Nicola Croom from our UK office rates the Mont Blanc Guided Walk as her absolute favourite walk in Europe. We asked her why...

Which is your favourite Mont Blanc walking trip?

This is a tough question as all of our nine trips in the Mont Blanc area offer something fantastic, but if I have to choose, it must be the Mont Blanc Guided Walk that takes 7 days.

Have you been on the Mont Blanc Guided Walk?

Yes, in September 2015. The trip runs from June till September. I only thought of joining the trip last-minute and luckily I still found a place in September! Early autumn was a lovely time to visit: the mountains had a golden tone where the grasses were changing colour with the season. We even had a dusting of snow. You do need to be prepared for all weathers on this trip, even in other months of the year. It is a true mountain walk and as such the weather can be variable. But the mountains are beautiful in all types of weather, you just need to be well prepared with the right clothing, which I luckily was thanks to the full gear list provided prior to departure.  

What was the highlight of your Mont Blanc Guided Walk?

For me, the strongest memories about this Mont Blanc walking holiday are the landscapes. Pretty Swiss villages, high mountain passes and sweeping views. I loved the great local cheeses, hams, breads and traditional foods. Another highlight of this tour for me were the evenings spent in cosy mountain huts with fellow hikers, toasting the success of another great day in the mountains.

What are your 5 reasons for this being your favourite Mont Blanc walk?

1. The Mont Blanc Guided Walk is exceptional good value for money. All meals are included, which are continental style breakfasts, great picnic lunches, and two or three courses in cosy mountain inns in the evenings.
2. Walkers on the tour are guided by knowledgeable mountain leaders. Our Mont Blanc guides make sure the trip runs smoothly, and are a key factor in the success of the trip. Very reassuring for first time walkers.
3. It’s a 7-day holiday, so it fits nicely into a one week away. It’s great for people whose time off work is limited. I'm still amazed about the fact that you can get an exceptional experience in the mountains like this in only one week.
4. The landscape! We hike through mountain villages, past crystal clear streams, and up over high passes. There’re great views throughout this walking holiday.
5. The luggage transfers. Bags are transferred by mules and this adds an interesting dimension to the trek. The mule really became part of our team by the end of the week. And with only a day pack to carry, it made the hiking on the Mt Blanc so much more enjoyable.

It was wonderful, great mountain views, pretty Swiss villages, delicious food, and challenging hikes over passes. Having our luggage transferred by mule was brilliant! As it meant our day packs were light and we could enjoy the Mt Blanc hike without having to carry a heavy load. All meals were included, with plentiful food, I particularly enjoyed the lunches on the trail with local cheeses, hams, salami, salads, fruit and local breads. It is not often you get to picnic in the mountains with such great views!

Who is the Mt Blanc walking trip suitable for?

This Mont Blanc walking holiday is for fit walkers, but even if people are a hiking novice they can still join this walk with good fitness preparation. There are some long days, and significant ascents/descents each day so good training is essential. For many of the people I talk to on the phone, this is their first experience of a multi-day trek and it is very manageable with good preparation.

What feedback have you got from other travellers about the Mont Blanc walking holiday?

Travellers that come back from the trip praise the quality and good humour of the Mont Blanc guides. From my own experience, I have to agree with them!

What do you think is the best time to walk around Mont Blanc?

Anytime is good between June and September. Early June can still have some snow on the higher routes, so the guides may adapt the route for travellers at that time to enjoy optimal walking.

How far in advance should people book a Mont Blanc holiday?

As early as possible to secure places especially in the mountain huts. Flights, pre-tour nights and mountain accommodation are all in high demand during the summer trekking season of the Mont Blanc tours. So it is good to book early. It also gives people a good fitness goal to train towards in the several months ahead of their walking holiday. In the end, the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the trip. Did you know that every one of our Mont Blanc Guided Walks is guaranteed to run over the French summer? For more information on the Mont Blanc Guided Walk or booking requests, you can either download the trip notes or get in touch with our team of travel experts in our offices.