Did you know you can camp on Tour du Mont Blanc? While not as comfortable as making use of the TMB refuges, it's a great option to cut costs and get a bit closer to nature.
So, let's tell you more about Tour du Mont Blanc camping, including where to camp and how to prepare!
Gorgeous views on the Tour du Mont Blanc highlights trip.
Tour du Mont Blanc at a Glance
The Tour du Mont Blanc straddles France, Italy, and Switzerland.
It's an incredibly scenic region that will take you on a 165-mile circumnavigation of the massive Mont Blanc massif. Typically completed in 11 stages, the trail passes through 7 stunningly beautiful valleys, charming mountain villages, and some of the most rugged high alpine scenery imaginable.
When you book a tour with Skyhook, you will stay in a network of mountain refuges that provide basic accommodation and meals.
However, you can make small adjustments to your adventure and camp, instead of the Tour du Mont Blanc refuges. This way, you will get more flexibility and escape the reservation headaches - especially if you're hiking Tour du Mont Blanc without a guide.
Hiking through a forest on the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Why Camp on the TMB?
There are countless reasons why camping elevates the TMB experience to a new level of adventure and fulfilment. Here are the top three:
1. Avoid the Refuge Reservation Nightmare
This is not something you'll worry about if you're on one of our guided tours, as all accommodation arrangements would be made on your behalf. But, if you're hiking without a guide, it gets a bit more difficult to reserve accommodations fast when booking opens (around October).
Camping allows you to spontaneously pitch a tent at demarcated campgrounds without any booking required. But, ensure you pick the best time to climb Tour du Mont Blanc when the weather and alpine conditions are favourable. We recommend trying this in Summer (June - September), where you can even 'wild camp!'
Most trekkers follow a 10-12 day itinerary or a shortened (4-5 day) version of the same route.
2. Affordable Alpine Adventure
TMB is one of the most expensive backpacking adventures, especially when you factor in about 60 Euros per person (meals included) for a spot in the refuges.
But camping cuts that cost to about 10 Euros - that's 50 Euros that you can spend on delicious meals and other needs!
3. Flexibility
Every day is open for exploration when you're not beholden to resort reservations. You can linger through idyllic valleys and veer off on detours, all at your own pace without pre-set schedules.
If conditions require adjusting plans, you can simply roll with it by finding an ideal camping spot for the night.
You'll find a network of campgrounds conveniently located all along the Tour du Mont Blanc circuit.
These range from tent-only pitches to full-facility campgrounds - the latter with basic amenities like showers and electricity outlets - not charging stations though, so pack battery devices if you're not committing to going completely off the grid.
There are also free-to-use areas for "bivouacking" (backcountry camping) near select refuges and mountain huts. Just be aware that some stages of the TMB have limited camping options, which may necessitate slight detours or using public transportation to access accommodation.
Stage 1: Les Houches and Chamonix
Your TMB adventure begins in the valley towns of Les Houches and Chamonix, where you'll find an array of fantastic campgrounds to start your trek refreshed. These include:
Camping Les Arolles: €11.5 per person and close to Chamonix-SUD bus station. It's close to supermarkets if you need to stock up for the journey ahead, plus a hot shower!
Camping Bellevue: Located right at the start of TMB, costs €7.50 per person. You get a charging station, hot shower, and toilets!
If you are dreaming of beautiful views like this, the first step is to get in shape!
Stage 2: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux
As you set off on the trail, you'll quickly enter the heart of the massif and find camping at its most primordially sublime. Potential camping locations en route include:
Camping Le Pontet: Located 18km from the start, and costs €4.40 for a tent and €5.50 per adult. Perfect for a self-guided TMP adventure thanks to numerous amenities like toilets, dishwashing station, laundry facility, free shower, a small grocery store, and a restaurant. Visit the Tourism Office across from the grocery store to charge up your devices.
Nant Borrant wild camp: After trekking for 23km, and just about 1.5 hours from Les Contamines, you'll come to a refuge called Nant Borrant. Just a slight distance past, there's a designated wild camping area - it's marked with a sign from your left. This is a free camping spot, although it possibly only has toilets and water supply for amenities.
Refuge de la Balme: Located 26km from the start, this is another option for Tour du Mont Blanc wild camping close to the Chalet Refuge de la Balme. It's free, and you get basic amenities like toilets, water supply, and sinks.
Les Chapieux: Free camping, again! After 34 km, find your way to the Tourist Office in town and camp there. It's a bit noisy, but you have access to restaurants and a small shop to stock up on groceries.
Stage 3: Les Chapieux
At this stage, you're probably starting to discover new Tour du Mont Blanc difficulty levels. But, when ready to catch a breath, camp here:
Wild camping at Rifugio Elisabetta: 49 km into your hike, you can camp for free near the
Rifugio Elisabetta: Here, there's a free water supply, and you can book a meal at the refugio, too.
Wear layers that you can take off as it gets warmer or add when temperatures drop.
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The further you get on your hike, you will start finding fewer camping options. But once you're close to Courmayeur, you have a good option to set up a tent and also do some grocery shopping.
Aiguille Noire: This campsite is a short distance from Courmayeur and will charge €12.5 per person. You get a hot shower for €0.5 for 5 minutes and a socket to charge your devices. Stock up on essentials (they are a bit expensive) at the mini market or take a short bus ride to the Carrefour supermarket at La Saxe Pontal.
Val Veni Campgrounds: Located about 53 km into your hike, this campsite is very close to Aiguille Noire, and charges €5.00 for a tent, €7.50 per adult. You get toilets, a hot shower with soap, and a restaurant.
If for whatever reason you cannot camp in any of these, you can take a 15-minute bus ride (costs €2) to Val Ferret campgrounds from Courmayeur. The charges amount to around €12, with amenities like laundry, dishwashing, hot showers, toilets, and a small food shop.
tour du mont blanc packing list
Stage 6 + 7: Rifugio Bonatti to Champex
Grand Col Ferret: Your first option lies at the 90-kilometre mark. It is a free option for Tour du Mont Blanc wild camping. When we say wild camping, we mean it - there are no amenities here. So, stock up before leaving Val Ferret.
It's technically hard (and illegal) to 'wild camp' in Switzerland, so we only recommend pitching at designated spots. For instance:
Des Glaciers: At the 100-kilometre mark, you will pay €8 per adult for a tent spot, and some amenities like dishwashing, laundry, toilets, free Wi-Fi, and a small shop.
After passing La Fouly, you can camp again in Champex:
Les Rocailles: Marks 115 km, and is 4.5 hours from La Fouly. The campground charges €22 (expensive, but it's Switzerland!) The amenities include free hot showers, a power socket, and a picnic area. There's a supermarket in Champex, so do stock up on essentials.
Stage 8 + 9: Champex to Tre le Champ
As you go from Champex;
Hike another 7-8 hours to camp at Le Peuty. This site is on the 133-kilometre mark, with basic amenities like toilets and water supply. It's open-air and charges €6.00 per person.
Leaving Switzerland behind, you're heading into France where you can enjoy lower prices for most things!
Your first camp on the way is Pierre Semard at Tre Le Champ which charges €10-12 per person. You will enjoy hot water showers and power sockets.
After Tre Le Champ, the next available Tour du Mont Blanc camping options are:
Refuge du Col de Balme: This campground is highly dependent on weather conditions since the area is awfully windy. But, if you come on a calm day, the owner might just let you camp. It's free, on the 137-kilometre mark, and you will have access to the refuge's basic amenities!
Col de Posettes: If it's too windy on Refuge du Col de Balme, you can trek a further 2 km to wild camp at Col de Posettes. It's free, but you get absolutely no amenities.
If none of those options works out for you, you can camp in Argentiere. It's a famous option for most TMB hikers. Next up...
Camping du Glacier d'Argentiere: Located on the 144-kilometre mark, this site is a bit removed from the trail - 40 minutes from Tre-le-Champ. It charges €10, with all the amenities you expect, hot showers included.
When you finally make it to Chamonix;
Camp at Les Arolles. It's literally at the foot of Mont Blanc, charging only €8.70 per adult. You will find a lot of essential amenities, and access to comfier accommodations like cabins and rooms if the trek has you worn out.
A lot of the trails are fairly gentle.
What to Pack for Camping
Packing for a camping trek requires striking a delicate balance between having the right gear and going as lightweight as possible. Here are some essential items to include:
A durable tent that can withstand wind, rain, and rugged ground.
Bring footprints and burlier stakes if you are wild camping.
A sleeping bag rated 0°C to -5°C to stay warm on chilly mountain nights.
An insulated inflatable sleeping pad.
A lightweight stove and fuel.
A backcountry purifier is ideal for treating water.
Pack ample base layers, a puffy jacket, gloves, and a warm hat for changeable alpine weather.
A battery pack to keep your phone and electronics charged up.
Essentials like rain gear, a first aid kit, a fire starter, a multitool, a map, a headlamp, sun protection, and an emergency shelter.
Download GPS tracks for the TMB route to easily navigate between campsites.
With a tour company organising the logistics, you are free to relax and enjoy the trek.
Food, Drink and Budgeting
One of the biggest perks of camping at the Tour du Mont Blanc is easily accessible food delights - not only the humdrum dehydrated camping food.
While self-catering from grocery stores in villages lets campers save huge money, you can also splurge on regional cheeses, charcuterie, wines, and other epicurean pleasures. Bakeries are everywhere for unforgettable fresh-baked breads and pastries to fuel big hiking days.
Even mountain refuges welcome campers to purchase provisions like sandwiches, hot soups, and drinks while providing access to potable water sources.
In terms of budgeting, camping can help trim overall travel costs. After affordable campground fees, your biggest expenditures become food, drinks, fuel, and transportation.
On average, food costs can be as follows (per person, per day):
Breakfast: €3
Snacking: €2-3
Lunch: €4-5. A bigger meal can cost €12-20 on available refuges.
Dinner: €5-7 if cooking your meals. Otherwise, upwards of €20 for dinner (plus drinks!) at mountain huts and refuges.
Happy trekkers on the Tour du Mont Blanc highlights route.
Wrapping Up
Now that you're equipped with all the essential knowledge, it's time to start mapping out your epic Tour du Mont Blanc camping adventure! The only requirements? A spirit of adventure and a tent to call your temporary mountain home!
