Tour du Mont Blanc

As our name suggests, Steep Adventures does like challenging hikes. However, challenging is all in the legs, if you will, of the doer. What we love about the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is that there are a wide variety of options for various levels of challenge. The traditional route will take you about 100 miles and 35,000 feet of elevation change, with a high point of around 8,400 feet. Alternate routes can offer additional challenge, or options for shorter hikes by taking advantage of ski lifts, gondolas, or buses. Venturing onto the TMB does require a certain level of physical fitness for maximum enjoyment and getting to the best views (unless you are just going to ride gondolas and not step onto the trail).

The start of the TMB across from the Le Fouilly bus stop (alternate start takes you to the Bellevue ski lift).

Booking lodging around the TMB can be quite a challenge as there are only so many options along the trail. Because of the changing elevation along the trail, all signs directing the way are marked in time, which is thought to give a more accurate estimate than saying it’s 2 miles away without any indication that there is 2,000 feet of elevation change in the those 2 miles. Regardless, having someone that has done the trail before and knows the terrain is helpful in mapping out a lodging plan that fits your physical fitness level.

Know the next town you’re heading to to keep you going the right way!

Based on available lodging and time allotted, our counterclockwise route was 8 nights/9 days and ranged in distance from around 7 miles to 15 miles per day. That 7 mile day included 5,000 feet of elevation change, so while a short distance day, it was 3.5 miles down and 3.5 miles back up, with a sweet little town in the valley which was great for refueling. Most hikers we spoke with along the trail were doing the route between 9 - 11 days, with a few outliers on either end. Those doing the trail in under 9 days, typically were not doing the complete route, but were using buses or starting/stopping in two different places. Again, there are options for completing this hike that suit a wide variety of skills and time-frames.

View across the Mountain from where the trail for the day started. The cute town of Courmayeur is in the valley. This was the 7-mile hiking day.

Steep Adventures is offering several hikes for individuals that want to do a self-guided adventure for a cause he/she is passionate about supporting. The Tour du Mont Blanc is an example of one of these unique adventures for up to 4 people, where Steep Adventures will make all of the lodging arrangements and work with the individuals to tailor the self-guided trip to their desired skill level. If a charity is interested in organizing a group, we can definitely make this a group trip with a guide to lead the group around the mountain. Guided trips must meet minimum participation to be booked.

Trient, Switzerland

The Tour du Mont Blanc should definitely be on any hikers list of trails to complete. The views are stunning and the trail is challenging (when completing the entire TMB route).