This One Breathtaking Trail Made Rick Steves Fall In Love With Hiking
European adventure expert Rick Steves is all about having authentic experiences while traveling. Despite this, he admitted in a 2021 interview with Outside Magazine that his European escapades never involved a popular outdoor activity: hiking. That was until he hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc. If you're unfamiliar with this trail, brace yourself. The Tour du Mont Blanc spans 103 miles and traverses France, Italy, and Switzerland. Additionally, it features an elevation gain of over 30,000 feet.
Speaking to Outside Magazine, Steves said he decided to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc because he was overworked. Ultimately, hiking was life-changing for him, saying, "What I like is the rhythm of my feet on the trail." Steves added, "It's therapeutic. It's a delightful experience for my body and my soul." Completing the Tour du Mont Blanc can take nearly two weeks.
The hike starts and ends in Chamonix, a hidden gem for outdoor adventures in the French Alps. Along the way, hikers stay in mountain lodges or huts and dine on local fare. Those who decide to take on the journey are met with unforgettable mountain scenery, landscapes, and memories. Steves, who was in his 60s when he hiked the trail, told Outside Magazine that anyone else could too if he did.
Rick Steves' advice for hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc
Rick Steves did not complete the Tour du Mont Blanc in its entirety, nor did he do it alone. Instead, he and three others hiked 60 miles of the trail from Chamonix and back. Nevertheless, this was a challenging feat. On his blog, Rick Steves' Europe, he wrote, "Each day, we'd hike what the trail signs said would be a five-hour hike — that took us six or seven. Our mantra: "Take our time. This is why we're here." Generally, the day would start at a 3,000-foot climb to a pass (or "col") 8,000 feet above sea level."
However, he did acknowledge that they had some help. One of Steves' best travel tips for hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc is to hire a luggage transfer service. This way, you won't have to carry all your gear as you hike. Instead, when you arrive, it'll be at your mountain lodge each day. In a video uploaded to this YouTube channel, Steves revealed that hikers can expect to traverse 10 miles daily.
In his blog, the travel expert wrote that he prepped by hiking before the trip in his home state of Washington and advised others to do the same. Some other things to consider: Although meals are provided to hikers staying at mountain lodges, Steves' said (via YouTube) that hikers are not given a choice on what they dine on but did note that the food was delicious. He also expressed the importance of hydration while hiking.
How you can hike the Tour du Mont Blanc
Rick Steves has gone on to feature the Tour du Mont Blanc in his PBS Show "Rick Steves' Europe." Understandably, he believes this is a must-do for travelers. If you want to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, do so between June and September for optimal weather conditions. While you can plan a hike on your own, there are several details to consider, including booking mountain lodges, luggage transfer service, flights, and more.
The best way to get to Chamonix is to fly to Geneva, Switzerland. From there, you can take a brief bus or train ride. Either option will take you to Chamonix in about two hours. Tour du Mont Blanc hiking expert Troy Haines told Outside Magazine that travelers should book their hiking trip at least 10 months in advance. That said, if you prefer to take a guided hike or need assistance planning your trip, book a tour.
Alpine Hikers is one of many tour operators that offer guided hikes on Tour du Mont Blanc. The trips last 11 days and begin in Chamonix, from where hikers proceed to Italy and Switzerland. At the time of this publication, the cost is $5,995 per person. Accommodations, meals, and luggage transfers are included.