Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc in Huts

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Hut to Hut Walking | Walk from hut to hut, changing accommodation each night

Activity Level & Terrain

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a tough trek with considerable ascent and descent on each day. We would suggest that you are an experienced walker who is looking for a challenge. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardio vascular exercise for at least 6 months prior to your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.  The terrain is mountainous, rocky and rough underfoot.

Navigation

The Tour du Mont Blanc is comprehensively way marked at all junctions and by regular paint marks along the trail. We supply you with detailed 1:25 000 IGN maps, a comprehensive guidebook and route notes so you should have absolutely no problem following the route. We also provide you with access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App, which you can use to navigate. We strongly recommend using this App, or at least having it on your phone ready to use should you ever be in any doubt about your direction. You should also polish up on your map and compass skills prior to departing, as weather and visibility can change very quickly in the mountains, and these kinds of skills never go out of fashion!

• 4 Nights in a mix of two and three star hotels on a twin share basis
• 3 Nights in mountain huts/refuges in dormitories
• Daily bag transfer
• 7 Breakfasts
• 5 Dinners (Courmayeur & Chamonix excluded)
• Detailed maps, information pack, route notes, guidebook, GPX tracks and access to our navigation app
• Emergency support and backup from our team.

• Mountain rescue / emergency assistance
• Travel insurance (required)
• Travel to Les Houches and from Chamonix
• Lunches
• Local transfers and ski lifts
• Drinks and snacks
• Personal equipment

• Additional nights before, during or after the walk
• Accommodation upgrade at any point on the trek
• Single room supplement if required.

When To Go

The season for the Tour du Mont Blanc runs from the start of July to mid-September. Please note that public transport in the area in the shoulder month of September is limited. This means that certain 'short cut' options will not be at your disposal during this month. Those hiking in these months should be prepared to walk the full distances each day. In the itinerary description, you will find the daily distances both with and without any possible short cuts.

Numerous gondolas/chairlifts/funiculars stop operating by mid-September. This will affect some of the walks. Please take that into account when booking. 

Furthermore, if you wish to travel in early July you need to BOOK EARLY as this tends to be the most popular time on the trail and books up quickly.

The last weekend of August sees Chamonix hosting the famous Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc race (August 28 to September 3 2023). We recommend avoiding the TMB at this time as the area is extremely busy and most accommodations full. 

Getting to the Start

By Air: Geneva is the best airport for the Chamonix valley.  From here you catch a train if you wish , but the best option is to take a pre-booked shuttle through a company such as Mountain Dropoffs. Your Destination & Adventure Specialist will be happy to book this for you. By Rail: TGV to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet and then catch the Mont Blanc Express service to Les Houches. www.voyages-sncf.com For the return, they are regular trains between Chamonix and St Gervais les Bains Le Fayet. By Road: Highway A40-E25 Mont Blanc-Chamonix, exit Les Houches. More information at www.viamichelin.fr Parking: In Les Houches there is free parking at the Bellevue Cableway station and parking is allowed and free in some surrounding streets close to your hotel. In Chamonix, free parking at the Aiguille du Midi & the parking Planards (Montenvers station).

Getting from the End

From Chamonix, take a pre-booked shuttle such as Mountain Dropoffs back to Geneva airport. Alternatively, if you are travelling elsewhere in France, Chamonix has a train station. Timetables and information can be found at sncf.com

Travel during the walk

In order to focus on the best sections of the TMB you will skip some stages of the walk using public transport and lifts. These are very realiable and easy to catch. We include full details, fares and timetables in your information pack so it couldn’t be easier. You will need to pay for these locally.

Day 2: Optional Telepherique from Les Houches to Bellevue

Day 3: Optional shuttle from Les Contamines to Notre Dame de la Gorge. Optional shuttle from Les Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers

Day 4: Local bus or taxi from la Visaille to Courmayeur

Day 5: Local bus or taxi from Courmayeur to Arnuva; Swiss Postal Bus Ferret - Champex via Orsières.

Day 7: Optional ski lift from Col de La Balme – Le Tour.

Luggage Transfer

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase.  Your booking includes transfer of 1 compact bag per person.  It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

Baggage transfer is included as standard, allowing you to enjoy the trek with just a light day bag on your back. We ask that you limit your baggage to one bag per person with a maximum weight of 15kg per person. Please note that while staying at Refugio Bonatti, your bags cannot be transferred due to the inaccessibility of the accommodation. You will need to carry your overnight things on these days and you will be reunited with your main bag the following day.

If you would prefer not to have bag transfer, and prefer to carry everything on your back as you walk, this can also be arranged. Just ask one of your Destination and Adventure specialists for more information.

General Information

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.