:4px !important;line-height:1.3em !important;color:#ffffff}.ugb-4e73f3a .ugb-blockquote__item{text-align:left !important} Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc is no easy feat involving more elevation gain than the height of Everest ….. however, planning this trek is much more difficult to conquer than climbing the 10 mountain passes circumnavigating Mont Blanc

We’ve trekked the trail. Struggled with the planning. Agonised over the stages. How far would we be to able to walk each day. How much water to carry? Which were the best stages? Could we pick up public transport if we were lagging? What to do in an emergency? How fit would we have to be? Can we take the kids?

We get it. SO many questions. Our aim is to give you as much practical information all in one place before you embark on your Tour du Mont Blanc adventure. With plenty of useful advice such as how to get fit for the TMB, how to plan your route wisely according to your fitness level, top tips for the trail and more – this blog should answer all your Tour du Mont Blanc questions. Go straight to our FAQ section for direct answers or browse our posts for more detailed advice. If you can’t find the answer to your question – get in touch.

FIRST STEPS IN PLANNING YOUR TMB

The hardest part of the Tour du Mont Blanc is the planning. Start early and take your time … your trek experience will depend on it.

The Tour du Mont Blanc trail, starting in Chamonix in the French Alps, is broken up into 11 stages that folks can tackle any which way they want. Whilst the entire circuit takes 10-11 days, the flexibility of having numerous start points on the trail enables hikers to enjoy the trail for any number of days from just a one day hike, a long weekend or a week.

booking early

Since Covid the Tour du Mont Blanc has become incredibly popular and you now need to book very early to secure accommodation in huts along the trail – generally between October and December before the summer you want to trek. Booking the huts independently can be tough – it’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle. For those who don’t have the patience or the organisational skills I recommend using a self guided tour operator to book your TMB accommodation for you. It makes the process much easier. I recommend Adventure Base, a local company in Chamonix who are excellent. You can use them to book most of my Tour du Mont Blanc itineraries self guided – simply click on the itinerary and then on the book button

Learn everything you need to know about the TMB refuges …

The first of it’s kind, our TMB Refuges ebook contains 83 pages of insider tips & knowledge to help you plan your self-guided TMB adventure with confidence & peace of mind.

Packed full of specific advice this ebook includes everything you need to know about the TMB refuges including a comprehensive guide to 23 refuges.

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Responsible Hiking

Zoom consultations for independent tmb trekkers – 2024.

I offer 60 and 90 minute zoom consultations to help you with your TMB route planning & to give you tips and tricks to help you prepare for your trek. To run through an itinerary or just to chat about the trek you can book a 60 minute zoom, however most clients feel the benefit of a longer 90 minute session where we go through your itinerary day by day sharing an interactive map and walking through the trail in detail discussing lunch stops, water stops, difficult sections etc. The zoom session is recorded so there is no need to take copious notes. All my zoom clients also receive unlimited email support up until the date of their trek.

I will be available most days throughout February and March for zoom sessions. You can book by clicking the button below, selecting which length of zoom session, making payment and then emailing me to arrange a convenient time to chat. At this moment in time, PLEASE do not just pay for a zoom consultation if YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCOMMODATION BOOKED as I may have to refund you. The trail is currently full for summer 2024 but cancellations do start to happen near the summer so if you have not booked any huts for 2024, please send me an email first.

If you are considering trekking in 2025 and want advice on the best bespoke itinerary for you, book a zoom call with me anytime from now until September. Remember there are refuges every 5km along the trail all offering different accommodation or specific highlights. A bespoke itinerary allows you to get the very best TMB right for your group. By being organised and being prepared by September you will be ready to book the appropriate refuges as soon as they open for 2025 reservations.

TOUR DU MONT BLANC LUGGAGE TRANSFERS

Get your luggage sent on ahead to each refuge so you’re only carrying a small backpack each day on the trail

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Tour de Mont Blanc 2023/2024                                            (The 2023 Trek is FULL!)

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the great hiking tours in the world. On this guided TMB tour, we’ll cross countless passes and trek through three countries – France, Italy, and Switzerland – as we circumnavigate Mont Blanc, at 15,781 feet, the highest mountain in the Alps. We’ll hike through spectacular valleys and stay in a combination of 3-star village hotels and remote Refugio’s. The Tour du Mont Blanc is truly an epic trek – a great opportunity to meet hikers from around the world and enjoy rich variety of cultures, cuisines and views. In keeping with the adventurous nature of the tour, we’ve designed a spirited itinerary, we will stay at mixture of alpine guest houses, mountain refugios and hotels. Showers will be available at most places we stay at, and our village hotels will feature private double/tripple rooms and bathrooms.

Leader/Guide: Marek Wencel and Duane Morrison

Price: $3,000

GENERAL ITINERARY: Aug 17-28 2023 (Aug 17-28 2024-$3,300)

Day 1 (Aug 17) Arrive Chamonix (1 1/2 hrs shuttle drive from Geneva Airport) The pretty village of Les Houches is easily accessible by either train or shuttle from Geneva Airport in over an hour drive. On arrival you can settle into your comfortable hotel, stroll through the town and get ready for your adventure on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Dinner & Overnight:  Chamonix Day 2 (Aug 18) Argentière to Planpraz The first two days of the TDMB are in my opinion the highlight of the Tour du Mont Blanc. The views across the Chamonix Valley to the Mont Blanc Massif are outstanding throughout. From your hotel the trail climbs via Aiguillette de Argentière to the Grand Balcon Sud of the Aiguilles Rouges, taking in a few fixed ladders on the way. You are now in the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve and sightings of Ibex, Marmot and many other furry creatures are common. You continue to climb to Lac Blanc, where the idyllically situated refuge is the perfect spot for lunch. Another hour of descent brings you to the cable car station at Le Flégère, continue past the cable car and take the 'Balcon Sud' route traversing across the mountain side with stunning views of Mont Blanc as you go. The balcony route arrives at Planpraz where you can take the cable car down to the center of Chamonix. Walk: 7.5miles, 6-7 Hours, Ascent: 4,757ft, Descent: 2,600ft Overnight: at Chamonix Day 3 ( Aug 19) Planpraz to Les Houches Begin your day by catching the cable car back up to Planpraz. For your last day on the Tour du Mont Blanc you have several options. The toughest, but most rewarding takes you all the way to Les Houches via the Col du Brevant & the rocky pedestal of the le Brévent (2525m). Mont Blanc seems within touching distance on the opposite side of the valley. Descent past Lac Brevent and traverse onwards to Bel Lachat before making the descent to Les Houches and a short bus or train ride will take you back to Chamonix. This day can be shortened at several points. Chamonix is the centre of mountaineering in the French Alps and always a hive of activity and is the perfect place to celebrate the end of your walk around Mont Blanc. Walk: 6.8miles 1,410ft Ascent, 5,000 Descent, 6 Hours Overnight: at Chamonix Day 4 ( Aug 20) Les Houches - BellevueTelepherique (6,000ft) – Les Contamines Your third day of Tour du Mont Blanc starts with a quick 10 minute ride on the Bellevue telepherique. At Bellevue (1801m) you have the option of taking the tough route via Chalet de Miage, which is dominated by the Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnasay as you pass just beneath the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay. After passing the idyllic Chalet de Miage you descend to Les Contamines. If the weather is good-we will take that option. The easier option winds through beautiful forests and through alpine pastures via Bionnassay to Les Contamines. Walk via Bionnassay: 10miles, 5 Hours, 2,120ft Ascent, 2,076ft Descent Walk via Chalets de Miage: 11.2miles 7.5 Hours, 4,850ft ascent, 4,324ft descent Dinner & Overnight: Mountain Refuge above Les Contamines Day 5 (Aug 21) Les Contamines – Col Bonhomme (7,640ft) – Refuge des Mottets A gentle start from Les Contamines for the first 5km along the valley floor to chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge (shuttle transfer possible). Here the path turns upwards and climbs steadily on the Chemin Roman through the Contamines Montjoie Nature Reserve towards the distant Col du Bonhomme. A steady climb reveals increasingly rugged views of the high peaks and you quickly reach the rugged landscapes of the Col du Bonhomme (7,640ft). A further hour on rough and rocky ground brings up the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. Here you can either climb over the Col des Fours (2665m) and descend steeply to Refuge des Mottets. Walk to Refuge des Mottets: 10miles, 4,920ft Ascent, 2,950ft Descent, 7-8 Hours Dinner & Overnight: at Refuge des Mottets which is an idyllically located mountain refuge that was refurbished recently and has comfortable private rooms or dormitory and is well known for its hearty evening meals. Day 6 ( Aug 22) ) Refuge des Mottets to Courmayeur The Col de la Seigne (2516m) and lies a steep 750m above the Refuge des Mottets and is where you leave France for Italy. Just wait until you see the view! Stupendous! The steep southern side of the Mont Blanc Massif, made up of jagged peaks, hanging glaciers and plunging waterfalls, seems close enough to touch. The trail descends through high alpine meadows past refuge Elisabetta into the Val Veni. Here you must choose either the tough option which climbs via Col Chécrouit to Courmayeur or the easy option of continuing past the snout of the huge Glacier du Miage to Visaille, where you catch the shuttle bus into Courmayeur. Walk to Courmayeur: 17miles, 1160m Ascent, 1818m Descent, 8 – 9 Hours Alternative: This is a really long day if you follow the official route all the way to Courmayeur via Col Chécrouit. It can be shortened by catching the bus from La Visaille in the Val Veni Valley to Courmayeur. This cuts about 6,0miles, 1,600ft ascent and 3,700feet of descent from the day. The choice will be yours-one guide will take the strong ones over Col Checrouit, and the other will take a bus to Courmayour. Overnight: at Courmayeur Day 7 ( Aug 23) Courmayeur to Refugio Elena In good weather the walk from Courmayeur to Refugio Bonatti is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable of your Tour du Mont Blanc. Choose from three variations for the next section, all of which start with a steep climb from Courmayeur. The main route then contours around the flank of Mont de la Saxe on an undulating path giving you plenty of time to take in the dramatic icy panorama of the Mont Blanc Massif and Grand Jorasses across the valley. The variants via Col Sapin or Mont de la Saxe include more climbing but the views are arguably better. Whichever route you choose Refugio Bonatti, the crème de la crème of alpine refuges, marks the end of your day. Walk: 10.0miles 860m Ascent, 3,000ft descent, 6-7hrs hours. (The variants almost double the ascent and add 2 hours) Dinner & Overnight: at Refugio Elena The privately owned Refugio Elena and Refugio Bonatti have both a reputation as one of the best in the Alps.  Day 8 ( Aug 24) Elena – Grand col Ferret – La Fouly The day begins with a glorious contouring walk from Refugio Bonatti before descending into Val Ferret, where the climb of Grand col Ferret begins. The top of the col brings up Switzerland. Descending through picture book scenes of chalets, grazing cattle and fabulous alpine views you soon reach La Fouly, an idyllic alpine village of wooden chalets overflowing with flowers. Walk: 12.5miles, 2,800ft Ascent, 4,625ft Descent, 4-5 Hours Dinner & Overnight: at La Fouly. Day 9 ( Aug 25) La Fouly to Champex Walking through the Val Ferret with its patchwork of peaceful forests and green pastures is balm for the body and soul as this is the easiest stage of the TMB. On the way to Champex you will be walking on some of the quietest trails in the Mont Blanc Massif. The village of Les Arlaches, made up of traditional wooden Swiss Chalets, seems to have leapt from a postcard and is a highlight of the day. Your overnight stop is the lakeside town of Champex. Walk: 9.3miles, 4.5 Hours, Ascent: 1,500ft, Descent: 1,800ft Dinner & Overnight: at Champex Day 10 ( Aug 26) Champex - Trient The official route goes via Alp Bovine, a splendid walk through pine and larch forests interspersed with alpine meadows and wonderful views down the Rhône Valley. Alternatively the demanding variant goes via the spectacular Fenêtre d’Arpette to the Trient Valley. Climbing to 2665m it’s a challenging and exposed route but worth every step. Whichever route you choose you will end the day by descending right to the valley floor to the small village of Trient. Walk via Alp Bovine: 11miles, 2,300ft Ascent: 2,750ft Descent, 5.5 Hours. Walk via Fenêtre d’Arpette: 9.6miles, 3,900ft Ascent, 4,350ft descent, 7 Hours! Dinner & Overnight: at Trient Nestled deep in the valley Trient is always bursting with walkers on the Tour du Mont Blanc and Walkers Haut Route and both of these hostelries cater admirably for them. Day 11 ( Aug 27) ) Trient - Col de La Balme – Tré le Champ – Argentière-THE END OF THE TREK! From Trient, you climb to reach the French border at Col de Balme (2191 m). From the col the entire Mont Blanc Massif stretches ahead; the Chamonix Valley, the summit of Mont Blanc, the Aiguilles, the Mer de Glace and the Argentière glaciers! The route then continues via the Col des Posettes and Aiguillette des Posettes, with wonderful views throughout, before descending into the Chamonix Valley at Tré le Champ. Walk: 7miles, 3,500 Ascent, 3,140ft Descent, 5 Hours Dinner & Overnight: at Chamonix Day 12: ( Aug 28) Return Home Chamonix is a great base to spend a couple of days and we would recommend that you add extra nights here. You can enjoy some fabulous walking in the Aiguilles Rouge Park, take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3795m or perhaps the train to the Montenvers on the Mer de Glace. If you are heading home there are numerous shuttles, buses and trains back to Geneva and throughout France.

PRICE INCLUDES:

• All accomodationd during trek-total of twelve nights at hotels and mountain huts.
• All lifts and cable train tickets as per itinerary (as scheduled)
• Breakfasts while in Chamonix/ Breakfasts+Dinners while in mountain huts (during trek) When we stay in towns-only breakfast is included
• Permits and guides fees.
• Group gear, medical kit.

ITEMS EXCLUDED:

• International, domestic flights and shuttle to/from Chamonix
• Lunches and dinners while in main towns of Chamonix and Courmayeur, La Fouly, Champex, Trient
• Bottled drinks and alcohol
• Single room accommodations are not available
• Costs accrued due to delays beyond Crew Treks control (weather, flight delays, accidents, lack of fitness, etc)

To enter France, there is no visa requirement for US Citizens. The best way to get to Chamonix is either via Geneva, Zurich or Milan

Crew Treks strongly recommends that you enroll with Global Rescue prior to embarking on this trip. Please click on the link below for details and quotes. The prices are reasonable and the signup process is simple. https://partner.globalrescue.com/crewtreks/index.html We strongly encourage everyone to purchase travel insurance, which covers trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage loss or delay, medical expenses, etc. Travel insurance offers the best possible protection if you have a sudden, unexpected illness or injury prior to or when traveling. Here are some useful links: http://www.travelguard.com http://www.travelexinsurance.com/quote/?nc=1

Required EQUIPMENT LIST:

• The Basics: Hiking Boots – Gore-Tex or waterproofed leather (pick the lighest version you have/feel comfortable with/trail runners ok!) Back Pack 35L-50L (we will be staying at mountain huts, no sleeping bag needed-if you pack well, you'll squizze into 35L pack) Trekking poles
• micro spikes are optional-we most likely will not need them Headlamp+Spare batteries! Clothing: Light to mid-weight synthetic top Mid-Weight synthetic bottoms Extra synthetic top lightweight Fleece jacket (200-300 weight) or down jacket or down sweater with hood (optional) Gore-Tex jacket with hood or equivalent Gore-Tex pants or equivalent Hiking/Trekking pants Wool or synthetic socks (2-3 pairs) Synthetic Liner socks (2-3 pairs) optional Lightweight fleece or synthetic gloves (windproof/water resistant preferred) Wool/pile hat Sunhat, sunglasses Tennis shoes or flip fops to walk around villages or take a shower at mountain huts. LUNCH/SNACKS Variety of nuts, power bars, dried fruit, energy gels, crackers, GU jells, powder drinks for mixing-Gatorade. (we will be given lunch boxes, so please take little snacks) One or two wide mouth Nalgeine water bottles Required Medications: Antibiotics-Cipro-for food poisoning/lower body infections, Amoxicillin-for upper body/respiratory infections, Aspirin-helps in acclimatization, 
• Crew Treks will supply medical kit, but everyone is supposed to have the above+their own mini medical kit/blister kit.

Live your Dreams-If not Now, then When?

More questions (please, remember i fly full schedule ang guide in the mountains-email is the best, and do not despair if i reply late).

[email protected]

Call 206-227-3788

Book this trip

Application: crew treks expedition application, deposit for tour de mont blanc $500, final payment for tour de mont blanc $2500.

Tour du Mont Blanc 10 days - all inclusive A trek in the Alps that you will never forget

One of the most famous routes in the world. a journey through the french, italian and swiss alps with the mont blanc as your witness.

Dates: July 19 - July 28, 2024

A 25% deposit is due to secure your reservation. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the start of the expedition.

(View the cancelation policy below in the section "Price and Details")

This is an all-inclusive trip, meaning that you don't have to worry about anything, because we have arranged everything for you from the moment you arrived at Geneva airport. 

This is the perfect trip for those who want to experience an authentic long-distance trek that will challenge you physically and mentally. We will be covering 100 miles / 160 km journey with lots of ups and downs. This amazing route traverses three countries, it takes us from Chamonix - France through Italy, Switzerland, and back to Chamonix. 

It is difficult to describe the beauty of this trek in words. You must live and feel the TMB to understand why this is one of the World’s top ten 'must do' routes. Just imagine the high alpine meadows, the glaciers, the snow-capped peaks, the lakes, the Mont Blanc itself, and, of course, the physical and mental challenges that make this route one of the most beautiful trekking places in the world.

Note:  To make this trek as genuine as possible this itinerary does not include a bag transfer between accommodations, meaning that you will be carrying your own bag. If you are looking for a trip with bag transfers please click here . 

We promise you that this will be a fantastic adventure in the heart of The Alps.  Read what some of our guests say!

Is this tour for me?

If you have hiking experience this tour is for you. The itinerary is challenging, but it does not require any technical climbing skills. However, you do need to be fit enough to cover the daily distance and elevation gain. You will have an average of 16.5 km / 10 mi per day. Please, also take into consideration the elevation gain/loss described in the itinerary below. 

The trip is planned so that when you arrive at the next overnight accommodation, you have time to relax, have a glass of wine, read a book and enjoy the alpine views.  Some days the distance can be reduced by taking either a cable car or public transportation. 

For the entire tour, you will be led by a certified International Mountain Leader. Your safety and comfort are our main priorities.​

Please, make sure that your physical condition is adequate to the itinerary described below. Get in touch  with us if you have any questions.

Day 1 | Chamonix

Transfer from Geneva Airport to Chamonix. Depending on your time of arrival you will have time to walk around the vibrant village of Chamonix, make last-minute gear shopping, or just relax at the pool and outdoor patio of our chosen hotel in Chamonix. In the evening we will have a group safety briefing. Dinner tonight is not included.

Day 2 | Chamonix – Nant Borrant

Today is the official start of our journey. We leave Chamonix and take a short transfer to Les Houches.  Once here, we take the cable car heading to Col du Voze, where we start the downhill through the woods passing charming chalets and rustic farms as we head towards the Tricot Pass and through the quaint Miage valley on one of the prettiest corners of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

We will pass L'Auberge du Truc which is all about alpine pastures and is located on a plateau 1750 m/5741 ft above sea level on the Col du Tricot section. The panoramic view spans 360 degrees across the Domes de Miage and the Aravis mountain range.  We will arrive at our overnight destination after the village of Les Contamines.

The route: 10 mi / 16km  - High gain/loss +2332ft/711m | -3704ft/1129m approx

Highest point at 2110 m / 6922 ft

Approximate time 7 - 8 hours​

Accommodation: Refuge Nant Borrant (mountain hut) in shared dorms or Hotel Gai Soleil in rooms of 3 or 4 people. 

Day 3 | Les Contamines– Refuge de Mottets/Les Chapieux

Easy riverside trails take us to the church of Notre Dame de la Gorge. After the church, we have a long and steep ascent leading to Col du Bonhomme. Depending on weather conditions the pass might show snow patches. A little bit higher we reach the second col of the day the Croix de Bonhomme at 2440 meters of altitude, where we will enjoy amazing views of the valleys on both sides. A nice and runnable trail takes us downhill to Les Chapieux, from here we will have a mix of a flat trail to a steady easy uphill towards Refuge Les Mottets at 1864 meters, which will be our hut for the night.

The route: 11.18 mi / 18km  - High gain/loss +4419ft/1347m | -3195ft/974m approx.

Highest point at 2440 m / 8000 ft

Approximate time 8 - 9 hours​​

Accommodation: Refuge Les Mottets or Auberge La Nova (mountain huts). Shared rooms

Day 4 | Refuge de Mottets – Courmayeur

The day starts with a steep trail, but the views will be our boost to continue and finally cross the border into Italy at Col de la Seigne. Once on the col, you will admire the views of the French and the Italian valleys. On the Italian side, we will have a long descent into Val Veny. If we are lucky, the valley will be covered in yellow flowers with sparking glaciers descending off Mont Blanc. A long flat path will take us to the start of the steep trail towards the ridge on Mont Favre, and then on to the Col Checrouit where we take the cable car down to Courmayeur. To give you the freedom to explore Courmayeur on your own terms, this night dinner is not included. 

The route: 12.4mi / 20km - High gain/loss +4166ft/1270m | -3832ft/1168m approx.

Highest point at 2500 m / 8200 ft

Approximate time 8 - 9 hours

Accommodation:  Hotel Crest et Duc, IH Courmayuer Hotel, or a similar 4* hotel. Twin or double room

If you prefer not to take the cable car, the alternative route will be an extra 5km/3.1mi and  -2480ft/756m.

Day 5 | Courmayeur –  Val Ferret 

We start the day with a vertical climb toward Rifugio Bertone. After admiring the views, we follow an almost flat, beautiful, easy but high trail towards Rifugio Bonatti where we will stop for a coffee.  We continue our way down towards Val Ferret where we will spend the night.

The route: 12.4mi / 20km  - High gain/loss +5115ft/1560m | -2336ft/712m approx.

Accommodation: Refuge Bonatti, Refuge Elena or Chalet Val Ferret

Day 6 | Val Ferret  –  La Fouly

From Val Ferret we start a steep ascent towards the highest pass of the route and the border between Italy and Switzerland the Grand Col Ferret at 2537m / 8323ft. We will contemplate the spectacular views of the Swiss and the Italian valleys from the col. A beautiful descent on a single trail of alpine meadows and grazing cows will take us down to La Fouly, where we will spend the night. 

The route: 9mi / 14.5km  - High gain/loss +1972ft/600m | -3386ft/1032m approx.

Approximate time 6 - 8 hours

Accommodation: Hotel Edelweiss, Hotel Col du Fenetre, or similar. Shared rooms

Day 7 | Champex Lac – Col de Forclaz or Trient

We start the day with an early bus transfer towards Champex Lac. Leaving Champex Lac behind we head up through the forests on an easy-open path until Plan de l’Au where we start a steep ascent traversing around the mountain to La Giete. Once in the highest point we run downhill towards Col de la Forclaz and continue our descent to the last Swiss village and its iconic pink church in Trient.

The route: 8.69mi / 14 km  - High gain/loss +2624ft/800m | -3182.41ft/970m approx.

Accommodation: Auberge Mont Blanc, Le Grande Ourse. Shared rooms

Day 8 | Trient - Trelechamp

We climb up to reach the French border at Col de Balme 2191m / 7188ft. From the col the entire Mont Blanc Massif stretches ahead; the Chamonix Valley, the summit of Mont Blanc, the Aiguilles, the Mer de Glace and the Argentière glaciers. The route then continues via the Col des Posettes and Aiguillette des Posettes, with wonderful views throughout, then a descent into the Chamonix Valley at Tré le Champ.

The route: 7m / 11km  - High gain/loss +3608ft/1100m | -3280ft/1000m approx.

Accommodation: Gite le Moulin. Shared rooms

Day 9 | Trelechamp - Chamonix

A  day that takes us to the outstanding views along this section of the 'Grand Balcon Sud. From Tré le Champ the trail climbs via Aiguillette de Argentière to the Grand Balcon Sud of the Aiguilles Rouges, taking in a few fixed ladders on the way. We reach the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve and sightings of ibex and marmots are common.  We will pass Lac de Cheserys and the views of the Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges mountains are spectacular along the way. Once at the top we have a steep descent towards Chamonix (cable car optional).

We have come to the end of an epic journey and we will close our trip with a celebration dinner.

The route: 10.5m / 17km  - High gain/loss +3608ft/1100m | -4593ft/1400m approx.

Approximate time 7 - 8 hours

​ Accommodation: Hotel Alpina, Mercure, or a similar 4* hotel. Twin or double rooms

​ ​ Day 10 | Chamonix (out)

We enjoy a last breakfast together and then time to pack all the memories back home.

​ ​ The entire tour is done in English.

*We reserve the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, huts availability, National Parks regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances

This tour is governed by the  Terms and Conditions

How Challenging ?

High effort. This is a challenging adventure where we can expect 6 - 8 hours of hiking per day, with up to 1200 meters of elevation gain. Previous hiking experience is recommended.   To participate comfortably in the tour, you will require a certain level of fitness. To make a self-assessment of whether or not this is for you, you should consider yourself to be in good fitness, be accustomed to hiking, and be able to do it comfortably for at least 3 hours in a day. Please consult a doctor if you feel that this might be a challenge before booking.

Price and details.

The tour includes:

Everything described in the tour

All of the scheduled activities

Transport from Geneva Airport to Chamonix 

Transport from Chamonix to Geneva Airport

All accommodations during the tour (9 nights)

Huts or refuges in shared rooms/dorms only

4* hotel in Chamonix and Courmayeur, only

Single room supplement (if available) for an extra price only in Chamonix and Courmayeur

All main meals during the tour (9 breakfasts, 8 packed lunches, 7 dinners))

Cable car to Courmayeur

All transport during the tour (except those by foot!)

A certified International Mountain Leader

Amazing trails & beautiful landscapes

The tour excludes:

Transport to Geneva (e.g. flights)

First dinner in Chamonix and dinner in Courmayeur

Insurance. All participants are required to have their own insurance appropriate for outdoor sports; such as health, accident, mountain rescue, repatriation, cancellation, personal liability, etc.

Trail snacks - dried fruit, nuts, or energy bars

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

Expenses for extra activities, such as; massages, spas, sauna, hot tub

Bag Transfers

Any accommodations for extra days in Chamonix

Tips for the International Mountain Leader

Price: 3100 EUR

A 25% deposit is due to secure your spot, the remaining balance is due 60 days before the start of the trip. Once the trip is confirmed your deposit is non-refundable, however, it can be transferred to any other trip. 

​Participants: 

Min 7 - max 12 .

Start:  Geneva (Cointrin Airport)

End:  Geneva (Cointrin Airport)

We reserve the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, and unforeseeable circumstances.

Cancellation policy:

Trip pending: a 25% down payment is fully refundable

Trip confirmed: a 25% down payment is non-refundable. You can transfer this down payment to any other of our trips within the next year

60 days or less before the trip starts no refund available

Travel insurance is required for all of our trips. Make sure that your insurance covers trip cancellation (in case of any unforeseen circumstances).

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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Classic Tour du Mont Blanc

12 days from

The complete classic walk around Mont Blanc, staying in hotels and with full baggage support

Holiday Grades

Our holiday grades explained.

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

• Complete the full route around Mont Blanc and tick off a bucket list adventure
• Experience world-class trekking as you walk through France, Italy and Switzerland
• Enjoy the breath-taking scenery of the Alps and their unique mountain culture
• Excellent IML guide, and all baggage transfers are included

At a Glance

• Group Size 6 to 12
• 10 days trekking
• Max altitude - 2670 metres
• Join In Chamonix

Accommodation & Meals

• 11 Breakfasts
• 11 nights Hotel

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a classic walking holiday adventure around Mont Blanc in the heart of the Alps of Europe from Chamonix, France trekking through Italy and Switzerland. Starting out in the Chamonix Valley, this superlative walking holiday makes a complete circumnavigation of Mont Blanc and its satellite Alpine peaks. Walking firstly into Italy and then Switzerland, the trekking route follows picturesque valley trails and ascends via wonderful mountain paths.

Our walking route also climbs to a succession of scenic and challenging Alpine passes, including the high point of the circuit at the rocky Fenetre d'Arpette (2670m). Lower level highlights include the vibrant Italian Alpine resort of Courmayeur and the charming Swiss village of Champex. As an excellent final day addition to this classic walking holiday around Mont Blanc we include the trek to the summit of the Brevent (2525m) for unmatched views of Chamonix, the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc itself. We use a good standard of hotel accommodation throughout and our vehicle back-up means that group members need carry only a small daysack. Suitable for regular hill walkers looking for an Alpine trekking adventure around Mont Blanc, this holiday provides an excellent introduction to long-distance trail walking in the Alps of Europe.

Which Tour Du Mont Blanc is for you?

This is a classic Alpine walking route on good trails . The average distance covered each day is around 17 kilometres and there is a fair amount of ascent and descent. However, the pace of the walking is steady and regular hill walkers will find this trek to be well within their capabilities. Additionally, vehicle transport for your KE trek bag, means that you need to carry no more than a small daysack. There will be vehicle support everyday to carry the group members trek bags to the next overnight stop (note, this service cannot be used for passengers).

Complete the tour with our experienced guides, who live, breathe and love the Alps. Relax in hotel and chalet accommodation and walk worry-free with all baggage transfers included.

Meet at the group chalet in the Chamonix Valley (1240m). Lying beneath the stunning north face of Mont Blanc, the views are awesome from the start!. KE Land Only package services begin with the overnight.

Accommodation

Our leader will meet us for breakfast and an informal chat about the week ahead. Floowing this we have a a very gentle introduction on this first day, with a cable car ride to Bellevue, where our trek starts in earnest. A short descent takes us to the start of the Bionassay Glacier with the Aiguille de Bionassay towering above. Crossing the torrent via a fine new suspension bridge, we climb easily to the Col de Tricot. Ahead lies the bulk of the Dome de Miage and below us is the idyllic summer hamlet of the Chalet de Miage which will take us 45 minutes or so to reach. After a welcome drink at the Chalet de Miage, a relatively short climb and easy descent takes us to the colourful village and winter ski resort of Les Contamines.

A leisurely wander by the river to Notre Dame de la Gorge is our start for today. Leaving the river, our route then climbs steeply, following the ‘paved’ Roman road thought to have been a route taken by Hannibal in an early version of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Our next stop is at the refuge at Le Balme, a good place to contemplate the climb to the Col de Bonhomme. This is a long, steady plod and the pass itself often has snow patches early in the season. At 2469 metres, this is considerably higher than the Col de Tricot, but at least the climbing is over for the day, as we traverse around via the Croix de Bonhomme, before dropping gently down to Les Chapieux.

A level trail takes us out of Les Chapieux towards the refuge Le Mottet, which doubles as a donkey and mule sanctuary. Many of these animals earn their keep by transporting baggage to our next high point, at the Col de la Seigne (2513m). This is a significant col on the border between France and Italy and gives superlative views of the Brenva Face of Mont Blanc. An easy descent takes us past the Elizabetta Refuge and down into the head of the Val Veni, under the awesome ridge of the Aiguille Noire de Peuterey. After lunch, we catch a bus down to the vibrant town and mountaineering centre of Courmayeur. We stay tonight in a hotel at La Palud above the town.

Leaving La Palud, we climb towards the Monte de la Saxe Ridge. This is a spectacular grass ridge which provides fantastic views of the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses. We pass above the Bertone Hut and at this point there are options depending on the weather. We can drop down to La Vachey and walk up the road from there. Or, we can cross another col, Col des Deux Sauts, passing the Bonatti Refuge and contouring around to Arnouva. From here, we will take the bus back to La Palud, to spend a second night in the hotel above Courmayeur.

We start the day with a bus transfer back up the Val Ferret to its head and we then climb up to the Elena Refuge - an excellent place to stop for morning coffee. After this pleasant interlude, we set off on the long climb to the Col du Grand Ferret (2530m). From this pass, there are views of the snow-capped Grand Combin (4090m) and also Mont Dolent, the summit of which is shared by France Switzerland and Italy. Beyond the pass, we have entered Switzerland and the terrain is very different, less rugged, as we descend to La Fouly.

A relatively easy day, which starts off with a gentle downhill walk through woodland and a number of typically Swiss villages. There is a final 45 minute climb to the famously scenic 'Chocolate Box' village of Champex. Arriving early, we have the chance to sample the delights of its local hostelries.

Today we take the beautiful Bovine Trail, through the high meadows where the famous Swiss fighting cows spend the summer months. On this route after a steep ascent to the meadows, we might even have the opportunity to stop at a farm for coffee and a chat with the cowherder. This is a very pleasant walk providing spectacular views of the upper Rhone Valley and tops out at around 2040 metres. We then descend all the way to Trient.

We begin a climb up through fine woodland to reach the Col de Balme. Our route to the pass can be varied to take account of the prevailing weather conditions. The preferred route, via Les Grands, allows us to linger over views of the Trient Glacier. On reaching the Col de Balme, we cross the border back into France where below us lies the Chamonix Valley, dominated by the Aiguille Verte at one end and Mont Blanc at the other. We descend from the Col de Balme to Chamonix, and to our accomodation.

From Chamonix our path meanders up to the Col des Montets before heading off towards the cliffs of Le Chesery, where our route takes a seemingly impossible line, helped on the more difficult sections by cables and ladders. This is very easy and not something to be worried about! Leaving the cliffs behind, easier ground takes us to Lac Blanc where we take lunch. This is arguably one of the Chamonix Valley’s best viewpoints. We descend to La Flegere and use the valley transport system for the short journey back to our accommodation in the Chamonix Valley (1240m).

Today we complete our Tour du Mont Blanc. Returning to the end point of the previous day's walk, we use the lift system to get back up to La Flegere and, from there, continue to climb on a superb trail to the Col du Brevent and on to the Brevent summit. The views across the Chamonix Valley to Mont Blanc are excellent and the walking is delightful. Finally, we descend via Merlet to Les Houches and transfer back to our accomodation. We will be sure to have a final celebratory dinner to mark the end of our classic circuit.

KE Land Only package services end after breakfast.

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

• A professional English-speaking guide
• All transfers and cable cars involved in the itinerary
• All accommodation as described
• Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
• Services of a support vehicle for baggage transfers
• Visa fees (if applicable)
• Airport transfers
• Miscellaneous expenses

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

In some cases you may choose to take a ferry and/or train to your holiday start and end destination. Please see further information on Travelling by Train .

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive that low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will  offset the carbon of your flight .

The group will rendezvous at the hotel in the Chamonix Valley on the evening of day 1 of the trip itinerary. Arriving by air: Fly to Geneva Airport and make use of an airport transfer service. We recommend Mountaindropoffs (mountaindropoffs.com/en). Arriving by rail: Train tickets can be booked from London through to Chamonix (with two changes) with trainline.com. Arriving by road: If you are driving to Chamonix we will provide route details and directions to the group hotel in the Chamonix Valley. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

All meals are included except for lunches and dinner on day 1 and day 4. Lunches can be easily purchased from supermarkets, bakeries or your accommodation along the way. We do recommend you bring a few additional trail bars and snacks with you (not chocolate as it can melt) - these can of course also be purchased along the way, but it is sometimes nice to have your favourite hill food with you.

Water is drinkable from the taps on this holiday. Please fill your personal bottles for your day in the morning. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

As might be expected, the food available in restaurants and hotels in France and Switzerland is excellent. Continental breakfasts and evening meals are provided by our accommodation. Lunch and additional snacks can be purchased from the huts or supermarkets when in the valley.

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide special diets.  Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your diet with food/snacks from home.  If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice.  Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

During this holiday, the groups start and finish the trek at a hotel in the Chamonix Valley. On the rest of the Tour de Mont Blanc the group will spend a total of 7 nights in comfortable hotels, chalets or gites with all bedding provided. On the route of the 'Tour du Mont Blanc' accommodation is comfortable and charming but often quite simple. Where we can, we will book twin rooms. Occasionally it will be same sex triple or quad rooms, which may be with shared bathrooms. Single rooms are not available. On one night accommodation may be in a non-segregated dormitory if this is all that is available. This type of shared accommodation is all part of the Alpine mountain experience.

The group will be led by an experienced mountain leader. There will also be a support vehicle for baggage transfer.

This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at altitude on our website which can be viewed via the link below. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude. www.keadventure.com/page/altitude.html

The package price includes all accommodation, guiding, and all meals except lunches. You should also make an allowance for additional snacks, drinks etc. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available every night. Approximately 300 Euros should adequately cover typical personal spending requirements. Please note that a part of the route is in Switzerland but Euros are accepted in most places we stay, although Euros will generally be accepted you may not get a favourable exchange rate.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage (maximum weight on arrival at the group hotel is dependent on your international flight restrictions) and a daypack (of around 30 - 40 litres).  Our baggage transfer company who transport your main bag from guesthouse to guesthouse throughout the trek have requested that everyone uses a duffle type bag. They will not take hard suitcases. Please note that there is a strict weight limit of 15kgs maximum for bags to be transferred and no fresh produce should be left in these bags. You can of course travel to the group hotel with any type of baggage, and store it at our group accommodation with any items you do not need on trek and pick these up when you return. Your main bag will be transferred between overnight stops and you should have this ready for collection by 8.00 each morning. The bag will normally be delivered to your hotel by 17.30.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required , and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website .

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

The currency for part or all of this holiday is the Euro.

The unit of currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc.

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking or climbing trip getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We would suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Jogging, squash and swimming are good for developing better stamina. Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of long walks in hilly country.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware ’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Tour of Mont Blanc. Trekking Guide. Kev Reynolds

Walking Guide to the Tour du Mont Blanc. Andrew Harper

Tour du Mont Blanc Topo Guide. Publisher: Fdration Franaise de la Randonne

IGN (Institut Geographique National) 1:50,000 scale.

The IGN also produce a 1:25,000 series covering the route but these are not very practical as you would require several sheets. The 1:50,000 ‘Carte de Randonees’ series of walking maps provides a detailed topographic map with a useful contour interval of 20m. This is still a good scale for following the route on the ground and means you only need one map: Pays Du Mont-Blanc - Aravis - Chamonix - Courmayeur A1

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.

You must bring the following items:

Hiking boots

Hiking trousers

Waterproof jacket

Waterproof overtrousers

Thermal baselayer shirts (1 short sleeve, 1 long sleeve)

Fleece jacket or warm jumper

Warm and waterproof gloves or mittens

Thermal gloves

Daypack 30 – 40 litres should be sufficient

Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

Washbag and toiletries

Antibacterial handwash

Head torch and spare batteries

Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment.

The following items are optional:

Trekking poles (highly recommended)

Thermal baselayer - legging

T-shirts and/or casual shirts

Spare laces

Insect repellant

Travel clothes

Travel shoes

• Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

We request that you keep the weight of your main baggage to less than 15kgs for the baggage transfers.

Magnificent views! ★★★★

Stunning scenery ★★★★★

Challenging 10 day Journey! ★★★★★

Our guide Sophie was amazing. She is so knowledgeable and experienced. ★★★★★

Sophie shared her love for the mountains, the wildflowers and the geology. She took the time to ensure every individual had a positive experience. She guided me in negotiating difficult terrain and challenging water and snow crossings. Without her help and encouragement I could not have completed the trip. I will be forever grateful to her. Although the food was delicious, most of us would have appreciated more fresh salads and vegetables.

The holiday of a lifetime! ★★★★★

Traveller Reviews

Magnificent views, stunning scenery, challenging 10 day journey, our guide sophie was amazing. she is so knowledgeable and experienced., the holiday of a lifetime, fantastic time.

Fantastic time on the walk. Beautiful scenery, great group, nice comfortable hotels and good food. A super way to spend time in the alps!

A bucket list active adventure holiday

Excellent walking tour.

Excellent walking tour with very good food/accommodation in all the hotels used. The guide had a very wide experience of working in the Alps and was a fund of knowledge on the geology, plant and animal life (he trained as a student at an agricultural college) and history of climbing in the areas we were walking in.

A great trip with some stunning scenery...

We were fortunate to have good weather for almost all of the trip. Our French guide Sophie was really excellent with her encyclopaedic knowledge of the area and its flora and fauna. All the accommodation was good with great food especially in the French hotels and the Yeti lodge. Thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see some of the best scenery in Europe (if not the world).

a pleasant walking holiday

Phenomenal experience.

What a fantastic trip! We were SO lucky to have Gary Daines as our guide plus a wonderful group of fellow trekkers - 50% of the pleasure came from the camaraderie of our group and the other 50% from the incredible personal physical challenge, scenery and other folks we met along the way. Certainly a trip of a lifetime for me. Thank you SO much KE!

A great walking holiday, thoroughly recommended

Classic walk.

This was a great holiday and challenge with fantastic food and accomodation. As a single traveller I did not realise I would be in a room with 2 others. The triple rooms used in 2 or 3 of the places were far too small and caused significant problems for us. KE should not use triple rooms or at least warn people if they are going to and then give the option of canceling as it is not acceptable to be crammed in in this way.

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review and we are glad you had a great holiday with fantastic food and accommodation. The choice of hotels and room configuration is quite limited in some places if we are to avoid transfers away from the walking route, which in our opinion would greatly detract from the concept of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Occasionally we may have to use some same sex triple rooms, although we always try to accommodate couples in twin rooms. For future reference, you can find the accommodation details for each trip on the 'Holiday Information' tab of our website.

The hardest most rewarding 11 day hike I've done so far,

Pictures cannot do it justice, You just have to experience it for yourself. The trek itself was a lot harder than I expected but very rewarding. The views were breathtaking. The lodging and food were excellent. My favorite was the YETI lodge and staff

An incredibly beautiful, enjoyable and challenging hiking experience!

Brilliant scenery & benefited from good weather, a classic trek..

An excellent holiday in which you trek most of the sections of the 'Tour'. For the pedantic some sections are travelled by bus or cable car although with a little planning and a flexible & accommodating leader this minor dissappointment can be overcome e.g you can go back & walk the route from Les Houches to Col de Voza to finish with! Overall a trip thoroughly recommended with the proviso mentioned.

Amazing walking holiday, with fantastic views, food and guide

This was an amazing trip - we had great weather, although 2 days slightly overcast. Our guide, Jonny, was awesome, he really knew his stuff, and made the experience better by giving us alternatives and add ons. The views were amazing.

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Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc Trek

12 BIG Bucket List Adventures

A Guide to Walking in the Alps

Hiking in the Alps: our guide to completing the Tour de Mont Rosa

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DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

Adults from

More Information

• Classic Tour du Mont Blanc With Flights Without Flights
• Departure Reference: TMH /01/24/
• This trip departs the UK on Sat 29 Jun returning to the UK on Wed 10 Jul This trip begins on Sat 29 Jun and ends on Wed 10 Jul
• This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$625
• Contact us for single room pricing
• Single Tent Upgrade: US$0

Download Trip Notes

• Departure Reference: TMH /02/24/
• This trip departs the UK on Sat 27 Jul returning to the UK on Wed 7 Aug This trip begins on Sat 27 Jul and ends on Wed 7 Aug
• Departure Reference: TMH /04/24/
• This trip departs the UK on Sat 31 Aug returning to the UK on Wed 11 Sep This trip begins on Sat 31 Aug and ends on Wed 11 Sep
• Departure Reference: TMH /01/25/
• This trip departs the UK on Sat 28 Jun returning to the UK on Wed 9 Jul This trip begins on Sat 28 Jun and ends on Wed 9 Jul
• Departure Reference: TMH /02/25/
• This trip departs the UK on Sat 26 Jul returning to the UK on Wed 6 Aug This trip begins on Sat 26 Jul and ends on Wed 6 Aug
• Departure Reference: TMH /03/25/
• This trip departs the UK on Sat 30 Aug returning to the UK on Wed 10 Sep This trip begins on Sat 30 Aug and ends on Wed 10 Sep

Land Only Information

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE

Changes to flights

Please be aware that the flight industry is experiencing a high level of service fluctuation and changes to your flights may occur. This may also require amends to the transfers and joining arrangements. Thank you all for continuing your patience and understanding.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay , whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

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Hiking on the roof of Europe – Tour du Mont Blanc

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), one of the most well-known GR footpaths in Europe, takes you 170 kilometres (105 mi) along magnificent trails between France, Italy and Switzerland. Three countries, seven days of walking, and a succession of breathtaking landscapes. The scenery changes frequently, allowing you to discover the Alp’s true variety. You plunge into the heart of glacial valleys, climb sumptuous passes, cross alpine pastures, forests and mountain villages, all while enjoying breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. This hike is impressive. In this Collection, I propose a seven-step itinerary which is quite challenging but also leaves plenty of time to enjoy all that the route has to offer. You can of course do the TMB at your own pace. There are many refuges and gîtes along the way, allowing you to tailor the hike to your needs. The TMB has few technical passages and is suitable for anyone who is in good shape. This itinerary follows the main route of the TMB in the classic direction of walking (counter-clockwise). Each stage of this hike ends at a refuge, which is part of what makes the TMB so special. You can enjoy delicious local food and products, but you’ll need to have a certain affinity to cheese to fully enjoy it. For those who prefer to pitch a tent, I suggest bivvy and camping options wherever possible. I did part of the TMB with a bivvy bag and would strongly recommend splitting the nights between camping and refuges. Bear in mind that bivvying is not permitted across the TBM. The rules concerning bivvying are as follows: - In France, bivvying is authorised in dedicated areas; - In Switzerland, it is forbidden to bivvy; - In Italy, bivvying is allowed above 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) of altitude. The route starts at the train station in Les Houches. You can get there by train or by bus. If you drive to Les Houches, you can park in the free parking dedicated to the TMB next to the Prarion gondola, and join the trail directly from there. If you arrive a day before you set off, you can easily find a place to stay in Les Houches either in a campsite or hotel. The trail also ends at a train station. In addition to the maps in this Collection, you regularly find road signs with the letters TMB along your hike, indicating that you are on the right track. I recommend doing the TMB between mid-June and mid-September when the mountain huts and gites are open. Book your nights in a refuge, especially if you plan to hike during the high season between 14th July and 15th August. From the end of June until the beginning of September, the TMB is calmer and the temperatures are milder. Avoid planning your hike during the last week of August when the series of races of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) take place. General information about the TMB (accommodation, map, reservations): autourdumontblanc.com Information about the bus lines to Les Houches: chamonix.montblancbus.com/fr/ligne-de-bus

Do it yourself

Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.

Le Tour du Mont Blanc

Last updated: September 25, 2023

Étape 1 : des Houches au Refuge de la Balme — Le Tour du Mont Blanc

This first day starts at Les Houches SNCF station, where you can arrive by bus or train. If you come by car to Les Houches, you can park in the parking lot dedicated to the TMB, next to the Prarion cable car, and join the path directly.

Étape 2 : du refuge de la Balme au rifugio Elisabetta Soldini Montanaro — Le Tour du Mont Blanc

A very nice stage that takes you to the top! From the Balme hut, you start by going up to the Col du Bonhomme, at 2,329 m altitude. A superb path then takes you to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and its refuge, at an altitude of just over 2,400 m. The panorama is splendid, you can see from the Haute … read more

by Chloé Perceval

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Étape 3 : du rifugio Elisabetta Soldini au rifugio Giorgio Bertone — Le Tour du Mont Blanc

A magnificent third stage, which I personally really loved. You start in the Italian Vény Valley, surrounded by glaciers, alpine lakes and towering peaks. A mountain path takes you to altitude. This is a passage that I personally found quite unreal. I had this great feeling of walking alongside the glaciers … read more

Étape 4 : du rifugio Giorgio Bertone au gîte alpage de la Peule — Le Tour du Mont Blanc

A superb stage through the Italian Val Ferret, which takes you to Switzerland.

Throughout this stage, you take superb mountain trails, surrounded by glaciers and peaks. The views never cease to be breathtaking. It is not uncommon for you to come across a few herds of cows as well.

The challenge of the … read more

Étape 5 : du gîte alpage de la Peule à Champex-Lac — Le Tour du Mont Blanc

On this fifth day, a little less elevation gain on the program. From the Peule alpine gîte, you descend into the Swiss Val Ferret.

Total change of scenery as soon as you arrive at La Fouly. You then cross a series of very typical small villages and hamlets. Traditional wooden chalets, flowered windows … read more

Étape 6 : de Champex-Lac à Tré-le-Champ — Le Tour du Mont Blanc

A very beautiful stage, between passes and villages, which will bring you back to the Chamonix Valley. There are many water points on this section.

From Champex-Lac, you start by going up to Col de la Forclaz via a pretty mountain path. From there, you begin your descent to Trient, a pretty little very … read more

Étape 7 : de Tré-le-Champ aux Houches — Le Tour du Mont Blanc

This is your last stop on the TMB. Today, you will rally Tré-le-Champ to Les Houches in an incredible setting.

You start your day by going up to the Aiguillette d'Argentière. You are then in the Aiguilles Rouges national nature reserve. With a little luck, you may come across ibex on this section. After … read more

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• Distance 105 mi
• Duration 68:57 h
• Elevation 31,125 ft

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Tour du Mont Blanc Camping – The Ultimate Guide

Tour du Mont Blanc Camping – The Ultimate Guide 

Tour du Mont Blanc Camping was added to my bucket list when I saw it featured on someone’s Instagram (social media for the win – for once!). I drooled over photos of tiny European towns, pastries galore, astounding mountain views, and a little bit of misery. The perfect combo for an epic trek, right?

I will share everything you need to know about backpacking or camping the Tour du Mont Blanc Hike. This post is super detailed.  What to pack, when to go, where to camp, and cost. I’ve included an itinerary at the end of the post that includes the distance each day in kilometers/miles and the height gain/loss in meters/feet.

If you’re reading this, I hope you’ve already bought your plane tickets.

If you haven’t, let me convince you that you should.

11 Reasons to Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc might convince you too.

Jump to Tour du Mont Blanc Camping

The tour du mont blanc at a glance:, about the tour du mont blanc.

• The Best Time for Backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Clockwise or Counter Clockwise?
• How to Get There
• How Much Time is Necessary for backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Pros and Cons of Backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc
• What to Pack
• Cost of Backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc

The Cicerone Guide

• 11 Day Itinerary for Backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc

Day 1 Les Houches – Bionnassay – Les Contamines

Day 2 les contamines – col de la croix du bonhomme – les chapieux, day 3 les chapieux – col de la seigne – rifugio elisabetta, day 4 rifugio elisabetta – courmayeur, day 5 courmayeur – rifugio bonatti, day 6 rifugio bonatti – grand col ferret – la fouly, day 7 la fouly – champex, day 8 champex – alp bovine – col de la forclaz or champex – fenetre d’arpette – le peuty, day 9 col de la forclaz or le peuty – col de balme – tre le champ, day 10 tre le champ – refuge la flegere, day 11 final day of backpacking the tour du mont blanc refuge la flegere – le brevent – les houches.

• Advice for Backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc
• Distance: around 105 miles
• Time: 10-12 days, typically done in 11
• Where: Through Switzerland, Italy, and France
• Elevation: 32,800 ft height gain and loss
• Best Time to Go: Summer – End of June thru September

This trek, also called the TMB, is incredible and unique. You get to hike all day and eat your way through Europe. Mont Blanc, a massive 15,771 foot mountain, is the reason for this loop trek in the Alps. You hike around the entire Mont Blanc mountain range; you pass through mountain towns with the best, most buttery pastries, pizza, and chocolate while admiring views of these stunning mountains. The trek is most commonly hiked in 11 days, 10 nights and is around 105 miles.

The Best Time for Tour du Mont Blanc Camping

The start of hiking season on the TMB depends on the previous winter. An end of June or first week of July start is your best bet. Hiking season goes through September. The TMB can sometimes be hiked in October, but you will not have the luxury of refuges and restaurants being open.

Every year, the UTMB (Ultra Trail Marathon) takes place at the end of August ( check dates online ). It would be best to avoid conquering this trek during that time. If you do go during the race, be sure to reserve your accommodations ahead of time.

Hike the TMB Clockwise or Counter Clockwise?

Because this trail is one large loop, you can choose to hike it in either direction. Most people hike it in the anti-clockwise direction . If you choose to do it clockwise, you will be traveling against the flow of people and will not see the same people on the trail each day. This is your choice. My friend and I hiked it counter-clockwise so that is what I will be referring to in this guide.

I can’t say which is better, but we definitely enjoyed running into some of the same people throughout the trek and swapping stories about the trail. My vote is for counter-clockwise.

How to Get to the Start of the Tour du Mont Blanc Trail

Easiest : Fly into Geneva and take a 2 hour bus to Les Houches and Chamonix. We visited an information desk at the airport and easily booked our bus tickets after we landed in Geneva. Verify the times here. Bus tickets were $10-15.

There are also some train options that are worth looking into depending on where you might be coming from in Europe.

I love the website www.rome2rio.com  to check out different ways to get places.

How Much Time is Necessary for Tour du Mont Blanc Camping?

Plan for a solid 11 days of hiking. You can do it in less, but if you’re planning on backpacking/camping, I don’t recommend planning for a shorter time limit. You won’t be as easily able to add extra miles to your day because your heavy pack will slow you down. It is not an easy hike, and we were super slow.

Pros and Cons of Tour du Mont Blanc Camping

The difficulty of this hike varies significantly depending on how you want to hike it. Some people hike with a tour group that drops off their belongings at the lodges each night. They only have to carry a small day pack. Others hike it and stay at lodges along the way and are only required to bring changes of clothes with them.

But not you, my friend. You’re reading this because you want the misery of carrying a heavy pack along the trail each day. You want to make this difficult trek the most difficult it can possibly be by doing Tour du Mont Blanc Camping instead of just day hiking it.

Pros of Backpacking and Camping the TMB

• You have WAY more flexibility in accommodations. If you rely on lodges, you might be out of luck if you don’t book ahead of time. With a tent, you know that you will always have somewhere to sleep.
• To me, camping is the way to go. You spend all day and night in nature, totally immersing yourself in the trail. It’s awesome.
• It will save you a ton of money. Some campsites are free. All are relatively cheap. You can spend all this extra money on pizza.
• You will feel like a badass.

Cons of Backpacking and Camping the TMB

• You’ll hear “wow that’s a huge backpack” 100 times because very few people choose to backpack and carry a tent on this trail.
• While others are sleeping in hotels, you’ll be cooking on your camp stove and sleeping in the cold.
• Italy has some weird anti-camping laws, so it makes it difficult to camp wherever you want during that section.
• It’s more painful. If you’re reading this and are considering backpacking it, you already know this.

I like to refer to the 4 Ps for this trail: Pain, Pizza, Pasta, and Pastries. You must suffer the first P to appreciate the other 3 Ps. Backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc allows you to accomplish the 4 Ps.

The beauty of this trail is that you can do a bit of both backpacking and non-camping nights. We spent 3/10 nights in lodging due to the lack of campsites in those areas, and it felt SO luxurious and necessary. However, we saved a crap ton of money by camping 7 of the nights, didn’t have to make reservations ahead of time, and had flexibility in how much we hiked each day. If you’re undecided or have more questions, email me at [email protected] .

For more backpacking inspiration, check out the 10 Best Bucket List Backpacking Trip Ideas .

What to Pack for the Tour du Mont Blanc Trail

This will depend on when you decide to trek. If you’re going mid-summer, you won’t need a lot of warm clothes. If you go in September like we did, pack ALL THE LAYERS. The weather can change by 40 degrees day to day. Be prepared.

For the only packing list you’ll need, I wrote a post and included every little thing that we brought with us. 

Cost of Backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc Trail

This can vary GREATLY from person to person. If you camp every night, cook on a camp stove, and don’t splurge on anything, you can do this hike for a couple hundred bucks. You can also stay in a lodge every night, eat exclusively at nice restaurants, and pay for someone to carry your stuff from room to room and spend thousands of dollars.

Or you can be like my friend and me. We ate like queens sometimes but then cooked noodles at our campsite on other nights. We put up our tent in the freezing cold at a free campsite but then stayed in a hotel one night. The two of us didn’t have big splurges, but we fully enjoyed our trip.

We spent around $1000 total for the two of us for the 11 day trek. This included campsites, refuge bed and board for 2 nights, 1 night in a hotel in Courmayeur, food, and alcohol. I’m going to bet that most people can’t spend 11 days in Europe and only spend $500.

I have a feeling costs have gone up since we did this hike. Luckily, there is an awesome website to help you calculate the approximate cost for you to hike this.

While we’re on the subject of money, it’s important to note that you are traveling through different countries. France and Italy both use the Euro. Be sure to get cash before heading out on your trek because many places only take cash. (I haven’t heard of many or any TMB robberies, so err on the side of having too much cash with you.)

Switzerland uses the Franc. You can get Francs once you arrive in Switzerland, but many places in Switzerland will also accept Euros.

I am awful at calculating between currencies, so I suggest downloading an app ahead of time so you aren’t stuck scratching your head and wondering if you just overpaid for a campsite.

A book called Trekking the Tour of Mont Blanc exists, and you must buy it. As great as this blog post is, you have to own the guidebook and bring it with you. It’s like the Bible of this trek, and every other blog post recommends it as well. We did very little planning ahead of time and were able to complete the whole trek thanks to this book.

11 Day Itinerary for Tour du Mont Blanc Camping

I am going to go through your 11 days with a quick overview of each day and how to get to where you’ll camp. If you would like a more comprehensive description of each day, read my other post.

Also, because I had NO concept of how far a meter or kilometer was, I have included the height gain/loss in meters/feet each day and how far the distance is in kilometers/miles.

This itinerary is Anti-Clockwise and starts in Les Houches. I am only going to list camping options for accommodations unless there isn’t an available campground.

For a 1 page printable itinerary, download here.

11 Day TMB Itinerary

Distance: 16km/10mi

Height Gain: 646m/2119ft

Height Loss: 633m/2076ft

Time: 5.5 hours

Where to Camp: Camping le Pontet (not far off the trail)

When you arrive in Les Contamine, stop and have a drink, then stop at a market to buy what you might need for cooking. It will be 3 days before you encounter more grocery stores. Read the start of Stage 2 in the guide book for how to get to the campground. It is around 45 minutes past the town.

When you see the lake/restaurant, turn right into the park before the lake. Curve left around the lake then right towards the campground. You’ll take a right on a road and then reach the entrance.

Camping Le Pontet has a small camp store, optional (sort of expensive) dinner, hot showers, and paid wifi.

Distance: 18km/11mi

Height Gain: 1316m/4317ft

Height Loss: 929m/3047ft

Time: 7.5 hours

Where to Camp: Free camping in Les Chapieux (on the trail)

Les Chapieux is the tiniest town (not sure it’s even considered a town), so you can’t miss where to camp. You can camp in the big meadow behind the public toilets.

There is a small store and public restroom. No wifi or showers. Plan to eat a camping meal this night – the restaurant was only open to hotel guests, and the small sandwich shop was already closed by the time we arrived.

Distance: 15km/9.3mi

Height Gain: 1004m/3293ft

Height Loss: 258m/847ft

Time: 5 hours

Where to Stay: Rifugio Elisabetta or camp somewhere above the Rifugio

This is one of the nights where camping is tricky. To wild camp in Italy, you must camp above 2500m/8200ft or risk a huge fine. Rifugio Elisabetta is at 2200m/7200ft, so you would need to keep climbing up past the refuge for another 1000ft or so. From the research I did, it sounds like if you keep climbing past the refuge you will hit some flat areas for camping that can’t be seen from the road.

Snow and freezing temperatures were expected for this night, so we opted to stay at Rifugio Elisabetta, which was 47 Euro per person and included a “bed,” dinner, breakfast, and a stunning view of a glacier. If the refuge is full, you can wait it out until 6:30pm (their cut off for people arriving for reservations). If people don’t show, you can take their spots. We were lucky and 2 beds opened up – it sounds like this happens frequently. Make a reservation ahead of time, though, if you know exactly what night you are staying.

** A note about the refugio beds – I have stayed in many hostels before but have never experienced this level of cramming people into small spaces. The refuges don’t really have a choice.. there is no where else to stay close by, so they fit as many people as they possibly can into very small rooms. You basically sleep on a long raised area, right next to another person. Bring earplugs and a sleep sheet.

Distance: 18km/11.1mi

Height Gain: 460m/1500ft

Height Loss: 1560m/5118ft

Where to Stay: at a hotel in Courmayeur

Unfortunately, a campground in Courmayeur does not exist. I should probably move there and open one, but alas, you’ll have to stay in a quaint hotel instead. You can go through a lot of extra effort to take buses to camp elsewhere, but we didn’t really want to leave the trail to find a campground.

Accommodations in Courmayeur are not expensive, and it’s SO worth it to stay in a private hotel room with your own bathroom. Gah, luxury!

We stayed at Hotel Edelweiss for 90 Euro/$97, and this included an AMAZING breakfast. They also did all of our nasty laundry for 5 Euro.

**Plan to do your laundry in Courmayeur. There’s a laundromat, but it isn’t open on Sundays. If your hotel does laundry for cheap, treat yo self.

Speaking of treat yo self, please eat at La Tunnel. Order pizza AND homemade pasta. My eyes tear up just thinking about that meal.

Distance: 12km/7.5mi

Height Gain: 860m/2821ft

Height Loss: 101m/331ft

Time: 4.5 hours

Where to Stay: Rifugio Bonatti

I know, I’ve told you to stay indoors for 3 nights in a row, but these are your best options. Rifugio Bonatti is a couple hours hike from any town, and to camp you’d have to go way off the trail and take a bus to Val Ferret. You’d miss out on the TMB.

Rifugio Bonatti is in the most incredible location. I can’t believe it even exists in this remote area, surrounded by mountains. I love camping, but I also loved staying here.

Cost is 55 Euro per person and includes dinner, breakfast, and a 1 minute (not exaggerating) hot shower. You can buy sandwiches for the next day as well.

Distance: 20km/12.5mi

Height Gain: 895m/2935ft

Height Loss: 1410m/4625ft

Time: 6.5 hours

Where to Stay: Camping des Glaciers

Back to camping! Camping des Glaciers is a fantastic campground. You can’t miss it.. you’ll see signs before you even get into town. It’s a 10-15 minute walk into town. The campground has hot showers, a cooking room, and free wifi. Cost is around $10 per person. Pick up groceries in town if you need them! And if you want to eat at a local Swiss restaurant, this is the tiny town to do it.

Height Gain: 420m/1377ft

Height Loss: 565m/1853ft

Where to Stay: Camping les Rocailles

Camping les Rocailles is located just past the city center. It has laundry, hot showers, a cooking area, and wifi. If you buy groceries in town (and you should), they’ll give you a little crate that you can carry to the campground and leave there. Cost is 34Euro/$36 for 2 people.

** We did laundry on this night to get us through the rest of the trek. I highly recommend this.

* This was the only day that we took a major alternate route. If you have a clear day and want to cross a difficult mountain pass, do the alternate route from the guide. If there’s any chance of bad weather or if you’re worn out (understandable) keep to the regular route; we heard it’s very pretty too.

Main Route:

Height Gain: 742m/2434ft

Height Loss: 682m/2237ft

Where to Stay: Camp next to Hotel de la Forclaz

The camping is near the hotel, and you have access to some of the hotel facilities – toilets, showers, and optional expensive food. Price is $8 per person + $6 per tent.

Alternate Route:

Distance: 14km/8.6mi

Height Gain: 1199m/3933ft

Height Loss: 1139m/3736ft

Time: 6.5 hours +

Where to Stay: Camp in a field in Le Peuty

The alternate route is a doozy. It involves some rock climbing and a very intense incline. We were the only ones out there with packs on and that made for a mildly terrifying hike.

The camping at Le Peuty is in a field right as you come into the town. You’ll see some porta potties that are actually showers, a plain building with public toilets (NO TOILET PAPER), and a covered area for cooking. If it’s not full already, you can eat dinner at the small lodge across the street. Camping is $6 per person but no one ever came around for payment while we were there.

This was our least favorite “campground,” but we couldn’t complain much because it was free.

Distance: 13km/8mi

Height Gain: 1069m/3507ft

Height Loss: 1178m/3868ft

Where to Stay: Chalet Pierre Semard (on the trail) or Camping du Glaciers in Argentiere (30-40 mins off the trail)

Chalet Pierre Semard is in Les Frasserands, not too far off the TMB trail. This campground offers free wifi, food, laundry, and hot showers. Around $10 to camp.

We stayed at Camping du Glaciers , and it was our favorite Tour du Mont Blanc Camping site of the trip. You get hot showers with unlimited time, a heated hang out room, free wifi, and you’re within walking distance of some awesome restaurants (delicious pizza). If you’re in need of groceries you’ll have to stay here. Cost is 6 Euro per person and 3 Euro to rent a site.

* Important to note – once you leave Argentiere or Tre le Champ, the only free drinking water is at the cable car station at La Flegere – and if that’s closed already, you’re out of luck. Stock up or pay for water at the various stops.

* Listed is the main route, but I highly recommend taking the variant to Lac Blanc. It’s beautiful.

Distance: 8km/5mi

Height Gain: 733m/2404ft

Height Loss: 257m/843ft

Time: 4 hours

Where to Stay: Wild camping outside of Refuge la Flagere

Refuge la Flagere was closed and under construction when we hiked the TMB in 2019, so we wild camped an hour past the refuge. I’ll relay what I’ve read about camping at la Flagere here.

The refuge staff can point you to where you should set up your tent (or look for fellow campers). You can use the refuge’s facilities if you buy a beer. Drinking water is not available at the refuge but is available at the cable car station. Stock up before it closes.

If you want some solitude, keep hiking for about 45 minutes until you reach open grasslands. We wild camped here and had the most glorious view.

Distance: 17km/10.5mi

Height Gain: 772m/2532ft

Height Loss: 1546m/5072ft

Where to Stay: Somewhere in Chamonix or Les Houches

YOU DID IT. To celebrate backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc, I recommend treating yourself to a hotel and a LARGE meal.

Advice for Tour du Mont Blanc Camping

Bring a camping stove and cook meals along the way. This helped us to save money, but it also kept us from having to decide on a restaurant/go out to eat every night. Sometimes we wanted to put our pajamas on and stay at our campsite.

Keep the Cicerone guide close by during the day. The trail is pretty straight forward, but there are quite a few variants. Use the guide to make sure you’re on the right path.

Train for it. Run a marathon. Walk on the stair master. Strengthen your legs and lungs.

Try to mentally prepare yourself for the chance that you might have days that are 100% cloudy when you can’t see a thing. We had a couple days in a row where we couldn’t see any of the mountain passes that the guide described. Instead, we were hiking totally uphill with zero rewards. It was quite depressing, so try to accept it before you go.

I truly hope this guide helps you plan the best trek. Backpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc is something I will never forget, and I’d love for more people to experience it like we did.

Happy Hiking!

More on the Tour du Mont Blanc: Detailed Itinerary , Packing List,   11 Reasons to Hike the TMB

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Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc Hike

Hike the world's premier hut-to-hut route self-guided

Trip Details

Hiking trip summary.

The Mont Blanc Massif, composed of Mont Blanc ( at 15,776′, the highest peak in Western Europe) and a flank of impressively spectacular peaks and glaciers, uniquely straddles the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland. Rich in alpine history and cultural diversity, this region has been attracting mountaineers and hikers the world over for nearly two hundred years.

Circling the base of the magnificent Mont Blanc Range, our self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc trips wanders through alpine meadows, over barren passes, into small hamlets, and beneath gigantic glaciers. During your self-guided tour, you will view Mont Blanc and its surrounding peaks, glaciers and alpine valleys from three different countries as you hike in the French Alps, Swiss Alps, and Italian Alps.

Having had a presence in the Chamonix-Mont Blanc area for over 30 years, Distant Journeys is one of the foremost providers of self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc itineraries. We are intimately familiar with the trip area and well respected by the hotels, hut owners and service providers with whom we work. Every itinerary is personally crafted to provide a quality experience, at good value, that is just right for you.

Show itinerary

• This itinerary represents one of many possibilities. There are many variations possible, depending on your timeframe and level of hiking ability. Please contact us if you would like a more detailed itinerary including elevation gain, loss, distance, and additional information.

Day 1 : Independent travel to Chamonix, France. Chamonix is home to a dazzling array of many of the highest peaks in the Alps, including Mont Blanc (15,776′).

Day 2 : Short transfer by bus to Les Houches and cable car to Bellevue (5,610′). Here you begin today’s hike, passing by the foot of the huge Glacier de Bionnassay, then up through lush meadows to the Col du Tricot (6,995′), with spectacular views of the Aiguille du Bionnassay, Dome du Gouter, and the entire Chamonix valley. After a steep descent from the Col, you arrive at your refuge, set in a lush valley dominated by the Dome de Miage. Often there is time to explore this beautiful valley before dinner.

Day 3 : From Miage, you continue to the small village of Les Contamines, with time to linger and buy lunch items for the next day. Departing Les Contamines, you hike up the Mont Joie Valley, past a 15th-century mountain church, Notre Dame de la Gorge, cross a small Roman bridge, and continue up this broad alpine valley to your overnight stop.

Day 4 : Departing your accommodation, you begin a steady climb to the Croix de la Bonhomme and the Col des Fours (8,960′). From here a 20-minute detour takes you to the highest point of the tour, Tete des Nord Fours (9,045′). Weather permitting, there is an expansive 360-degree view. After a long descent passing through the Ville des Glacier and perhaps stopping to buy some Beaufort cheese at a farm, you end your day at the remote and lively Refuge des Mottets.

• An alternate route is to hike to Chapieux and stay in a hiker’s hostel and resume the hike as below.

Day 5 : Today’s hike brings you to the Italian border at the Col de la Seigne (8,300′). Hiking down the Val Veny, the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif and Mont Blanc itself dominate the scene, with myriad glaciers and towering rocky peaks. Hike to La Visaille. Transfer by private taxi to your hotel in Courmayeur, Italy. This transfer is included in the cost of the trip, and we will make arrangements for you to be met at La Visaille. Dinner on your own.

• From either Chapieux or Mottets it is possible to hike to Rifugio Maison Vieille. This adds another wonderful day and a half of hiking before arriving in the village of Courmayeur.

Day 6 : Rest day in Courmayeur. The day can be spent exploring the town’s narrow streets, sampling the local pastries and cuisine, day hiking, or taking a series of cable cars up to Point Helbronner and into the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif.

Day 7 : Transfer by private taxi from the hotel in Courmayeur to the end of the spectacular Val Ferret. Hike to Ferret, Switzerland over the Col Grand Ferret (8,372′). Stopping for lunch en-route you are offered views of the Val Veny, Val Ferret, and the skyline dominated by the Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Talefre, and Mont Dolent. This wonderful day of hiking ends in the Swiss Val Ferret.

• Many of our hikers depart on foot from Courmayeur and hike to the wonderful  Rifugio Walter Bonatti  for the night. This strenuous hike is perhaps one of the most amazing treks on the entire route. The next day the route continues to Ferret, Switzerland. We  recommend  this option.

Day 8 : A moderate day of hiking takes you down the Ferret Valley, through small Swiss hamlets and beautiful gardens. The hike ends with a climb up to the picturesque lake village of Champex. This afternoon you will have some time to explore this small village, relax or stroll around the lake.

Day 9 : There are two hiking options for today, and you can decide which you prefer in the morning. One is via the high alpine pastures of Bovine, with expansive views of the Rhone Valley, and the other, more difficult, the route is up and over the ruggedly beautiful Fenetre d’Arpette. The second option is possible only if weather conditions are appropriate. You end the day in the quiet town of Trient.

Day 10 : Hike from Trient to Tre le Champ or the village of Argentiere, France, over the Col de Balme (7,230′). Crossing into France at the Col, once again the spectacular sight of the Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc Range, with its dramatic peaks and glaciers, will be breathtaking. You can end your day at either the small refuge in Tre le Champ or continue about 25 minutes further down the trail to Argentiere and stay in a small, simple hotel.

• It is possible to hike from Trient all the way to Chamonix in one day. There are several hiking options and buses that can shorten the hiking day. This is a great option if you are short on time and need to combine two hiking days into one.

Day 11 : From Tre le Champ or Argentiere you hike to Chamonix with ever-changing views of the Aiguille Verte, the Aiguilles des Chamonix, and the glaciers of le Tour, Argentiere, and the Mer de Glace. There are several hiking options for today’s hike.

Day 12 : The trip will end at the hotel in Chamonix. Please allow for travel time when making plans.

Additional Information

• General consulting regarding hiking dates and abilities
• Travel information and suggestions
• Detailed French IGN Topo maps, 1:25,000 scale, covering the route
• Detailed trail notes – we keep our notes updated and as accurate as possible
• Additional information covering various aspects of your trip (i.e., lunches, laundry, water, refuge routines, alternate transportation)
• All overnight accommodations, which include breakfasts and most dinners (hotels with private baths as described in itinerary; other overnight accommodations may vary)
• All private taxi transfers, if any, as detailed in the final itinerary

The above may change, depending on your final, confirmed itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED

This may vary, depending on the final itinerary: Airfare, luggage transfer, if any, lunches, travel to and from the starting point, which is normally Chamonix, cable cars, ski lifts, any transfers or excursions on trains, buses, taxis, extra charges due to changes in itinerary, items not on set dinner menu, dinners in Chamonix, Courmayeur, Argentiere, beverages (except what is served at breakfast), insurance, items of a personal nature. 

This hike is  not  vehicle supported. You will need to carry a small- to moderate-sized pack with only the clothing and accessories you will need for the duration of the hike. (See our sample  packing list .) With advances in synthetic clothing and other travel gear, it’s possible to keep your pack weight to 15 - 20 lbs., including lunch and water.  Any extra luggage or belongings you may have can be left at the hotel in Chamonix.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND FACILITIES

The accommodations on the TMB vary from comfortable 3-star hotels to rustic mountain refuges. Your trip may or may not include the following, depending on your final confirmed itinerary.

Hotels : Hotels with private bath include Chamonix, Courmayeur, Ferret or La Fouly, Champex, and Argentière. All are friendly, family-run hotels that reflect the local character. We are certain you will find these hotels comfortable and welcoming.

Hiker’s Hotels : The hiker’s hotels offer simple and basic, though comfortable, accommodations. They have private double rooms with shared facilities. Hiker’s hotels include Chapieux, France, and Ferret and Trient, Switzerland.

Refuges or Huts : These are wonderful rustic farms that have been converted to accommodate hikers. They offer shared bunkrooms, called dortoirs, complete with blankets and pillows. The shared facilities vary, but all have washing and bathroom areas and hot showers. Refuges include: Miage, La Balme, Bonhomme and Mottets in France; Maison Vieille and Bonatti in Italy. Depending on your final itinerary, you might not stay at all of these refuges.

The atmosphere is friendly and jovial as hikers from many countries gather to spend the night. We believe that staying in the huts and small hotels offers a wonderful opportunity to meet hikers from other parts of the world, experience something new and wonderful, and take part in the simple tradition of the European style of hiking hut-to-hut.

Meals : Breakfasts are served each morning at the hotels, hiker’s hotels, and refuges. Lunches are picnic style on the trail. Dinners are served at the hiker’s hotels and refuges. Dinners are not included in Chamonix, Courmayeur or Argentiere.

The closest international airport is Geneva, Switzerland. From Geneva, you can travel to and from Chamonix by train, a shared van, private taxi or bus. Depending on the route and mode of transportation, travel time between Geneva and Chamonix can take between 1 and 4 hours. There are also trains from Zurich or Paris, just allow for extra travel time.

STARTING POINT

Our traditional starting point for the Tour du Mont Blanc hike is Chamonix, France. Other possible starting points include Courmayeur, Italy, and Champex, Switzerland.

ENDING POINT

As the Tour du Mont Blanc is a circular route, most of our itineraries end back in Chamonix.

WHO WOULD LIKE THIS TRIP?

Not only is our Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc a great introduction to hut-to-hut hiking in Europe, it also offers a great introduction to the self-guided hike format. This route is well-traveled and well-marked and offers solid hiking with a nice variety of accommodations. Anyone with some hiking experience and some map-reading skills will greatly enjoy the Tour du Mont Blanc.

WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP DIFFERENT?

Having had a presence in Chamonix-Mont Blanc area for over 30 years, Distant Journeys is one of the foremost providers of self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc itineraries. We are intimately familiar with the trip area and well respected by the hotels, hut owners and service providers with whom we work. At the end of a day of hiking on one of our self-guided itineraries, whether you are ending your day at a mountain hut or village hotel, you will be greeted with the same anticipation and welcome as if we were arriving along with you. We feel a deep sense of connection to and passion for this area and this route. Every itinerary is personally crafted to provide a quality experience, at good value, that is just right for you.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, for a more-detailed itinerary description (with elevation gains and losses and distances), to register , or to get started planning your personalized self-guided itinerary, please contact us !

Reserving This Trip

A non-refundable deposit of $500 along with your completed registration forms will reserve a space on your requested trip. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express card as well as personal checks. To make a deposit, you may either follow one of the “Reserve a Trip” links below, give us a call at 1-888-845-5781, or include your payment information in the area provided when completing your registration forms.

Before registering for this, please read our Terms and Conditions in their entirety and then refer to our Self-Guided Trips page for specific information regarding the process.

The balance is due 90 days prior to departure for most of our trips. When applying less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment is due. For final payments, we accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express, as well as personal checks.

As confirmation of receipt of your deposit, we will send you a comprehensive packet of information pertaining to your trip, an invoice for final payment and additional information including release agreement form, medical information form, travel information, and packing list. Upon receipt of final payment, you will receive trip rendezvous information and a list of accommodations. Returning trip participants will receive a 5% discount on most trips.

Receipt of all forms will finalize your registration.

We will be scheduling dates for this trip soon. You will be able to reserve your spot when there are scheduled dates.

Please check back.

Related Trips

Testimonials.

We had a fantastic Tour du Mont Blanc trip in July! Thank you so much for your help organizing all the details. Everything happened like clockwork and having done several trekking trips, I can say this was one of the smoothest. It's obvious that you and your team have a deep knowledge of the area and very thoughtfully select hotels, huts and inns and provide such detailed trip notes. 

Amanda B. and Scott M., Lyons, CO

“Your trial notes were impeccable, and the information you provided was complete and thorough.  What you did NOT prepare me for, though, was the profound sadness and disorientation I felt after returning home.... I miss the TMB so much -- the sense of purpose and the simple routine of putting one foot in front of the other to get from point A to point B. I am suffering from severe post TMB blues.... Be sure to warn your future customers that this WILL happen because they will fall in love so hard for this wonderful journey and this magical experience.”          

Kelly P., Kalispell, MT

"I was struck by the very different vibes when you cross borders.  I was not expecting the towns and refuges to feel like they were in such different locations.  I found it really helpful to ask people what is local.  For instance, if you are having a before dinner cocktail or aperitif, they love to serve local spirits.”

Karen E., WA

“I loved the structure your information provided. I need to know what to expect, and I do not like surprises and your information gave me that security. I felt we were really prepared thanks to all the information you provided."

Suzanne Y., TX

“We were looking to hike the TMB and had trouble finding detailed information on routes and accommodations. After finding a reference to DJ on a Rick Steve’s forum board I contacted Andrea and she was a wealth of information! Since we didn’t want to spend our entire vacation hiking, she was able to customize a “half-TMB” hike that fit our needs where others were not interested in a semi-custom trip. “

Stephen Y., TX

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2024 : Jun-Aug

Legendary Mont Blanc, Chamonix & Lake Geneva

Fly over glaciers and peaks as you cross borders by gondola. Hike routes through valley forests and above the shore of Lake Geneva. Trek into the World Heritage landscape of Montreux. Glacier walks and white-water rafting add even more thrills. Score an alpine hat trick on this family adventure in Italy, France and Switzerland.

• Hike in the foothills of iconic Mont Blanc, on a balcony trail below the Aiguille du Midi and along the Mer de Glace glacier
• Discover alpine trails in the Aosta Valley, where a lush wooded landscape opens up to views of snowcapped mountains
• Rush down Class IV rapids on the Dora Baltea River and paddleboard across glacial Lake Geneva to an ancient Swiss castle
• Revel in an awe-inspiring landscape from Italy's irresistible Courmayeur to the famed French mountaineering center of Chamonix

France, Italy & Switzerland

Start/End Geneva

Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

We recommend flying into and out of Geneva Airport (GVA), formerly known (and still referred to locally) as Geneva-Cointrin Airport. Another option is to fly into Paris and then travel to Geneva by train.

Please note that trip start and end locations are subject to change and can vary by departure. A Travel Planner, comnplete with trip details specific to your chosen date, will be sent to you at time of booking or soon after and will be viewable in your Backroads account.

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Follow an unforgettable balcony route over Val Ferret • Pause for lunch at a postcard-perfect rifugio (mountain refuge) • Hike in the Aosta Valley, home to ibex, chamois, eagles and marmots • Grab a paddle and raft down Class IV rapids on the glacial Dora Baltea River • Immerse yourself in Courmayeur’s unique Italian mountain culture and atmosphere.

A stylish and modern alpine retreat nestled in a quiet area amid rocky mountain peaks. (pool, spa)

Fly over glaciers and peaks as you cross the border between Italy and France by gondola • Discover the Aiguille du Midi, a lone needle of rock looming above ice fields and moraine-strewn crags, and take in breathtaking views of the Chamonix Valley from its summit • Channel your inner mountaineer at Refuge du Montenvers, a one-of-a-kind high-altitude hotel that has housed explorers since the late 19th century.

Tucked in the center of Chamonix, enjoy views of the snowcapped mountains from your own private balcony or relax at the hotel's newly built Cinq Mondes spa. (pool, spa)

Embark on a hike on the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), the Alps’ second-largest glacier, complete with crampons and local high-mountain guides • Enjoy an unforgettable picnic lunch at the top • Explore the renowned mountaineering center of Chamonix • Sparkling Lake Geneva awaits in Switzerland • Soak up the sun, splash around in the pool or unwind at the spa at our stately hotel—welcome to the so-called Swiss Riviera! • Hike amid magnificent peaks overlooking Lake Geneva • Stand-up paddleboard near Chillon Castle, an island fortress that once controlled passage between northern and southern Europe • Walk through the terraced vineyards of the Lavaux, a World Heritage landscape • Au revoir! Bid farewell to an unbelievable family journey through the Alps.

On the shore of dazzling Lake Geneva, this palatial hotel features top-notch service, outstanding views of the Alps and sun-filled luxurious rooms. (pool, spa)

Our trips range in activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between. Several routes are offered each day so you can choose your perfect amount of activity. Learn more

*Includes shuttle

• Activity Level

What's Included

• All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
• Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
• Snacks and beverages between meals
• Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
• Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
• Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
• Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
• All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
• Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
• On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
• Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
• Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
• Park and other entry fees
• Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
• Select coach transfers
• Baggage transfers and porterage

Not Included: Leader gratuities, transportation to and from your Backroads trip start & end locations, and on-your-own meals & activities.

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Our hikes through the Alps' captivating rugged terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, many of which are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles will get us to and from the trailheads, but due to the nature of these trails, we won't see our vehicles along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.

Hiking in the mountains can mean quickly changing, unpredictable weather, even during the warm and sunny summer months. Careful packing is essential for your comfort and overall enjoyment. Be prepared to carry multiple layers every day on the trip—warm base layers, a windproof/rain jacket and rain pants, and even a down jacket, hat and gloves for our day hiking on the glacier.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

World-Class Hotels

Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Premiere Hotel

* Casual Hotel

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Dates & Prices

Select Guests & Rooms

Guests on this trip must be 17+ years old. Younger siblings 14+ can also join. Please contact us for more information.

If you require more than 4 rooms or more than 2 beds per room please contact us.

If you require more than 4 rooms or more than 2 beds per room please contact us .

Your guest & room selections

You may only reserve one Stateroom Category at this time. Please call 800-462-2848 if you would like to make other arrangements.

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Backroads provides flexible booking policies so that you can plan your vacation with complete peace of mind.

Select from our scheduled departure dates

Trip details may vary based on departure date.

• 6/29-7/4 2024
• 7/8-13 2024
• 7/22-27 2024
• 7/27-8/1 2024
• 8/19-24 2024

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We're always seeking opportunities to enhance our itineraries; published trip details including routes and activities, as well as trips start and end locations, are subject to change and can vary by departure. Please do not use this itinerary to schedule your flights or any other travel. A Travel Planner, complete with the trip details specific to your chosen date, will be sent to you at the time of booking or soon after.

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