Mont Blanc’s scenery evolves from a wildflower spectacle to a magical winter wonderland throughout the seasons, transforming from an “easier” (for lack of a better word) trek to a more technical adventure. With such a diverse and ever-changing range of scenery to experience, many people wonder when exactly the best time is to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc.
To sum it up, the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is during the summer months, when warmer weather and more verdant, colourful, and untouched highlights paint the route with a myriad of colours. The downside to hiking during this time are the busier trails and higher chance of afternoon showers; a small price to pay for the picturesque scenery along the trail!
Continue reading to find a month-by-month breakdown of the best time to hike Mont Blanc—pick the time that suits your trekking style, skill and fitness level most, and off you go!
The best time to do the Tour du Mont Blanc: Season-by-season
Let’s take a deeper look at the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc!
Summer
The best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is between June and September. July and August are peak months, meaning a busier trail but fantastic weather. Mont Blanc’s summer months boast lush greenery cloaked with wildflowers, attracting a range of adventurers. However, the pretty scenery comes with a price— congested trails and accommodation can be tough to book. Side note: our article on booking accommodation for the Tour du Mont Blanc grants insight into hotels, hostels, and camping en route.
However, trail congestion remains relatively low during the shoulder months—June and September—but the weather may be more unpredictable. Expect lingering snow even in late June!
To be safe, if you’re seeking a less technical trek or haven’t gone on too many trekking trips, we suggest tackling the Tour du Mont Blanc in July and August—it may be busy, but the colourful, wild scenery creates the perfect distraction.
Prepare for an average of 2.4-2.75 inches of rain a day. Not sure what to bring for clothes? Our Tour du Mont Blanc packing list article unveils the necessities in detail.
Autumn
September is one of the best months to complete the incredible Tour du Mont Blanc! However, similar to hiking in June, the moody weather propels a need to diligently prepare for your Mont Blanc trek. Most mountain huts remain open until mid-September, making it easier to book accommodation once all the families have settled back in their homes. October and November bring not-so-great conditions, such as shorter sunlight hours, cooler temperatures, and closed mountain huts.
Hiking in November requires more intense gear to combat the chillier conditions sweeping the wild scenery. But the mists of snow in November grant a magical setting!
Winter
Some intrepid explorers considering a winter adventure may want to think again. The conditions can be pretty dangerous, especially amid a never-ending biting cold. Of course, you can pair your walking adventure with skiing, but anyone considering hiking Mont Blanc between December and February should be well-trained experts! Even experienced snowshoers, skiers, hikers should consider booking a guide in case an emergency were to arise.
What usually accompanies winter? Snow! You’ll probably experience an average of 2.5-4 inches of snow and temperatures ranging from -2°C to -8°C.
Spring
Spring is an exciting time for outdoor enthusiasts: the earlier months continue to provide fantastic skiing conditions while the snow melts, unveiling glimpses of the trails carved throughout Mont Blanc. We recommended staying away from hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc during March and April due to avalanche risk, melting snow, and cooler temperatures requiring more hardcore gear. Downhill skiers tend to enjoy these months—but this article isn’t about skiing Mont Blanc, is it? The temperature increases in May, but the soggy trails aren’t great for hiking.
Best time to visit Mont Blanc month-by-month breakdown
Still not sure when to go? Our month-by-month breakdown provides a deeper analysis of the best time to visit Mont Blanc.
June
Expect quieter trails with lower rainfall, but we still recommend looking into booking refugees, despite fewer people crowding the paths.
Average Temperature: High 24℃/Low 11℃
Average Rainfall: 70mm
July
With schools out for the summer and people on holidays, the trails can get super busy! There’s a little less rain in July compared to June, with a slight spike in temperature.
Average Temperature: High 26℃/Low 13℃
Average Rainfall: 60mm
August
August is basically the same as July, but with a minor increase in average rainfall. Either way, it’s essential to pack rain gear for all summer months!
Average Temperature: High 26℃/Low 12℃
Average Rainfall: 70mm
September
The weather may dip during September, but it remains pleasant! Plus, the summer crowds have dissipated, making for a quieter, scenic adventure. Even average rainfall drops ever-so-slightly from August! Plus, mountain huts tend to remain open until mid-September.
Average Temperature: High 21℃/Low 9℃
Average Rainfall: 60mm
October
With most mountain huts closed until June, less sunlight, and more rain, October may not be the best month to attempt the Tour du Mont Blanc. However, the autumn colours painting the scenery really bring the true wonder of this epic long-distance route to life.
Average Temperature: High 17℃/Low 5℃
Average Rainfall: 75mm
November
Thinking of hiking in November? Look into high-end winter gear that can keep you warm and cozy amid the mountain air. Snow also sprinkles across the land, creating cold and brisk temperatures.
Average Temperature: High 10℃/Low 0℃
Average Rainfall: 80mm
December
Welcome to winter! Expect a blanket of snow, causing more technicalities along the trail. Therefore, we recommend only hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc with a guide during the winter.
Average Temperature: High 6℃/Low -3℃
Average Snowfall: 90mm
January
While it’s not advised to hike the entire Tour du Mont Blanc during winter, you can always use the snow to your advantage and snowshoe a section!
Average Temperature: High 6℃/Low -3℃
Average Snowfall: 100mm
February
We would recommend avoiding exploring Mont Blanc during February! There are a lot of technicalities and snow. If you’re bent on heading out in February, only consider going with a guide.
Average Temperature: High 8℃/Low -2℃
Average Snowfall: 70mm
March
Ah, the bliss of spring! It’s always nice escaping February, isn’t it? Unfortunately, with melting snow comes avalanches. Maybe hold off on hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc for a short while longer due to the crazy weather!
Average Temperature: High 8℃/Low -2℃
Average Snowfall: 70mm
April
While skiers still dominate Mont Blanc in April, the melting snow paired with lovely fauna makes for a stunning scene. However, we would still recommend keeping your hiking boots on your shelf as avalanches are still very much a thing during April. On the flip side, melting snow means a temperature increase!
Average Temperature: High 15℃/Low 3℃
Average Snowfall: 50mm
May
Dust off those hiking shoes! Although avalanche risk is still high, you’ll still find some people exploring the area during May. Summer is still the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, but there may be some spots worth checking out for the day during May—you could explore trails around Chamonix, for example.
Average Temperature: High 21℃/Low 9℃
Average Snowfall: 70mm
Planning the rest of your Tour du Mont Blanc adventure
Now that you know the best time to hike, you can start looking into Tour du Mont Blanc tours or start booking and looking into accommodations if you’re planning your trip. For even more information, check out extensive guide on Tour du Mont Blanc, which gives a broad view of the entire experience.
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc is no easy feat, making it essential to do whatever you can to pick the right time to go, come prepared, and pack the right things. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to us, and we will happily answer any inquiries you may have!
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Tour du Mont Blanc Articles
Check out our series of articles planning an incredible Tour du Mont Blanc!
- Complete Guide to the Tour du Mont Blanc
- How long does it take to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?
- How to Prepare for the Tour du Mont Blanc
- Packing List for the Tour du Mont Blanc
- Where to Stay on the Tour du Mont Blanc
- When to hike the TMB?
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Tour du Mont Blanc
- 10 Interesting Facts about the TMB
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