11. Tour du Mont Blanc, France-Italy-Switzerland

The 170-kilometer (105 miles) Tour du Mont Blanc, one of the most celebrated (and trafficked) long-distance trails in the world, circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif, passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Filled with iconic Alpine vistas and enough rustic charm to fill a dozen photo albums, it’s a staple of any self-respecting hiker’s bucket list.

Although there are many different starting points you can choose from, the trek traditionally begins and ends in Chamonix. Every day of the Tour is a new feast for the senses—from the cold granite spires of the Aiguilles to the sun-kissed slopes of Les Contamines; from the whistling of high winds above Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France, to the jingle of cow bells in Val Ferret.

Throughout these 6-12 days, you’ll pass through picturesque villages and mountain huts, where you can rest and recharge with local delicacies belonging to three different cultures. The trail involves some steep ascents and descents, so you should have a reasonable level of fitness and endurance to complete it.

About the author

Marko Bucic

57hours Writer and Bouldering Enthusiast

For Marko, literature came first and the outdoors followed. Lermontov took him galloping across the Caucasus, Wordsworth brought him along for a tour of the Lake District, and Conrad sent him sailing down the Congo—but for better or worse, it was 57hours that got him to climb his first route outside. When he’s not penning articles, you can find him in the bouldering gym, taking photos on the streets of Zagreb, or at home brushing up on his Japanese skills.