Tour du Mont Blanc
The juxtaposition between hiking through expansive valleys and over passes surrounded by the rising peaks of the Alps…and then stopping for dinner and local beer can be startling, but certainly something you can get used to. Hikers trek all day through Sound-of-Music type scenery, followed by a night in a bed and breakfast, all while circling Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe. Pack light for this hike. Food, water, and accommodations are found every few hours at the most. You can also do this hike by camping instead of staying in huts, but you’ll likely still be paying for a campsite.
The alpine scenery can’t be beat and sure the accommodations might be plentiful, but this hike is no slouch. Hikers who complete the whole Tour will gain and lose a total of over 30,000’ of elevation through alpine meadows, around glacial lakes, and over steep passes. The frequent huts provide food, water, and rest. One of the best things about this hike is the history and culture found along the entire route, from 18th-century churches to walking the cobblestone streets of Chamonix.
