Planning a European Alps adventure can be challenging — after all, each season offers something unique! In winter, the Alps become a playground for skiers and snowshoers, but in summer, the world-renowned trekking season begins. So if you’re wondering when you should go on the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), you’ll want to find a time slot between mid-June and mid-September.
Why? If you go earlier than June, large amounts of snow remain on the trails and make it dangerous to cross cols. And while the weather is often lovely all the way into October, many lifts and mountains close after the peak season ends.
Here’s a guide that will help you decide which summer month is best for your TMB adventure.
Best time to see alpine flowers on the TMB
Three-quarters of Europe’s vascular plant species grow in the Alps, and around 400 species are endemic to the region. So if you’re interested in botany, you really couldn’t come to a better place!
You can spot alpine flowers from March all the way into October, but spring offers the greatest diversity. From mid-June to mid-July, there is a crossover of the spring plants (which are coming to the end of their flowering cycle) and the summer plants (which are beginning to bloom).
Discover our spring Tour du Mont Blanc trips
Best time for warm weather on the TMB
July and August are the hottest months of the year. In July, the average temperature is between 13 and 26C (55 – 79F). August is slightly cooler with average temperatures of 12-26C (53-79F).
If you prefer hiking in cool weather, then you may find a trip in June or September more comfortable.
Although rainfall average is similar between June and September, mountain weather is incredibly unpredictable. We recommend bringing rain gear at any time of year. See our Alps Trekking Packing List.
Discover our summer Tour du Mont Blanc trips
Best time to beat the crowds on the TMB
Coinciding with European summer holidays, mid-July to mid-August is peak season. If you want to beat the crowds, then hike the TMB between mid-June and mid-July or in September. In peak season, accommodation goes fast, so make sure you plan your trip well ahead (maybe even a year in advance!).
Discover our spring and Autumn Tour du Mont Blanc Trips
An avid climber and environmentalist, Jen’s passion for the mountains and the natural world is contagious. When she’s not guiding, Jennifer spends her free time climbing, skiing, travelling and trying to keep up with her dog on trail runs. Sociable, caring and always smiling, Jen is the perfect guide to keep you laughing and motivated on your journey. She looks forward to meeting you next summer!
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Hi, thank you for all of this useful information on your website.
I have a few questions:
I undertsand the usual season for the TMB is June-September. Would it be too dangerous to pursue in mid-May? I’m assuming this depends on specific snow levels of the season?
Also, would any of the refuses open in mid May, or are they closed until June?
Thanks in advance!
Hello! We (me and wife) are planning to do the TMB this year in the first week of June, self guided, with a mixture of wild camping with 2 or 3 nights in hotels/Rifugees at the main towns.
What do you recommend to bring in the backpack?
Is there any reliable source to follow up the weather condition?
Any other advice?
Ps.: Thanks for all the info provided. They`re really helpful.
Matheus.
My wife and I are looking at the similar time of early June. Here’s my email in case you want to share/exchange information we find in the research phase regarding weather, etc. J . T . hill 94 AT gmail (wrote it weird to avoid spam)
Is it possible to hike there end of September, beginning of October?
Hello Gal, thank you for your question. Unfortunately, it is not, most of the alpine huts have closed for the season by then.
Hi Jen,
Any updates on trail conditions in the first week of June? Ice axe needed or would just crampons be ok?
Thank you!
Hi Keerthi
Thank you for your message.
At the moment it is hard to say as we are still a few weeks away.
Last night it snowed down to 1000m and the weather is much cooler than it was this time last year.
I would pack your ice axe and crampons.
There will undoubtably be snow crossings and it won’t be tracked out at that time of year as almost all the groups don’t start until mid June. So much safer with an axe too =)
Hope that helps!
kind regards
Jen
Hi Jen,
Thank you for the information! It’s been super helpful. A friend and I are planning on doing the TMB in the first week of June this year. As this is before the actual season starts, we are planning on bringing crampons, but I wanted to ask how conditions are looking this year in comparison to previous years in terms of snow!
Hi thanks for your message – I’m glad you found my article useful =)
I would say it’s definately a good idea to bring crampons and an ice axe at that time of year. At the moment it’s still really too early to say how it will be in early June. We’ve had a lot less snow fall this year than last but we just got another big dump a couple of days ago.
A lot will depend on how warm conditions are over the next couple of months. For example, last year we had some of the biggest snow fall in 30 years but a really hot spring meant that trail conditions were better earlier season than they had been in some previous years.
I’d advise you to keep an eye on conditions and contact the guardians of refuges to ask how conditions are before you head up.
I hope that helps! Have a great trip!
Jen
Hi Jen
Nigel and I are keen hikers. Interested in TMB next year (2019) (as I’m turning 60) however we don’t like lots of people. Flexible with dates and keen to have our own room wherever possible. What can you suggest?
Hi Julie
Thanks for your message. The TMB would be a brilliant 60th birthday! If hiking away from the crowds is important for you then I would suggest a late June/early July or September trip. Alpenwild run TMBs all through the year and we stay in hotels where you will be guaranteed your own double bedroom in a 3 to 5 star hotel every night – https://www.alpenwild.com/trip/tour-du-mont-blanc/overview/
Our group sizes are no larger than 12 and we always take a lead guide and an assistant guide. We have transfer drivers that take our luggage to the next hotel each night so you just have to carry a day back. Having transfer drivers also means that we can take a short transfer at the end of some days to avoid having to stay in shared mountain hut accomodation.
Another option would be for you both to do a self guided Tour du Mont Blanc and that way it would just be the two of you on the trip. We would organise the transfers and hotels for you, but you wouldn’t have a guide with you to show you the way and make a pic nic lunch for you each day.
I’ve written an article on the pros and cons of guided vs self guided TMB if you want to have a read – https://alpenwild.com/Alpshiking/is-a-guided-or-self-guided-tour-du-mont-blanc-for-you/
If you have any other questions please feel free to drop me another message
Jen =)
Is it possible to go hiking week 44? We are a group of friends which has a break at that time and are wondering if its possible. Thanks!
Hi Lucas, thanks for your message! If by week 44 you mean the end of October then it is a bit too late in the season I’m afraid! Although it is physically possible to hike the route as the snow does not usuall arrive a bit later, logistically it would be very difficult as most hotels and refuges close at the end of September for the interseason. The latest Tour du mont blanc we ran this year started on 9th September and finished on the 20th September.
I hope that helps!
Jen
Hi Jen,
I’m sending a message to you from Canada. I have a moderate amount of experience hiking/snowshoeing in the winter (many trips in the Adirondack mountain range found in the state of New York in mountains between 4000-5000 feet/around 1,500 meters).
Hiking in snow is not much of a deterrent in our area except for the possibility of avalanches and post holing. If one were to do the loop in April or May, what kind of risks would the snow pose? Are there rivers that may be running under the snow? Rock slides/avalanches from the higher mountains? How do the temperatures in Chamonix differ from those found at the higher elevation of the trail (granted I understand the usual estimate – a few degrees colder for every 300-500 meters, wondering if it follows the same ‘rule’).
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Bill
Hi Bill, thanks for getting in touch.
The issue with hiking so early in the season isn’t so much the walking on snow itself, because if you have crampons and an ice axe and you are experienced then you would be okay. The real danger is avalanche from the slope you are on and danger from slopes above.
There are also some river crossings and many bridges aren’t put in until late in the season. For example this year, some key bridges have only been put in on the tour du mont blanc in the last week.
Also logistically it would be very difficult as some roads will be snowed in and many refuges on the tour don’t open until June.
If you want to go early in the season to avoid the crowds and you are un-guided then I wouldn’t recommend going any earlier than the middle of June.
Guided groups start to leave by mid June which will mean tracks in the snowy parts and people around to ask for advice concerning the state of the trails.
In general temperatures are very pleasant in Chamonix from April but it can be really cold up on the cols even in July. I can’t give you an exact temperature but I generally carry a thin fleece, thin gloves and full water proofs this time of year and in April I would also carry a down jacket.
I hope that helps, please feel free to ask for further clarification
Jen
Awesome, thanks Jen 🙂
After doing two hikes in Iceland’s highlands in the ‘pre-season’ I think I’ll wait for July as recommended. It would be nice to truly enjoy a hike in proper conditions instead of punishing myself and being cold the whole time lol!
Hi all
You may find this recent post useful which I will be keeping updated this summer with trail conditions on the TMB – https://alpenwild.com/Alpshiking/trail-conditions-and-snow-conditions-on-the-tour-du-mont-blanc/
Jen =)
I’m starting the TMB from Les Houches on Friday 22nd June and trying to decide whether or not to pack crampons – any advice? Thank you!
Hi Susanna, sorry for my late reply! I see you are starting your tour today! Lovely weather for it! From what I’ve heard from my guide friends you won’t need crampons as the snow is nice and soft with a big track in the main cols. However, I’d suggest some sturdy boots you can kick steps into the snow if you need to. If you are a little unsteady on the snow then microspikes will make a big difference and they’re much lighter than crampons. Have a wonderful time! Jen
Hi Jen, this is all so helpful. I am arriving on Thursday 21st – have you any updates on trail conditions please, from what you or your fellow guides have seen? Thank you very much! – Susanna
Hi, our trip starts on August 7th and it’s a group trip, do we expect to meet a huge crowd along the way? And what’s the weather at that time? thanks
Hi Andy! Thanks for your message! August is quite a busy time of year but the mid/end of August is generally busier than the start as there are a few ultra marathons taking place. The weather is lovely in August – hot and generally stable with odd afternoon storms so pack for hot weather but be sure to take water proofs! Have a great trip! Jen
Hi – first of all thanks for your constant updates.
We’re doing the TMB right at the end of June – the one leg of the journey that concerns us after reading the latest conditions, is the second day (which would be Friday 29th June) which is Les Contamines to Refuges Des Mottets. This is technically the longest day for us being over 25km.
Do you have any insight into the conditions of this route? I know there are a couple of variations of this day so we’d obviously want to take the safest approach.
Thank you
Hi Adam
Thanks for your message! Glad the updates are helpful! I haven’t been over that way recently sorry so I can’t comment on the conditions right now. The majority of tour operators start mid June so I will hear better updates from my fellow guides in a couple of weeks and will post them up when I have them. I imagine the col du bonhomme and col des fours are still very snowy, but in a months time the trail conditions will be very different and my feeling is that it should be ok.
However, remember to always consider avalanche risk from above. Even if the path is clear, snowy slopes above could threaten your route.
Keep your eye on this post and also on the TMB website for updates – you will start to hear a lot more about route conditions from mid June as guided trips start happening. You will be in good company on the route at the end of June and so there should be lots of guides around to speak to and also refuge wardens. The key is to collect as much information as possible (which it sounds like you’re doing) and err on the side of caution =)
Have an awesome trip!
Jen
Our current plans are to start the TMB June 12. We have crampons and hiking poles. Do you think that this is doable given the amount of snowfall?
Hi Aaron, thanks for your message. Although we had a lot of snow last winter, it does seem to be melting quite well. I haven’t been out on the main trails for the TMB yet, but other guides who I am in touch with have told me that there is still snow on the grand col feret, col de balme and lots of snow at the back of Brevent. Near bovine from col de forclaz there is still snow and so you would need to take care as the path involves a steep snowy traverse. With crampons and poles you should be ok, but it depends a lot on your ability and experience travelling over snow. (Also in two weeks a lot of that could have melted if it warms up again). If you are in any doubt then ask hut guardians before you set out for the day or hire a guide if you are not that confident. It’s always worth bearing in mind any avalanche risk from above, especially in the val ferret.
A really good website to use is this one – http://www.autourdumontblanc.com/en/index.cfm/tmb-trails-conditions.html
It has information on trail conditions along the route and some web cam images to give you an idea of what the trails are looking like.
I hope that helps!
Have fun, it’s an awesome hike!
Jen
Hi Jennifer!
Thank you for this wonderful information. I was hoping to do this trail from June 4-14. Do you think there will be much snow to hike through this year?
Thanks again!
Kels
Hi Kelsey!
Thank you for your message – I have been asked this by Aaron too and so I will copy my reply to him below:
Although we had a lot of snow last winter, it does seem to be melting quite well. I haven’t been out on the main trails for the TMB yet, but other guides who I am in touch with have told me that there is still snow on the grand col feret, col de balme and lots of snow at the back of Brevent. Near bovine from col de forclaz there is still snow and so you would need to take care as the path involves a steep snowy traverse. With crampons and poles you should be ok, but it depends a lot on your ability and experience travelling over snow. If you are in any doubt then ask hut guardians before you set out for the day or hire a guide if you are not that confident. It’s always worth bearing in mind any avalanche risk from above, especially in the val ferret.
A really good website to use is this one – http://www.autourdumontblanc.com/en/index.cfm/tmb-trails-conditions.html
It has information on trail conditions along the route and some web cam images to give you an idea of what the trails are looking like.
I hope that helps!
Have fun, it’s an awesome hike!
Jen
Hi, Can you suggest some guide cum tour operators ? also, what would be the approximate cost?
Hi Disha
Thank you for your message. I work during the summer season for Alpenwild, they are an American trekking company specialising in luxury trekking holidays in the Alps. One of the reasons I chose to work for them is that they are a really friendly company and their standard of accomodation is the best you will find on the Tour du Mont Blanc or other famous alpine treks. If you want to find out more about their trips then here is the link:
https://www.alpenwild.com/trip/tour-du-mont-blanc/overview/
I hope that helps
Jen
Hey I’m hiking the TMB in mid June of this year. Do you think enough of the snow will have melted to make it safe to cross cols?
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for your message. Aaron and Kelsey have asked the same and so I hope you don’t me copying my reply to them below:
Although we had a lot of snow last winter, it does seem to be melting quite well and if it warms up over the next couple of weeks we will see a lot more melt. I haven’t been out on the main trails for the TMB yet, but other guides who I am in touch with have told me that there is still snow on the grand col feret, col de balme and lots of snow at the back of Brevent. Near bovine from col de forclaz there is still snow and so you would need to take care as the path involves a steep snowy traverse. With crampons and poles you should be ok, but it depends a lot on your ability and experience travelling over snow. (Also in two weeks a lot of that could have melted if it warms up again). If you are in any doubt then ask hut guardians before you set out for the day or hire a guide if you are not that confident. It’s always worth bearing in mind any avalanche risk from above, especially in the val ferret.
A really good website to use is this one – http://www.autourdumontblanc.com/en/index.cfm/tmb-trails-conditions.html
It has information on trail conditions along the route and some web cam images to give you an idea of what the trails are looking like.
I hope that helps!
Have fun, it’s an awesome hike!
Jen
Hi Thomas, thanks for your message. As we had quite a snowy winter I expect there will be visible snow on the mountain in mid July and some short sections of snow to walk across. We are having a very warm spring so far though so a lot of the snow is melting very fast and I don’t expect snow will cause a problem with walking on the trails in mid July. I hope that helps! Jen
Hi just wondering if there will be visible snow on the mountain in mid July?
Hi Brenda! Our trip in September with the cold weather was right at the end of the month and it was very unusual weather for that time of year! Infact the lead guide, Chloe commented it was some of the worst weather she had hiked in all her years as a guide in the Alps!
We can’t guarantee the weather (especially in the moutains!) but generally the start of September is a really nice time to head out. It’s much quieter than in the middle of summer and the temperature is very pleasant and similar to June.
There won’t be as many flowers in September as the start of summer and so it depends if your priority is seeing more flora or hiking with less people on the trails.
I hope that helps!
Let me know if you have any other questions =)
Jen
Ok… i’m A little worried…
I just saw the snow and cold weather from the Sept. 2017 photo!
I get lots of snow and cold here in Ottawa, Canada, but as hoping for green fields, flowers and some wildlife. I was thinking about going on a guided tour September. 3-15, 2018. Should I be reconsidering?????
Would a Mid or end of June start be better?
We did TMB last year 2017 starting sept 6 and started in shorts and ended with snow, sleet, rain. Midway became very cold. Some huts had closed for the season and one day rained the entire day with no hut to retreat to.
Hi Trisha, it sounds like you had a very similar experience to my last tour du mont blanc of the season last year! We had snow on a couple of days and lots of rain. However – fast forward to the same time of year this year (Sept 9 to Sept 20) and we had incredible weather! Sun every day and only an hour of rain one day! So it really does depend on the year!
Jen