Walking in the Mont Blanc region | Erin Williams
How will you experience the mountain spirit of the French, Italian & Swiss Alps around Mont Blanc?
Get ideas to find the right Mont Blanc hike for you and take in the very best of Europe’s snow-topped peaks, glittering glaciers and spectacular mountainscapes… Different from what you may initially think, a tour of Mont Blanc is not just one route to follow. In fact, no matter what your walking experience may be, there is a wide variety of paths, at different heights and suitable for hikers of all skills and abilities. On top of that, you can choose to hike Mont Blanc independently or with a small group of like-minded walkers from all corners of the world. Perhaps you prefer to include the highlights, enjoy leisurely sections, or even walk the full circle back to the same starting point.
The classic option >>> Mont Blanc Classic
A historic trek around the highest peak in the European Alps that takes you across passes, around enormous glaciers and via stunning lakes to take in some of the best viewpoints in the Alps. Meadows crossed by clear meltwater streams lead you downwards to green pastures where shepherds will sell their fresh Beaufort cheese to you. The best thing about this Mont Blanc hike? You walk at your own pace and take a break whenever you feel like it.
A relaxed-pace walk around Mont Blanc through Italy, Switzerland and France, specially devised for those of you who like to ‘smell the roses’ en-route to the next comfortable gîte. In the company of a small group, a bilingual guide and a mule to carry your gear, the walk traverses high passes, meadows brimming in alpine flowers and typical alpine villages.
The family option >>> Mont Blanc Family Walk - France to Italy
Mont Blanc with the children? Yes, it can be done – and such a walking holiday is all about the donkeys, which are an integral part of this fun, weeklong trip crossing two countries. Kids of all ages can lead their favourite animal, take a selfie to share with their friends, assist with loading and unpacking, feed them appetising treats or take turns to brush them – plus, the donkeys also spare the worry of having to carry your own belongings.
The extraordinary vistas of snow clad peaks with daily pass crossings, the chance to see playful marmots and chamoix along the trail and the contrasts of walking through three different countries are just some of the memorable aspects of a Mont Blanc hike. At night? Refresh in your private room in small gîtes and mountain hotels that brim with local charm and serve up regional flavours that complement the walks impeccably.
To truly do justice with the picture postcard views of spectacular mountain vistas and alpine landscapes, a Mont Blanc hike is a must. For those who appreciate the satisfaction of circumnavigating the mountain completely and who like to return back on foot at exactly the same point as they have started, this is certainly a possibility. Cross the foothills of the Alps from Chamonix through France, Italy and Switzerland to take the opportunity to encounter the alpine cultures, warm hospitality and cuisine unique to these areas.
Besides the above mentioned five options that you can consider for a Mont Blanc hike, at UTracks you have even more choice. To view the complete offer of trips that include Mont Blanc, please
have a look at this overview. If you have already been on a Mont Blanc trek before and are looking for something similar, or if you like to extend your holiday in the European Alps, perhaps the below idea might appeal to you.
The ‘post-Mont Blanc’ option >>> Tour de Monte Rosa Walk
Studied by Leonardo da Vinci already in the late 15th century (references to ‘Monte Bosa’ can be found in his notebooks), the enormous, ice-covered massif of Monte Rosa (4,634m) is the highest peak in the Pennine Alps and the second highest in the entire European Alps. Avid trekkers will find themselves constantly surrounded by an amphitheatre of awe-inspiring 4,000m peaks!
UTracks offers a number of treks and walks around sections of Mont Blanc, as well as the full circumnavigation. You can walk as part of a guided Mont Blanc walk or choose to travel from hut to hut on your own on a Mont Blanc self guided walk. For more information on all the UTracks options for a Mont Blanc hike, or for other ideas to explore the European Alps, please
get in touch with our teams of travel experts around the world.