Europe's favourite mountain, Mont Blanc, is a dream come true for walkers. Here’s what you might not already know about Mont Blanc.

In many ways, Mont Blanc is considered to be the birthplace of mountaineering as we know it today. For hundreds of years, this French, Swiss, and Italian massif has beckoned adventurers worldwide. Ever since the first ascent by Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard and Jacques Balmat in 1786, the mountain’s prominence has grown. 

Today, many mountain huts and hotels are built right alongside trails that ring the landscape. The most famous of these trails is the Tour du Mont Blanc, or TMB, a roughly 105-mile circuit that wraps around the mountain. It’s one of Europe’s most famous, popular, and beloved walking destinations.

Curious about walking the famous Tour du Mont Blanc? Here’s a bit more history about one of Europe’s favourite mountains.

Where is Mont Blanc?

The summit of Mont Blanc is on French territory and is the highest point in western Europe. But the mountain itself is on international ground—the Mont Blanc massif also stretches into Italy and Switzerland. The Tour du Mont Blanc walk passes through all three countries.

What Does Mont Blanc Mean?

Mont Blanc is French for “White Mountain.” It got its name from its perennial snow-covered peak. In Italy, it’s called Monte Bianco—Italian for “white mountain.”

How Tall is Mont Blanc?

With a summit of 4,809m (15,777ft), Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and in western Europe. (The tallest mountain in Europe is Mt. Elbrus, in Russia, at 5,641 meters).

Does the Height of Mont Blanc Change?

The summit elevation can change by a couple of meters depending on the snowpack at the top. While the official elevation was once 4,806 meters, in 2002, it was measured to be 4,808m.

How Long Does it Take to Walk the Tour du Mont Blanc?

The short answer: it’s entirely up to you! On a Macs Adventure, you can walk as much or as little of the mountain as you’d like over five to 14 days. Macs Adventure has been sending long-distance walkers and hikers to Mont Blanc since 2012, and we were one of the first companies to offer Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided walking trips around the mountain. 

More Interesting Facts About Mont Blanc

1. The mountain is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence, which basically means it’s one of the biggest elevation changes you can actually see. Topographic prominence measures the relative height of a mountain from its summit to the lowest uninterrupted contour line.

2. The seven-mile-long Mont Blanc tunnel links France with Italy and travels directly underneath the mountain—making road trips (and, perhaps, luggage transfers) much faster and a lot of fun!

3. The lowest recorded temperature on Mont Blanc was -43°C (-45.4°F), set in January 1893.

4. In 1808, Marie Paradis, a maidservant in Chamonix, climbed her way out of poverty by becoming the first woman to reach the summit of Mont Blanc. She wore a skirt, required help from her walking companions to make it to the top, and climbed alongside Balmat, the mountain guide who achieved the first ascent. 

5. It took 30 years before another woman summited Mont Blanc's peak. Henriette d’Angeville, a French aristocrat, later became known as one of the first female mountaineers.

6. There have been two notable speed ascents: Swiss climber Pierre-André Gobet climbed Mont Blanc in a round trip from Chamonix in 5 hours, 10 minutes, and 14 seconds in 1990. On July 11, 2013, Basque speed climber and runner Kilian Jornet completed the ascent and descent in just 4 hours 57 minutes 40 seconds.

7. The Mer de Glace, which translates to “sea of ice,” is the largest glacier in France. It stretches through the Chamonix Valley for over 4 miles and is nearly 200 meters deep. It’s a must-see on your trip with Macs.
   

8. The Aiguille du Midi is the highest cable car in France, bringing passengers to stunning viewpoints of the massif from 3,840 meters. It’s a great experience to tack onto your trip. Just make sure you book in advance, as reservations are essential.

9. Our Walker’s Haute Route links Mont Blanc with another mighty European summit, the Matterhorn, and offers a thrilling and picturesque hike. Starting in Chamonix, you cross 11 famous mountain passes, view snow-capped peaks, and meander through idyllic hamlets to Zermatt in Switzerland.

10. The first Winter Olympic Games were held in 1924 in Chamonix, at the base of the mountain.

11. The Tour du Mont Blanc is iconic for its mountain huts and dorm-style accommodations, which make for an elevated—though affordable—walking experience. Huts typically offer hot, freshly-cooked meals, and their restaurants are great rest stops for long-distance hikers and day trippers alike.
    

12. In 2012, Macs Adventure became one of the first travel companies to offer a self-guided trip to Mont Blanc. Offering our hikers different routes and scenic highlights — no wonder it’s one of our most popular trips!

13. In 2016, Google Maps collaborated with climbers, skiers, and trail runners—including Jornet—to capture 360-degree imagery of the mountain. That’s right: There’s Google Street View even on the top of Mont Blanc.

14. The Tour du Mont Blanc started out as a trade route, as did many other popular walking tours around Europe. See, for example, the Via Francigena, which traverses France, Switzerland, and Italy, and the Cotswold Way, which winds through charming English villages.

15. Mont Blanc receives an average of about 11.5 feet of snow every year. Needless to say, the best time to hike the TMB is summer. Always make sure to book well in advance, as hut space is limited, and the TMB is one of the most popular walking routes in the world.
    
    

16. A cable car crosses the mountain range from Courmayeur to Chamonix through the Col du Géant. At 3,842 metres high, it allows individuals to get a birds-eye view of Mont Blanc, including ice falls, crevasses and unmissable panoramic scenes.

17. Two passenger aircraft crashed into the mountain in 1950 and 1966. Sadly, 160 people were killed.

18. Although based in French territory, Mont Blanc is “owned” by both France and Italy under a bilateral agreement. It is also called Monte Bianco, ‘white mountain’ in Italy.

19. The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular classic walking trips for adventurers. More than 20,000 climbers reach the summit of the mountain every year. This could be part of a walking holiday or as a personal challenge and sense of accomplishment to tick off. 

20. On June 23rd, 1960, pilot and mountain flying pioneer Henri Giraud was the first person to land a small aircraft on the summit of Mont Blanc. Although this wasn't legally allowed, it’s an impressive achievement to own.

What is a Macs Self-Guided Mont Blanc Adventure Like?

There are lots of benefits of self-guided holidays with us. Not only are all our tours tried and tested by our adventure experts, but we’ll book all your accommodation and transfer your luggage between – taking a huge weight off your shoulders. We’ll also recommend the best packing list for the TMB and answer all your FAQs. And rest assured, when you set off, the Macs Community and our customer service team are with you 24/7 if you need us. 

Do I Have to Walk the Entire Tour du Mont Blanc?

At Macs, we believe in active travel led by you. This means you can choose any of our tried and tested routes and take them at your own pace. We offer lots of different walking trips for the Tour du Mont Blanc, from the Complete TMB in Comfort or just the Highlights to a short five-day break. All you have to do is decide which Mont Blanc trip is best for you. (And start training, of course.)