Strength in Strides: Completing the Iconic Tour du Mont Blanc

Tour du Mont Blanc, Here I Come!

I wish I could remember the exact moment I decided to tackle the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) so I could share it here. I think I was antsy with anticipation for Antarctica and needed another adventure to fill the time.

The TMB is an iconic Alpine hike that’s enticing for so many reasons. It’s challenging but absolutely doable, especially with the fantastic support provided by the local huts. My son has done a couple of hut-to-hut hikes, and honestly, I was a bit jealous. The beauty of the Alps is undisputed. I’ve skied in this region many times and always longed to see it in summer—green and bursting with wildflowers, with lakes, creeks, and rivers weaving through the landscape. This alpine scenery feels like the definition of natural beauty, the very image I saw in so many puzzles I put together as a child. Who wouldn’t want to spend ten days walking through this fairy-tale world?

But let me tell you—this hike is no mere walk. It’s 160 km from Les Houches to Chamonix, with about 1,000 meters of ascent and descent every day. It’s the kind of grind that quickly shows you whether you love this kind of trip or not. (Spoiler: I love it.)

The reflective water of Lake Di Combal in spring, wildflowers abound and surrounded by snowy peaks

The Start of Something Incredible

Four Seasons in One Day on TMB

From Snowy Passes to Flowered Meadows: The Ever-Changing TMB

Rest, Recharge, Repeat: Life in the TMB Huts

The Most Exhilirating Mountain Pass

The Most Treacherous Mountain Pass

Trail Treasures: Highlights of the TMB

The Trail Ends, But the Memories Live On

From Les Houches to Chamonix: Day-by-Day Trail Stats

Resources