The best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc comes down to one honest question: would you rather share the trail with other hikers, or with snow? The TMB loops 170 km (106 miles) around Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland, and its season is short. Pick the wrong weeks and you’re either waiting your turn at the ladders or wondering why nobody mentioned the snowfield.
I hiked the full Tour du Mont Blanc before I ever started a hiking company, and our self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc tours now start every summer from June to September. Here’s how each month shapes up for weather, snow, crowds and booking.
TL;DR: Best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc
The best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is early July to the third week in August, or the first week in September, for the most favorable weather and the least snow. For fewer crowds, go in mid-June or mid-September if you’re comfortable hiking on snow.
Tour du Mont Blanc hiking season
Mid-June to mid-September, when accommodations start opening and the lifts and buses start running. Monkeys and Mountains’ self-guided tours start between the second week in June and mid-September.
Best months for Tour du Mont Blanc weather
July and August, which are also the busiest months.
Busiest weeks on the Tour du Mont Blanc
The first week of July and the last week of August. That last week is when the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) races take over the trail.
When to book the Tour du Mont Blanc
9 to 12 months ahead, so this fall for next summer. Expect many accommodations to sell out around mid-October.
The Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking Season: Mid-June to Mid-September
The Tour du Mont Blanc hiking season runs from mid-June to mid-September, when accommodations start opening and the lifts and buses start running. Outside that window many mountain huts are closed, making planning accommodations extremely difficult. Most, if not all, of the lifts will also not be running, and snow will likely be an issue in the higher places.
Our Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided tour starts on the date you choose between the second week in June and mid-September. There’s no single best time. July, August and the first week of September are the busiest but have the most favorable weather, while June and mid-September are quieter, rainier and snowier.
Best Month to Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc: June, July, August or September?
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in June: Quieter Trails, Real Snow
June is for hikers who value elbow room over easy footing. Expect snow at higher altitudes, and how much depends on the year. Mid-June is possible, but late June is a safer bet, as some years the high passes still aren’t possible in mid-June. If you’re starting in June, pack ice cleats and poles for the snowy sections.
June also means fewer shortcuts. Some lifts and buses only run in July and August, so a section you’d shorten by lift in midsummer may mean a private taxi instead. The local bus to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, for one, only runs from the end of June to the beginning of September.
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in July: Snow Clearing, Crowds Building
Some sections can still hold snow into July, and the first week of July is one of the busiest weeks of the season. From early July you’re in the window I recommend if you don’t want to hike in snow at all: early July to the third week in August. It can be hot, too, though some mornings are cool enough that a merino long-sleeve earns its spot in your pack.
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in August: Best Weather, Busiest Trails
July and August are usually the hottest months and the most reliably clear of snow, which is exactly why everyone else wants them too. Mid-July to mid-August is the holiday period, with crowds on the trails and in the accommodations. The one week I’d steer you away from is the last week of August, when the UTMB races take over the trail. Unless you’re racing, let the runners have it.
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in September: Fewer Hikers, Early Snow
The first week of September is still busy, with favorable weather. After that the trail quiets down, but it rains more and September can bring snow, depending on the year. With some lifts and buses running only in July and August, plan for the odd taxi or a longer day. The season wraps up in mid-September, which is also our last start date. If you’re starting then, pack ice cleats and poles in case of snow.
Weather on the Tour du Mont Blanc: Snow, Rain, Heat and Storms
Weather on the Tour du Mont Blanc changes with altitude as much as with the calendar. Down in the valley, summer in Chamonix can be hot during the day and cool off at night. Up on the trail, you’ll meet snow in June and likely in September, and sometimes even into July or at the end of August.
Snow on the high passes. The TMB isn’t technical, but snow changes which route makes sense. On the Swiss side, the Fenêtre d’Arpette at 2,665 m (8,743 ft) is a more technical option to take only in good weather and when there’s no snow. We recommend the gentler Bovine Route in the early season and whenever the weather is bad.
Storms and the TMB ladders. Storms roll in fast, so your rain shell rides along even in July. If thunderstorms are forecast, or the rock is wet, icy or dusted with fresh snow, skip the TMB ladders between Tré-le-Champ and La Flégère near Lac Blanc and take the signed bypass.
When the weather turns mid-trip. Before you set off, we share the latest trail conditions, and if a trail closes or the weather turns, our WhatsApp support team helps you reroute.
When Is the Best Time to Hike Mont Blanc Without the Crowds?
The best time to hike around Mont Blanc without the crowds is mid-June or mid-September, as long as you’re happy to trade some snow and rain for the quiet. The busiest stretches are the first week of July and the last week of August.
Even in peak season, the crowds are mostly a morning thing: busy when everyone leaves at around the same time, thinner once everyone hikes at their own pace. And on a self-guided tour you’re free to start hiking earlier or later, so you don’t have to leave your accommodation at the same minute as everyone else staying there.
Picked your best month for the Tour du Mont Blanc?
Our Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided tour comes in 6, 7 or 10 days, starting between the second week in June and mid-September. We book your accommodations, and you get GPS routes, WhatsApp support and a free custom training plan valued at €300.
Best Time for the Tour du Mont Blanc, Based on What Matters to You
Match your dates to your priorities.
| What matters most to you | Best time of year for the Tour du Mont Blanc | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Trails most reliably clear of snow | Early July to the third week in August | Holiday crowds on the trails and in the accommodations |
| The most favorable weather | July, August and the first week of September | The busiest months of the season |
| Fewer hikers | Mid-June or mid-September | More rain, more snow, and some lifts and buses not running |
| Avoiding race crowds | Any week but the last week of August | The UTMB races take over the trail |
Still weighing it up? Our Tour du Mont Blanc guide covers the route, the distance and the three ways to hike it.
Lock In the Best Month to Do the Tour du Mont Blanc: Book 9 to 12 Months Ahead
The catch most first-timers don’t see coming: the best month to do the Tour du Mont Blanc is only the best month if you can still get a bed. Tour du Mont Blanc accommodations are booked 9 to 12 months ahead, and those on the popular stages go first. So the time to plan next summer’s hike is this fall.
Expect many accommodations to sell out around mid-October. Some take bookings now, others not until mid-October, and at a few key locations there are only a handful of places to stay, and if they sell out, there’s no alternative on that stage.
When you book our self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc tour, we start booking the accommodations already accepting reservations, and for the ones that open in mid-October, you’ll be near the top of the list. Have at least 3 alternative start dates (more is better) for the best chance of getting your month. You pay a 30% deposit when you book, with the balance due 40 days before you hike.
Get Ready for Tour du Mont Blanc Weather: Packing, Training and Trail Conditions
Pack for your month. Layers do the heavy lifting in every month, and June or September adds a beanie and glove liners. In June and mid-September, pack ice cleats and poles for the leftover snow too. Our Tour du Mont Blanc packing list has the full kit.
Train for the climbing, whatever the month. The weather changes, the ascent doesn’t. Our 6 and 7-day routes add up to about 5,500 to 7,000 m (18,000 to 23,000 ft) of ascent, and the full 10-day route about 10,000 m (33,000 ft). Training for the Tour du Mont Blanc takes 3 to 6 months, so count back: for a mid-July start, begin between mid-January and mid-April. Every TMB booking includes a free custom training plan valued at €300, built around where you live, even if it’s flat.
Sort your insurance early. Our Adventure Travel Insurance Finder matches you to a policy in under a minute.
Know the conditions. La Chamoniarde, Chamonix’s mountain safety and rescue organization, notes on its Tour du Mont Blanc safety page that leftover snowfields can make the big passes delicate until early July.
Best Time to Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc: FAQs
What is the best month to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?
The best month to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is July or August if you want trails most reliably clear of snow, with early July to the third week in August, or the first week in September, the safest window. Those are also the busiest weeks, so if you’re comfortable hiking on snow and want quieter trails, choose mid-June or mid-September.
Is there snow on the Tour du Mont Blanc in June?
Yes, there is usually snow on the Tour du Mont Blanc in June, especially at higher altitudes, and how much depends on the year. Late June is a safer bet than mid-June, as some years the high passes still aren’t possible in mid-June. In the early season, Monkeys and Mountains recommends the Bovine Route over the Fenêtre d’Arpette at 2,665 m (8,743 ft). If you’re starting in June, pack ice cleats and poles for the snowy sections.
What is the weather like on the Tour du Mont Blanc in July and August?
The weather on the Tour du Mont Blanc in July and August is the most favorable of the season, and these are usually the hottest months. Storms roll in fast, so pack your rain shell even in July and skip the TMB ladders near Lac Blanc if thunderstorms are forecast.
Can you hike the Tour du Mont Blanc in September?
Yes, you can hike the Tour du Mont Blanc in September, and Monkeys and Mountains’ tours start as late as mid-September. The first week of September is still busy; by mid-September there are fewer crowds but more rain and a chance of snow. With some lifts closed, Day 4 of our 10-day tour grows by 5 km (3.1 miles).
Can you hike the Tour du Mont Blanc in October?
No, you shouldn’t plan to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc in October. The TMB hiking season runs from mid-June to mid-September. After that, many mountain huts are closed, making planning accommodations extremely difficult, and most, if not all, of the lifts aren’t running. Due to snow conditions, some parts of the Tour du Mont Blanc in October will be mountaineering, which requires a much higher skill set and is no longer hiking. If October is when you can travel, see where to hike in Europe in October, including routes in Italy, Spain, Croatia and Ireland.
When is the Tour du Mont Blanc most crowded?
The Tour du Mont Blanc is most crowded in the first week of July and the last week of August, and that last week is when the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) races take over the trail. An estimated 20,000 hikers take on the TMB each year, and mid-July to mid-August brings holiday crowds to the trails and accommodations. For quieter days, go in mid-June or mid-September.
How far in advance should you book the Tour du Mont Blanc?
You should book the Tour du Mont Blanc 9 to 12 months in advance, because the accommodations on the popular stages go first. Expect many accommodations to sell out around mid-October. Some don’t accept reservations until mid-October, and a few key stages have only a handful of places to stay, so have at least 3 alternative start dates.
What should you pack for Tour du Mont Blanc weather in June or September?
For Tour du Mont Blanc weather in June or September, add a beanie and glove liners to your usual layers: a merino long-sleeve, fleece, light puffy or fleece vest, hooded rain shell and rain pants. In June and mid-September, add ice cleats and poles for the snowy sections. Our Tour du Mont Blanc packing list has the full kit.
Ready to Pick Your Best Time to Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?
Team snow-free August or team quiet September, the hardest part isn’t choosing the month. It’s getting the beds, and many accommodations sell out around mid-October. Pick your dates and 3 alternatives, and we’ll book your accommodations while you get on with getting fit.