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Mont Blanc: Climbing the 'roof of Europe'

At 4,805 metres (15,771 feet) tall, Mont Blanc is Europe's highest peak. Impressed? We caught up with fellow Explorer Luke to find out about his time on our Highlights of Mont Blanc small group tour.
Written by Aimee White, who interviewed Luke Judd
Updated: January 26 2026

 

Mont Blanc is a mountain range in western Europe's Alps, located in France and stretching into Switzerland and Italy. Standing at 4,805 metres (15,771 feet), Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Europe, and is nicknamed 'the roof of Europe'.

If you're considering (or have already conquered) the likes of Matterhorn, Everest or Kilimanjaro, why not add Europe's highest mountain to your list?
 

We caught up with fellow Explorer Luke, who enjoyed day after day of rewarding mountain hikes. Read on to discover what he made of our eight-day Highlights of Mont Blanc tour, from tackling snowy peaks to learning about local wildlife:

Describe Mont Blanc in one word?

Alpine. That might sound obvious, but whenever I think back to my Mont Blanc trip, all I picture is that lofty, mountainous landscape. Wood-panelled lodges nestled in the valleys, night-green pine trees carpeting the hillside, cloud-piercing granite spires, splashes of bright flowers... there was beautiful scenery everywhere I looked.

 

Top tip: On two of the days, you can opt out of the full descent to the valley floor and take the cable car back down – at no extra cost to you. 

Pink wildflowers bloom in the foreground, surrounded by green meadows and scattered trees, while distant snow-capped mountains rise under a partly cloudy blue sky.

How did you find your tour leader?

Kristians, our tour leader, is a professional mountaineering guide. It felt like he was always five steps ahead of everyone else, from packing spare clothing (the weather in Mont Blanc is pretty changeable) to helping us across trickier terrain. He also went out of his way to buy food supplies and set up a food station at the hotel, so that we could make our own packed lunches each day.
 

Kristians wasn't just super-organized and knowledgeable; he was also very personable and easy to chat to. In fact, two people from the group wrote him a poem, which they presented to him on our last night! It was a thoughtful gesture that showed how much we had appreciated everything he'd done for us over the course of the week.

Hikers with backpacks converse on a rocky trail in a forested area, surrounded by green foliage and trees. One person faces the group, appearing to address them.

What were your fellow Explorers like?

We had a full group trip of 15 people. There was a mix of couples and solo travelers, with a few in their 30s and the rest between their 50s to 70s.

As this is a walking and trekking tour, the nature of the trip made it easy to get to know one another - I loved hearing about their previous walking vacations. One member of the group was a horticulturist, so he told us all about the colorful flora that punctuated the landscapes.

How did you find the pace of the trip?

This trip is graded as Moderate, and it felt like a well-paced trip with enough time to recuperate. Members of the group said that while they'd booked a walking vacation, they still wanted time to relax. We were all happy with the length and difficulties of the walks - there were a few additional walks we could've opted for, but we preferred to stop off at a cafe to rest up, talk and take in the views.
 

I'd recommend bringing walking poles and a water-to-go bottle for this Mont Blanc trip. The weather varies depending on the hiking altitudes, so layers are also essential - pack waterproofs, gloves, beanie hats, shorts, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Hikers traverse wooden planks over a grassy field, surrounded by dense evergreen trees and distant snow-capped mountains under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

What was your highlight of the trip?

My highlight of the trip was walking along a section of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc. From Les Praz, we took a cablecar to the Chalet de la Flegere, allowing us to venture much higher than other hiking routes. The two-hour route we followed took in view after view, leading on towards Lac Blanc.
 

Parts of the route were rockier and steeper, and there was still a lot of snow on the peaks, which was unusual for June. Working our way through this completely different terrain certainly mixed things up a bit, and it proved to be an exhilarating, rewarding walk.

Snow-capped mountain peaks tower under a blue sky with wispy clouds, overlooking a verdant valley. A ski lift with empty chairs stretches across the scene, enhancing the tranquil alpine setting.

Can you tell us a fun fact about Mont Blanc?

Kristians told us the story of how the alpine ibex were saved from extinction by royalty. In the 19th century, ibex were fiercely hunted for their horns as trophies and (assumed) medicinal benefits. This eventually led to alpine ibex being hunted out of all the European mountain ranges except for the Alps, where only a hundred or so remained.
 

Then, in 1821, Charles Felix - the Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia - banned the hunting of ibex across his kingdom. In 1911, the small population of remaining ibex were reintroduced to the Alps, and while there were other rewilding efforts in other European areas, they weren't as successful.
 

Today, rewilding is much more successful, with ibex spread across the Alps in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France and Slovenia. We spotted a few - although they'd climbed much higher than us!

Read our rewilding tips
Two ibexes graze on a rocky mountainside, surrounded by vibrant green grass and pink flowers, under a clear blue sky with snow-capped peaks in the background.

What's the food and drink like in Mont Blanc?

Food in Mont Blanc is quintessential Alpine cuisine: think fondue and raclette. The restaurants near our hotel in Chamonix served classic French cuisine, from slow-cooked beef to seabream. At Col de Balme, which marks the border between France and Switzerland, we enjoyed a Swiss hot chocolate overlooking the Swiss Alps.

And, of course, there was always plenty of cheese and wine - what more could you ask for after a long day of hiking?

A baked dish and salad sit on a white plate on a restaurant table. Nearby, there are glasses of red wine and water, with another dish visible in the background.

What was your accommodation like?

Our base for the week was a comfortable alpine chalet-style hotel situated in the village of Les Houches in the Chamonix Valley. Complete with wooden beams and decorated with old skiing and mountaineering equipment, our hotel also offered an indoor swimming pool, sauna and cosy bar and restaurant serving local specialties and homemade dishes.
 

Our spacious rooms each came with their own balconies - perfect for taking in the tranquil atmosphere and views of Mont Blanc ahead. In the evenings, we would either eat together at a nearby restaurant or at the hotel, or we'd group off to try different restaurants and bars.

Take me to Luke's trip
A wooden chalet-style hotel with bright lights illuminates the evening, surrounded by mountainous scenery. "HOTEL" is displayed prominently on the roof, with balconies adorned with flower boxes.

Luke's 5 best hikes in Mont Blanc:

  1. Chamonix: Follow the side of Chamonix Valley and along the River Arve, before taking in the famous mountain resort of Chamonix, which is situated below the snow-capped peaks of the Mont Blanc massif.
  2. Grand Balcon Nord: Grand Balcon Nord is part of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc trekking route, where you'll easily be wowed by the outstanding views of Europe's highest mountain.
  3. Col du Montets to Les Granges: From Col du Montets, walk through the pretty hamlet of Le Buet and press on up through the meadows to reach the waterfalls of Les Cascades du Berard.
  4. Aiguillettes des Possettes: Hike to the Col de Balme, which marks the border between France and Switzerland, before ascending to mighty Aiguillettes des Possettes for sublime panoramic views. Rest up with a gondola lift ride as you return to the valley floor.
  5. Tour du Mont Blanc: Hike along a section of the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc to Lac Blanc, then descend through the forest back to Chamonix.
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A person wearing sunglasses and a backpack smiles while taking a selfie. They stand in a mountainous area, surrounded by green hills and snow-capped peaks under a clear sky.

Don't just travel, Explore!

One of our best-selling hiking tours in Europe, our Mont Blanc Highlights trip takes place over eight days and includes a series of striking day walks. There's also plenty of authentic moments, from your alpine accommodation to local specialties. Our France small group tours cover various themes, from Discovery and Food to Biking and more!
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