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Tips For Hiking The Tour Du Mont Blanc As A Family

Europe


Tips For Hiking The Tour Du Mont Blanc

About The Tour Du Mont Blanc

The Tour Du Mont Blanc (TMB) is considered a rite of passage for many alpine enthusiasts. The classic trail climbs above 2,500 meters five times, totaling somewhere around 30,000 feet of total elevation gain as it circumnavigates Mount Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. Passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland, the incredible 10ish-day circuit linking these three Alpine countries has been beckoning hikers and climbers for centuries. Each section of trail is comprised of a serious uphill slog, almost always immediately followed by an equally relentless descent. It’s not easy, but if the views alone aren’t enough to keep you motivated, the food definitely will!


Wild flowers along the Tour Du Mont Blanc.
Wild flowers along the Tour Du Mont Blanc.

Completing the Tour Du Mont Blanc (TMB) as a family wasn’t a new idea. My family had been tossing it around for years – long before I began traveling for a living. But just when it looked like it might become a reality, an unexpected heart attack (dad), wedding (brother), and career change (me), had derailed our plans. Now almost five years later, what started as a two generation family trip, had become three generations with the addition of my 10 month old nephew. If I’m being completely honest, when my nephew was born, I figured that was the final nail in the TMB coffin. We would probably never take another family vacation – at least not one that didn’t involve some sort of all-inclusive Disney resort (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).

Now that there was an infant in tow, I simply couldn’t imagine taking the type of adventure based trip that had always been the hallmark of our family vacations. And I wasn’t the only one. My friends with kids baulked at the idea, and even on the trail we received more than a couple questioning glances. But where there’s a will there’s a way, and in July our motley crew converged in Chamonix to begin the classic trek around the famed Massif.

There were ups and downs—mostly a lot of up—and it was hands down one of the most memorable and rewarding trips we’ve ever taken together. The long stretches of trail brought us closer together in that special way only shared challenges and fresh air can. I learned a lot on the TMB about myself, the importance of carving out quality time with the people you love, and the joy that comes with introducing a new generation to the outdoors.

I also learned a thing or two about planning a family trip to the TMB.

And I hope the following tricks and tips will make the thought of a long distance family trek a little less intimidating! There’s nothing quite like trail time to bring everyone together.

Ten Tips For Trekking the Tour Du Mont Blanc


Waiting for the cable car to take us back down into Chamonix on the last day of the trek.
Waiting for the cable car to take us back down into Chamonix on the last day of the trek.

1. Don’t Underestimate the Difficulty of the Tour Du Mont Blanc

Perhaps it’s the popularity of the trail, or maybe it’s the relative accessibility, but for whatever reason, none of us anticipated the physical challenge that the TMB presented. The distance itself isn’t too challenging, but the elevation gain can be deceiving. On paper, it doesn’t look too bad. In reality you’re climbing hundreds of meters through a new pass each day, and then losing all that elevation on the way down. Days are long, and if you’re traveling with kids, they’ll need to be small enough to carry, or strong enough to complete each segment of the trail on their own.


One of my favorite sections of the Tour Du Mont Blanc.
One of my favorite sections of the Tour Du Mont Blanc.

2. Do a few hikes together leading up to the Tour Du Mont Blanc

Not all hikers are created the same. Some are slow and steady. Some like to cruise along with frequent breaks. Others are just plain fast. In a family spanning multiple generations and personality types, you’re likely to have a mix. Knowing how everyone hikes together by doing a few hikes before the TMB will help set realistic expectations for your trip. You may find that breaking up into groups, or even starting the trail at different times each day makes more sense than trying to force everyone to hike the entire way together.

3. Take daily walks with the child carrier 

If you are planning on carrying any kidos, make sure they’re used to the carrier prior to the trip. If your kid is anything like my nephew, they weren’t born loving the idea of being constrained to a small space for hours on end. The best way to combat this is to make sure that you’ve clocked plenty of time with your little ones in the carrier before the big trek. By the time we landed in Switzerland, my nephew loved the Osprey Poco, and was more than content watching the world pass by from his home on my brother’s back!


My nephew settling into trail life!
My nephew settling into trail life!

4. Test out all your gear before the Tour Du Mont Blanc

Babies aren’t the only ones in the family that should test out their gear prior to the TMB. Putting some miles on your gear before any big hike is a good rule of thumb under any circumstance, but when you’re traveling as a group, or with small children, it’s particularly important. It’s a long trail, and there is nothing that can put a damper on a trip like ill-fitting shoes, or a backpack that rubs in all the wrong places. Simply trying on new gear in the store won’t reveal these potential pitfalls – you need to break them in. Otherwise they’ll distract you from the more important things on the trail – like family.  If you are considering the TMB, this probably isn’t your first hiking rodeo, but sometimes even seasoned trekkers succumb to the pitfalls of purchasing new gear right before a big trip.


The Tour du Mont Blanc.

5. Use A Self Guided Tour Operator 

There are a number of ways to go about the TMB, from backpacking, to fully supported and guided tours. As fairly seasoned travelers, my family felt confident we’d be able to arrange all the particulars for the trip independently. But after weeks of struggling with the time difference, language barriers, and apparent lack of lodging that could accommodate the entire family (including an infant), we broke down and contacted a self-guided tour operator. I regret we didn’t do so sooner!

A self-guided tour is not a guided tour. You won’t be part of a group, and you won’t have a guide. Instead, you’ll be provided route information, pre-booked accommodations, and insightful travel logistics, so that all you need to do is get from point A to point B each day, at your own pace(s). It’s the perfect option for anyone trying to maintain the illusion of independent travel, without having to deal with any of the stressful details – which can really add up when you have a large group.

Mont Blanc Treks organized our trek for us, and I have also heard good things about Macs Adventure.


The Tour du Mont Blanc.

6. Stay In Hotels Rather Than Huts 

One of the main decisions you have to make, even if you’re self-guided, is whether you want to stay in the mountain huts or the small accommodations down in the valleys, or a mix. Most of the mountain huts have dorm-like sleeping setups, and the thought of imposing a 10-month old on a room full of tired hikers was enough to make this an easy decision for us. Opting to stay in more traditional accommodations (which on this trip means quaint little family run hotels), ensures a nice bed, private bathroom, and real food each night.

The downside is more elevation gain and loss each day starting from the valley floors as opposed to up on the mountains. Nevertheless, with a baby on board, we all felt some predictability and privacy was desirable not only for us, but for everyone else. If I were to do the trek again with adults, and there was room available I would definitely try and stay in a few of the huts though!


Stopping for lunch at a refugio along the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Stopping for lunch at a refugio along the Tour du Mont Blanc.


I was planning on continuing my travels through Europe after completing the Tour du Mont Blanc with my family. Luckily we were able to arrange to have our luggage shuttled between a few of the towns we knew we would be stopping at, so I didn’t have to carry all my belonging on the trail.
I was planning on continuing my travels through Europe after completing the Tour du Mont Blanc with my family. Luckily we were able to arrange to have our luggage shuttled between a few of the towns we knew we would be stopping at, so I didn’t have to carry all my belonging on the trail.

7. Bring a Day Pack For the Trail & A Separate Bag To Shuttle Between Destinations Along The Tour Du Mont Blanc

With all the elevation gain and loss on the TMB a heavy pack will take its toll, especially if you’re already carrying kids. The best way to combat this is to NOT carry a heavy pack! One benefit of hiking a trail that starts and ends in civilization each day is that there are numerous companies you can hire to transport luggage from accommodation to accommodation. Some towns are too remote for a bag drop off, but if you love the mountains then you’re no stranger to going a day or two without a change of clothes. We each carried an Osprey pack with the essentials for weather changes, etc, but everything else—clean clothes, extra diapers, unnecessary gear—we stored in a duffle that was shuttled between accommodations for us. Even if you opt to stay in huts a few of the nights, this is a great option!


Tour du Mont Blanc

8. Plan on Eating Lunch at the Mountain Huts On The Tour Du Mont Blanc

Eating at the mountain huts along the TMB is an experience not to be missed! The food is delicious, and the settings are unmatched. The first couple days of the trek we packed lunches, but that was quickly abandoned once we realized we weren’t eating them. Dining at the huts will not only save weight in your pack, it’s a great way to get a taste of the mountain hut culture – even if it’s just for an hour or two.


Another delicious lunch along the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Another delicious lunch along the Tour du Mont Blanc.

9. Bring Favorite Trail Snacks From Home 

If you have a favorite trail snack or treat, bring it with you! The food is awesome, so there’s no need to worry about starving – unless you hate carbs and cheese. But it can still be nice to have a little taste of home every once in a while, especially when you’re working hard on those uphill slogs. Plus, not every toddler is down for a Charcuterie plate at lunch!


There’s no shortage of epic places to stop for a snack along the Tour du Mont Blanc!
There’s no shortage of epic places to stop for a snack along the Tour du Mont Blanc!

10. Schedule one or two rest days into your Tour Du Mont Blanc itinerary

You can walk the TMB in as few as 8 days, but I’d suggest scheduling one or two rest days into your itinerary. It’s a lot of hiking, and even if you’ve trained for the distance, it’s likely that at least one person in your family will be feeling the effects of over exertion at some point. Slowing down a little and giving your body a rest can make a world of difference. What’s more, it’s a beautiful area of the world to explore! We stayed in a number of villages and towns along the trial that I would have loved to spend more time in.

It’s hard to carve out quality time with the people we love. Even when my family is physically together, all the distractions of modern life often keep us from appreciating each others company as much as we should. The TMB gave us a much needed respite from all the noise that accompanies our day to day realities. In many ways it was a throw back to a time when travel, food, and conversation were all a little bit slower. We may have started the trail feeling a bit scattered and unsure of the path ahead, but we left understanding that sometimes you have to disconnect to reconnect to the things that really matter.


Tour du Mont Blanc

Basic Tour Du Mont Blanc Itinerary


Tour+Du+Mont+Blanc+Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival in Chamonix

DAY 2: Chamonix to Les Houches

Distance: 13km; Elevation Gain: +700m, Descent: -1500m

DAY 3: Les Houches to Les Contamines

Distance via Col du Tricot: 13km; Elevation Gain: +800m, Descent: -1300m (using the cable car)

DAY 4: Contamines to Refuge Nova

Distance: 16km; Elevation Gain: +1250m, Descent: -950m

DAY 5: Refuge Nova to Courmayeur

Distance: 20km; Elevation Gain: 1100m, Descent: -700 (using shuttle bus from Chapieux to Ville des Glaciers)

DAY 6: Courmayeur to Lavachey. descend to the Val Ferret and take the shuttle back to Courmayeur.

Distance: 17km; Elevation Gain: 750m, Descent: -100m

DAY 7: Courmayeur to La Fouly (begin by taking shuttle back to Lavachey)

Distance: 20km; Elevation Gain: +900m, Descent: -1400m

DAY 8: La Fouly to Champex-Lac

Distance: 15km; Elevation Gain: +450m, Descent: -570m

DAY 9: Champex-Lac to Trient (via Bovine). You can also cover this ground via the more difficult, but arguably more scenic Fenetre d’Arpette. The Fenetre d’Arpette was still covered in snow when we were there (early July).

Distance: 18km; Elevation Gain: +750m, Descent: -950m

DAY 10: Trient to Argentiere via Col du Balme

Distance: 13km; Elevation Gain: +900m, Descent: -900m

DAY 11: Argentiere to Chamonix (CONGRATS! You Finished The Tour Du Mont Blanc!)

Distance: 14km; Elevation Gain: +1200m, Descent: -500m

For more detailed itinerary information I would highly suggest picking up a copy of “The Tour of Mont Blanc: Complete Two-way Trekking Guid” by Kev Reynolds. This is the definitive guide for trekking the TMB, and pretty much everyone carries a copy in their pack!


Tour Du Mont Blanc

What To Pack for The Tour Du Mont Blanc

Day Pack

Ospreys Sirrus 36L Backpack is my favorite pack for long day hikes, or even quick overnights. It’s not the lightest pack I own, but I find that with the support it offers—including padded waist straps—it’s much more comfortable than a lot of ultralight day packs. Even its little sister the Sirrus 24L Backpack – which I also use all the time, comes with all the bells and whistles. It’s nice to have the integrated rain cover as well!

Child Carrier

We used the Osprey Packs Poco AG 20L Kid Carrier for this trip and really liked it. Osprey’s pack expertise is woven through the Pogo’s construction, so the owner can expect many years of reliable use. The pack was very adjustable and comfortable for extended periods.

Base Layer

Patagonia Glorya Tank Top is a great base layer and staple in my travel wardrobe. Super lightweight, it wicks away sweat like athletic apparel, but looks normal with a pair of jeans too.

Smartwool’s Merino 250 1/4-Zip Top is one of my favorite long sleeve base layers for chillier weather. And another item that I rarely leave home without.

Sun Protection

You’d be hard pressed to find a more comfortable piece of clothing than Mountain Hardwear’s Crater Lake Long-Sleeve Hoody. It can be warn next to skin, or over a base layer and will protect you not only from light precipitation, and breeze, but also sun exposure. Comes in Mens and Womens.

Mid-Layer

The Power Houdi Fleece Jacket is hands down the best hoodie I’ve ever owned – and I’ve owned a lot. I honestly don’t even know how to describe the fabric. It’s soft, warm, stretchy, and… squishy? Regardless, it’s really comfortable, and flattering too! Plus, Houdini has set the bar for what it means to be sustainable fashion in the outdoor industry, so you can feel good about wearing your hoodie while you enjoy nature.

Insulated Layer

It’s hard to beat the warmth to weight ratio on Patagonia’s Micro Puff Hooded Insulated Jacket. One of my favorite warm layers for travel because it packs down to almost nothing. I don’t own the hooded version, but if I could go back and do it again I would probably opt for that.

Rain Gear

The Rab Kinetic Alpine Pant is not the plastic feeling oversized rain pants that you’re used to. The fabric is so comfortable and versatile that you might just find yourself using them as your go-to hiking pant – with or without the rain. Same goes for their rain jacket! The Rab Kinetic Plus Hooded Jacket is so soft and flexible I seriously doubted it’s ability to keep me dry. But after a few long hikes in the Pacific Northwest I was sold.

Pants

The Arc’teryx Oriel Legging is designed to keep you comfortable and be durable enough to withstand both urban adventures and long days spend up in the mountains. But my favorite feature are the streamlines cargo pockets on each side to hold your small accessories while you hike.

Shorts

I almost never wear shorts. I like the compression that leggings offer, and the added protection from the elements. But days on the TMB are long, and there was no avoiding the mid-day heat so I was glad that I threw in a pair of shorts at the last minute. I dig the throwback style of The North Face Class V 2.0 Hike Short, and they are comfortable too!

Socks

Few things feel better than a fresh pair of socks at the end of a long day of hiking. The awesome thing about marino socks, is they feel fresh day, after day, after day! Merino fibers naturally resist odor during extended use, while also providing superior breathability and softness. I own a few pairs of these Darn Tough socks and a couple Smartwool socks, and I honestly love them equally.

Hiking Boots

I always hesitate to recommend hiking shoes, because I know that everyone has different preferences, and what works for me won’t necessarily work for you. That being said, I’m on my third pair of Keen Terridoras (in three years), and when my current pair falls apart, I’ll probably get another pair. Although I’ve heard people suggest they are just for day hikes, I’ve worn them on multiple week long backpacking trips and have no complaints. I love the narrow fit, and for me there was zero break in necessary.

Trekking Poles

With all the elevation gain and loss on the TMB trekking poles are an absolute necessity. I found them particularly nice to have on the decent. When you’re not using them, you’ll hardly even notice that the Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles are there! Made with an ultralight carbon construction, and featuring a completely collapsible folding design, these poles are a backpacker’s best friend.

Hydration

The Big Zip EVO reservoir has your back on hot days of outdoor adventuring. The hydration reservoir has a clean taste, quick flow rate, and I’ve never had it leak in my pack – which is about all you can ask for! You can refill your water at the refugios.

For a more comprehensive gear list, check out my complete Hiking and Camping Gear Guide! In that post you will find everything you need to get out into the mountains safely and comfortably.


Tour Du Mont Blanc

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made – at no additional cost to you. I use that income to help fund this website and I really appreciate your support! As always, all ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Thank you for your support! – jess

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  1. Sally says:

    Awesome blog Jess. I’m so happy you got the opportunity to do this with your family.

  2. Kim says:

    Wow! As a member of this incredible adventure you have done an amazing job putting everything together. What memories. All your recommendations are spot on, and looking back it couldn’t have gone more smoothly. The hiking, the accommodations and the weather were picture perfect. I still marvel at the grandness of those mountain ranges. A truly unforgettable trip!

  3. Zhanna says:

    What an incredible way to spend time together and do something as a family! I love how you trained your nephew to sit in a carrier. We were not able to accomplish it with our baby. Every time we were putting him in a carrier, there were lots of tears. 🙂

    • Thank you so much Zhanna! It really was a very special way to bond with family. We were really worried about the carrier situation because in general, my nephew is terrible about being constrained in any way. From day one even little things like getting strapped into a car seat were major tear triggers lol. So we definitely lucked out!

  4. Jane Doran says:

    Hi Jess,
    What a great read. I’m so pleased you chose Mont Blanc Treks to arrange the adventure for you – it was a fun challenge to work out the extra details when you have a baby on board! What a surprise to find out afterwards that you write such a fab’ blog!! Don’t hesitate to get in touch when the mountains start to call to you again… Warm regards
    Jane @montblanctreks

    • Thanks Jane! I’m so glad you like the blog. It really was an unbelievable experience, and I’m quite certain we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without you! I’ve got my heart set on doing the Haute Route next, so I’m sure I’ll be in touch. Thanks again for everything.

  5. Megan says:

    Such an amazing blog post! These pictures are beautiful. What camera did you use to take these pictures?

  6. Kirtan P. says:

    Love this post, truly a dream trip! Thanks for sharing in detail. Will order the book per your recommendation, Jess!

  7. Josuè Clotaire Fleurimond says:

    You’re awesome!! Thank you for this❤️

  8. Bryan says:

    Just over one week until we head off to attempt this trip! We’re going "against the grain" and trekking it clockwise. So looking forward to it and this report was very inspirational – looks like we’ve been prepping well.

  9. Ryan says:

    That view looks freaking gorgeous! Also, thank you for providing such detailed information on the fame hiking trip. It is certainly inspiring me to take my family on a big adventure, but I am also a big worrier with a 3 and 5-year-old. What do you think about bringing a GPS locator? IS it needed or not for this hike? https://www.trackingsystemdirect.com/gps-tracker-for-hiking/

    • Hi Ryan. All of the trail systems in the Alps are very defined, and I honestly don’t think you would need a GPS locator. Even if you took a wrong turn, you are never far from the next mountain hut. That being said, I think the TMB would be extremely difficult to do with a 3 and 5-year-old, just because of the length and difficulty of each hiking day. As I mentioned in the post, unless you can easily carry the kids, or they can walk 10 miles a day on their own, then it might not be the best fit. Happy hiking!

  10. Holly Broxton says:

    I found your blog after seeing an insane video of you climbine a super thin mountain peak. Was that Mount Blanc or another mountain? What on earth possessed you to attempt such a thing!? You might be my new hero…or just plain crazy!

    • Haha Thanks Holly (assuming that was a compliment). 😉 That ridge was not Mount Blanc, that was in an area of Switzerland called Alpstein. It’s beautiful, and I’d highly recommend spending a few days there if you are headed in that direction!

  11. Camilo Moreno says:

    Excellent photography !!!

  12. Hannah says:

    This looks like such a beautiful trek! And what a nice way to spend time with your family – in the outdoors and away from the distractions of life. The perfect family holiday in my book! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • Thanks Hannah! It really was wonderful. I still feel so grateful that we were all able to come together and make this trip happen. It seems harder and harder to find the time, but it’s always so worth it!

  13. JK says:

    Beautiful photos! What time of year was this?

  14. Gina says:

    Great Blog post. We hiked Mont Blanc on our honeymoon before we had our kids. This is great inspiration for any family with young children. Love it!!

    • Jessica Dales says:

      What an awesome thing to do on your honeymoon! It’s still one of my most memorable trips I’ve ever been on.

  15. G. Carr says:

    Great Share. Bucket List for me. Incredible Pics

  16. Philip Habegger says:

    Amazing!! I love traveling,and always struggle to carve out the time. Any suggestions on how I could monetize my travels in order to both share more with people around the world,and be able to devote more time to travel?? Your content is amazing!!

    • Jessica Dales says:

      Hi Philip. There are lots of ways you can monetize travel, or work remotely to support your travel while you’re on the road. But without knowing what your interests or skills are it’s hard for me to give suggestions. If you’re a photographer/videographer I’d suggest starting with UGC while you build up an audience on social. Once you have an audience you can leverage that as well.

  17. Galina says:

    Utmost props for doing this trek with a baby! Do you remember what company you used to shuttle your duffel bag from destination to destination?? Or was it included in the self-guided services? As usual, thanks for all the tips, Jess!

    • Jessica Dales says:

      My brother honestly did most of the heavy lifting! But I’m glad they brought him, it’s fun looking back on the photos now. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the name of the company. I believe Mont Blanc Treks dealt with those logistics for us. I know that there’s quite a few though! I’d see what pops up in google and then maybe check out some reviews. Sorry I can’t be more helpful on that piece.

  18. odyssey says:

    This is so informative i really enjoyed it, thanks a lot for sharing. love your blog so much. the pictures are stunning.

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Hi, I’m Jess, an outdoor enthusiast based in Seattle. I grew up exploring the Pacific Northwest, and early on was infected with the travel bug. I tried to suppress my wanderlust in pursuit of a traditional career path, but after a short stint as a lawyer, I left the confines of my office to get back in touch with my roots. Now, I wander the world taking photos, making memories, and sharing my love for travel with others!

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