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Guide updated on 9 November 2026

Best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc: seasons and weather

When should you hike the Tour du Mont Blanc? Hut opening dates, early-season snowfields, summer crowds, thunderstorms and month-by-month advice.

The TMB season runs from mid-June to mid-September, when the passes are usually free of snow and the huts are open. Each period has its advantages.

Mid-June to early July: nature wakes up

The alpine pastures are in bloom and the trails are still quiet. On the other hand, snowfields often linger on the north side of the passes: Col du Bonhomme, Col des Fours, Fenêtre d’Arpette, and sometimes patches below the Col de la Seigne. They can be slippery and hide the waymarking. Poles are essential and lightweight crampons useful; give the high variants a miss if there is still a lot of snow. Some huts don’t open until mid-June.

Mid-July to mid-August: peak season

Ideal walking conditions and all services open, but this is the busiest period: more than 1,000 hikers a day on some sections, and huts fully booked months in advance. The heat brings thunderstorms, most often between 2 and 5 pm: set off early so you cross the passes in the morning.

Late August: watch out for the UTMB

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc follows much of the route in late August (24–30 August in 2026). For a week, Chamonix and the trails are packed with runners and spectators. The 2027 dates had not been announced: a change of dates is being discussed because of the Cycling World Championships, held in Haute-Savoie from 24 August to 5 September 2027.

September: the best compromise

Fewer people, superb light and often settled weather. The days get shorter and the mornings are cool, and some huts and lifts close between 10 and 20 September: check the dates for each place you plan to stay.

Hut opening dates in 2027 (examples)

  • Refuge des Mottets: 10 June – 20 September 2027
  • Refuge de la Balme: 12 June – 12 September 2027
  • Rifugio Bertone: 12 June – 16 September 2027
  • Chalet La Grange (Champex): 19 June – 26 September 2027

You will find the opening season of each establishment on its accommodation page.

Keeping an eye on the weather

Check the mountain forecasts every evening (Météo-France montagne for Haute-Savoie, MeteoSwiss for Valais, the Aosta Valley bulletin) and ask the hut wardens for advice: they know the state of the passes. In bad weather, there is almost always a lower-level variant.

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