Tour du Mont Blanc (Expert Guide)

Updated: January 23, 2024
tour-du-mont-blanc-route

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular treks in Europe. It covers a distance of roughly 170 kilometres and gains more than 10,000 meters of altitude over 11 stages.

In this guide we cover: what weather to expect and the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, which huts to book, what gear you might need, and much more...

Join a Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights Hike

Book with our recommended local guide

Tour du Mont Blanc

Route Overview

The Tour du Mont Blanc covers a distance of roughly 170 kilometres and gains more than 10,000 meters of altitude over 11 stages. Most people start their hike in Les Houches, France going in an anti-clockwise direction.

During this trek you will hike in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps and spend the night in mountain huts. This is one of Europe's best hikes and is a classic alpine trek. On the hike you will get splendid views of some of the highest mountains in Western Europe, as well as glaciers and alpine meadows.

The highest point reached is 2,665 meters.

The hike passes seven valleys along the way, which means there is a lot of altitude to be gained, making the Tour du Mont Blanc a physical challenge.

Fortunately, walkers are rewarded with some of the best views you can get of Mont Blanc. The route is not only one of the most beautiful long-distance treks in Europe (up there with the Walker's Haute Route), but one of the most popular ones as well.

Nights can be spent in either mountain huts along the route or back in the valley, where you can have the luxury of a warm bed in a hotel.

What we like and dislike about the hike

  • Incredible views of the Mont Blanc massif
  • Hike in three countries
  • Visit the beautiful villages of Chamonix and Courmayeur along the way
  • Spend the night in some of Europe's most iconic mountain huts
  • More expensive than other treks in Europe due to the cost of mountain huts
  • Physically challenging
  • Can be crowded during the summer months

Join the full Tour du Mont Blanc Hike (10-Days)

Book with our recommended local guide

Tour Du Mont Blanc Circuit

Route Map

tour-du-mont-blanc-map

Source: chamonix.net

This map illustrates the Tour du Mont Blanc route. It starts off at Les Houches, France close to the Swiss and Italian border before heading west towards the Italian side of Mont Blanc.

There are 11 stages depending on your physical level. The route is circular around the Mont Blanc Massif, crossing the borders of France, Switzerland and Italy.

In terms of a trekking map we recommend:

And in terms of a trekking guide we highly recommend: 

Altitude Profile

In the chart below you see the altitude profile of the full hike. It is quite clear there is a lot of altitude to be gained over the 11 stages, with the highest point reached just above 2500 meters. You can see that there are a few strenuous stages reaching high mountain passes that will require great effort.

tour-du-mont-blanc-altitude-profile

Mont Blanc Route Itinerary

Below we have laid out the most popular version of the Tour du Mont Blanc Route – 11 days, starting and finishing in Les Houches. The itinerary includes approx. distances, hiking times and elevation changes.

Day 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines

Day 2: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux

Day 3: Les Chapieux – Rifugio Elisabetta

Day 4: Rifugio Elisabetta – Courmayeur

Day 5: Courmayeur– Rifugio Bonatti

Day 6: Rifugio Bonatti – La Fouly

Day 7: La Fouly - Champex

Day 8: Champex – Col de la Forclaz

Day 9: Col de la Forclaz – Tre le Champ

Day 10: Tre le Champ – Refuge Flegere

Day 11: Refuge Flegere – Les Houches

Video Overview

A beautiful video overview, filmed with a GoPro, of the Tour du Mont Blanc by Eugenio psnt.

Join a Tour du Mont Blanc Hike

Book with our recommended local guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Tour du Mont Blanc trek cost?

Are permits required for the Tour du Mont Blanc trek?

When is the best time to trek the Tour du Mont Blanc Route?

Is altitude sickness a risk?

How difficult is the Tour du Mont Blanc trek?

What gear do I need?

What travel insurance do I need?

Do I have to carry my own gear all the way?

tour-du-mont-blanc-1

About the author 

Mark Whitman

Mark has trekked extensively in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He founded Mountain IQ in 2014 with the sole aim to be the best online information portal to some of the most popular mountain destinations around the world. When not writing for Mountain IQ, Mark is out exploring the outdoors with his wife!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

  1. Hi Dempsey,

    I’ve been thinking about doing that hiking for a long time and I think, after this pandemic crisis, it’s the time to see my dream coming true.
    I hope to do it as soon as possible, and to see it how beautiful the nature around is.
    Stay safe,

    João Leite.

  2. Wife and I are interested in doing this in last half of August. I know it is (too) late to reserve now. We plan to show up and hope for the best, perhaps taking advantage of late cancellations on a guided/luggage transfer arrangement. Any advice?

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

We work with local guides to offer great value adventures at unbeatable prices