Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc Guide: How to Plan Your Epic TMB Hike

Explore our complete Tour du Mont Blanc guide to find routes, itineraries, expert tips, and the details you need to plan your perfect TMB hike – start today!

The Tour du Mont Blanc hike is not only one of the most popular hikes in Europe, but one of the best long-distance hikes in the world! It’s  at the top of many hikers’ bucket list and for good reason.

The classic hiking route takes you through the alps in French, Italian and Swiss Alps. 

It’s a beautiful multi-day hut-to-hut hike where you’ll have a warm bed and a hearty meal waiting for you every night. 

I did the full Tour du Mont Blanc route before I started a hiking company. It was the first hike I’d done that was more than 3 days. Not long afterwards, I started a hiking company and have since repeated certain sections. Plus, I work with local partners in Chamonix to ensure that you get the most up to-date information. 

Read on to find out how to plan your Tour du Mont Blanc hike.

Highlights of the TMB

• Col de Voza: Panoramic views of the Chamonix valley.

• Col de Tricot: Mountain pass offering stunning vistas, known for its challenging zigzag path.

• Les Contamines: A charming French village that is a popular stopping point.

• Col du Bonhomme: One of the first high mountain passes.

• Croix du Bonhomme: Another mountain pass offering panoramic views.

• Col de la Seigne: A high mountain pass at 2,516 meters, marking the border between France and Italy, with panoramic views of the Mont Blanc Massif.

• Rifugio Elisabetta: Mountain refuge in Italy, known for its stunning vistas.

• Courmayeur: Italian alpine town perfect for a rest day, known for its cuisine and mountain culture.

• Grand Col Ferret: The pass that crosses from the Italian Alps to the Swiss Alps offering some of the best views of the Grandes Jorasses.

• Champex-Lac: Known as the “Swiss Lake,” a tranquil stopping point in Switzerland.

• Bovine Route or Fenêtre d’Arpette: Two alternative routes between Champex and Col de la Forclaz; the former is easier, and the latter offers stunning views but is more challenging.

• Col de la Forclaz: Another mountain pass and common place for rest.

• Col de Balme: The pass back into France from Switzerland, with amazing views of Mont Blanc.

• La Flégère and Lac Blanc: Offers one of the closest views of the Mont Blanc massif, which is sometimes reflected in Lac Blanc

What Is the Distance of the Tour du Mont Blanc?

As with all multi-day hiking trails in the Alps there is a “classic” route and then there are  variations and shortcuts you can choose from. The main TMB route is:

• Distance: 166 km (103 miles)

• Total Elevation Gain: 10,000 m (32,700 ft)

• Highest Point of the TMB:  2,665 meters (8,743 feet) at the Col des Fours and the Fenêtre d’Arpette

• Number of Mountain Passes You’ll Hike Over: 10

• Number of Days: 10 (although this can be shortened to 6 or 7 days)

• You can see a map of the tour here from Wikipedia.

Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc: 3 Ways

Below, I’ll outline the pros and cons of hiking the TMB in each of the three ways.

Tour du Mont Blanc Guided

PROS	CONS
✅ easiest and least time consuming option since you don’t need to plan logistics, your route, contact accommodations, etc.	X most expensive of the 3 options and the TMB route is well-marked so there’s minimal route finding required
✅ you get insider knowledge from a local guide about the flora and fauna	X no flexibility, dates, route, room types etc are all pre-determined
✅ great way to connect with other TMB hikers	X no choice of travel companions, you just. hope that you get along with everyone
✅ luggage transfer is available to lighten your load

We arrange guided tours with a French guide on request if you already have a small group. Contact us for details. 

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Tour du Mont Blanc Self Guided Trek

PROS	CONS
✅ saves you time in route planning	X more expensive than doing it yourself (but cheaper than a guided tour)
✅ much cheaper than a guided tour of the TMB	X requires some route finding (but minimal as we provide you with the GPS tracks)
✅ saves you time and frustration in booking accommodations, some of which are closed part of the year and are slow to get back to you
✅ gives you the flexibility to choose a start date that’s convenient for you
✅ you choose the tour length that’s best for you
✅ you choose your preferred room type (dormitory, private double, or luxury)
✅ you choose your hiking companions or to hike the TMB solo
✅ you choose when to start hiking each day and how long (or short) of a lunch break to take
✅ you can hike as slow or as fast as you want, without having to wait, or feel like you need to speed up for strangers
✅ you get GPS tracks, optional TMB variants like choosing to do the ladder sections or avoid them and shortcuts to make your route planning super easy
✅ you get an in-person briefing in Chamonix to find out the latest conditions on the TMB, insider tips and get any questions you have answered
✅ you can contact us while hiking the TMB in case of an emergency
✅ advise on logistics of getting to the start of the TMB, bus and lift schedules, etc.
✅ luggage transfer is available to lighten your load

As you can see, the pros far outweigh the cons. That’s why I highly recommend a Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Tour. We offer 6, 7 or 10 day tours, and can also customize one for you.

I do most of my own personal hiking trips as self-guided as well since I love the convenience, and time-saving of having someone else planning all the logistics so that I can just focus on hiking.

Find out more about the difference between guided and self-guided tours. 

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Planning the Tour du Mont Blanc On Your Own

PROS	CONS
✅ cheapest option	X time consuming to plan your TMB route
✅ you can hike the TMB in as few or as many days as you like	X takes a lot of time to find accommodations, then book them since some of them are closed part of the year, and can be very slow to get back to you
✅ gives you the flexibility to choose a start date that’s convenient for you	X you need to get the GPS tracks and ensure they’re accurate
✅ you choose your preferred room type (camping, dormitory, private double, or luxury)	X you need to do the time-consuming research of the optional TMB variants, shortcuts, lift and bus schedules
✅ flexible hiking each day – you choose when to start hiking each day, how many breaks to take and how slow or fast to hike	X you need to figure out the travel logistics and how to get to Chamonix logistics on your own
✅ you choose your hiking companions or to hike the TMB solo	X you have no one to contact in case of an emergency while hiking the TMB

Planning your own TMB hike is definitely the cheapest option, but also the most time-consuming and requires a lot of research. 

If you choose the do-it-yourself option,  I recommend that you plan it using a combination of this site: http://www.autourdumontblanc.com/en/, and the TMB: Complete Two-Way Trekking Guide Book by Cicerone Guides.  And of course a good map and GPS tracks.

Our Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Tours

Booking the Tour du Mont Blanc Refuges Yourself

The disadvantage to the aforementioned TMB site is that it doesn’t provide the elevation gain, nor the distance. It’s also only possible to book some refuges by phone. And the ones you book by email can be slow (if they bother) responding to you. Some also don’t take reservations until spring. Plus, not all the huts are listed on the site. 

Also, each mountain hut booking is dependent on the other. I.e. you want to have your reservation secured for Days 1, 2, 3 before you book for Day 4. That way you ensure that you don’t have too short a day or too long.

Furthermore, when I first did the TMB years ago after I confirmed our booking, I was contacted a few days later by two refuges to tell us they were full. As a result, I had to start our bookings from scratch. This happened twice.

It took me hours and hours to plan my first TMB hike, then replan, then re-plan the route again. It’s doable but very time-consuming. It took me approximately 12 hours to book and plan everything. And it was incredibly frustrating.

That’s another reason why I recommend booking one of our self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc trips:

Don’t start by saying that you will do the trek in so and so many days. Take a look at the itineraries, distances and m in elevation gain for the self-guided tours, and see whether the 6, 7 or 10-day tour is the best choice for you.

Our 6 and 7-day tours are the easiest (although still not easy). You’ll take public transportation – buses and lifts, skipping the less scenic parts. Our 10-day tour is the most challenging with more hiking and fewer transfers.

6-Day Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary

Day 1: Hike from Les Houches – The Les Contamines
Hiking Details: 5 hours, 600 m (1968 ft) ascent,  ~ 11 km (6.84 miles), plus transfers

Day 2: Les Contamines-Montjoie – Bourg St. Maurice
Hiking Details: 6 hours, 1300 m (4265 ft) ascent, ~ 15 km (9.32 miles), plus transfers

Day 3: Bourg Saint Maurice  – Courmayeur
Hiking Details: 5 hours, 750 m (2460 ft) ascent,  ~ 13.5 km (8.39 miles), plus transfers

Day 4: Courmayeur – Champex
Hiking Details: 5 hours, 800 m (2625 ft) ascent,  ~ 12 km (7.47 miles), plus transfers

Day 5: Champex – l’Argentière
Hiking Details: Bovines Route: 5:30 hours, 700 m (2296 ft) ascent,  OR Arpette Window: 8
hours, 1200 m (3937 ft) ascent,  ~ 14 km (8.7 miles), plus transfers

Day 6: l’Argentière – Chamonix
Hiking Details: 5 hours, 950 m (3117 ft) ascent,  ~ 10.5 km (6.5 miles), plus transfers.

You can see the 7-day and 10-day TMB itineraries on our TMB Self-Guided Tour page. 

We also offer the option of taking a rest day in the in the charming Italian village of Courmayeur, which is approximately halfway through the tour. Many hikers take this option and I highly recommend it, especially if you’re doing the 10-day itinerary. 

For a truly epic experience, do our half-day guided glacier tour from Courmayeur, which will take you above the clouds and much closer to Mont Blanc than you get on the trail.

 

Cost of the Tour du Mont Blanc

Our self-guided hiking tours range from €1119 for the 7-day tour in dormitory accommodation to €1929 for the 10-day tour in private double accommodation.

You will find cheaper tour operators because some book refuges on the TMB that have 40 plus beds in a single dormitory room. We don’t use those accommodations as we don’t think it provides a good experience. And it definitely doesn’t provide a good night sleep! 

For our private double rooms, we also have our favorite accommodations, and refuse to book some accommodations on the Tour du Mont Blanc because of cleanliness or service issues. 

We also pride ourself on going the extra mile, and even provide an in-person briefing in Chamonix, something many other tour operators don’t do. 

 

How Difficult Of A  Hike is the Tour du Mont Blanc?

That really depends on your fitness and experience level when it comes to hiking.

If You’re Relatively New to Hiking

If you’re new to hiking and the TMB is your first long-distance hike, it’s a good idea to start with a 6 or 7-day tour because you hike less each day. Note you need to be active and exercising regularly, ideally hiking regularly. If you’re not already active, then you’ll find the TMB too difficult.

If You’re a More Experienced Hiker

If you’re in good shape, hike regularly and love a challenge, then the 10-day tour is an excellent choice for you.

Of course, you may be limited by vacation time. In that case, you could still choose a shorter tour, then opt to hike some sections instead of taking a transfer. 

You can use these guidelines, even if you’re planning on doing it on your own.

 

Tour du Mont Blanc Ladder Sections

There are 2 ladder sections on your Tour du Mont Blanc hike 1) Col des Fours near the Fenêtre d’Arpette and 2) the Aiguilles Rouges Range, which offers some of the most stunning views of the Mont Blanc massif.

They’re a series of metal ladders and cables to assist hikers in navigating the steep, rocky terrain. The ladders are secured to the rock face and offer a safe way to ascend or descend these more technical parts of the trail.

How Difficult Are the Ladder Sections?

• Physical Challenge: The ladder sections aren’t overly technical, however, they do require a head for heights and a bit of upper body strength, especially if you’re carrying a heavy pack. The exposure can be intimidating for some, but the ladders are well-maintained and sturdy.
  
  
• Mental Challenge: For those who aren’t comfortable with heights or narrow paths, the  ladder section can be a bit daunting. However, if you take it slow and steady, it’s manageable for most hikers with a bit of experience.

Can You Avoid the Ladder Sections on the TMB?

Yes. You can avoid both ladder sections.

Col des Fours near the Fenêtre d’Arpette Ladder Section: This section can be avoided by taking the Bovine Route, which is much gentler and doesn’t involve as much elevation gain. 

Aiguilles Rouges Range: If you’re hiking to Lac Blanc, the ladder sections are not as exposed as those on the Col des Fours, Fenêtre d’Arpette section, so if you can do those, you’ll be fine on this ladder section.

While it’s possible to avoid this ladder section, it’s admittedly harder to avoid if you’re taking the direct route from La Flégère. However, you can approach Lac Blanc from different trails that don’t require using the ladders. We can advise you on this on your in-person section. 

However, the Aiguilles Rouges range, offers some of the most stunning views of the Mont Blanc massif, so if you’re up for the challenge, the views are amazing!

 

Tour du Mont Blanc Variant/Alternative Routes 

On some days of the TMB, you will have the choice of an easier or more challenging route. On these days you choose based on how you’re feeling. 

If you’re exhausted or your legs are burning, the best option is to choose the easier route. It’s important to challenge yourself on multi-day hikes without overdoing it. That can easily wreck the rest of your hike.

 

Weather on the Tour du Mont Blanc 

It’s also critical to consider the weather. We had one day that I wanted to do the difficult but incredible Fenêtre d’Arpette (2665m), a splendid pass that’s one of the highlights of the tour.

Unfortunately, the heavy rain made it inadvisable, so we did the easier Bovines Route instead. It’s important to consider safety. Besides, if it’s raining heavily, you won’t be able to see anything. When you’re hiking in the mountains, it can quickly go from good weather to stormy. 

I recommend getting an earlier start and taking a shorter lunch break on days when the forecast is calling for a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

When you hike in June, even late June and in September you’ll be hiking in snow in some places, so you should be comfortable with that.

This summer of 2023 was very hot, but then there was also snow at the end of August. You really need to be prepared to hike in all types of weather conditions. 

Which Direction to Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?

The classic Tour du Mont Blanc route is done counter-clockwise. The advantage of doing it this way is that you’ll keep running into the same people. If you want to hike with others, it’s easy enough to meet up.

If you prefer to hike more on your own, then choose to hike it in a clockwise direction, the opposite of how most hikers do it.

Terrain of the TMB

The TMB is well-marked. You’ll mainly be hiking through mountain passes and alpine meadows of wildflowers and lush green valleys. It’s an absolutely beautiful hike.

There are also two sections that involve ladders. Fortunately, both of these can be avoided with an alternative route. 

Should I Get Travel Insurance?

YES! I hope you won’t need it, but mountain rescues are expensive – a minimum of €5000. And they can easily be much more expensive depending on your location and the complexity of the rescue.

I also recommend purchasing Travel and Trip Cancellation Insurance. You usually book your TMB trip months in advance, and while each accommodation has its own refund policy most of them aren’t very flexible.

I recommend HeyMondo(get a 5% discount for being a Monkeys and Mountains reader.) because it includes mountain rescue and repatriation insurance which isn’t covered by many other insurance policies. Check out our article on adventure travel insurance for further information.

Sometimes injuries aren’t life-threatening but if you tear a ligament, fall and break your ankle, you won’t be able to hike down on your own. It’s better to purchase travel insurance (being sure that it includes mountain rescue, and hope that you don’t need it.

How to Pack for the Tour du Mont Blanc

I’ve written a comprehensive post on this indicating every essential item while eliminating those that you don’t need. Check out our TMB Packing List!

 

Food on the Tour du Mont Blanc: Eating at the TMB Refuges/ Mountain Huts

Most mountain huts will offer a choice of two meals, a regular one and a vegetarian one.

If you have have other dietary requirements, such as being vegan or celiac as I am, there are creative ways to get around this, by suggesting alternatives that are easy for the accommodations to accommodate.

You’ll also want to bring plenty of hiking snacks to supplement the food being offered. We have a lot of clients with food allergies who are still able to do the TMB hike. 

Breakfast on the TMB

A typical breakfast is toast with some butter or jam. None of the refuges had gluten-free bread. Instead, I requested a piece of fruit.

The breakfasts in the mountain huts are very light so if you like to eat a big breakfast I recommend bringing some energy bars with you. 

Lunch on the TMB

I recommend ordering a packed lunch to go the night before from each hut. Although it’s usually possible to eat at a mountain hut en route, you may not arrive around lunch time, so ordering a packed lunch gives you more flexibility.

Despite being informed ahead of time, lunch was usually sandwiches which I couldn’t eat, so they substituted a few apples instead.  Again, this is why I highly recommend bringing your own hiking snacks if you have dietary issues. Otherwise, you’ll be fine. 

To Reserve or Not to Reserve Refuges on the Tour du Mont Blanc in Advance?

I highly recommend booking your tour or accommodations in advance because the TMB has become so busy.

In 2024, many mountain huts were already full in December And by mid-January, we had to stop selling some tours because key accommodations were full.

TMB Insider tip: If you don’t have reservations for a mountain hut, then try to get an early start and arrive early.

That way, you may get a spot before it does come full. But given how full the accommodations are, you should be prepared to camp if you don’t have a reservation.

What Are Accommodations Like on the TMB?

The mountain huts/refugios are a luxury in the mountain but VERY simple by normal accommodation standards. But they’re often in beautiful locations, like the Lac Blanc Mountain Hut pictured above, so you can enjoy the Alps after a day of hiking. 

Dormitory accommodations vary anywhere from 4 to 40+ beds. I’d recommend avoiding anything with more than 20 beds wherever possible. (We don’t book these for our clients as we don’t think it provides a good experience).

Some mountain huts offer double private rooms. These will also be very simple, and you’ll still share a bathroom as the refuges usually have two bathrooms, one for women and one for men.

When you stay in a mountain hut, you’ll need to bring a sleeping bag liner. They’ll provide blankets and a pillow, so don’t worry about being warm enough.

A mid-option is booking private double accommodation. With this option, you’ll get a mix of sleeping in refugios and simple guest houses where you’ll have your own bathroom some nights.

If you’re looking for luxury, then you’ll want to book the 6-day luxury tour, which includes nice accommodations than staying in mountain huts. On this tour, you’ll have your own private bathroom every night except for one.

While the refuges aren’t luxurious, they’re often in a gorgeous setting. It’s also a great way to experience local culture and mix with other hikers from around the world. It’s truly an authentic experience.

Pamper Yourself at the Beginning and End of Your Trek

I stayed at Boutique Hôtel Le Morgane on the last day of my TMB trek. It’s a four-star eco-hotel in Chamonix, complete with a spa!

After staying in refuges, it was pure bliss. I sat on our huge patio, enjoying the amazing views of Mont Blanc, as we rested our blistered, aching feet. Trust me, on the final day; you’ll likely be tired, so it’s worth a bit of a splurge!

Pre and post-tour accommodation isn’t included, so check out our guide to the best accommodations in Chamonix to find out where to stay.

End Your TMB With a Once-in-a-Lifetime Mont Blanc Glacier Walk or Chamonix Via Ferrata

For a truly memorable end, embark on an extraordinary high-mountain adventure that takes you high above the Tour du Mont Blanc to explore the mesmerizing Mont Blanc glaciers, which takes you above the clouds on our private guided glacier tour.

Or, do our guided Chamonix Via Ferrata tour, which combines hiking and rock climbing for an adrenaline-packed adventure. It’s totally safe, and your guide will help you along the route.

 

The Closest Airport to Chamonix

The closest airport is Genevan Airport. You’ll find great deals on  Skyscanner.

Getting from Geneva to Chamonix

The easiest way to get to Chamonix, the start of the TMB is with a shared shuttle which takes ~90 minutes and needs to be booked in advance.  Do a Google search for “transfer from Geneva to Chamonix,” and you’ll see lots of different options. 

Or take this private transfer from Geneva Airport which starts from €29.97.

Read our guide: Getting from Geneva to Chamonix for more information. 

I also recommend spending a day in Geneva if your schedule permits.

Related Reading: 10 Best Things to Do in Geneva, Switzerland, When You Only Have a Day

 

Check out this video of the Tour du Mont Blanc:

Check out our Mont Blanc Hiking Art:

Tour du Mont Blanc FAQs

Ready to Book Your Tour Du Mont Blanc Hike?

Choose from one of our self-guided TMB tours below. Or contact us with any questions you have. 

Now that you’ve explored our Tour du Mont Blanc guide, you’re equipped with routes, tips, and the details you need—time to start planning your TMB hike.