Chamonix Valley Trails: Highlights include Lac Blanc and Grand Balcon Sud, known for their stunning views and accessibility. The Lac Blanc trail begins with an Index chairlift ride, followed by a 3-4 hour hike with a 500-meter elevation gain, offering spectacular alpine lake views against the Mont Blanc massif. The Grand Balcon Sud, a medium-difficulty trail, stretches between Planpraz and Flegere over 4-5 hours with a 350-meter elevation gain, providing panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif.

Courmayeur Trails: The Italian side features trails like the Val Ferret Circuit, showcasing the Italian Alps' beauty and Mont Blanc from new perspectives. For advanced hikers, Mont de la Saxe offers a challenging route with exceptional views.

Other Training Trails: The Aosta Valley features multi-day hikes at high altitudes, such as the Alpine Panoramic Trail, with a total elevation gain of 2,700m over three days. This trail offers unique views of Mont Blanc and the Italian and Swiss Alps, presenting a challenging but rewarding experience:

Difficulty and Duration: Classified as PD+ (Peu Difficile+, slightly difficult plus) in alpine grading, this route typically requires 2 days to complete, with an overnight stay at the Goûter Hut.

Starting Point: The adventure begins at the Nid d'Aigle, accessible via the Tramway du Mont-Blanc from Saint-Gervais, France.

Accessibility: The Goûter Route is the most popular path to the summit, making it suitable for those with less technical climbing experience but good physical conditioning.

Hut Accommodation: The route offers the advantage of staying at the Goûter Hut, providing climbers with a chance to rest and acclimatize.

Popularity: Its popularity means the path is well-trodden and often busy, which can be reassuring for less experienced climbers.

Crowding: The route's popularity can lead to overcrowding, especially during peak climbing seasons, which can diminish the wilderness experience.

Rockfall Hazard: The climb involves crossing the Grand Couloir, known for its rockfall risk, particularly in warm conditions.

Limited Technical Challenge: For advanced climbers seeking technical difficulty, the Goûter Route may lack the complexity and challenge of more demanding routes.

Difficulty and Duration: This route is considered moderately difficult (AD-, Assez Difficile-) and usually takes a full day to complete.

Starting Point: Climbers access the starting point via the Aiguille du Midi cable car from Chamonix, France.

Offers stunning views of Mont Blanc.

It's a technical route with diverse terrains, ideal for those seeking a challenge.

It's less crowded than other routes.

It's tougher and needs prior climbing experience.

There are risks from ice cliffs and crevasses.

Weather can greatly affect the climb.

Difficulty: The Gonella Route is similar in difficulty to the Goûter Route but with its own set of challenges.

Duration: Climbers should allocate 2 days for this ascent, including an overnight stay at the Gonella Hut.

Starting Point: The journey begins in Courmayeur, Italy, with an approach to the Gonella Hut as the base for the summit push.

The route offers stunning views of the Italian Alps, providing a scenic journey from start to finish.

The Gonella Route sees fewer climbers, offering a less crowded experience.

This route provides a well-rounded alpine climbing experience, including glacier travel.

The ascent involves extensive glacier travel, which increases the minimum fitness level required and risk of crevasse falls.

The glacier's state highly affects the difficulty and safety of the climb.

Reaching the starting point in Courmayeur and the descent back into Italy can be logistically challenging.

The diversity in difficulty, length, and style means that climbers of all abilities can find routes that suit their level of expertise.

Mont Blanc area allows for genuine rock climbing adventures without needing advanced alpine skills, thanks to many routes designed for those with basic mountaineering knowledge.

Starting Point: Plan de l’Aiguille, Chamonix

Length: 8 pitches

Altitude: 2,000 meters

Difficulty: 5c (French scale)

Estimated Time: Full day (6 to 8 hours)

Gear: Standard rock climbing gear, a set of nuts and cams for protection, and ropes.

Starting Point: Planpraz, Chamonix

Length: 6 pitches

Altitude: 2,525 meters

Difficulty: 6a (French Scale)

Estimated Time: Half-day (4 to 5 hours)

Gear: Standard rock climbing gear (harness, helmet, climbing shoes), a set of quickdraws, belay device, and ropes.

Starting Point: Les Praz, Chamonix

Length: 10 pitches

Altitude: Start at 1,200 meters, climbing to 2,300 meters

Difficulty: III TD+ 6a

Estimated Time: Full day (8 to 10 hours)

Gear: Comprehensive rock climbing gear including cams, nuts, quickdraws, and ropes; ice axe and crampons are required for the approach and descent.

What to Expect: Traveling across glaciers requires skills in crevasse rescue and using specific equipment. It's a journey that combines breathtaking scenery with the thrill of overcoming nature's obstacles.

Popular Routes: The Vallée Blanche route, crossing Europe's longest glacier, is accessible and offers a firsthand look at glacier travel's allure.

From Rifugio Monzino to Rifugio Borelli, Italy: Take a 2-day adventure on the Via Ferrata, starting at Rifugio Monzino and tackling Mont Blanc's south face. It's great for those with experience and fitness, combining climbing and beautiful views, perfect for small groups.

Via Ferrata des Evettes, Chamonix: Family-friendly and starting from La Flégère, this 1.5 to 2-hour journey covers 200m and includes a thrilling 50m Himalayan bridge. It's an intermediate level adventure that’s accessible and memorable.

Via Ferrata de Curalla, Passy: A short drive from Chamonix leads to this intermediate Via Ferrata, offering stunning views of Mont Blanc. It's known for its scenic beauty and provides a safe yet exciting mountain experience.

Ski-Touring: Merges skiing and hiking for a backcountry adventure, ideal for those seeking solitude and a unique experience away from busy resorts.

Freeride Skiing: Chamonix is a mecca for freeride skiing, known for its steep slopes and deep powder. The Grands Montets area is known for steep, powder-rich slopes, drawing experienced freeride skiers globally.

Gear and Techniques: Ice climbing requires specialized gear, including ice axes, crampons, helmets, and ropes. Learning proper ice tool placement and body positioning is crucial for a successful climb.

Courses and Guides: Given the sport's inherent risks, taking an ice climbing course or hiring a guide is recommended for those new to ice climbing. We suggest to start by hiring a Professional Mountain Guide for a half-day of ice-climbing: you’ll be able to understand if this sport suits you in a relatively safe environment.

Guided Tours: Prices for a 10-day guided TMB trek typically range from €1,500 to €2,500, covering guide services, accommodation, most meals, and luggage transfer. These tours are great for those who want an easy trip since they offer expert advice and help with planning. They're especially liked by people looking for a stress-free adventure. For the shorter version of the TMB hike, the cost range around 800€.

Self-Guided Ventures: For those who like to plan their own trips, self-guided tours range from €500 to €1,000. The cost varies based on where you stay and if you add meals or baggage transport. This choice needs more planning and experience but offers flexibility and might save money.

Daily Expenses: Regardless of the tour type, remember to budget for daily costs like food, drinks, and gifts, which could be about €20 to €50 each day.

Goûter route: To facilitate climbers' access to Mont Blanc via the Goûter route, special train services from Le Fayet to Le Nid d'Aigle are provided, operating three times daily from the season's start until October 1st. Keep reading to Chapter 7, “Best ways to access Chamonix, Courmayeur and Mont Blanc”: you’ll find all the information.

The Trois Monts Route, also known as the Three Monts Traverse, begins at the Aiguille du Midi. Climbers take the Aiguille du Midi cable car from Chamonix to the Aiguille du Midi station at 3,842 meters. This cable car, one of the highest in the world, provides direct access to the high mountains and is the common starting point for The Trois Monts Route.

The Gonella Route is accessed from the Italian side of Mont Blanc, starting near Courmayeur. The ascent typically starts with a hike to the Gonella Hut (Rifugio Gonella), situated at 3,071 meters. This mountain hut serves as the base camp for climbers taking The Gonella Route to the summit. The route from Courmayeur to the Gonella Hut involves trekking through the Val Veny and gaining significant elevation to reach the hut.

The Goûter route to Mont Blanc, while less technically demanding, poses significant dangers due to frequent rockfalls and landslides, especially in a critical corridor en route to the refuge. Historical data from 1990 to 2017 shows 102 deaths from these hazards. Seasonal melting can loosen stones, increasing landslide risks. Helmets are vital, but may not fully protect against large rockfalls. The route also crosses glacier areas, raising the risk of ice and crevasse-related accidents. Most incidents involve falling climbers, often triggered by rockfalls, with unguided or solo climbers at greater risk.

The Trois Monts Route: The early parts of the climb are technically challenging and risky due to shifting glaciers that might release large ice blocks, or "seracs," leading to avalanches. Carrying and knowing how to use avalanche safety equipment is vital for protection. Climbers must also be cautious of the route's steep slopes, particularly under the Monte Maledetto pass, where the angle can be as steep as 45 degrees, and be prepared for the difficulties of moving through areas with crevasses.

The Gonella Route: To address the dangers of glacier travel on Mont Blanc, the Aiguilles Grises ridge route was created as a safer alternative to the conventional Italian route. After three years of work, this new path avoids the risky Dome glacier, targeting seasoned climbers with its inclusion of rest spots and fixed ropes for challenging parts, extending the journey by 60-90 minutes but greatly improving safety. This route responds to the growing fragility of glaciers and increasing challenges of old paths, ensuring a safer return and preventing climbers from getting lost on the glacier.

Preparation is Key: Before you start the TMB, learn about the route and terrain. The trek spans several days, so it is important that you train to be steady on your feet and you build experience walking on mountain paths. Do try and get some practice in before you come.

Your To-Do List: Preparation extends beyond physical training. Organize your trip by booking flights to match the trek schedule, and getting insurance for hiking up to 3000m. Additionally, organizing currency for both Euros and Swiss Francs, and get the necessary equipment are necessary tasks to address before departure.

Currency and Expenses: Ensuring you have adequate funds in both currencies will make transactions smoother during your journey: we recommend bringing at least 100 EUR & 100CHF spending money for drinks and lunches, tips and souvenirs.

Kit and Equipment: Your backpack should not exceed 8kg, including snacks and water. Essential items include waterproof clothing, lightweight insulated jackets, hiking boots, sleeping bag liner and technical equipment like trekking poles. Personal items such as a water container, sun protection, and a small wash kit are also vital.

The Aiguille du Midi Cable Car and the tramway are essential for accessing Mont Blanc's Goûter and Trois Monts routes. Adults can use the cable car for a round-trip ticket costing about €65.

The Tramway du Mont-Blanc, with departures three times daily for both ascent and descent, caters to mountaineers. To use this service, buy tickets online and show your refuge booking at the TMB ticket offices to get a special mountaineer ticket to Nid d'Aigle. This system, designed for conservation and safety, is expected to continue.

For adventurers setting out on the TMB, public transport to Les Houches is readily available, with bus and train fares costing around €3-€5 for a one-way trip. Services run from early morning until the evening, typically from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, accommodating hikers' schedules.

Accessing the Gonella Hut for the Italian Normal Route involves a combination of taxi or shuttle services from Courmayeur to Val Veny, with prices starting from €30-€50. Given the lack of direct public transport to this remote starting point, arranging early morning travel is advisable.

Courmayeur itself marks a significant point on the TMB, with public buses facilitating access to various segments of the trail fromaround 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, at costs ranging from €2 to €10.