For walkers aiming to set their sights on a multi-day adventure in the European Alps, two routes consistently rise to the top of the list: the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) and The Haute Route. Both adventures begin in the shadow of Mont Blanc; both traverse some of Europe’s most spectacular mountain scenery and both offer an unforgettable hiking experience. Yet despite their similarities, they are also both deliver remarkably different journeys depending on what you’re looking for. Whether you're just initially looking into a walking holiday in the Alps, are ready to get planning an Alps walking holiday or searching for inspiration on the ultimate hiking holiday Alps experience, these two iconic routes are among the very best options available.

The Classic Tour du Mont Blanc is famous for its classic circuit around Western Europe’s highest peak, tracing a loop around the entire massif. Starting and finishing in Chamonix (or one of the nearby trailheads), the route winds through France, Italy and Switzerland before returning to its starting point over 10-days of trekking. Along the way, walkers are treated to constantly shifting views of the Mont Blanc range, passing through alpine villages, high mountain passes and spectacular scenery. It’s no exaggeration when we call it one of Europe’s best alpine walking holidays, and for good reason: it’s often the trek people measure veery other Alps hiking holiday against.

Then there’s the Classic Haute Route, a wilder, more demanding adventure that links Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn by a series of high cols and impressive glaciers over 11-days of trekking and climbing. This is proper mountain travel — 120km of walking and around 10,000m of combined ascent and descent, threading between two of the Alps' most iconic peaks. The treks culminate in Zermatt beneath the iconic Matterhorn, providing arguably one of the most memorable finales of any long-distance walk in Europe.

The Classic Tour du Mont Blanc is a challenging long-distance trek that calls for a good level of fitness and recommended previous hill-walking experience. Trekkers can cover an average of around 17km a day, with ascents and descents that often exceed 1,000m in a single stretch. The route crosses several iconic mountain passes as well, including the Col de la Seigne and Col de Balme, each rewarding the effort with spectacular views and a real sense of achievement.

Despite the physical demands, the trail itself follows well-established mountain paths throughout, ranging from gentle valley walking to steeper, rockier ground higher up. On our Classic Tour du Mont Blanc, vehicle support is provided on most days, so trekkers only need to carry a light daypack rather than their full kit. Daily walking times generally run between 7 and 9 hours, and the real challenge isn't technical difficulty so much as the cumulative effect of several consecutive days on your feet in the mountains.

Alternatively, the Classic Haute Route a serious mountaineering adventure, graded at 11. It involves sections of scrambling on exposed ridges, snow slope climbing and glacier travel, where ropes, crampons and an ice axe all come into play. The mountain huts along the way aren't accessible by vehicle, so you'll need to carry your own equipment for the duration — we'd recommend keeping your rucksack to around 10kg including water, to keep things manageable on the tougher terrain.

For those after something a little less demanding, our Walker's Haute Route offers an alternative. It uses carefully chosen transfer links to focus on the most spectacular sections of the route — its finest, most rewarding scenery — while skipping over some more demanding valley stages. That means many of the route's highlights are packed into just eight days, making for a more concentrated (and in some ways more intense) trekking experience, and one of the most rewarding alpine holidays in Europe. Even so, don't underestimate it: this version still demands stronger endurance, better stamina and more confidence on uneven mountain terrain than the standard Tour du Mont Blanc.

On the Classic Tour du Mont Blanc, you’ll will stay in comfortable, welcoming hotels or chalets - usually family-run places that have everything you need at the end of a long but rewarding day on the trail. One real highlight of the trek is an overnight stay at the beautifully situated Bonatti Refuge, perched at the foot of the Grandes Jorasses and looking straight across at the magnificent Fréboudze glacier.

On the Classic Haute Route, you’ll spend 10-nights in mountain huts or similar accommodation (gites) that are more basic than the Tour du Mont Blanc. Rooms are dormitory-style and non-segregated, with no option for single rooms, and washing facilities in the high mountain huts are limited. Although lacking in home comforts, it more than makes up for in atmosphere and location: waking up in a remote, high-mountain hut surrounded by glaciers and peaks is about as close as you'll get to a genuine taste of life on an Alps hiking holiday.

The Classic Tour du Mont Blanc is ideal for trekkers looking to experience the very best of the Alps on one of the world's most iconic long-distance walking routes. Its excellent trail network, comfortable accommodation and well-established infrastructure make it a fantastic choice for those tackling their first multi-day Alpine trek, as well as experienced hikers seeking spectacular scenery without straying too far from civilisation. If you're looking for a challenging yet accessible adventure that combines dramatic mountain landscapes with charming villages, rich local culture and comfortable places to rest your head, the Tour du Mont Blanc is hard to beat – which is exactly why it remains one of the most popular walking holidays in the Alps.

At KE, we also offer alternative ways to take on the TMB. The Best of the Tour du Mont Blanc condenses the route into just 6-days of trekking, linking together the very best stages with short vehicle transfers so you get the highlights without the full 12-day commitment. For those after something a little different, the Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc takes on a unique high-level route around the circuit, offering a fresh perspective on this classic trek for those who've perhaps done it before or simply want to push things further.

The Classic Haute Route is best suited to those looking for a genuine mountaineering challenge. Previous alpine mountaineering experience is useful, particularly with crampons, and being well coordinated and confident over steep, rocky ground is essential. Groups are led by an IFMGA guide, with guiding at a ratio of 1:4 throughout the trip. In return for your physical efforts, the route rewards strong walkers with some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps - from remote valleys and rugged mountain landscapes to that unforgettable finale beneath the Matterhorn in Zermatt.

If that sounds appealing but a touch out of reach, the Walker's Haute Route offers a great alternative — best suited to experienced hikers wanting a bigger mountain challenge, packed into an 8-day adventure. With higher passes, more demanding terrain and a greater sense of remoteness, it's a step up in adventure from the Tour du Mont Blanc, without tipping into full mountaineering territory. If you've already got a long-distance trek under your belt or fancy a less crowded alpine adventure that doesn't demand weeks away, the Walker's Haute Route is well worth considering.

Ultimately, both routes rank among the finest walking holidays in the Alps. The Tour du Mont Blanc offers a classic introduction to multi-day Alpine trekking, while the Walker's Haute Route provides a more demanding and adventurous challenge. Whether you're looking for an Alps hiking holiday, one of Europe's best alpine walking holidays or a memorable hiking holiday Alps experience, either trek will leave you with unforgettable memories of the mountains.