Preparing for Tour du Mont Blanc

The TMB is exquisite but epic and it shouldn’t be taken lightly, even if you are only taking on the highlights. The great news is that people of all ages take it on, from teens to octogenarians. In general, we advise starting a training programme at least two months before you go (ideally three), building up slowly but committing to some long multi-day strenuous treks before you go. You also need to have a head for heights, as there are some exposed sections and parts where you have to use fixed ladders. 

Most importantly, never use the TMB as a way to get fit, as you risk injury or simply not enjoying it. It’s also worth remembering that the pace we set in our holiday itineraries is based on walking at a leisurely, gentle speed. We want you to revel in it all, not race it and training will help that. Here are some top tips, but for more details see our blog, Expert guidance on preparing for the TMB. 

Start with the basics

You are probably a keen walker already, and keeping up a basic 10,000 steps a day is always a good starting point, and then take on a hike at weekends to build up to and then match your TMB distances.

Power walks

We also recommend pushing yourself in the gym a little too. So press your inner power button some days, not just the snooze button, aiming for an hour’s workout in the gym, three times a week with, for example, 20mins on the treadmill, 20mins on the cross trainer, followed by 20mins of core and leg strength exercises. Then, at weekends, you also need to fit in a good length of an outdoor walk, hilly if possible. 

Hitting the heights

For hitting those high passes comfortably, you should double your efforts in the last few weeks, but always taking rest days to ensure you don’t injure yourself. You can, for example, increase your gym workout to include 60mins of cardiovascular exercise, including a good circuit of strength exercises such as squats and lunges, four times a week, plus a five hour hillwalk at weekends.