12 misconceptions about Tour du Mont Blanc....debunked!

2. You can’t take gondolas - Watch it 🎥 👉 Morgan’s Video (part 1 of 5)

We aimed for every gondola possible on our 2023 trek. They are very nice and make the hike more enjoyable if you have knarly knees.

3. You have to do the whole 99 miles - Here’s my Half TMB Planner for you

The TMB is a circuit, but because of the tunnel between Courmayeur and Les Houches, it’s easy to do the “southern” or “northern” section.

Here’s my planner if you want to copy and paste it. It’s in google sheets for you to copy and paste.

4. You Have to Use Public Transport (Secret Parking Guide to do Half of TMB)

Here’s my GPS tracks from Bonatti to where we had pre-staged a car before the 5 day hike. We had one car in Les Houches and one we left in Val Ferret between our group of 6.

You can also take a bus back to Chamonix, Les Houches or anywhere if you opt to do half of the TMB, but I like having a private car to make the logistics easier.

5. You Have to Plan it Yourself

This is a no-brainer, it’s definitely cheaper to DIY plan your own trek. I did this in 2023 and it was on average half the price of paying a self-guided planner.

This year I’ll be paying because I’m more time-poor and work is busy. There are also guided tours if you like that sort of thing.

6. You Have to Carry a Heavy Backpack

As a physical therapist, I don’t think I have special insight into this fact…the heavier the backpack, the more miserable you’ll be. Pack light! There are options for luggage transport if you opt for that, but you can also just avoid bringing too much stuff.

7. You Have to Speak French

Even without google translate, it’s quite easy to communicate on the trail. Do not worry about language issues.

8. The trail is super crowded

Objectively untrue as there are limited hut beds and limited camping facilities. This is not the backcountry of the Rockies however.

But it is not an instagrammer hot spot as it’s kinda hard.

But you knew that, why go all the way to Europe if not to enjoy the Nature-Culture mix that is hiking in Europe?

You will see people, but it’s not like lining up at Lago di Braies to see the perfect lake swarmed by every Instagrammer on planet Earth.

9. It’s going to be cold in the mountain huts

Probably the experience will be opposite and too warm. Between a sleep sac and the blankets they provide it’s quite warm in the refuges. Bring a knit hat and warm socks if you are a super cold-y sleeper.

10. The huts will give me bedbugs

You’ve got a much higher chance of getting bedbugs in a nice Paris hotel than on the mountain. However, bring a sleep sac to avoid this problem.

11. You can plan and book a trek the same year.

Good luck on that. Unfortunately, you’ve got to plan well in advance for this trek. It is the most popular one in Europe currently and usually people start booking in September or October of the year prior.

12. It’s all taxing and arduous and no luxury

If you like a little luxury, the trip has stops in Chamonix and Courmayuer where you can easily book luxury spa hotels, massages and fine dining. This is the beauty of hiking in Europe.

BONUS: 13: YOU MUST STICK TO THE OG PATH

Nah, you should have some fun with all the variants if the weather allows it. For example we took a hidden variant on day three and there was hardly anyone on trail.

the views are incredible! watch here 👎