Tour du Mont Blanc Blog: Everything you need to know about the TMB.
The Col du Bonhomme, on the stage from Les Contamines to Le Chapieux
We’ve put together a list of all the usual questions we get asked about the Tour du Mont Blanc (along with the answers, of course!). However, if you have a question which isn’t covered below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’ll be happy to help!
Shortcuts
1. What is the Tour du Mont Blanc?
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Alps. It makes a circuit around the Mont Blanc massif, which contains the highest peak in western Europe. The 170km (105 mile) circuit is usually done anti-clockwise, and passes through France, Italy and Switzerland.
It takes in some of the most spectacular trails and sights in the Alps, crossing several high passes of up to approximately 2600m. Hikers pass through a number of villages and towns along the way, though these are separated by long sections of wild mountain country. Mountain huts, often called refuges or rifugios, provide food and accommodation in the more remote areas.
Did you know that the approximate route has been popular since Victorian times, nearby Chamonix being one of the very original destinations for mountaineering and hiking?
Views of the Mont Blanc Massif on the stage from Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti
2. How long does the Tour du Mont Blanc take?
Our standard TMB-1 itinerary is 13 nights (including a rest day in Courmayeur). This is the itinerary we usually walk on our research trips, and the one we’d recommend as the best balance of time and difficulty.
There is also the option of TMB-2 (14 nights), which splits the tough stage from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux (19km & 1360m / 12 miles & 4460ft) in half with a stay at at Refuge de la Balme.
If you’re short on time, we offer our TMB-H (Highlights) itinerary, which makes the most of local buses and trains to skip some of the less exciting sections of the trail, cutting the route down to 8 nights.
There are further options to break up distances here and there, for those looking for a gentler pace. And of course it’s always possible to add a rest day or two if you like. All our holidays are completely open to customisation - just get in touch and we’re more than happy to work out an itinerary that works best for you.
3. When is the best time to walk the Tour du Mont Blanc?
The season for the Tour du Mont Blanc is generally early July to mid-September. Earlier than this and the high passes might not be clear of snow, and later the weather begins to cool and snow showers become a risk. Also, most of the important huts and some of the cable cars won’t open outside these months.
Each month has its own advantages. In July the wildflowers and meadows are at their most vibrant, and the temperatures are at their highest. August weather is pretty much as warm as July, and tends to be the most popular month due to the summer holidays. In September things tend to be a bit quieter, cooler, and average rainfall decreases.
A snow patch on the ascent of the Col du Bonhomme from Les Contamines
4. Can I skip or shorten sections?
Absolutely. There are plenty of options for this along the trail, in the form of cable cars, buses, taxis and trains. Reducing your daily distance is possible on almost every stage of the Tour, should you feel like making the day a little easier. For example the Bellevue cable car from Les Houches whisks you up 800m (2624ft) worth of ascent right at the start, saving you plenty of climbing.
Skipping a stage entirely by taxi or bus is also possible on most days, unless you are staying at a hut at the end of the day. Though do bear in mind the bus or taxi might not be able to take the direct route and the drive might therefore take longer - and cost more - than you expect. Les Contamines to Les Chapieux, for example, is nearly a two hour drive to skip the walking stage.
Please just get in touch and we can set out all the options in detail. You will also find all important information in your Trail Doc when you book your holiday- neatly summed up for when you need it!
5. Where should I add a rest day on the Tour du Mont Blanc?
There are several options for rest days along the Tour du Mont Blanc. These are our favourites:
Courmayeur in Italy is a bustling outdoors resort with plenty of shops and options for eating out. Being in Italy, there are no end of brilliant ice cream shops (gelateria) and pizzarias. Positioned about a third of the way around our usual TMB itinerary, it is a convenient location for a rest after a few days of walking.
Champex in Switzerland is our recommendation for an extra night in a much quieter location. The picturesque village sits overlooking the charming waters of Lac de Champex, which is a wonderful spot for a dip on a warm day. The village has a good variety of accommodation, but still succeeds in feeling quiet, relaxed and authentically Swiss.
Of course, you can also add a few days in Chamonix, at the start or end of your trip. It is the largest town on the trail, so it’s here that you’ll find the greatest selection of shops to stock up on suppliers and kit, and restaurants to sample local cuisine. It’s also an amazing base for other walks and activities in the area - take a look at our Chamonix and the French Alps Rail & Trail holiday if you’re considering making the most of a few days here.
Courmayeur
6. How tough is the Tour du Mont Blanc? How fit do I need to be?
Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can do the Tour du Mont Blanc. We wouldn’t recommend doing the TMB if you never do any hiking at all, but as long as you do some strenuous hiking back home every month or two, you’ll be fine.
The main thing to practise beforehand is to do some hiking with plenty of ascent and descent. Some hikers on the TMB find the up and down to be a bit tough on the knees, for which we highly recommend trekking poles, and taking your time!
7. How high does the Tour du Mont Blanc go? Is altitude an issue?
The highest point on the standard TMB route is the Grand Col Ferret at 2536m (though you can get up to 2,665m on certain route variants). These altitudes are perfectly safe - you won’t feel any significant effect of altitude, and altitude sickness is not a risk.
Walking above the clouds at the Col des Fours
8. Do I need to pre-book accommodation on the Tour du Mont Blanc?
Definitely. When spending an evening at a refuge on the Tour du Mont Blanc, it’s amazing to watch the many tired hikers arriving without reservations, only to be turned away because the refuge is fully booked. The trail is very popular, and most accommodations are fully booked well in advance in the summer.
9. Are there luggage transfers available on the Tour du Mont Blanc?
There are indeed. Luggage transfer services on the Tour du Mont Blanc are able to access the majority of overnight locations along the trail - so you can walk with a light pack during the day, safe in the knowledge that your suitcase will be waiting for you at your accommodation that evening. However, do bear in mind that some refuges along the trail (such as Refugio Elisabetta and Refugio Bonatti) are completely inaccessible to vehicles, and so you’ll have to go without your luggage on a few evenings.
We offer luggage transfer as an optional extra for our holidays, so just let us know that you’d like to include this when enquiring with us!
Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme
10. Do I have to stay in refuges, and what are they like? Can I get private rooms?
Refuges are relatively basic accommodations, in remote locations. Whilst some are accessible by cable car or 4x4 vehicle along a rough track, many can only be reached by foot, helicopter, or mule. This limits the level of facilities, and variety of food they can offer.
Food ranges from rustic to brilliant, but almost all are enhanced by an amazing view. Another common feature is the communal nature of dinner - where tables and often dishes are shared between yourselves and other guests who have been randomly allocated to the same table. This is where the famous camaraderie between hikers on the TMB really gets going - sharing stories from the trail over a meal and a beer.
In terms of sleeping, almost all refuges have a mixture of shared dormitories and private bedrooms (though these often still feature bunkbeds, not king size beds!). Shared bathrooms are the norm - en-suite bathrooms are virtually unheard of. The private bedrooms tend to book up well in advance, so book early if you want to guarantee a room to yourself for the whole trek.
It is possible to avoid (most) refuges if you really want to, by adjusting a few distances or taking a cable car here and there to stay in the valley rather than on the mountain. Please get in touch and we can discuss your options. As always, we would recommend booking as early as possible if you would prefer to avoid huts.
11. How busy is the Tour du Mont Blanc?
The Tour du Mont Blanc is probably the most popular trek in the Alps, so yes, it’s quite busy. However, it’s justifiably so - the views, experience and challenge make it a bucket-list adventure for many. We’re also of the opinion that the camaraderie and socialising amongst fellow hikers is one of the most enjoyable features of the trail.
And despite being popular - every time we’ve hiked the trail we’ve found ourselves completely alone for long stretches of the day.
A chamois near the Col du Bonhomme, on the stage from Les Contamines to Le Chapieux
12. What is the weather like on the Tour du Mont Blanc?
Temperatures vary by altitude, but to give a very approximate answer, it usually ranges from 20 to 30 degrees celsius (68 to 86 fahrenheit) in the valleys, and 10 to 20 degrees celsius (50 to 68 fahrenheit) at the very highest points on the trail.
Most hikers doing the Tour du Mont Blanc will experience several warm and dry days, with the occasional rain shower. Though sometimes these rain showers can graduate to thunderstorms, usually in the afternoons.
It’s important to be prepared for all eventualities - carrying a waterproof jacket and trousers is just as important as a sun hat, sun cream and plenty of water.
13. What do I need to pack for the Tour du Mont Blanc?
We have a comprehensive kit list of essential and recommended kit to bring along - just get in touch and we’ll be happy to share it!
TMB signage as the trail climbs out of Courmayeur
14. Should I wear Hiking Boots or Trail Shoes on the Tour du Mont Blanc?
This is entirely down to personal preference. The most important thing is that you have worn them in with plenty of hiking already. Some people find the ankle support of boots to be beneficial over long distances, whilst others prefer the lightness of trail shoes. Whichever you go for, just make sure they have good tread/grip on the bottom. Whilst the trail is very well maintained, you are still moving in high mountain terrain where potential snow patches or wet rocks are likely to occur.
15. What is the best section of the Tour du Mont Blanc?
Most people regard the section from Trient to Les Houches to have the biggest ‘wow’ factor in terms of pure views. A large part of this section follows the ‘Grand Balcon Sud’, a wonderful balcony path above Chamonix with non-stop views of the Mont Blanc Massif across the valley. However, it’s most certainly a popular area and you might meet a fair few people along the trail.
So for something a bit more remote, we’re big fans of the section from Les Contamines to Courmayeur - where the trail feels much more distant from civilisation, with barely a road or building in sight.
If you only have a limited amount of time available, we’re more than happy to tailor an itinerary to your needs, and organise just a section of the trail for you.
Views of the Mont Blanc Massif on the stage from Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti
16. How do I get to the Tour du Mont Blanc?
The majority of hikers on the Tour du Mont Blanc arrive from nearby Geneva. From there, there are a number of bus and taxi companies running direct services to the town of Chamonix, with journey times ranging from about 1 hour 20 mins to 1 hour 40 mins. From Chamonix, it’s 20 minutes by local train to Les Houches where your trip starts.
Geneva is very well connected by train to the rest of western Europe, and to the rest of the world via Geneva airport.
17. Can you just organise this all for me?
Of course! We’d love to take all the hard work out of organising your hike on the Tour du Mont Blanc, so that you can just get on and enjoy the walking. Just get in touch and we’ll be happy to provide a quotation, as well as answer any questions you may have about the trail.
Refuge du Col de Balme, on the stage from Trient to Tré le Champ