Plan Your Dream Tour du Mont Blanc Hike
Guide on how to prepare for the Tour du Mont Blanc hiking
If you are going on this epic hike, then you have several options - plan and complete the entire route yourself or use the services of various companies and travel agencies that take everything under their control and completely organize your trekking.
The Tour du Mont Blanc trail is very well marked. It’s almost impossible to get lost, only in case of force majeure or bad weather. If you know how to navigate on the trail, know how to use markers, maps and GPS, and also have experience in hiking and knowledge in safety precautions before and during the trek, then I can advise you to trek self guided independently.
This time we decided to plan everything ourselves. We already had quite a lot of experience in planning and going on such hikings, so we had some expertise in this matter.
I was in charge of all the organization and planning in our group, so below I will share my experience, what you need to keep in mind when preparing for a self guided hike.
The Tour du Mont Blanc trail is very well marked. It’s almost impossible to get lost, only in case of force majeure or bad weather. If you know how to navigate on the trail, know how to use markers, maps and GPS, and also have experience in hiking and knowledge in safety precautions before and during the trek, then I can advise you to trek self guided independently.
This time we decided to plan everything ourselves. We already had quite a lot of experience in planning and going on such hikings, so we had some expertise in this matter.
I was in charge of all the organization and planning in our group, so below I will share my experience, what you need to keep in mind when preparing for a self guided hike.
Planning your first Tour du Mont Blanc can be a daunting task, but with the right resources, you can make it a success. To simplify the process, I created a Google doc with all the key details, such as stage distances, difficulty levels, and nearby refuges. Additionally, I researched extensively about the TMB, including watching videos from popular bloggers like Kraig Adams. Check out his inspiring video and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
What is important to know:
The season
The season starts from mid-June and ends in mid-September. It is important to note here that depending on weather conditions, the difficulty of passing the track may vary. For example, sometimes in June it is still cool, and in some areas there may still be snow. If you plan to go early in the summer, don't forget to bring appropriate warm clothing.
Refuges
Although the season starts in summer, you need to take care of accommodation in advance. So already in January-February, be sure to book places in refuges. There are many people who want to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, however the number of accommodation and sleeping places is extremely limited. I booked in mid-February 2022, by which time many places were already fully booked and I had to move the dates of our original plan so that at each stage we had somewhere to sleep.
For booking, I used the official website of the TMB. Here you can check almost all accommodations on the trail, availability, as well as make a reservation and pay deposit.
An exception may be such big villages and towns as Courmayeur or Champex-Lac, here I used the booking.com. Here you can check all varieties of accommodation and availability.
What is important to know:
The season
The season starts from mid-June and ends in mid-September. It is important to note here that depending on weather conditions, the difficulty of passing the track may vary. For example, sometimes in June it is still cool, and in some areas there may still be snow. If you plan to go early in the summer, don't forget to bring appropriate warm clothing.
Refuges
Although the season starts in summer, you need to take care of accommodation in advance. So already in January-February, be sure to book places in refuges. There are many people who want to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, however the number of accommodation and sleeping places is extremely limited. I booked in mid-February 2022, by which time many places were already fully booked and I had to move the dates of our original plan so that at each stage we had somewhere to sleep.
For booking, I used the official website of the TMB. Here you can check almost all accommodations on the trail, availability, as well as make a reservation and pay deposit.
An exception may be such big villages and towns as Courmayeur or Champex-Lac, here I used the booking.com. Here you can check all varieties of accommodation and availability.
Hiking gear
The weather in the mountains is changeable and unpredictable. The bright summer sun can shine in the valley, and on the top of the mountain a cloud with rain and fog will be waiting for you, so it is very important to choose the right hiking gear and be ready for any situations. Here, at the link, I separately talk about what we took with us. Considering that we didn't use the baggage transfer service, our main goal was to take only what was necessary so as not to weigh down our backpacks, but at the same time be ready for any changes in the weather.
Maps
As I already mentioned, the Tour du Mont Blanc is very well organized and marked, but don't take it too lightly. Mountains can be very unpredictable, so it is very important and super highly recommended to thoroughly study the route itself, all climbs and descents, the distance from each stage, locations of all your refuges and accommodations and of course be sure to take maps with you.
To be sure that we won’t get lost anywhere, I made a route in 3 different map apps.
What is most important is to plan your trekking well, prepare in advance and enjoy your trip in the process.
The weather in the mountains is changeable and unpredictable. The bright summer sun can shine in the valley, and on the top of the mountain a cloud with rain and fog will be waiting for you, so it is very important to choose the right hiking gear and be ready for any situations. Here, at the link, I separately talk about what we took with us. Considering that we didn't use the baggage transfer service, our main goal was to take only what was necessary so as not to weigh down our backpacks, but at the same time be ready for any changes in the weather.
Maps
As I already mentioned, the Tour du Mont Blanc is very well organized and marked, but don't take it too lightly. Mountains can be very unpredictable, so it is very important and super highly recommended to thoroughly study the route itself, all climbs and descents, the distance from each stage, locations of all your refuges and accommodations and of course be sure to take maps with you.
To be sure that we won’t get lost anywhere, I made a route in 3 different map apps.
- Google maps. Unfortunately, this is the most unreliable option. For example, Google still doesn't know how to go from Italy to Switzerland and sends you back in a circle via France. That is why I just created a map for myself with all the points of the route for a general understanding of how and where we are going.
- All Trails app. A very convenient app, in my top list: there you can find all stages of the Tour du Mont Blanc, the distance is clearly marked, added alternative routes, comments and feedbacks from those who have passed the track before. In the paid version, you can also download offline maps that work without the Internet and determine your location. It is very useful to follow the course of the day, as well as plan stops and arrivals at refugees before dinner. As an added bonus, if you download the app from my link, the company is committed to plant a tree. A very important and good initiative.
- Gaia GPS app. Another offline application. A little less user friendly than the previous one, but also worthy of note. From the pluses - it works offline without any fee, you can create your own routes, all the tracks are drawn on the map itself as on a regular paper map. Of the minuses - not all stages of the TMB are loaded, if you build a route yourself, then the application will first of all take you along the easiest path - via car road, so you will have to spend a little more time creating your track.
What is most important is to plan your trekking well, prepare in advance and enjoy your trip in the process.
Read these essential the Tour du Mont Blanc Posts
Tour du Mont Blanc stages | A complete guide about each of the 11 stages of the Tour du Mont Blanc
Packing list | Everything you need to know about packing your backpack
20 photos to inspire you to hike | These photos show why you need to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc next summer vacation
I’ve got a wealth of information on Tour du Mont Blanc hike, so if you’re planning on visiting, read the below guides and plan the ultimate adventure!
Tour du Mont Blanc stages | A complete guide about each of the 11 stages of the Tour du Mont Blanc
Packing list | Everything you need to know about packing your backpack
20 photos to inspire you to hike | These photos show why you need to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc next summer vacation
Feel free to contact me
