Top Hiking Trips in Tour du Mont Blanc
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Located between the Aosta Valley in Italy and Savoie and Haute Savoie in France, and also crossing into Switzerland, Mont Blanc is a mountaineering emblem that attracts people from all around the world. Best time of the year for hiking is from June to September, although there is plenty to do in the area year round!
Located between the Aosta Valley in Italy and Savoie and Haute Savoie in France, and also crossing into Switzerland, Mont Blanc is a mountaineering emblem that attracts people from all around the world. Best time of the year for hiking is from June to September, although there is plenty to do in the area year round!
Mont Blanc is set in the heart of the Alps and is often referred to as “the Roof of Europe”. As such, it is surrounded by other stunning peaks such as the famous Matterhorn, Aiguille du Midi, Grandes Jorasses and others that are well worth exploring. As it is a mountaineering epicenter, it is the ideal spot to practice different activities and sports including hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing in summer, and skiing and snowboarding in colder months. It is also a great place to acquire new skills with some of the guides and experts in the area. Furthermore, the gorgeous alpine towns that surround Mont Blanc, such as Chamonix, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, and Courmayeur are vibrant, lively spots to enjoy recreation after an exhilarating day out in the mountains. The Mont Blanc hut system is also well set up, and provides great resting opportunities while hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc and also a perfect chance to share experiences with other adventurers.
The Tour du Mont Blanc goes through seven valleys and has many starting points. From France, the kick off is usually either from Les Houches in Chamonix, or Les Contamines in Montjoie Valley. On the Italian side, that starting point is in Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley. Otherwise, setting off from the Swiss towns of Champex and Martigny is also a possibility. Whichever the variant, it is an experience that will forever stay in the heart of the adventurers that dare to try it!
The weather in Mont Blanc varies according to season and altitude. In the summer, which is hiking season, it usually only snows at altitudes higher than 3200 meters and overall, there tends to be good weather and warm temperatures. The warmest month of the year is July (average 16.2 °C in Chamonix), whereas the coldest is January (average -2.1°C in Chamonix). You can expect most rain in August and the least in April.
French and Italian
Euro
The average Tour du Mont Blanc takes around 11 days, although there are also shorter options. The circular route is usually walked in counter clockwise direction and covers seven valleys in the Mont Blanc massif. Longer stays will allow for better acclimatization, recovery and also the chance to enjoy the mountain environment or try some other activities in the area.
France (+33)/ Italy (+39)/ Switzerland (+41)
Mid June through Mid September are best for hiking and mountaineering.
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