The Giants' Trail – more challenging than the TMB!

Already walked the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)? Or finding the trail accommodation fully booked? Don't worry, the Alps are packed with fantastic hiking trails for you to explore. Over the next few blog posts we will feature a number of TMB alternatives, based on our own experience and feedback from ICEGRIPPER customers…

Let's start with The Giants' Trail (Tor de Geants)

• Summary: Close to Mont Blanc, but a bit more challenging
• Where: Italy
• How long: 120km-330km
• How many days: 7 - 28 (depending on the section)
• How hard: Suitable for hikers with some experience of Alpine trekking.
• Fun fact: The trail is nicknamed "Giants" because it passes Europe's highest peaks: Monte Rosa (4634m), Matterhorn (4478 m), and Mont Blanc (4809m).
  
• Recommended ICEGRIPPER Product: Kahtoola KTS

The Giants' Trail is a great alternative to the Tour du Mont Blanc, offering fantastic Alpine walking, welcoming refuges and small hotels providing overnight accommodation (and great food) along the way.

The total length of the Giants Trial ('Tor de Geants') is actually 330km and starts and finishes in Courmayeur. It is walkable in various sections, broadly known as the AV1 and AV2.

The AV1 section weaves in and out, up and down the Northern flanks of the Aosta Valley, in the shadow of the 'Giants': the Matterhorn (or Cervino, as it is called in Italy), Monte Rosa and finally Mont Blanc, as the trail approaches Courmayeur.

The AV2 cuts across the side valleys on the southern side of the Aosta valley, including through the spectacular Gran Paradiso National Park.

Additionally, the entire route hosts The 'Tor des Géants 330'. This 205 mile/330Km ultra-trail race, is considered one of the hardest trail races in the world. This extreme challenge features elevation gain of 24,000 meters (78,740 feet) and the race has a time limit of 150 hours, allowing runners to choose their own rest strategy. The image below shows runners tackling a high altitude section - when it started to snow!

All the TMB alternative hikes we feature have high altitude sections which don’t open until late May/early June, usually because the mountain hut accommodation ‘refuges’ are not staffed until this time. Late ski season snow can also delay their opening too.

If you are planning to tackle any of these hikes, early season (end of May until July), expect snow and ice on the higher sections. You will need Micro Crampons, Gloves and Hats, in addition to layered clothing, insulated jackets and waterproofs.

If you enjoyed reading this particular blog post, have a look at our other reports on alternatives to the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB);

POLAR CIRCLE MARATHON

TOUR MONT BLANC (TMB)

We will be publishing further blogs covering: Alpine tours, exciting 'soft adventure' arctic events, Fjord tours and Glacier walks. Subscribe to receive informative articles and offers on ice grips, micro crampons and other cold weather walking/running kit.

Walk, work, run and play on winter ice and snow with ICEGRIPPER