Tour du Mont Blanc & Chamonix Trex

The technical difficulty is low as it is not a climb, but a walk, except for a few lone ladder sections that are pretty straightforward. But still, it is not easy. You need to have proper fitness to hike this many days in a row along with elevation gain. It also goes over wild and uneven terrain, so at least some basic experience with hiking is recommended.

The weather in the mountains is very changeable. Even if it is +25°C in the valley, it much colder on the mountain passes, especially if cloudy and windy. That’s why you should take clothing in layers, along with a windproof and waterproof jacket (could be two), and waterproof trousers (in case of rain). You should also have a separate set of clothes for chilling in the refuges.

Check out our full packing list here.

Even though the views on the Tour du Mont Blanc are scenic and wild, the trail itself never goes more than a day of hiking away from the nearest road or civilization. In case you decide to stop hiking, you can always get to the nearest village or town, and use public transportation to get to your desired destination. If that happens during the hike, we are also here to help you plan this.

Should there be an emergency situation on the trail, you will always have access to the local rescue services on the number 112. We provide more information on that in our self-guided handouts.

The official starting point of the Tour du Mont Blanc is in the village of Les Houches, just south of Chamonix.

Although it's not the only one hikers decide to take, it is the best. The main advantage of that is that you'll always have the view of the Mont Blanc massif in front, and not behind your back. There will also be fewer steep downhills (saving your knees) than otherwise.

The trail is officially divided into 11 stages for 11 days of hiking. However, everyone has their own pace. Some prefer to hike a little more relaxed and leisurely, and some want to go faster. Fastpackers complete it in about a week, while some people decide to hike just a section of it for a few days, exploring the highlights of the trail.

Yes, but it is not recommended if they are too young (younger than 10). Either way, they need to have some previous experience with mountain hiking and know what it takes to complete a full day on the trail.

You should do it as early as possible because the spots at the accommodations along the trail usually run out fast. That means the longer you wait, the fewer options there are.