TOUR DU MONT BLANC
One of the World’s Great Hikes
AN ICONIC ALPINE JOURNEY
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) needs little introduction. Spanning approximately 170 kilometres across France, Italy and Switzerland, it is one of the most celebrated long-distance hiking routes in the world. This continuous circuit of the Mont Blanc massif takes in some of the most dramatic Alpine scenery imaginable.
The standard route consists of 11 stages, each averaging around 15 kilometres with an impressive 800 metres of elevation gain. The most demanding stages are up to 20 kilometres long, with around 1300 metres of elevation gain. It’s a trail that requires a reasonable level of fitness and some preparation, but one that rewards every effort with landscapes of extraordinary beauty.
Two towns serve as the natural anchors of the route: Chamonix in France, where most itineraries begin and end, and Courmayeur in Italy, which marks the approximate halfway point. The two are connected by a tunnel beneath Mont Blanc – a journey of just 30 minutes by road – which creates a range of practical and logistical options.
THE MITREKS APPROACH TO THE TMB
Comfort
- Each night is spent in a
hotel with a private en-suite
room. - The traditional TMB
itineraries involve overnight
stays in high mountain huts
which are full of character
but only offer shared
dormitories
Achievable
- The TOOLKIT shows you
how to customise your hike
to your level of fitness. - This includes setting the
number of hiking days, how
to make a stage easier or
harder and the option for
bag transfers so you only
carry a small day pack
Safety
- Our routes have no
mandatory via ferratas
(the technical sections
involving metal ladders or
chain assists). - All trails are well
maintained, have no scary
heights and are accessible
to confident walkers.
THE TMB ROUTE AND ITS STAGES
The TMB trail traverses three countries and passes through a succession of valleys, high passes and alpine villages that each have their own distinct character. The French sections are dramatic and expansive; the Italian stages take you through the warmth and hospitality of the Aosta Valley; the Swiss portions offer a precision and polish that is entirely their own.
There is a great deal of detailed information available about the individual stages of the TMB, including distances, elevation profiles, points of interest and
practical logistics. What we offer instead is a curated perspective: the stages we consider the finest, the accommodation options that best meet our high standards, and the logistical insights that come from having walked and planned this route many times
over.
Our itinerary packs contain everything you need to understand the route in the context of your own planned adventure.
CREATE YOUR OWN ITINERARY
Unlike most hikes, the TMB route gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary which you can tailor to your needs.
The TMB Toolkit contains 4 sample itineraries that will give you ideas. You can select one sample itinerary and adapt it to your own requirements.
Complete Tour du Mont Blanc
- 12 Nights
- 11 Stages
Start
Finish
Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights
- 8 Nights
- 7 Stages
Start
Finish
Tour du Mont Blanc – West Half
- 6 Nights
- 5 Stages
Start
Finish
Tour du Mont Blanc – East Half
- 7 Nights
- 6 Stages