5 Top Tips for hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc solo
Meg is a yoga instructor based in Luxembourg who loves to spend her free time traveling, hiking, and getting lost in nature.
“Since I was little, growing up in the UK and exploring the Lake District and Wales, I fell in love with being outside. If there are mountains and woods nearby I could walk forever. I now love to take my 15 month old baby girl along with me on my hikes.”
Meg completed the Tour du Mont Blanc in 2024 as a trail ambassador. This was her first solo thru hike. Read her top tips for hiking the TMB solo.
Tip #1: Pack less!
When I was planning my hike I chose ultralight everything apart from my sleeping bag because I know I often get cold at night camping. But my pack was still heavy - around 11kg. When you are hiking alone there is nobody to help you so make sure you just pack the essentials and anything you need you can get on the way in one of the towns you pass through.
Tip #2: You don’t have to carry food
Apart from a few emergency granola bars you really don’t need to pack food. You can buy food in the refuges along the way or pop into a local grocery store to grab something before you head out of town. There is rarely more than 6 miles between places to eat. So you won’t starve!
TIP #3 - Take a book
I know it’s somewhat of a luxury item when thru hiking but I was so happy to have a book to read on my down time. There were many occasions where I hiked much quicker to my next destination and had hours to spare. There’s something special about sitting down to read and looking up at the mountains around you.
Tip #4 - It is a very safe hike to do solo
Even though I was alone, you are very rarely completely alone on trail. Even if you think you are, I guarantee there is someone just ahead or just behind you and as soon as you take a break they will appear. Say hi and make friends, the community on this trail is special. I never felt scared or worried about hiking alone as you tend to see the same people along the trail for the first few days.
TIP #5: Try a gondola!
The views and experience is something not to be missed. The gondola rides give you a unique overview of part of the trail you’ve likely just hiked and it’s a moment of calm and awe as you look around you at the epic mountain scape. If you can fit this into your route I highly recommend you try it at least once.
“Most importantly, enjoy it, embrace it all, and take photos! ”
