Tour du Mont Blanc

Thinking of walking the Tour du Mont Blanc? There is a lot to think about and sometimes it is difficult to know where to start. 

Luckily it is Macs Adventure to the rescue! Simply download our Free 15-page Tour du Mont Blanc guide from the link below to read on your phone, tablet or good old printed page.  

Download your Free Tour du Mont Blanc Guide

Macs Adventure has been running self guided walking adventures on the Tour du Mont Blanc since 2010. After walking the TMB we quickly realised how amazing it would be to put this trip together for our customers, but the only companies running trips were all guided groups.  After much hard work, local visits and logistical craziness, we put together a series of Macs Adventure trips which we could be proud of.  There are a few others doing self guided on the Tour du Mont Blanc now, but Macs Adventure were the originals!

We now send over 1000 walkers out to the Tour du Mont Blanc every year, and we have over 200 reviews of the trip to prove how much they enjoyed it. We provide the freedom to choose your route, itinerary and travel companions and to take the Tour du Mont Blanc at your own pace as you pass through dramatic scenery and alpine towns like Chamonix, Courmayeur, Champex. 

We know how daunting it can be, setting off on an adventure in the Alps and we quickly realised how important it was to have amazing partners on the ground in France to deal with any issues that you might come across.  We are proud to say that our French team are outstanding and should you have the slightest issue, they will fall over themselves to help you out. 

We offer a flexible, tailor-made Tour du Mont Blanc experience that gets you in comfortable, friendly overnight accommodation in local B&Bs, guesthouses and mountain huts, depending on the level of comfort you choose. We carry your bags to lighten your load where we can, so you can concentrate on simply putting one foot in front of the other and enjoying the unique culture, food and outstanding scenery of this Alpine wonderland.  You can book with confidence that we have it all covered for you. 

We want to showcase our expertise, by giving you all the resources you will ever need.  In the planning stage, we have free guides, comprehensive videos and a host of staff with their own TMB experience, waiting to answer your questions. On the route, we use high-quality digital mapping as well as the best maps and guidebooks to make sure you find your way.  

We love the Tour du Mont Blanc and our main aim is to make sure that you do too.  

The Tour du Mont Blanc, what's in a name? The main confusion with the name of this epic hike is the fact that you do not climb or walk on Mont Blanc. The mountain itself is a pretty hostile environment and generally better left for those of us with extensive mountaineering experience. The Tour du Mont Blanc takes in the area surrounding the mountain, the cols and valleys that ring the Mont Blanc massif. 

How long is the Tour du Mont Blanc? The complete route is around 170km. We recommend taking ten days to walk the route, but if you do not have that length of time, we offer highlight packages, walking the classic sections and also a more relaxed version if you want to take a little more time to do it. Whatever your ability or desire, Macs Adventure can sort out the TMB that is perfect for you. 

The time of year is all-important.  The route is at a higher altitude, so snow is an issue.  We only operate the trip between July and mid-September and keep a constant eye on the conditions so that we can get our customers out walking as soon as it is safe to do so. It is advisable not to book your trip too close to these dates for fear that the snow may be an issue. 

How high does the Tour du Mont Blanc go?  The highest point on the route is the Grand Col Ferret, which is 2,532m in height. There are two optional routes that take you as high as 2,665m, the Fenetre d'Arpette and the Col du Fours. All together on the trip, you will gain around 10,600m which is a good bit higher than Mt Everest. However, don't let this put you off, it is a lot more straightforward, much safer and more fun than climbing Mt Everest.  

Aguille du Midi Cable Car - Although you will be spoiled for great views as you walk around the Mont Blanc Massif, if you have the time in Chamonix, it is a great idea to take the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi. At just under 4,000m it has some of the best views of Mont Blanc and for once you won't have to climb to get them!

Take some highlighter pens - We provide some great maps for the Tour du Mont Blanc and there is nothing better than sitting over a glass of wine the evening before and marking out your route. While it is great fun, it is also a good way to decide which routes you are going to attempt. 

Breakfast in Hotel Bouton d'Or - Everybody falls in love with the breakfast served in the Hotel Bouton d'Or in Courmayeur. There is a vast range of homemade cakes, pastries and jams all complimented by the best in locally sourced bread, dairy and meats. A real treat and a super-friendly family who run the hotel make it even more special. 

Walking Poles - There is a lot of chat about the pros and cons of walking poles, but on the Tour du Mont Blanc they are verging on an essential piece of kit.  The nature of the trip is that you climb and descend every day.  This is where poles come into their own, providing extra stability on these gradients, taking the pressure off the ankles. 

Sample the local fare - Cheese, mushrooms and cured meat are the staples in the Haute-Savoie area and you will come across these on every menu in every restaurant. They are all of a very high standard and we would definitely recommend having at least one Raclette, Tartiflette or Fondue while you are on the trip. There is something about the comfort and heartiness of melted cheese that goes well with walking in the Alps. 

Learn the language - While it is not essential to be fluent in French or Italian to take the trip, it always makes a trip more immersive when you can converse with the locals. While many people will speak English, knowing the pleasantries is helpful. We have compiled a list of useful phrases for walking the TMB on our blog.