Tour du Mont Blanc trail status
What's open, what it costs and what's changed, checked daily against official sources. Every fact links to its source and keeps its history.
Official source wins. We check these facts every day, but permits, fees and closures can change at short notice. If an official source disagrees with us, follow the official source and tell us.
Season
Early-season snow
Before mid-June, north-facing snow patches usually remain on several passes (Col du Bonhomme, Col des Fours, Fenêtre d'Arpette); poles are advised and lower variants exist for almost every pass.
“Before mid-June, several passes keep snow patches on their north side: the Bonhomme, the Col des Fours, the Fenêtre d'Arpette.” Source for early-season snow
Main season
Mid-June to mid-September. July and August have the best conditions and the most hikers.
“The ideal season runs from mid-June to mid-September. July and August offer the best conditions but also the highest footfall” Source for main season
Huts & refuges
Refuge bookings open
Bookings for summer 2027 open on 15 October 2026 on montourdumontblanc.com for all member refuges and gîtes of the TMB wardens' association; some refuges fill quickly after opening.
“Bookings for the 2027 season open on October 15th, 2026.” Source for refuge bookings open
Where to book refuges
Only members of the Association des Gardiens de Refuges du Tour du Mont-Blanc can be booked on montourdumontblanc.com (about 51 refuges and guesthouses in FR/IT/CH); other huts, including CAI and some private refuges, must be booked directly.
“If a place to stay does not appear, it is not part of the association and therefore cannot be booked through our website.” Source for where to book refuges
Refuge booking terms
A deposit is paid at booking. Changes can be made online up to 30 days before arrival. Cancelling more than 30 days out refunds 80% of the deposit; within 30 days there is no refund unless covered by cancellation insurance (up to 95% of the deposit).
“More than 30 days before arrival, you will be refunded 80% of the deposit paid, in accordance with the general terms and conditions of sale.” Source for refuge booking terms
Refuge opening dates
Each refuge sets its own season, roughly mid-June to mid/late September. In June and September some refuges are not yet open or have already closed; dates are shown on each refuge's page.
“In June and September, some refuges may not yet be open or may have already closed for the season.” Source for refuge opening dates
Refuge des mottets · Season
Refuge des Mottets (Vallée des Glaciers, below Col de la Seigne) is open 10 June – 20 September 2027.
“It will be open from the 10th June 2027 until 20th September 2027.” Source for refuge des mottets · season
Typical refuge prices
About €65–95 per night for dormitory half board when booking refuges directly; about €500–900 for accommodation on a 7–10 day trek.
“expect to pay around €65 to €95 per night for half-board in a dormitory, or between €500 and €900 for accommodation” Source for typical refuge prices
Permits & quotas
Bivouac · Aiguilles rouges reserve
Aiguilles Rouges nature reserves (Carlaveyron, Aiguilles Rouges, Vallon de Bérard; Chamonix valley, FR): a bivouac pitch must be booked on reserve-bivouac74.fr; regulated 1 June – 30 September by prefectural order.
“It is compulsory to book a pitch on the website https://reserve-bivouac74.fr/ before going to camp in one of the nature reserves” Source for bivouac · aiguilles rouges reserve
Bivouac · Chamonix
Commune of Chamonix (FR): camping banned outside designated sites; only high-altitude bivouac between sunset and sunrise. Bivouac is banned year-round at Lac Blanc, Blaitière pastures, the Col des Posettes area and Montagne de Chailloux.
“Only high-altitude bivouacking is permitted between sunset and sunrise.” Source for bivouac · chamonix
Bivouac · Contamines reserve
Contamines-Montjoie National Nature Reserve (FR), 15 June – 15 September: bivouac banned below 2,500 m and in sensitive zones, except 19:00–09:00 at the Pont de la Rollaz (40 tents) and La Balme (50 tents) areas. Prefectural order DDT-2026-0474, valid to 31 Dec 2026. Online booking at reserve-bivouac74.fr is required for these areas.
“Le bivouac est réglementé du 15 juin au 15 septembre dans la réserve naturelle des Contamines Montjoie” Source for bivouac · contamines reserve
Bivouac · Italy
Aosta Valley (IT): all forms of camping are banned, even for under 24 hours, and bivouac is banned below 2,500 m, which covers almost all of the Italian TMB. The same page gives a €566 fine for breaches.
“All forms of camping are banned across the Aosta Valley, even for periods of under twenty-four hours.” Source for bivouac · italy
Bivouac · Switzerland
Valais (CH): bivouac and wild camping are banned, with tolerated exceptions (one night, not in a group, above the tree line, or in an emergency). Bovernier, Martigny-Combe and Trient ban bivouac outright; use campsites at La Fouly, Champex (Relais d'Arpette) or Col de la Forclaz/Trient.
“Bivouacking and wild camping are prohibited in Switzerland.” Source for bivouac · switzerland
Bivouac · Vallee des glaciers
Vallée des Glaciers (Bourg-Saint-Maurice, FR): no bivouac (pastures and private land); there is an official bivouac area at Les Chapieux.
“As the entire Vallée des Glaciers consists of mountain pastures and private property, bivouacking is not permitted.” Source for bivouac · vallee des glaciers
Closures & advisories
Treutsebo diversion
Rockfall diversion in Switzerland (commune of Orsières, Swiss Val Ferret): the path between Prayon and Branche (Treutsebo sector) is rerouted on a signposted new path; the old path is closed. Camping and bivouacking are banned in this area.
“The new route, shown on the attached map, will be open and signposted from Saturday 11 July 2026.” Source for treutsebo diversion