EuropeModerateThree countries, alpine refuges, cheese for every meal, glaciers everywhere

Tour du Mont Blanc

Europe's most iconic long-distance hike — done hut-to-hut with a real pillow every night

The TMB circles the Mont Blanc massif through France, Italy and Switzerland. You never carry a tent — you sleep in refuges with dinner, breakfast and a shower. Book huts 6+ months in advance (some open 1 January for July). Anti-clockwise from Les Houches is the classic direction.

Duration
10–11 days
Distance
170 km, 10,000 m ascent
Best months
Late June – mid September
Max altitude
2,665 m (Fenêtre d'Arpette)
Cost
€1,400–2,200 self-guided (refuges half-board, ~€75–90/night). €2,800–4,500 guided package.
Best for
Multi-day first-timers with budget · Foodies · Alps in one trip

Route outline

Day 1: Les Houches → Les Contamines (via Col de Voza)
Day 2: Les Contamines → Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme (biggest ascent day)
Day 3: Croix du Bonhomme → Les Chapieux → Rifugio Elisabetta (into Italy)
Day 4: Elisabetta → Courmayeur (rest half-day, best food of the trek)
Day 5–6: Courmayeur → Rifugio Bonatti → La Fouly (into Switzerland)
Day 7–8: La Fouly → Champex → Trient (Fenêtre d'Arpette high route)
Day 9–10: Trient → Tré-le-Champ → La Flégère → Les Houches finish
Permits & booking

No permit. Refuges book on their own websites — some open reservations January 1 for the following summer. Aim to book by February.

Honest fitness prerequisite

6–8 hours daily walking, 1,000+ m ascent most days. 3–4 months of weekend hikes prior.

Book these before you fly

Trekking insurance MUST cover the max altitude of your route — most standard policies cap at 3,000 m. Airalo eSIM for offline maps and check-ins from the trail.

The honest downside

Refuge snoring is real — bring earplugs. Feet — break in boots for 100 km before you fly. Blisters end 40% of TMBs.

Other treks worth planning

Aviasales, EKTA and Airalo links are affiliate — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Permit rules and prices reviewed for 2026 season.