Tour du Mont Blanc Essentials

Getting Ready for the Trek of a Lifetime

The Tour du Mont Blanc is the most popular trek in Europe. Completing this trek is one of the best feelings in the world! It gives you a sense of accomplishment that not many other endeavors can. We have provided the following materials to help you get informed and prepared for the TMB. We want to make sure that you have the best experience possible and that you are ready to take on this challenge!

We would love to have you join us for this adventure! Take a look at our Tour Calendar to find a trip date that works for you. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Guided or Self-Guided?

Whether you're joining us on one of our guided trips, or plan on doing the Tour du Mont Blanc on a self-guided basis, these materials below will give you the essential understanding you need to make your trip a success. If you are interested in a self-guided trip, take a look at our Sample Self-Guided Itinerary - then let our destination specialist know if and how you would like to customize it. With each self-guided itinerary we will provide you with detailed hiking instructions as well as a guide book to help you along the way. You can also purchase that guide book ahead of time here. Still unsure if a guided or self-guided TMB is for you? Take a look at our article titled, Is a Guided Tour du Mont Blanc or Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc for you?

You can find additional information about our guided Tour du Mont Blanc tours on our website as well as the Itinerary and extra details which list what is included and not included on our guided tour.

What can I expect physically?

The TMB is a strenuous trek and should not be taken lightly. You can expect to hike 6 to 8 hours a day on good trails with some steep ascent and descent averaging 2,500 to 4,200 vertical feet per day at an elevation up to 9,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. Daily mileage ranges from 7 to 12.5 miles, daily vertical ascent ranges from 2325 to 4250 feet, and daily vertical descent ranges from 1745 to 4330 feet. Each day's hike is a committing one. There aren't any roads along the trails that taxis can take to pick you up and take you to your next accommodation. Once you start hiking you have to continue on to your next accommodation or the next village. In the case of emergencies, a rescue helicopter is the only form of transportation that can pick you up and they can be quite expensive.

To have the most enjoyable experience possible on the TMB you need to make sure that you are well prepared. We recommend starting your training no later than 3 months before your trek begins. Practice hikes are going to be the best way to prepare you for this challenge. If you live in a flatter area or closer to sea level without access to practice hikes, then we recommend practicing on any artificial incline that you can. Machines like ellipticals, treadmills, and stair steppers are going to be a huge help!

Time to do Your Homework

Using our expertise of the TMB we have written several articles that you may find helpful as you prepare for your trek. Go ahead and check them out! Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Guided Alpenwild Tour du Mont Blanc

Alpenwild Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc

Alpenwild Tour du Mont Blanc FAQ

Tour du Mont Blanc Terrain

Best TMB Tour

The Tour du Mont Blanc: one of the world's greatest adventures

Tour du Mont Blanc Overview

Tour du Mont Blanc History

Wildlife on the Tour du Mont Blanc: top five species

Alpenwild's Tour du Mont Blanc: Part 1 - Chamonix to Courmayeur

Alpenwild's Tour du Mont Blanc: Part 2 - Courmayeur to Champex Lac

Alpenwild's Tour du Mont Blanc: Part 3 - Champex Lac to Chamonix