Australians with mountains on their mind have been urged to plan early as demand grows for one of Europe’s most popular walks.
UTracks is encouraging Australians wanting to walk the Tour du Mont Blanc in 2027 to book early, with refuge bookings opening on October 15 and French authorities moving towards new measures requiring multi-day walkers to have accommodation booked in advance.
More than 90,000 people were reported to have walked the Tour du Mont Blanc this summer, up from 75,000 in 2025, according to figures from Les Amis de l’UTMB, reported by French newspaper Le Monde.
As walking holidays continue to grow in popularity, the 170km trail through France, Italy and Switzerland has become one of Europe’s most sought-after long-distance walks, attracting walkers from around the world.
“The Tour du Mont Blanc deserves its reputation as one of Europe’s great walks," said UTracks general manager Kate Baker.
"You cross three countries on foot, stay in mountain villages and have extraordinary alpine scenery around you day after day.
“The message for Australians considering Mont Blanc in 2027 is very simple: plan early. If you have your heart set on particular dates, especially during the most popular months, this is not a trip to leave until the last minute.”
The advice comes as authorities on the French section of the Tour du Mont Blanc develop a new management charter intended to better manage growing numbers on the trail.
Under the proposed measures, from the European spring of 2027 multi-day walkers on the French section would need to be able to show they have accommodation booked in a refuge, hotel, campsite or authorised bivouac area.
For UTracks travellers, accommodation along the route is arranged in advance as part of the itinerary, along with luggage transfers, removing two of the major logistical challenges of organising a multi-day walk independently.
Baker said the proposed changes should be viewed positively, helping to protect the trail while maintaining the experience for walkers and the communities they pass through.
“Better management of accommodation along such a popular route can help protect the environment and local communities, while giving walkers certainty about where they will be staying each night,” she said.
“The message for Australians considering Mont Blanc in 2027 is very simple: plan early. If you have your heart set on particular dates, especially during the most popular months, this is not a trip to leave until the last minute.”
The advice comes as authorities on the French section of the Tour du Mont Blanc develop a new management charter intended to better manage growing numbers on the trail.
Under the proposed measures, from the European spring of 2027 multi-day walkers on the French section would need to be able to show they have accommodation booked in a refuge, hotel, campsite or authorised bivouac area.
For UTracks travellers, accommodation along the route is arranged in advance as part of the itinerary, along with luggage transfers, removing two of the major logistical challenges of organising a multi-day walk independently.
Baker said the proposed changes should be viewed positively, helping to protect the trail while maintaining the experience for walkers and the communities they pass through.
“Better management of accommodation along such a popular route can help protect the environment and local communities, while giving walkers certainty about where they will be staying each night,” she said.
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