Mont Blanc Massif, France, Italy, Switzerland
By The Alpines · Updated 2025-01-15 · 14 min read
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is widely considered one of the finest long-distance walks in the world. This 170km circuit loops around the entire Mont Blanc massif, crossing through France, Italy, and Switzerland, and over a dozen high mountain passes. Every day delivers jaw-dropping scenery: glaciers spilling off 4,000m peaks, flower-filled alpine meadows, deep forested valleys, and charming mountain villages.
The classic route takes 10 to 12 days, gaining roughly 10,000m of elevation — equivalent to climbing from sea level to Everest Base Camp and back. But unlike Himalayan trekking, the TMB is superbly supported: mountain refuges and guesthouses dot the route, serving hot meals and cold beers to weary walkers. You can trek hut-to-hut carrying only a light pack, or camp wild and carry everything.
The TMB attracts around 10,000 trekkers per season, and for good reason. The route is well-marked, the infrastructure is excellent, and the scenery is relentless. But don't mistake accessibility for easy — this is serious mountain terrain with big daily ascents, exposed passes, and weather that can turn alpine fast. Fitness, preparation, and respect for the mountains are essential.
Start in Chamonix and climb through forests and alpine meadows. The first days ease you into the rhythm of the TMB, passing through Les Houches, Les Contamines, and over the Col du Bonhomme. You'll gain your trail legs while enjoying views of the Aiguilles and Mont Blanc's western face. Refuge accommodation is comfortable, and the route is well-trodden.
Cross into Italy via the Col de la Seigne and enter a different world. The Italian Val Veny and Val Ferret are quieter, wilder, and the food in the rifugios is outstanding. The Grandes Jorasses dominate the skyline — a wall of rock and ice that never gets old. The climb to Grand Col Ferret marks the border with Switzerland and is one of the trip's great moments.
The Swiss section offers pristine trails, crystal-clear lakes, and immaculate villages. Champex-Lac is a highlight — a mirror-still lake surrounded by pines. The Fenêtre d'Arpette variant is a tough but rewarding alternative to the standard route, climbing a rocky pass with glacier views. The descent to Trient through the Arpette valley is spectacular.
Re-enter France via the Col de Balme with a panoramic view of the entire Chamonix valley spread below. The final stages traverse the balcony trail high above the valley with uninterrupted views of Mont Blanc's north face. The descent into Chamonix brings closure to the circuit — bittersweet when the mountains have been your world for nearly two weeks.
The TMB season runs from mid-June to mid-September, with the sweet spot being late June through early September. July and August offer the warmest, most stable weather and all refuges are open, but the trail is at its busiest — booking refuges 2–3 months ahead is essential. Late June can still have snow on higher passes (Col des Fours, Fenêtre d'Arpette), but wildflowers are at their peak.
September is increasingly popular: fewer crowds, cooler temperatures for walking, and spectacular autumn colours in the larch forests. However, some higher refuges close in mid-September, and weather becomes less predictable. Early June and late September are shoulder seasons — possible but require flexibility and good weather judgement.
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Start Training - £60Last updated: 2025-01-15 · 14 min read