The Tour du Mont Blanc and the Alta Via 1 are two of the most famous multi-day alpine treks. We asked our Operations Director, Olly, to answer a few questions to help you decide which one should be your next trekking adventure!Â
Where does each trek begin?
The Tour du Mont Blanc begins in Les Houches, 6km from Chamonix, France. The Alta Via 1 begins in Dobbiaco, in Northern Italy, close to Cortina.
How long is each trek?
There are shortened versions of each trek available, but the full Tour du Mont Blanc is 170km and the full Alta Via 1 is 120km.
Which had the most spectacular scenery?
With the Tour du Mont Blanc, the trails are higher and so you’ll see glaciers and multiple 4000m peaks. Whereas the Dolomites is lower altitude, but has more dramatic and varied. The Dolomites are famous for their vertical towers so can feel closer and more dramatic. Whereas the TMB feels more vast and epic.
Which had the most variety?
Tour du Mont Blanc is more varied, with green pastures and forests and then also the rugged trails above the tree line. Alta Via 1 is more bare, rocky and dramatic. Both have alpine lakes but with a different aesthetic. On the TMB the lakes are surrounded by green alpine fields, on the AV1 the lakes are bright turquoise against the rock. It feels like you are above the treeline a lot more on the Alta Via 1.
Which was the most challenging?
The Alta Via 1 is more difficult and challenging than the Tour du Mont Blanc from a technical perspective, with narrower passages and more exposure in places, and definitely more uneven trails than the TMB. The TMB and AV1 felt the same in terms of physical endurance challenge.
Which is best for beginners?
Neither is typically suitable for absolute beginner multi-day hikers for the reasons above. The Tour du Mont Blanc and Alta Via 1 shouldn’t be underestimated. Something like the Tour de la Vanoise would be a better beginner multi-day hike, or a shortened version of the TMB or AV1, such as our Highlights trip, to get you used to multiple days of hiking in a row.Â
Which had the best food?
The food always varies from hut to hut in both locations. But for me the best food was on the Alta Via 1. It’s the South-Tyrol region which blends Italian and Austrian dishes, which is essentially my favourite type of food. Think pastas, schnitzels and strudels.Â
Any other comments?
Make sure you do both!
Seriously though, if you would like more information or to gain a better understanding of exactly what the Tour du Mont Blanc and Alta Via 1 entail, get in touch with our Adventure Advisors who have done the treks themselves, and so can offer first hand experience of what to expect.Â
