Trekking the TMB vs AV1

So having done TMB 1 time and AV1 3 times….Here’s my short guide on the highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc vs the highlights of the Alta Via 1 trek.

You really can’t go wrong on either one for a magical summer hiking vacation.

TMB Highlights

The good:

• More Americans on trail to talk to
• More glaciers!
• More dramatic up/downs
• More villages and towns
• paragliding
• slightly cheaper
• way easier to navigate (av1 signs are sh*&t)
• easier logistically to get to
• a lot more older people on trail
• way more awesome cows
• more water features (waterfalls, streams lakes execpt braies)
• bigger mountains

AV1 Highlights

The good:

• Scenery is epic and varied
• Warmer hosts at rifugios
• Food is twice as good
• wine is better
• more places on trail where you’re alone
• interactions with rock climbers
• less crowded around gondolas
• depending on hut better linens

Final Verdict

They both are a pain in the ass to book, which is a good thing to keep away instagrammers. But they are both iconic European hut to hut hikes that should be on your bucketlist.

Go and take your kids. Take your friends, take your family.

But don’t take your dogs. The huts will not allow them inside.

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We hope this quick guide on Trekking the TMB vs AV1 has given you a little insight for your summer planning.

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