TMB.....Tour de Monte Blanc

[Bumble]

Hi,
I wonder if anyone on here has walked the TMB.....I did last August....would love to hear opinions on how it compares with the Camino......I really enjoyed it ....tougher than the Camino Frances.......met fantastic people ....even though most people told me it is not as social as the Camino.....it can only be walked June to September..........the mountain Refuges are great.....like the Alberges in Spain. Cheers.

 

[spursfan]

Hi,
I wonder if anyone on here has walked the TMB.....I did last August....would love to hear opinions on how it compares with the Camino......I really enjoyed it ....tougher than the Camino Frances.......met fantastic people ....even though most people told me it is not as social as the Camino.....it can only be walked June to September..........the mountain Refuges are great.....like the Alberges in Spain. Cheers.

I haven't walked the TMB but for many years I spent a week walking up and down the valley underneath Mont Blanc, whilst staying in Chamonix - even though a lot of the paths there are graduated (since they are ski trails in the winter) there is still some serious ascending and descending to do (I pretty much walked up from the valley and hardly ever took lifts down) - my days there would involve something between 1200-1800m of ascent and descent

By contrast the Camino is a gentle stroll that involves some similar paths, a lot of flat walking along or close to roads with the toughest days being the climbs to Roncesvalles and the Cruz de Ferro - to get the same level of exertion as the TMB you would need to walk at least 50k each day

 

[newfydog]

I have a friend who has walked both. She stated rather firmly that the Camino was a better experience, but we never got into details as to why. She is an avid outdoors person, early '70's.

 

[Carel5]

The Tour du Mont-Blanc I walked twice, as 20 year old with a tent, and in 1998 when I was 49 year old and stayed mostly in gites and refuges. I've never walked a Camino but my impression is that the TMB is more demanding. Sometimes you climb 1200 meter, you pass through scree and snow. The nature is really wonderful. It was an unforgettable experience.

I advise you to take your time and include the full Italian part of the TMB. (Some people skip it for time reasons).

All in all, an Alpine Tour in high mountains is in quite in another league than strolling on Spanish by roads. Both have their pros and contras however.

Just an advise. Avoid the crowds in the first weeks of August. In the first weeks of July the refuges are not so crowded and it is mostly possible to walk over the highest passes. The other alternative is early September.

 

[edandjoan]

I have had a TMB book for a couple of years and I think this will be the year my husband and I walk it. We have walked Le Puy to Muxia..not all in one season. I expect it to be hard but with shorter days so would love to hear what others say about it. We may walk from Les Houches to Champex and then venture off to see more of Switzerland by train and day hiking.