TMB Part 1 Of 3

Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc — September 2025 Last September we hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), and it was everything we hoped for: stunning scenery, welcoming refuges and hotels, unforgettable people, and plenty of delicious food. We documented our journey in a video, but here’s a written account of our experience and a few practical tips for planning your own TMB adventure. Plan and Book Early The TMB is hugely popular, especially in late summer and early fall. If you plan to stay in refuges, book well in advance — many fill up quickly and availability can be scarce. If you prefer more flexibility, camping is an option; there are numerous camping site available along the route. Wild camping is not always allowed. Resupply and Connectivity Most towns along the route have shops and places to eat, but there are exceptions. In Les Chapieux signal is weak and food options are very limited, so make sure you’re well stocked before you get there. Otherwise, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to buy supplies as you go. Food Highlights One of the joys of the TMB is the food. Cheese lovers will be in heaven — there are so many regional varieties to try. And if you get the chance, try Italian hot chocolate; we think it’s the best in the world. We also wish we’d spent more time in Italy — the cuisine there was on another level. Courmayeur quickly became one of our favorite places to eat and a lovely stop to stay overnight. Accommodation: Refuges vs Hotels We stayed in a mix of refuges and hotels. Refuges are great for atmosphere and meeting people, but they require early booking and can be basic. Hotels give more comfort if you want to recover properly between big walking days. Choose based on your priorities — social experience or extra comfort. If you stay in Refuges, you will need to bring a sleeping liner along with you. Packing and Clothes At the end of the trip I’ll post photos of all the equipment we carried. One clothing tip that worked well: bring about three days’ worth of clothes and wash what you’ve worn each evening. Let them dry overnight so you’re not carrying a heavy, full set of clothing the whole way. Water and Food on the Trail There are plenty of water sources along the route, so you don’t need to carry gallons of water in your pack. Likewise, because towns and refuges offer food regularly, you can travel light on food and resupply frequently — less weight means less strain on your back. Final Thoughts The TMB is a magical circuit — challenging at times, but richly rewarding. Book refuges early if that’s your plan, pack smart, and savor the food (especially the cheese and Italian hot chocolate). We loved every step and wished we’d lingered longer in Italy. Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3. Happy hiking! #tourdumontblanc #hyperlite #dji #gopro #360 #hiking #hikingadventures #hikingtrails #overnight #france #italy #switzerland #mountains #walking #scenery #lake #cow #courmayeur #youtube #explore #refugio #refuge