There are 11 stages to the Tour du Mont Blanc. The classic Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary follows a stage a day so would take 11 days to complete.
However the classic Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary means long days on the trail (7-10 hours each day depending on speed, number of rest stops and fitness). Many folk prefer to split the trail into two parts and tackle them on consecutive years which works well doing half the trail one year and the second half the next year. Other trekkers may wish to trek shorter days and take more than 11 days breaking the trail up into 14 days or whatever works for them. Others choose simply not to hike the whole trail at all and just pick some of the best bits.
The great thing about the Tour du Mont Blanc trail compared to other famous hut to hut treks such as the Alta Via in the Dolomites is that it is very accessible – you can pick up the trail at numerous various points and trek for 3-4 days which is fantastic if you only have a limited number of days. A three, four or five day Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary can still allow you to marvel at some of most incredible views of Mont Blanc.
Below I have various TMB itineraries for you to choose from depending on your fitness, time frame and the number of hours you want to hike per day. We include two family Tour du Mont Blanc itineraries with much shorter stages to help with little legs for families hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc but these can also be used for trekkers who simply want shorter stages. I’ve also include several itineraries for super fit trekkers/fast packers and an itinerary for adventure seekers set on on staying in high mountain huts and of course the full 11 day Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary. There is also a variant TMB itinerary (which as the names suggests follows all the variant trails) and the half tour itineraries too.
These itineraries have been built by myself and can be either trekked completely independently or self guided.
Self guided means you’ll have the stress removed of the notoriously difficult booking of huts, as well as optional extras such as having airport & baggage transfers arranged. You’ll be met in Chamonix for a pre-departure debrief on weather/trail conditions plus you’ll have the reassurances of 24hr emergency assistance on the trail (+ private WhatsApp group during office hours for general queries). For self guided you can book these itineraries direct by clicking through on the red BOOK HERE button.
I work exclusively with Adventure Base to power my itineraries. Adventure Base are based in Chamonix and have a wealth of experience trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc.
ZOOM CONSULTATIONS FOR INDEPENDENT TMB TREKKERS – 2024
Do you want help planning your itinerary for 2024? It’s wise to have your itinerary finalised as soon as you can now for 2024. Most of the refuges are now open to book, of course some are still being tricky like Refuge Lac Blanc and others haven’t yet opened (Croix du Bonhomme due on 11 Dec and Refuge du Col de Balme on 1st March to name a few). Life would be too simple if the TMB huts all opened for reservations on the same day 🙂
To run through an itinerary or just chat about the trek you can book a 60 minute zoom or if you’d like to go through your itinerary day by day and walk through the trail I have an longer 90 minute zoom where I share my screen and you can see your route on an interactive TMB trail map. I will be available most days throughout November and December for zoom sessions. Please book by clicking the button below, selecting which length of zoom session, making payment and then emailing me to arrange a convenient time to chat.
‘Self guided treks’ are a great option if you want to be independent on the trail but want to take the stress out of organising the trek from scratch. The most frustrating element of the Tour du Mont Blanc is undoubtedly booking the refuges! You’ll pay a fraction more than planning the trail completely independently but without the stress of booking the refuges and with the reassurance of having someone on the ground in Chamonix to help in an emergency 24-7 or advice on general questions (office hours) during your trek.
I work exclusively with local company Adventure Base to power my itineraries. We work together closely to ensure that we are providing you with the best possible Tour du Mont Blanc possible. Adventure Base are based in Chamonix and have a wealth of experience trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc. We are now taking bookings for self guided 2024 treks. You can book below by choosing on your ideal itinerary below then clicking on the CLICK NOW FOR 2024 button. If you want to chat with an actual human being before confirming your trip then you can use the book now below button to get an idea of price then email me at mags@tourdumontblanchike.com copying in hello@adventurebase.com to set up a chat to discuss your self guided TMB trek.
WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH ADVENTURE BASE?
- initial route discussion
- detailed itinerary (including GPX files)
- refuges & hotels bookings
- welcome meeting (in person if starting from Chamonix, virtually if starting from another location)
- welcome pack (map & basic first aid kit)
- 24hr in resort contact in case of emergency
- additional support available during daytime hours
EXTRAS
- hiking pole rental
- airport transfer to Chamonix
- bag transfers along the trail
- first & last night accommodation
Tour du Mont Blanc Itineraries
Epic Mont Blanc – a long weekend (2.5-3 days)
dedicated Chamonix TMB stages taking in some of the most spectacular scenery, including Lac Blanc
French-Italian TMB – 4 days
discover the best of the French-Italian TMB
Family friendly – 4.5 days
Some of the most spectacular scenery on the tour. Suitable for families from age 8+
Half TMB tour France – Italy Family friendly – 6 days
First half of the tour from Chamonix to Courmayeur. Perfect for families we’ve cut it into shorter more manageable chunks for little legs. From age 8.
Turbo TMB – 4 days
Fast packing the TMB from Chamonix to Chamonix
Rapid TMB – 6 days
Complete TMB fast packing
7 day TMB
hike the entire TMB in just a week
Adventurous TMB 9 days
this itinerary offers the best high mountain hut experience
9 day TMB Variant
get away from the crowds & experience the route less trodden
Traditional TMB – 11 days
the full circuit taking the traditional 11 days