Classic Walks of Mont Blanc

The routes and footpaths are not technically difficult, but a good fitness level is recommended so you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Many walks can be shortened with mountain transport (payable locally) or skipped altogether.

Before your tour, we recommend walking regularly and incorporating some hilly terrain into your routine. Check the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

Our routes follow wide tracks, paths and sometimes narrower mountain paths, occasionally with steep slopes above and below—as with most Alpine walking, a good head for heights and sure-footedness are required. Cable cars and trains can be used to avoid the steepest ascents and descents, but some steep sections are unavoidable.

Please be aware that earlier in the season, some residual snow may lie in patches, but this will not require any special equipment or skills, walking poles are recommended.

This tour is graded moderate. Within the tour individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is a selection of hand-picked, family-owned hotels, each offering a warm welcome. We'll always try to place you at the hotels listed in your itinerary - if any aren't available, we'll provide an alternative of the same or better standard.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

As this tour is in the mountains, solo walkers should take extra care when out on the trail alone.

Breakfast is included every day. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense, which leaves you free to explore. Purchase a packed lunch from your host, pick up picnic supplies from a local shop or market, or stop at a café en route. In the evening, unwind over dinner somewhere local.

This tour can be started any day of the week between June and September, subject to availability. Bear in mind that some cable cars and buses don't run on every date within this window - alternate walks are available on these days, and your Tour Info includes cable car and bus timetable details. Early season (June) can occasionally be affected by late snow, which may rule out some walks. As with any Alpine hiking tour, check conditions and the local forecast before setting off each day.

Late September tends to be chillier but often sunny, and is a great time to walk with fewer crowds. If you can, avoid travelling over the last weekend of August, when Chamonix hosts the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc race and the area gets extremely busy, with most accommodations fully booked.

As there are only two accommodations on this tour, there's just one luggage transfer included, moving your bag from Chamonix to Courmayeur on your transfer day. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

Some trails are waymarked, mostly using the Tour du Mont Blanc markers.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Getting to the start: Geneva is the best airport for the Chamonix valley. From here, you can catch a train, though the best option is a pre-booked shuttle through a company such as Mountain Dropoffs - your Destination and Adventure Specialist can give you more information. FlixBus is the quickest and most affordable way to get to and from Geneva Airport, though it's known for delays, so allow plenty of time, particularly on your return journey.

By rail, take the TGV to Saint-Gervais-Le-Fayet - check the SNCF website (voyages-sncf.com) for details. For the return, there are regular trains between Chamonix and St Gervais-les-Bains-Le-Fayet.

Getting from the end: once again, the best option is a return flight from Geneva. From Courmayeur, catch a bus to Chamonix via the Mont Blanc tunnel, or take a FlixBus directly to Geneva (around an hour) - these buses can be delayed, so allow enough time. From Chamonix, you can follow the route from Geneva in reverse, or take the pre-booked shuttle.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation