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Up the mountain and down again – on the TMB near Chamonix

Just in case you hadn’t noticed from my lack of posts, in the last few days I’ve been up the mountain and down again, following the path of the Tour de Mont Blanc above the Chamonix valley, with my friend Julia. Unfortunately we didn’t have the time or the energy to do the full eleven day long distance walk through Italy, France and Switzerland but we thoroughly enjoyed the last three days getting a taste of what the full TMB might be like.

Heather and Julia at the start of our walk in Les Houches
Heather and Julia at the start of our walk in Les Houches

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We’ve climbed up from the valley and have the aching calves to prove it. We’ve slept in the Refuge Bellechat in close proximity to 20 or so other sweaty walkers and washed under the cold tap with a grandstand view of Mont Blanc across the valley. We’ve passed, with a quiet sense of superiority all those ‘day tripper’ walkers coming down for a short stroll from the cable car at Brevant, and observed with admiration those who were actually close to completing the full eleven day Tour de Mont Blanc.

Heather and Julia at the end of our walk in Les Houches
Heather and Julia at the end of our walk in Les Houches

We’ve come down from the mountain still smiling and vowing that we’ll be back another year to continue our Tour de Mont Blanc. We have the before and after pictures to prove it. I’ll be telling you all the stories very soon…

In the Chamonix valley we stayed at the modern, stylish, Hotel Slalom that is perfectly placed in Les Houches for summer walking opposite the start of the anti-clockwise TMB route. Double rooms in the summer season €86-99 plus €10 breakfast.

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Other articles from our mini Tour de Mont Blanc

Day 1 on the Tour de Mont Blanc – Les Houches to Refuge de Bellachat
Day 2 on the Tour de Mont Blanc – Refuge de Bellachat to Flégère
Day 3 on the Tour de Mont Blanc – Flégère to Lac Blanc

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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Sherry Ott

Wednesday 8th of September 2010

Yeah!! I've been waiting for you to go on this trip ever since you wrote about your plans a few months ago! Can't wait to hear about it and see pics. I never knew about the trail before - so am very excited to add it to my list of 'hikes I want to do'! Looks like you had spectacular weather!

Sunee

Wednesday 8th of September 2010

The views must have been spectacular - can't wait to see your pictures!