Introduction: TMB Tips
Le Tour du Mont Blanc is 170km trail that goes though France, Italy, and Switzerland and one of the most spectacular trails in the world. It is made of 11 stages and over 10 variants, that can be chosen by hikers along the way. Its route passes in beautiful valley, adorable hamlets, charming landscapes, rugged mountains, crystal clear rivers and white snow.
Here is our full TMB tips list, read our full Half TMB guide to help you.
Table of Contents
TMB Tips 1: Yes, there are accommodations around the trail. Refuge/Shelter/hut, Camping/Bivouac and hotels are available on the trail. As the trail passes through villages and towns, you will often have more then one options. But while in the mountains, the option will drop to the Refuge/Shelter
Can we camp all the TMB?
TMB Tips 2: In fact, yes you can. But you will be looking at some really though day and will have to give up on some of the variants of the TMB. For a better experience, we would recommend a mix of camping, refuge, and hotel.
The major problem will be in Italy where there is not camping spots near the trail. At this stage, most of hikers give up on camping and enjoy the comfort of a mountain refuge and a good hotel night in town.
What about the food?
TMB Tips 3: As the TMB passes through many villages and towns, you will be able to resupply every couple of days. And there will be refuge all along where you can always stop. In fact, most of the refuge offers breakfast, dinner, and lunch boxes. Some of them even often lunch at their restaurants.
Is the TMB for me?
TMB Tips 5: Do you love mountains? Walking? Hiking? Then yes, it is for you. Along the trail we met people from all generations. Also, you can take it easy as there is not obligation to do it in a certain time.
If you are not sure, you can also do half of it. Read our full guide about this ½ TMB.
What free advice would you give?
TMB Tips 6: Take your time along the trail. Make lots of break to enjoy this wild nature around you, it is worth every second.
Lots of hikers are fast on the trail in order to be able to rest more at the end of the day. But taking it easy, making more break along the day will also rest you. And on top of everything, you will be spending more time outside in the Alps.
Do I need a guide, or can it be done self-guided?
TMB Tips 8: The trail is well marked for most of it. The original TMB has lots of sign, the variants have less but you can always find your way.
A map could be useful but not mandatory. Here is our interactive map of ½ TMB
Will I need crampons?
TMB Tips 12: In general, you won’t need it. Mid-June, some parts of the trail might still be covered in snow but those would be mostly variants of the TMB that can be more technical. A friend of us, hiked at this time and the Col des fours variant was fine to use as long as you are careful.
But if you feel better with Crampons, you could bring them, there are not an especially heavy gear.
Get our full map
Get our complete map of the TMB for yourself to use online, offline with all trails, routes, water points, camping spots, refuges and so on….
“When everything feels like an uphill struggle, Just think of the view from the top.”
