Tour du Mont Blanc

The trekking season for Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is June to September. Outside of these times the passes are most often blocked with snow and hiking is not recommended. Plus many of the accommodations are closed. Find out more about the best time to trek and when to see the wildflowers. No matter which month you walk, we’re sure you will love the experience!

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a high-altitude trail around the entire Mont Blanc massif, taking walkers through three countries: France, Italy and Switzerland. The terrain is mountainous, rocky and often rough underfoot, but there are also plenty of graded paths. There are sometimes long steady ascents and descents, and the odd steep climb, as well as pass crossings. Mont Blanc itself is the highest mountain in Western Europe at 4808m. While trekking around this spectacular mountain you’ll climb up to an elevation of 2500m and enjoy some of the best views in the world.

Tour du Mont Blanc is a strenuous hike. We recommend that you undertake a training program according to your level of fitness for at least 3 months leading up to your departure. Regular exercise prior to the trip will allow you to build your fitness steadily so that you will enjoy and complete the trip with a smile and energy left over.

All our guided treks are led by experienced International Mountain Leaders. They are English-speaking/bilingual professional guides, trained in first-aid and fully versed in the local environment and evacuation procedures, so you are in safe hands and will be well looked after. Most of our guides originate from the UK. They are passionate about the mountains and have each led many successful Mont Blanc treks.

The ascents and descents of the TMB and the Italian Dolomites are very similar. The big difference with the Dolomites is the paths: they are a little narrower and steeper in sections than the TMB and sometimes more exposed. Dizzying heights and steep slopes are a feature of the walks in this area, so you need to be prepared for this. The Dolomites are not suitable for people who experience vertigo!

The starting point is Chamonix (France). This charming Alpine town is dominated by the mighty Mont Blanc massif with tumbling glaciers visible from the main street. There are many attractions including the Aguille Du Midi cablecar with its stupendous views and restaurant, the glacier express railway, and whitewater rafting right in the town. Plus Europe’s best selection of outdoor gear shops along its attractive streets.

The full guided circuit trek is 13 days in total: 10 days of walking, plus a rest day and arrival and departure days. Daily distances range from 12–20km with a total distance of 170km. Our 8-day Highlights Trip is a condensed version of the full circuit trek. We use vehicle transfers along some of the valley sections but still take in all the passes and highlights of the full circuit.

Rated as one of the top 5 mountain treks in the world, the Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe’s finest. This world-famous route circles the highest mountain in Western Europe, crossing from France into Italy and Switzerland. It offers all the excitement of a high mountain trek, with few of the worries. No technical mountaineering skills are required. You’ll get to appreciate different cultures, food and people while trekking through glorious Alpine scenery.

Every single step on the Tour du Mont Blanc offers incredible mountain scenery: panoramas of glaciers and jagged peaks, meadows with alpine cows and wildflowers, verdant forest, and huts perched spectacularly on mountain passes. This dramatic scenery is why this trek is continually featured in the best walks of the world.

Pack as lightly as possible. We recommend keeping the weight under 12kg for your main luggage, which is transported daily for you throughout the trip. You carry only a daypack during the day. Suitcases are not recommended. Most travellers carry their luggage in a duffel, as you will need to carry this each night upstairs in your accommodation. See our suggested packing list.