The Tour du Mont Blanc had been on my list for a while because of its reputation as Europe’s most famous long-distance trek — three countries, 170 kilometres around the Mont Blanc Massif. The kind of route where the sense of accomplishment at the end feels genuinely earned. I wanted to know what that felt like.
What I didn’t want was to take two weeks off work to find out, so I compressed the standard 11-stage route into 7 hiking days. It was long enough to experience the full circuit without skipping anything that mattered, and at the same time short enough to fit around work schedules. This Tour du Mont Blanc 7 day itinerary explains where to shorten stages, where to prioritize your energy, and how to make the most of limited time on one of Europe’s greatest alpine treks.
The TMB doesn’t require technical mountaineering skills. It does require careful preparation, reasonable fitness, and the will to invest days moving through some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in Europe.
Table of Contents
Why the Tour du Mont Blanc?
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is widely considered Europe’s most famous multi-day trek—and the reputation is well deserved.
The trail circles the Mont Blanc massif through France, Italy, and Switzerland, crossing high alpine passes before descending into wide glacial valleys in a rhythm that becomes almost meditative over several days.
One day you’re walking through French alpine meadows, the next beneath towering peaks in the Italian Val Ferret, followed by Swiss pastures dotted with wooden chalets. The landscapes change constantly, yet the presence of Mont Blanc ties the entire circuit together.
What makes the Tour du Mont Blanc particularly appealing is its infrastructure. The network of mountain refuges is extensive, the trail is clearly marked, and the logistics are manageable even for hikers attempting their first long-distance trek.
It’s a rare combination: accessible, yet still wild — challenging, but achievable.
Planning Your Trek
When to Go
The TMB season runs from June to mid-September, but not all months are equal.
June gets you smaller crowds and cooler temperatures, but you’ll likely encounter snow at higher passes. Microspikes might be necessary depending on the snow situation of the year. Some refuges and cable cars are still ramping up for summer.
July and August offer the most stable weather and the warmest temperatures, though there is never any guarantees in the mountains. This is peak season—expect more people on the trail, especially during the last week of August when UTMB brings runners, organizers, and spectators from around the world to Chamonix and Courmayeur.
September sees crowds thin and temperatures cool. Days get shorter, weather becomes less predictable at higher altitudes, and refuges start closing from mid-September onward.
I went in late July. Warm weather, long daylight hours, more reliable conditions. The trade-off was more people on the trail, though it never felt overcrowded except at a few famous viewpoints. If you can, go in July or August. The weather stability matters more than avoiding crowds.
How Long: 7 Days vs. 11 Days
The official route divides into 11 stages, but you don’t have to follow that structure exactly.
I compressed it into 7 hiking days (plus arrival and departure days, which means 9 days total). This setup required only 5 work days off plus weekends. I compressed the itinerary because vacation days are precious, and not all sections of the TMB are equally rewarding. Some stretches are forested or road walks that don’t add much visual value. If a bus or cable car can skip those without sacrificing the experience, I’ll take it.
What I skipped:
Primarily flat sections through forests or along roads where the scenery doesn’t justify the time. I’m not a purist. If a cable car saves 1.5 hours of uninspiring trudge, that’s a win.
What I prioritized:
All the major mountain passes, the best viewpoints, the variants that offer proximity to glaciers and peaks. This itinerary hits every essential highlight. I also wanted to ensure that all daily segments are relatively even.
Could you go faster?
Yes, if you’re very fit and experienced. Compressing below 7 days leaves almost no margin for bad weather or fatigue. We had one challenging weather day, and having buffer in the schedule made it manageable rather than disastrous.
Which direction: clockwise or counter-clockwise
Since the route is a loop trail, you can technically start anywhere on the loop and hike in whichever direction.
There are a lot of comparisons out there in terms of best views or easiest section. The reality is that you are going through the exact same trail and there are bound to be sections where the view unfolds more beautifully in a certain direction.
My answer for first-timer is always do it counter-clockwise, precisely because most people do it that way. So there is a lot of information out there when it comes to daily hike stats and transportation options. This is especially valuable if you have never hiked in the Alps before, and if you are like me, who like to plan things in detail. It was very important for me to gather all the daily stats and transportation options and emergency exit strategies for each day. Therefore I appreciate the wealth of information available for the counter-clockwise route.
It is true that the route feels more “crowded” this way, but yet again you are never overwhelmed. There are just a few more people on the same trail hiking in the same direction.
Fitness Level Required
I’m very comfortable with hiking 5-7 hours per day with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain. I’ve done other multi-day treks, so I know my pace and limitations.
Any single day on this route would make a fine standalone hike. The challenge is doing them consecutively. Your legs accumulate fatigue. Climbs that feel moderate on Day 1 feel harder on Day 6.
Should you train?
Yes. Cardio endurance and leg strength. If possible, do back-to-back hiking days to simulate the cumulative fatigue of multi-day trekking.
This itinerary is doable for most people with reasonable fitness and preparation. But “doable” doesn’t mean easy.
What a Typical Day on the TMB Looks Like
Wake early. Most refuges serve breakfast between 6:00-7:00 AM. Finish eating, pack up, start hiking by 8:00 AM.
By 10:00 AM, you’ve usually reached another refuge for coffee and a snack. By noon, lunch—either at a refuge or picnic with packed lunch.
Arrive at the night’s accommodation around 3:00-4:00 PM, right when check-in opens. This gives you plenty of time to shower, do laundry, stretch and rest before dinner at 6:00 PM. After dinner, rest early so that you will be ready for the next day.
This rhythm—early start, steady pace, early arrival—worked extremely well for me. Arriving with time to spare meant I could actually recover, and enjoy the downtime.
Logistics
Starting Point: Chamonix
The TMB is a loop, so technically you can start anywhere. But the most popular starting point is Chamonix, a well-equipped French ski town easily accessible via Geneva Airport.
Why Chamonix?
- Relatively easy access (bus or shared taxi from Geneva, about 1.5 hours)
- Large town with plenty of shops, restaurants, gear rental, and accommodation
- Starting point for the Aiguille du Midi cable car and other day hikes, hence there is plenty to do before and after the trek if you are staying longer.
Chamonix is also famous in the mountaineering world, so there’s an energy and infrastructure here that makes it an ideal base.
Luggage Storage
Many hotels in Chamonix offer luggage storage as long as you book one night pre-trek and one night post-trek. Some even offer storage for guests staying only one night total—worth asking when you book.
I left my main luggage at the hotel and carried only a 26-liter daypack for the entire 7-day trek. Packing light was essential (more on this in practical information).
Accommodations on the Trail
There are a number of refuges on the trail or adjacent to the trail with a short detour. The most important part of the planning process is picking the right ones for your itinerary. For me I prioritized two things: first, I want the days as evenly spaced as possible, and second, I prefer private rooms over dorms. With these specific criteria in mind I have hand-picked the stays delineated below optimized for a 7-day itinerary.
Booking the refuges is actually the most stressful part of planning the TMB. Most refuges open summer bookings in October the previous year. Popular refuges fill quickly, especially for private rooms.
My booking strategy:
- Book Refuge des Mottets first (for the second night), There are very limited accommodation options nearby, and it sits at a strategic point in the itinerary that makes the following day much more manageable. I booked Mottets the moment reservations opened, then built the rest of my trip around it.
- Book other refuges that are highly popular or with limited private rooms (for example, Walter Bonatti for the fourth night)
- Book remaining nights where there are plenty more options.
If they are sold out:
Don’t panic. There are most likely other alternatives nearby, and also people cancel. The route has transport options and alternative accommodations. Keep checking websites as summer approaches. The key is starting with a clear plan.
Tour du Mont Blanc 7-Day Itinerary
Itinerary at a glance
| Accommodation | Distance | |
| Day 1 | Refuge Nant Borrant (dorm) | 13.3km |
| Day 2 | Refuge des Mottets (private room with private bathroom) | 15.6km |
| Day 3 | Courmayeur (hotel) | 17.7km |
| Day 4 | Rifugio Walter Bonatti (private room with shared bathroom) | 14.9km |
| Day 5 | Relais d’Arpette (private room with private bathroom) | 18.2km |
| Day 6 | Refuge col de Balme (dorm) | 15.2km |
| Day 7 | Chamonix (hotel) | 15.5km |
Day 1: Les Houches to Nant Borrant
Ease into the trek with a manageable first day. Skip the boring forrested climb via cable car, enjoy the first variant route, and position yourself well for Day 2.
Morning: Les Houches to Les Contamines
Take the bus from Chamonix to Les Houches, where you’ll find the official TMB starting arch. Make sure to take a photo to commemorate the moment.
From Les Houches, take the Bellevue cable car up to the starting point. This saves about 1.5 hours and 1,000 meters of elevation gain. The climb through forest isn’t particularly scenic, so the cable car is money well spent. Check the price and opening hours on their official website.
At the top of the cable car, you immediately face a choice: follow the official route or take the variant via Col de Tricot.
I recommend the variant unless weather is poor. I started in light rain, and the variant was still manageable — well-maintained trail, good footing, and the views (even through mist) were worth it. The descent from Col de Tricot is the first challenge of the TMB, as it is a bit steep and the path could be quite slippery if wet.
Morning stop: Chalets de Miage
After descending from Col de Tricot, you will reaching a charming refuge serving excellent wildberry tart. Stop for coffee, a treat, and water refill. The tart is worth it—sweet, tart, perfectly rustic. After a short rest, continue on to Les Contamines.
Lunch: Les Contamines
Les Contamines is a proper town with shops and restaurants. I recommend grabbing lunch here—either a picnic from a supermarket/bakery or a sit-down meal at a restaurant if you want to relax longer.
Afternoon: Les Contamines to Nant Borrant
Many people end Day 1 in Les Contamines (which is the official Stage 1 endpoint). But this makes Day 2 rather long. I pushed on to Nant Borrant, balancing the itinerary better.
Nant Borrant is the first refuge you encounter climbing out of the Les Contamines valley. There’s another refuge further up called La Balme, but after reading reviews, Nant Borrant seemed better rated for comfort and food.
Shortcut option:
The route from Les Contamines to Nant Borrant starts with a flat section along a road. There’s a free shuttle bus from Les Contamines to Notre Dame de la Gorge (where the climb begins). The service isn’t frequent, so time it if possible. Check out the timetable on their official website.
Accommodation: Nant Borrant
Sadly, no private rooms here, it is dorm only. I was in a 10-person dorm, but it was surprisingly comfortable. The room felt cozy rather than cramped. There’s a sink in the room, which helps getting through the morning rush hour.
Dinner and breakfast were good. I ordered a packed lunch for Day 2 because the next day’s lunch options are limited (high mountain refuge with basic food, or a late lunch in Les Chapieux).
Stats:
- Distance: 13.3km
- Elevation gain: 950m
- Elevation loss: 1290m
- Time: 5h 15m (without breaks)
- Transports used: Bellevue cable car from Les Houches; free shuttle bus from Les Contamines to Notre Dame de la Gorge
- Decision: Choose between Col de Tricot and the official route at the top of the Bellevue cable car station
Day 2: Nant Borrant to Mottets
Climb to your first big mountain pass, choose a scenic variant if weather allows, and position yourself well for Day 3.
Morning: Climb to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
All uphill from Nant Borrant. You’ll pass Refuge de la Balme before reaching Col du Bonhomme. But don’t celebrate yet—the actual high point is further up at Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, where you’ll find Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme.
Morning stop: Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme
It’s a simple refuge (it is high in the mountains, therefore limited supplies), but I stopped for mid-morning snacks and hot drinks before continuing. From the col, choose between the official route (descending to Les Chapieux) or the variant via Col des Fours.
I recommend the Col des Fours variant if weather is good. It’s a more natural path to the night’s accommodation—you stay high and follow the ridgeline instead of descending into the valley and climbing back out to Refuge des Mottets.
Lunch: Pick a picnic spot along the route to enjoy your packed lunch, or eat at Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme.
If you’re staying in Les Chapieux (rather than Refuge des Mottets), the official route makes more sense. But I strongly recommend staying at Mottets—it cuts Day 3 shorter and positions you much better for the big day ahead.
Short cut option via Les Chapieux:
If you choose to descend to Les Chapieux but you are staying at Refuge des Mottets, you can choose to take a bus from Les Chapieux to Mottets, but the schedule is quite infrequent and requires precise timing. Check out the price and timetable on their official website.
Les Chapieux:
A tiny settlement (barely a town). Two refuges, almost no other shops. It’s a possible overnight alternative if Mottets is full.
Accommodation: Refuge des Mottets
Mottets is a bottleneck when booking because there are no other accommodation options nearby, the closest ones are in Les Chapieux. The refuge is well-equipped and offers private rooms with private bathrooms (which I booked). This is the refuge to book first when reservations open, as availability is competitive.
Stats:
- Distance: 15.6km
- Elevation gain: 1360m
- Elevation loss: 950m
- Time: 6h 15m (without breaks)
- Transports used: paid shuttle bus from Les Chapieux to Refuge des Mottets
- Decision: choose between Col des Fours and the route via Les Chapieux at the top of Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
Day 3: Mottets to Courmayeur
A long but beautiful day crossing from France into Italy, with the best views of Mont Blanc massif coming after lunch.
Morning: Climb to Col de la Seigne
Start by climbing to Col de la Seigne, which marks the border between France and Italy. Once you summit, in clear weather you’ll see Mont Blanc and the impressive spire of the Aiguille Noire (de Peuterey) on your left and the Vallée de la Lée Blanche before you. Shortly after the col, you descend into Italy and soon reach Rifugio Elisabetta.
Morning Stop at Rifugio Elisabetta. The refuge offers incredible views of a nearby glacier—close enough that you feel like you’re right at its edge. Coffee and snack break here before continuing.
After Elisabetta, the path leads down onto a wide flat plain where an old roman road leads along the bottom of the valley to beautiful Lac Combal, an emerald green lake. In front you’ll see the gorgeous Cabane du Combal.
Lunch at Cabane du Combal: I grabbed lunch here—one of the most well-equipped huts on the route, probably because it’s close to a road. In the official 11 stage itinerary, you would end the day here, but as I mentioned, we are compressing the hike into 7 days and I opted to push on.
Afternoon: The Best Part So Far
You’ve covered a lot of ground by now, but the best part of the day comes after lunch. The route climbs higher and gives you fantastic views of the snow-capped Mont Blanc massif. It’s a strenuous climb up from the Lac Combal up to the ruined buildings of L’Arpe Vielle Superior and onto the highest point of the afternoon. You’re close to the mountains now. Close enough to see details—ridgelines, glaciers, the way light hits the peaks.
Descent to Courmayeur:
Push on until you reach Maison Vielle, I recommend taking the chairlift + cable car down to Courmayeur. The descent is hard on the knees, and the views from the lift are excellent—you can see the whole town spread out below.
Shortcut option (bad weather or exhaustion):
There’s a bus stop near Cabane du Combal that goes straight to Courmayeur. If you’re exhausted and would like to avoid the afternoon climbs, you could opt to take the bus.
Accommodation: Courmayeur
Courmayeur is roughly the midpoint of the TMB and a proper town. I highlight recommend staying at a hotel for maximum comfort. Enjoy a nice hot shower, do laundry, rest properly, and eat incredible Italian food.
I had pizza—the ultimate comfort food after a long day in the mountains. There are plenty of restaurants in town.
Pack lunch for Day 4:
The next day, there isn’t a hut as a lunch spot after the mid-morning snack break. Buy or make a packed lunch in Courmayeur. The town has plenty of supermarkets and bakeries.
Stats:
- Distance: 17.7km
- Elevation gain: 1120m
- Elevation loss: 1040m
- Time: 6h 30m (without breaks)
- Transports options: Bus from Cabane du Combal to Courmayeur (not recommended); chairlift + cable car from Maison Vielle to Courmayeur (recommended and assumed in the above stats)
Day 4: Courmayeur to Walter Bonatti
A steep climb out of Courmayeur, optional high variant for exceptional views, and arrival at the TMB’s most famous refuge.
Morning: Steep Climb to Rifugio Bertone
The climb out of Courmayeur is relentless. Your legs will complain. By the time you reach Rifugio Bertone, you’ll be ready for a well-deserved morning break.
Morning stop: A well-deserved break at Rifugio Bertone after the steep ascent out of Courmayeur.
Now you have a choice to make. The official route follows the contour with mild ups and downs. The variant via Mont de la Saxe climbs higher, then follows a high contour before descending to Walter Bonatti.
I recommend the variant if weather is good. The Mont de la Saxe route climbs above the official trail and then traverses the high ridge for several hours, with the Grandes Jorasses filling the skyline opposite. This is one of the greatest viewpoints on the TMB. The same mountains are visible from lower on the route too, but up here they feel different: closer, more present, the detail of the rock faces and snowfields visible in a way they simply aren’t from lower route. The variant is more strenuous (more climbing), but if you’re feeling strong and weather is good, it’s so worth it.
Lunch: Eat your packed lunch as a picnic.
Afternoon: Arrival at Walter Bonatti
Refuge Walter Bonatti is probably the most famous refuge on the TMB. It’s large, well-equipped, and accessible for day trippers (there’s a bus stop in the valley, and you can reach the refuge with a short hike).
The outdoor terrace offers panoramic mountain views. Even if the refuge itself is busy, the setting is spectacular.
I booked a private room with shared bathroom here (book early—it’s a popular choice).
Alternative: Chalet Val Ferret
If Walter Bonatti is fully booked, you can stay at Chalet Val Ferret further down in the valley. But if you’re doing the high variant and staying lower, the day becomes very long. In that case, consider taking the official route instead.
Stats:
- Distance: 14.9km
- Elevation gain: 1670m
- Elevation loss: 850m
- Time: 6h 30m (without breaks)
- Decision: The official route or the Mont de la Saxe variant at Rifugio Bertone
Day 5: Walter Bonatti to Champex-Lac
A long day on the map, but strategic use of a bus makes it manageable. Cross into Switzerland and stay at a hotel-like hut.
Morning: Gradual Descent to Rifugio Elena
The route descends gradually toward Chalet Val Ferret, From here it’s a gentle up to Refugio Elena with the impressive tongue of the Pré de Bar glacier.
Morning stop: Rifugio Elena. Stop here for snacks before the big push to the col.
After your morning break, climb to Col Grand Ferret, which marks the border between Italy and Switzerland. From here, descend all the way to the Swiss villages of Ferret and then La Fouly.
Lunch: Ferret or La Fouly, where there are several restaurants you can get lunch.
Afternoon: The Shortcut
The route from La Fouly to Champex-Lac follows a tarmac road through rolling pastures, forests, and cute Swiss chalets. It’s pleasant but less dramatic than earlier sections.
I skipped this part by taking the bus from La Fouly to Champex-Lac. Swiss buses are punctual and easy to navigate. I was very happy with this choice, particularly because by the time I descended to La Fouly, it was hot at lower altitude, and walking on pavement wasn’t too appealing.
The connection is straightforward: take bus 272 from La Fouly to Orsières, then transfer to bus 271 to Champex-Lac. Buses run roughly every 60–90 minutes, so make sure to check the latest timetable at tmrsa.ch. The fare is around CHF 6.
Accommodation: Relais d’Arpette
At Champex-Lac, you can stay near the town and lake, or stay at Relais d’Arpette, which is 15 minutes uphill from the bus stop.
I stayed at Relais d’Arpette. It’s positioned perfectly for the Fenetre d’Arpette variant (Day 6’s highlight). The downside: if weather turns bad and you can’t do the variant, you’ll have to hike back down to town to connect to the official route.
Relais d’Arpette operates more like a basic hotel than a mountain hut. We got a private room with private bathroom—the best mountain accommodation on the entire trek. Dinner is buffet-style (eat as much as you want, which I appreciated after some refuges served smaller portions).
You can order a packed lunch for Day 6 if you’re doing Fenetre d’Arpette, since there are no intermediate huts on that route, and the packed lunch could be a helpful late morning refuel.
Stats:
- Distance: 18.2km
- Elevation gain: 910m
- Elevation loss: 1320m
- Time: 6h (without breaks)
- Transport used: Bus from La Fouly to Champex-Lac
Day 6: Champex-Lac to Refuge du Col de Balme
The most strenuous day of the trek, featuring the most challenging variant (Fenetre d’Arpette) and a second mountain pass in the afternoon. Rewarding but exhausting.
Morning: Fenetre d’Arpette Variant
You have two options: the official route via Trient or the variant via Fenetre d’Arpette. The Fenetre d’Arpette is the most challenging section of the Tour du Mont Blanc.
If weather allows and you’re feeling strong, do the variant. It’s challenging but spectacular. You get incredibly close to the Trient Glacier—close enough to see blue ice and hear it creak. At eye level.
The climb:
Relentless. It becomes very steep toward the top and turns into a boulder field. You’ll scramble over large rocks, sometimes using hands for balance. The terrain is exposed—no intermediate huts, no way to bail. Bring plenty of water and snacks. I recommend at least 2-3 liters of water. The rocky terrain lacks shade, and there are no refuges along the route for refills.
Important: Only attempt this in good weather. If there’s rain, snow, or thunderstorms in the forecast, take the official route instead. The variant’s appeal is the views—if visibility is poor, there’s no point at all risking it.
I actually enjoyed the difficult climb. Navigating bigger boulders, the steep scramble—it’s part of the experience. Also the trail is slightly quieter due to the difficulty. At the top, spend time enjoying the view and I ate the packed lunch as my morning snack.
After soaking in the view and cherishing the accomplishment, it is time for the tricky descent, which is loose and gravelly. Scarier than the ascent in some ways because it is the kind of surface that gives slightly underfoot in a way that feels unreliable even when it isn’t. You’ll go slower than you usually do. Plan for roughly two hours to reach the valley floor. Trekking poles are helpful. There is no potable water sources till the bottom of the valley, therefore do make sure you bring plenty when you set out in the morning.
Late Lunch: Buvette du Glacier du Trient At the bottom of the valley, you reach Buvette du Glacier du Trient. Sit-down meal time and a perfect riverside spot for a late lunch. I had blueberry pie by the river, which was exactly what I needed after the morning’s exertion.
Afternoon: Col de la Balme
You might be tired by now, but you’re only two-thirds through the day. The afternoon challenge is ascending to Col de la Balme, which is the border between Switzerland and France.
The climb goes via Refuge Les Grands. It is a much less trodden route and slightly more difficult than the official route. It feels longer and harder than it should, mostly because the morning used up a lot of energy. Push through. As you get close to the Refuge du Col de Balme, there are plenty of marmots cheering you on. You’re almost done.
Accommodation: Refuge du Col de Balme
I got to the refuge later (and more tired) than previous days, arriving at just after 4.30pm. It is a simple refuge with surprisingly good homemade dinner. Dorm-style only (6-8 beds per room) though, all bunk beds.
The refuge isn’t popular for overnight stays. My partner and I had a 6-person dorm to ourselves. Facilities are basic (one shared toilet for 3-4 rooms), but it’s the last night on the trek. Tomorrow, you’ll be back in hotel-style comfort in Chamonix.
Stats:
- Distance: 15.2km
- Elevation gain: 1930m
- Elevation loss: 1360m
- Time: 7h 15m (without breaks)
- Decision: Chose between official route through Trient or the variant through Fenetre d’Arpette
Day 7: Refuge du Col de Balme to Chamonix
The grand finale. One final climb to an iconic viewpoints, and cable car back to Chamonix.
Morning: Descent from Col de Balme
For the first time on the trek, you start with a descent as you return to France.
You get two options though, opt for the official route via Aiguillette des Possettes, or you can choose to take the cable car down. Your choice depends on the weather and also how you feel after Day 6’s exertion. Aiguillette des Possettes offers good views into the Chamonix valley, but I thought it was less striking than Fenetre d’Arpette the previous day and less striking than what you will see in the afternoon.
Morning stop: Once you reach Le Tour, take a short break at one of the huts, before pressing on for the last climb of the trek.
This climb to Lac Blanc is fun with sections of iron ladders bolted into rock. Some people find it intimidating, but it’s fairly doable if you take it slow. No special climbing gears or helmets needed, just careful footing.
The ladders can create a bottleneck (you go one person at a time), so expect some waiting if it’s busy.
Lunch: Refuge Lac Blanc
Lac Blanc is another TMB highlight—a stunning alpine lake with beautiful reflections of the Mont Blanc massif on calm days.
The area is busy with day trippers though. The refuge amenities are limited (sometimes toilets are reserved only for overnight guests, water refill can be limited). But the lake itself is beautiful.
I recommend buying some food at the refuge and sitting by the lake to enjoy the view. Don’t expect a quiet, intimate moment—it can be quite busy—but it’s still worth experiencing.
Afternoon: Cable Car to Chamonix
From Lac Blanc, follow the contour to one of the cable car stations:
- Le Flegere (closest, not much additional climbing)
- L’Index (upper station, slightly more climbing, higher viewpoints)
- Le Brevent (furthest and most climbing)
I chose L’Index—I wanted to see the higher viewpoint, but I was too tired after 7 days to push all the way to Le Brevent.
Take the cable car down into Chamonix. You’ve completed the loop.
Stats:
- Distance: 15.5km
- Elevation gain: 1160m
- Elevation loss: 1480m
- Time: 6h (without breaks)
- Transport options: Cable car from Col de Balme to Le Tour; cable car from L’Index/Le Flegere/Le Brevent to Chamonix
Practical Information
Budget
Approximate costs for 7 days:
- Accommodation (7 nights): €490-735 (€70/night dorm; €85-105/night private room, including breakfast and dinner)
- Packed lunches: €50-70 (€7-10 each)
- Snacks, coffee, extras: €70-100
- Transport (cable cars, buses): €100-150
- Total: ~€900 for 7 days
This is not a luxury trip, but it’s not ultra-budget either. Private rooms add 20-40% to accommodation costs but significantly improve comfort after long hiking days.
Refuges in Switzerland are slightly more expensive than France or Italy, but the difference isn’t too dramatic.
Packing List
I carried a 26-liter daypack for the entire trek. Packing light is essential—your back, shoulders, and knees will thank you. Here is exactly what was in it.
Weather and Decision-Making
Mountain weather changes quickly. Check forecasts the night before and the morning of each day.
I used Meteoblue for forecasts. It’s reliable for mountain conditions.
Weather threshold for variants:
If rain is on the forecast, skip the variant. Don’t push it unless you’re an experienced hiker comfortable with exposure and poor visibility. The merit of high variants is the views. If rain and low visibility are obscuring those views anyway, there’s really no point taking the risk. Take the official route instead. Safety over scenery. Always.
Navigation
The route is generally easy to navigate with plenty of signage, but the variants are less clearly signposted.
I used Gaia GPS to plot routes and track progress each day. The basic version is free with some premium features available for a fee.
Offline maps: Download maps before you start. Cell service is spotty in the mountains.
How I used it: I plotted each day’s route in advance, so I knew exactly where I was going. The app tracks your position in real-time, which is reassuring on complex trail junctions.
Final Thoughts
The TMB is tough. Each day would make a serious standalone hike, and doing them consecutively means the effort compounds: climbs that feel moderate on Day 1 feel harder on Day 5, and rest is something you start to take seriously in a way that’s unfamiliar if you’re not used to multi-day trekking. But it’s manageably tough. The infrastructure is good, the route is well-marked, the refuges give you exactly what you need at the end of each day. It stretches most people without breaking them, and that balance is what makes it such a good entry point for anyone thinking about longer or more demanding multi-day hiking routes.
A 7 day Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary strikes a practical balance. It’s long enough to settle into that rhythm of the trail, yet short enough to fit within a realistic vacation schedule. What I noticed most, in retrospect, was how well I knew my own pace. Each day felt genuinely rewarding without leaving me too depleted to recover overnight.
The success came down to careful planning, preparation, and smart packing. I carried a 26-litre pack and kept the weight down deliberately, and that mattered more than I expected. You are, essentially, wearing the consequences of your packing decisions for seven consecutive days. A heavy pack doesn’t just hurt your shoulders, it changes how you experience the whole trek. When you’re not fighting your kit, you can spend that energy on the mountains instead.
That’s the whole point, really. The TMB isn’t about covering distance or ticking off passes. It’s about spending a week in some of the best alpine scenery in Europe and having enough left in your legs to appreciate it. Plan carefully, pack light, book early, and leave room for the weather to have the last word.
The rest takes care of itself.
Considering more hiking trips in Europe? My guide to hiking the Dolomites covers everything you need to know to enjoy the Italian Alps.
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