I am interested in the TMB and trekking using the Cicerone guidebook. I have hiked the John Muir Trail and it’s 223 mile trek. I am a very experienced backpacker so feel comfortable doing the TMB.
What I’m looking for is how to hire someone to move my pack daily, how can I find hotels, Refugio’s and gites along the way without hiring a travel company to do it for me.
Ideas welcome
I have hiked both the John Muir Trail and the Tour du Mont Blanc, 48 years apart. The JMT was back before permits were required (1970); the TMB was on a guided hiking trip in 2018 with REI Adventures. They are very different.
The Sierras are called the “ Gentle Wilderness” and the “Range of Light” for a reason. Along with the mountains of Patagonia, they are the most beautiful mountains I know. But the T!B has much to offer in terms of scenery ( and great food!) as well, and all below 8000 feet, whereas the JMT ranges up to 14495 feet.
If you have completed the JMT you are certainly capable and prepared for the TMB. But as you know, you cannot wild camp on the TMB and need to stay In Refugio’s or inns in the few villages. You could look at itineraries offered by REI and other trekking companies for ideas on where to stay. I would suggest you travel anti-clockwise for the best views.
A friend of ours did a TMB self-guided trip with Distant Journeys that provided lodging and luggage transport. You might look into their services.
Hello, Our family hiked the TMB last late June, early July and brought our tent. We wild camped one night out of necessity and as long as your hidden and out of sight no one will bother you. Our plan was to stay in two or three mountain huts but unfortunately they were all full so book ahead if you go that route.
We stayed one night in a hotel in Courmayuer, Italy and booked that the night prior while we were at a campsite on the hike. We found that all the campsites have showers, food, and WiFi so that was pretty plush from what we are normally used to out backpacking.
As far as moving your pack daily, we saw a lot of people doing that, but if you travel light and stay in huts and hotels you should be fine carrying a day pack.
I know my pack was about 45 lbs, my spouse had 35 lbs, and our 11 year old daughter had 15 lbs., and that was all gear, (tent, sleeping bags, thermarest, stove, fuel, food, first aid, clothes, etc.) We hiked it counter clockwise in 11 days, 10 nights and that felt like a good time frame to not feel too rushed.
Wonderful experience and very popular. The section through Italy was the most scenic and best trail conditions.
Have fun!
We hiked the TMB last July. Using Alpine Exploratory in Edinburgh Scotland to do all of our bookings plus organize baggage transfer the whole trip went very smoothly. Three years ago we were to have hiked the TMB but I suffered a very painful knee injury prior to the start of the hike so after trying day 1 of the hike we had to abort. At that time I had done all the bookings myself which was very time consuming so having to cancel all the nights was hard work. There is also a Facebook group for the Tour du Mont Blanc which is a very helpful group and will likely be able to answer most if not all of your questions. There is also a booking site called autourdumontblanc.com which has a list of the Rifugios along the way. It’s a wonderful hike so have fun.
News story regarding changes coming soon to the MB area: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51487851
