Interactive hiking guide
Tour du Mont Blanc
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of Europe’s most iconic long-distance hikes, circling the majestic Mont Blanc massif through France, Italy and Switzerland. Typically completed in 7 to 11 days, the route traverses high mountain passes, lush valleys and picturesque alpine villages. The hike can be done both clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. This guide provides a detailed TMB route map, showing a 9-day hiking itinerary in a counterclockwise direction, perfect for planning your adventure through the Alps.
The hike doesn't require technical skills but you need to be physically prepared to tackle those 164km with a daily elevation gain of more than 1000 meters. Since it's a circular route you could start from any country but the most common starting point is Les Houches in France.
The trail is very diverse, not only in its scenery but also in its culture. Along the way, you'll see a blend of French, Italian, and Swiss influences in everything from architecture to cuisine. Along the route you can find rustic mountain huts high up in the mountains and comfortable hotels down in the valleys. Camping is also possible but wild camping is highly restricted.
Three countries - one emblematic peak.
- LocationFrance, Italy, Switzerland
- Hard
- Distance164km
- Stages9 days
- Elevation Gain 10200m
- Elevation Loss 10200m
The Elevation Profile
Total Distance
-km
Elevation Gain
m
Elevation Loss
m
Max Elevation
m
Min Elevation
m
- Stage
- Point of interest
The route map
Frequently asked questions
How to get there
Since it's a circular route, you could start the hike anywhere. The most common starting point is Les Houches (close to Chamonix) and it's easily accessible with public transport. The closest airport is Geneva Airport in Switzerland. From the airport you can take a shuttle bus straight to Chamonix. For example Easybus offers one way tickets starting from €17 and the travel time is 1 hour and 15min.
On the Italian side Courmayer is a good starting point and it's accessible by bus. In Switzerland Orsières is connected by train and the town is just below Champex.
Water & Food
Finding water was easy, you can refill at the refugios and in the villages you'd find water fountains. I didn't need to collect water from any natural sources (rivers).
Food is also easy to find. Most of the refugios offer some snacks for people passing through and you can find small grocery stores in Les Contamines-Montjoie, Chapieux, Courmayer, La Fouly, Champex and Argentière. The same towns also have at least a bakery or a restaurant. The refugios offer half boards (with dinner and breakfast included) and most of them can prepare a picnic lunch to take away. For me the French refugios had the best food.
Accommodation
The route is connected with many mountain huts (refugios) and hotels. You'll pass through little towns where there are many hotel options to choose from. Campgrounds are not so common but you can find a few of them. The problem is that some of them are not on the route so you'd have to do a detour to get there.
Wild camping
Wild camping is very restricted but there are some campsites along the way. On the French side close to Refugio Nant Borrant, Refugio Balme, Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme and Refuge de la Flégère bivouacing from sunset to sunrise are tolerated.
When to go
The summer hiking season would be from end of June to mid-September. Depending on the snowfall there might be snow in the mountain passes still in early July. I completed the hike in mid July.
Money
Most refugios accept cards but you can't always rely on the reception so you should carry cash. Euros for France and Italy and Swiss francs for Switzerland.