The Tour du Mont Blanc is a 170 kilometer (106 mile) hiking trail that circumnavigates the Mont Blanc Massif. The trail has roughly 10,200 meters (33,465 feet) of elevation change. If you want to learn more about the trail, this post provides a great overview of all of the key stats and important planning information.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is typically completed over 11 days, which averages out to a manageable 15.5 kilometers of hiking per day. This is also the common itinerary you’ll find from most guidebooks and trekking companies, and it’s a good place to start when thinking about how long you’ll need to hike the trail. Generally speaking, 9-12 days is a reasonable timeframe for most hikers, depending on their pace and preferences. Our itineraries page has options ranging from 4-12 days as well as custom trip support.

The hiking season for the Tour du Mont Blanc lasts from mid June through September. Those hiking in June and early July will have to contend with snow-covered trails, which can create additional challenges and hazards. July and August are the most popular months on the trail, and all refuges and public transit will be open and running during this time. The first half of September can be a lovely time to hike, but as the month goes on more will be closed for the season and the weather can get increasingly colder and wetter.

No, permits are not required to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Yes! The trail is generally well-marked, safe, and accessible for independent hikers. Hiking with a guide can be a good option for those seeking camaraderie, extra support, and/or easier logistics.

Although the TMB is a serious challenge, it is accessible a wide variety of ability and experience levels. Beginner hikers can certainly enjoy a successful TMB trek, given they have prepared both physically and logistically. The availability of public transit and baggage transfer services can also significantly reduce the overall difficulty of the hike. Check out this post to learn more about challenging aspects of the TMB ways to prepare for them.

While everyone will have a unique experience on their TMB trek, there are a few sections that tend to be quite challenging for most hikers. These include:
-The ascent to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
-The ascent to the Grand Col Ferret 
-The ascent to the Col de Balme
-The long descent into Les Houches
-The Col des Fours and Fenêtre d’Arpette variants

Other potentially challenging aspects of the TMB are the trail conditions (especially snow cover), weather, and long steep ascents and descents. Read more about how difficult the TMB is in this post.

This is a tough question to answer! Each stage of the trek offers amazing experiences and each hiker will create their own unique memories along the route. However, here are a few highlights worth mentioning:
-Stage 4: Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur
-Stage 6: Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly
-Stage 10: Tré le Champ to Refuge de la Flégère

Read more about these and all of the TMB stages in this post.

Yes! All of the mountain refuges and many hotels, auberges, and gîtes provide a demi-pension option that includes dinner and breakfast. Many accommodations will also provide a packed lunch for an additional fee. It’s also possible to purchase meals or snacks at refuges you pass by during the day. Finally, grocery stores and restaurants and plentiful in all of the towns along the route.

It is possible to hike most of the TMB with your dog. It’s important to note that there are a few sections of the trail that pass through nature reserves where dogs are not allowed, although it’s easy to detour around those areas. Additionally, you’ll want to think about accommodation, supplies, and trail conditions before deciding if the TMB is a good fit for you and your pup.

Yes! Plenty of families hike the TMB each year with children of all ages. That being said, the Tour du Mont Blanc is a serious endeavor and you’ll want be sure that you and your children are properly prepared and equipped to stay safe and happy on the trail. Many families opt to use public transportation and/or hike with a guided tour to reduce some of the more challenging aspects of the trek.

The Tour du Mont Blanc can be hiked in either direction. The route was traditionally walked in the anti-clockwise direction, and this still remains the more popular option. There are upsides to hiking in either direction. If you walk anti-clockwise, you’re more likely to see fellow hikers multiple times along the route, providing great opportunities to make new friends. Many of the ascents and descents are a bit more manageable in the anti-clockwise direction as well. Clockwise hikers may find the trail to be a bit quieter at certain points in the day.

Wifi and cell service are widely available in the larger towns and hotels along the route, but don’t expect to be able to connect at the more remote refuges. Cell service is spotty at various points on the trail, but generally inconsistent.

Yes. TMB refuges begin booking up many months before the hiking season. Many refuges begin accepting reservations in the fall and typically sell out in a matter of days or weeks. Lucky hikers can often snag beds later on due to cancellations, but it’s best to try to make your bookings far in advance. However, if you waited too long, don’t despair! Contact us to help you problem-solve your itinerary or consider camping instead.

You’ll want to reserve your beds at the TMB refuges as far in advance as possible. Many refuges begin accepting bookings for the upcoming season as early as the September and October prior, with almost all open for bookings by January. For more information about reserving TMB refuges, check out this post.

Yes, camping is permitted in developed campgrounds and designated bivouac sites throughout the route. It’s important to note that there are a few stages without camping areas directly on the trail, and minor detours will be necessary to pitch your tent. The rules around wild camping vary depending on which country you’re in, but it is generally not advised outside of designated areas. Learn more about camping on the TMB here.

While some refuges have a few private rooms available, the majority do not. Private bathrooms are even less common. Most beds are located in shared mixed gender dormitories. Dormitories vary quite a bit in terms of size and spaciousness. In some places you might get a room with just four beds, while others you might be packed in tightly with a dozen or more roommates. For a list of which refuges offer private rooms, check out this post.

There are different ways to make bookings, depending on which accommodation you are hoping to reserve. Many (but not all) of the refuges along the route can be booked on the Autour du Mont Blanc website. However, some refuges, hotels, and other accommodations must be booked directly on the accommodation website, or by submitting a contact form. For more details about how to book TMB accommodation, be sure to check out this post.

It’s possible to complete the TMB while only sleeping in hotels, but it would be quite difficult and require several detours from the trail. Contact us for help designing a custom itinerary that allows you to sleep in private rooms throughout your trek.

Yes, food is plentiful and delicious at the TMB refuges! Dinners typically consist of multiple courses, usually a soup or salad, main dish (such as pasta), and a desert. Breakfast tends to be a very basic spread of bread, jam, and coffee/tea. If you purchase a packed lunch, expect a sandwich, fruit, and chips or other snack. A la carte items like pastries, omelets, and sandwiches can usually be purchased throughout the day.

If you give your refuges advance notice, they can almost always accommodate vegetarian diets. Hikers following vegan or gluten-free diets may want to pack backup food, as refuges are less likely to be able to fully meet your needs.

Courmayeur is our favorite place for a rest day. It is a charming town with plenty to do on your day off. Champex-Lac and La Fouly are also lovely villages to spend some extra time.

Some of the most important items include:
-A comfortable pack with waterproof cover
-Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes
-Layered clothing for a variety of weather conditions
-Water bottle or hydration bladder and lightweight water filter
-First-aid kit
-Map and/or navigation device
-Sleep sheet for refuges
-Towel
-Toiletries and sunscreen
-Camping and cooking equipment (optional)

These are just a few of the major items, but be sure to check out our complete Gear List to see everything you’ll need to be prepared for your TMB trek!

We generally recommend a pack size of 20L – 40L for most hikers who are staying in hotels/refuges. If you’re camping along the route, plan on 40L – 60L to accommodate your additional gear.

Yes. If you are hiking with a trekking company (guided or self-guided), this is often included in your package. There are also a couple of companies that will provide baggage transfer services to independent hikers. It’s important to keep in mind that it is not possible to transport bags to the more remote refuges along the TMB. To learn more about baggage transfer on the Tour du Mont Blanc, check out this post.

While this will ultimately come down to personal needs and preferences, generally speaking you can certainly hike the TMB in trail running shoes. Trail runners have some advantages over traditional hiking boots, particularly in terms of their lightweight, quick-drying, and breathable materials. Be sure to choose a pair with good, grippy soles to help you move confidently on the trail. If you need greater foot or ankle support, you might be better off in hiking boots.

We highly recommend using trekking poles on your Tour du Mont Blanc hike. They provide valuable stability on tricky sections, and can lend some much-needed support for tired knees and hips.

Unfortunately, airlines will not allow you to bring trekking poles in your carry-on bag. If you don’t want to check a bag, you can purchase or borrow a pair of poles upon arriving in Chamonix. There are ample outdoor stores throughout the region, including a budget-friendly Decathlon shop in Chamonix. Alternatively, there are often other hikers who will gladly pass along their poles upon finishing their trek. Check out the various TMB Facebook Groups to coordinate a swap.

If you are trying to keep your pack weight to a minimum, you can leave your rain pants behind. However, we recommend checking the weather forecast before you travel, and tossing them in your bag if wet weather is likely. While not essential, rain pants can keep you significantly warmer and more comfortable on the trail.

For camping on the TMB, you’ll want a high-quality tent that is easy to set up, durable, and lightweight. We recommend a three-season tent; either a freestanding or semi-freestanding tent tends to work well for the conditions on the TMB. Most of the campgrounds will have grassy pitches, but if you plan on doing any wild camping you’ll want to have a tent that is easily set up on rocky surfaces. We also recommend bringing durable tent stakes, along with a few extras, so that you can make sure your tent is properly secured.

It’s possible to charge electronics at nearly all of the refuges and campgrounds along the Tour du Mont Blanc. However, charging points can be in high demand, so it’s a good idea to carry a battery backup with you as well.

Costs for the TMB can vary widely, depending on your accommodation and food preferences, the length of your trip, and whether or not you use a trekking company. There are several ways to keep your trip affordable, including camping and cooking your own meals. For a complete list of typical TMB costs, be sure to check out this post.

Credit cards are widely used in all of the larger towns along the route, as well as in most places in Switzerland. However, many of the refuges and smaller accommodations in France and Italy tend to be cash-only.

You can hike the entire TMB circuit using only Euros. Given their proximity to the border, all Swiss establishments along the route will accept Euros. That being said, you will likely get a better price when paying with Swiss Francs while in Switzerland.

How much cash you’ll need to carry at any given time is highly individual and will depend on a variety of factors. It’s a good idea to plan for €20-30 per person/per day if you will be purchasing most of your meals from refuges and restaurants along the route. You’ll also need cash for any refuges bookings you haven’t paid for in full ahead of time. We also recommend carrying a bit of extra cash in case any unexpected expenses arise or the next ATM along the route isn’t working when you need it. For more details about prices and budgeting, be sure to check out this post.

Yes, ATMs are located in the following places along the Tour du Mont Blanc:
-Les Houches
-Chamonix
-Les Contamines
-Courmayeur
-La Fouly
-Champex

For most hikers, Les Houches is the best starting point for their TMB trek. This is the easiest access point from most major cities and airports in the region, and there are plenty of convenient services available. If you plan to hike clockwise or will be coming to the trail from a different area, it may make more sense to start somewhere else along the circuit. Contact us for help planning a customized itinerary that meets your needs.

Geneva is the closest and most convenient city near the Tour du Mont Blanc, and it’s also the best airport to fly into. From Geneva, there are buses and shuttles that will bring you to Chamonix and Les Houches. For detailed information about getting to and from the TMB, be sure to check out this post.

Yes, it’s possible to drive to several towns along the TMB circuit. Free long-term parking is available near the start of the trail in Les Houches.

If you’d like to extend your holiday, there is certainly no shortage of wonderful places to spend time before or after your TMB trek. There are several nice cities that are reachable within a day’s journey by bus and/or train or a short flight. A few of our favorites include:
-Annecy, France
-Lyon, France
-Paris, France
-Milan, Italy