Best Time to Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc in 2026

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 in 2026?

To sum it up, the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is when accommodations are open and the high mountain passes are snow-free.  This is obviously 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 when the mountain huts are open, typically between June 15th and September 15th of each year. July and August are peak months, meaning a busier trail as there are more dayhikers out, 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 during the shoulder months as the Tour du Mont Blanc essentially sells out every year.  June and September were traditionally quieter on the TMB, but since the pandemic all open dates sell out in these months as well.  Trails are a bit quieter due to fewer dayhikes, but the weather may be more unpredictable. The biggest issue is that lingering snow can make mountain passes tricky well into late June (as happened in 2024), and an early snowfall can make September dates chilly and route-finding tricky.

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.

Tour du Mont Blanc - The best time to hike is between June and September

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 highly variable conditions to the Tour du Mont Blanc.  However the biggest challenge is limited accommodations outside the major towns as mountain huts are closed.  This means trekkers need to complete some marathon days to get to their next bed. In addition, the possibility of snow becomes even greater, which combined with shorter sunlight hours, cooler temperatures, and help being farther away means a riskier Tour du Mont Blanc, which we don't recommend.

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!

September is one of the best months to complete the incredible Tour du Mont Blanc

Winter

Some intrepid explorers considering a winter adventure on the Tour du Mont Blanc will want to think again. The conditions are dangerous, especially amid a never-ending biting cold and the risk of avalanches. 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 from March through to June to avalanche risk, challenging route finding, lingering snow at altitude, shorter days, 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.

Tour du Mont Blanc - fantastic skiing conditions in the earlt months of spring

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 somewhat quieter trails with lower rainfall, but snow lingering at the passes. Official start date typically around June 15th.
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

When is the best time to hike Tour du Mont Blanc - Beautiful valleys and rugged mountains surrounding the trail

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! The TMB is still busy up until the middle of the month, when most refuges start closing.  After September 15th expect a very quiet TMB. 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

The weather may dip during September, but it remains pleasant

October

With most mountain huts closed for the season, 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 the TMB in November? That's not a good idea except for experienced mountaineers with deep expertise in winter travel in avalanche conditions.  Not only are mountain huts closed, but many hotels are also closed until ski season starts.
Average Temperature: High 10℃/Low 0℃
Average Rainfall: 80mm

December

Welcome to winter! Expect a blanket of snow, causing more technicalities along the trail. December is not a month to hike the TMB.
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 if you have avalanche training.
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. March is still not a good time to hike the TMB, even if it feels warm in the valley.
Average Temperature: High 8℃/Low -2℃
Average Snowfall: 70mm

April

While skiers start to diminish on the ski hills around 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

Avalanches are still very much a thing during April

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

When is the best time to hike tour du mont blanc - Tour du Mont Blanc offers fantastic Alpine scenery

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!

• Tour du Mont Blanc Articles

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  • 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