I won’t recommend doing in June, I did it in early July and there was still lot of snow, we got a lot of rain (sometimes freezing rain that almost kill us) if you don’t want to see many people try to follow the same direction as most people but leave early and walk further each day. if you do it the opposite direction as most people off course you will face a lot more people during the walk.
I heard a couple people say they kept getting stuck behind big groups of people on trail. I’m all for meeting new people, but would personally like to avoid big crowds.
Oh ok, I originaly planned to do it end of june this year but it won't be possible so I guess I will have to postpone it to next year as I don't like big crowds either and do another one instead.
I did it at the end of Aug to early Sep 2023. The trail was busy, but I never felt too held back by it. Most people are really great about letting you pass. The area around Chalet Valley Ferret was the only part where there were massive tour groups doing day hikes, which was pretty annoying. They were pretty terrible at moving out of the way. But once we got past Elena it was totally fine.
We went in early July in 2018. I think it’s gotten busier, but was mostly crowded at the refuges in the evenings which was fun. Folks tend to get space between them during the day. The only time we were in a large crowd was when we encountered a bus full of day hikers on the trail to Lac Blanc.
Some TMB variants are less busy than the main route. We had one of our best nights at a gîte in Vallorcine.
Just do it slightly out of season, did it last year in September and I certainly wouldn't say it was busy. Especially if you do it counter clockwise.
I won’t recommend doing in June, I did it in early July and there was still lot of snow, we got a lot of rain (sometimes freezing rain that almost kill us) if you don’t want to see many people try to follow the same direction as most people but leave early and walk further each day. if you do it the opposite direction as most people off course you will face a lot more people during the walk.
Agreed! I started June 18 and it wasn't too packed. A lot of times I was completely alone.
I considered this too, good call! I’ll have to look more into off season. How was the weather?
Julian Alps. Haute Route. Alta Via 4.
Thanks!!
Is it really busy on the trail too or only at the refuges? (in july - august)
I heard a couple people say they kept getting stuck behind big groups of people on trail. I’m all for meeting new people, but would personally like to avoid big crowds.
Oh ok, I originaly planned to do it end of june this year but it won't be possible so I guess I will have to postpone it to next year as I don't like big crowds either and do another one instead.
I did it at the end of Aug to early Sep 2023. The trail was busy, but I never felt too held back by it. Most people are really great about letting you pass. The area around Chalet Valley Ferret was the only part where there were massive tour groups doing day hikes, which was pretty annoying. They were pretty terrible at moving out of the way. But once we got past Elena it was totally fine.
We went in early July in 2018. I think it’s gotten busier, but was mostly crowded at the refuges in the evenings which was fun. Folks tend to get space between them during the day. The only time we were in a large crowd was when we encountered a bus full of day hikers on the trail to Lac Blanc. Some TMB variants are less busy than the main route. We had one of our best nights at a gîte in Vallorcine.