How to Plan and Hike the Haute Route, Tour of Mont Blanc, and More Hikes in the European Alps!

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Chapter List (Clickable): 00:57 - Budget & Expenses 02:27 - The Guide Book 04:06 - Generic Trip Itinerary 06:10 - Booking your Flights 09:13 - Accommodations & Amenities 15:25 - Your Packing List 19:27 - Foreign Languages 20:05 - Final Tips & Thoughts

[@ymmm-yogamovementmeditatio9507]

My husband and I are doing the Haute Route next year, we will be camping! When we get tired we'll stay in huts. You always meet interesting people!

[@cosclan1]

We’ve just finished the TMB and thought nothing could top that but this looks just as good if not better, thanks for the amazing video and advice.

[@JourneywithBrandon]

The TMB is world renown and a wonderful route that I plan on completing someday, I'm glad the advice can help!

[@hainesftw90]

Just beginning planning a trip to France/Switzerland for the Haute Route, probably in late summer of 2025. This video will be a great help on that. Thanks!

[@suzanek5799]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@JourneywithBrandon]

You're welcome!

[@jiminy82]

I and three friends are starting this on August 24th. Thanks for the video, it helps.

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Awesome! How did it go?

[@jiminy82]

@@JourneywithBrandon it was amazing. We had to miss a (apparently great) section between cabane de Louvie and cabane de Pflurarie due to 1.5 ft of snow on the cols, but then the weather cleared and we had amazing, almost too hot weather the rest of the trip. It was challenging, but so worth it!

[@leighannebrown-pedersen7536]

Fellow Denver area person here. I’m probably 15 years older. Husband and I did the Italian Alta Via 1.. probably easier for you but so so recommended. Easy single flight denver to Munich and train down. I am already planning my next. We used a company to set up our Refugio’s (Italian huts). Do the Dolomites someday!

[@JourneywithBrandon]

I'm planning on doing the Alta Via next year in August too, I bought the book from Cicerone. Hope to see you on a trail some day!

[@leighannebrown-pedersen7536]

@@JourneywithBrandon if you do the Alta Via, I cannot recommend enough the Tabacco Map and their app. Even my phone in airplane mode, it tracked which trail we were on. 85% perfectly marked trails but sometimes it’s hard to tell which one is correct.

[@jordanmorris9492]

Loved your video and ordered the book. Thanks a lot for putting it together!

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Good luck on your trip! I'm glad I could help. You're in for a treat :)

[@heathersankey7886]

Really great information and beautiful video! I want to hike this for my 40th next summer and I was really overwhelmed trying to plan something internationally but I ordered my Cicerone book and can't thank you enough for sharing your beta.

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Hi Heather, I'm stoked for your trip, and I'm glad my experience can help bolster your confidence. You're going to love it! The stair master was a great way for me to prepare, especially with a full pack on. Good luck, and happy future birthday!

[@DestinationUnknown227]

This video is extremely helpful and appreciate you for doing this! I’m not sure when I’ll be able to do this trip but I pray it’ll be sometime sooner than later 🤩 Have a great day and your work is beautiful 💙

[@BethanyWilliams]

Very informative. thank you Brandon! We are planning to go in August, and we enjoyed your video.

[@matyoos]

Great detailed tips, I'm saving this for when I start planning for the Haute Route. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@JourneywithBrandon]

You're going to love it! Good luck, and I hope you're able to go soon! 😎

[@jeffschrakamp8979]

Nice summary. I've done TMB three times (obviously loved it) and now scheduling The Haute Route for this summer and have been doing the research and booking accommodations. Great tips on the inclusive Tram tickets with lodging stays! I will be 61 for this hike and will love to skip some brutal downhills! Loved the Google Earth map route summaries too! Any tips on that would be appreciated!

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Thank you! If you watch my full Haute Route film, each episode/day has a map of the route that we used. I recommend checking it out! The guide book is fantastic too (especially the new one). It also talks about the trams that are available on the different legs, so it's very helpful. Good luck on your trek! You're going to love it.

[@natasha_rihs]

How did you book the Cabanes?

[@unmade1]

Did a solo trek on the TMB in late June 2019. Planning to do another solo hike on the Haute Route this summer. All vaxed and ready to go! Thanks for all this great info and really enjoyed your photography in your Haute Route vid. Beautiful. Cheers! And best of luck with the channel.

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Thank you, Michael! I'm really glad you enjoyed the film and that my tips were helpful. Have a great trip! I'll do the TMB someday too, it's amazing out there.

[@marlonxxi1]

Nice video How much does a campsite cost? v shelter

[@jimthomas1759]

Thanks so much - great information. I am considering a solo hike - did you feel safe there?

[@JourneywithBrandon]

I always felt safe, even when sharing a room with others. The people you'll encounter are people dedicated to the outdoors and you'll find a lot in common with them!

[@pnw_wanderer9786]

Great inspiration!!! I'm using my Chase and Amex points to pay for the transport, flights and mountain huts. I asked my friend and she said yes!!! We have to decide between the Haute Route, TMB or Eagles Walk :) wonder if I could combine the TMB and WHR

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Fortunately the WHR and TMB share many stages before they break off from each other. You could do one, then easily take transit to finish the other without repeating previous days. Sounds like a great trip! Wish I could join you!

[@SolarSailor]

I know I'm 3 years late but thanks for the great video! I'm thinking about doing it next year and am not worried about the physical part necessarily, but I'm a little worried how easy the trail is to follow. I'm not very experienced backpacking and would hate to get lost since I might so it solo. Was there a time you lost the trail? Can you recommend doing it solo? I would go with a friend, but none are in good enough shape

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Those are good questions. There was a time that I got a little bit lost, But we did find our way again fairly easily. The trails are well marked and you won't easily go astray. The thing that will help you the most is having a guidebook. It is an indispensable asset, and I suggested one from Cicerone in the video. You can also buy the book with GPX files to put on your phone so that you can follow GPS paths. You can do it solo, and I see the appeal of doing it that way, but it's also nice to have a friend with you for encouragement and companionship. It's also safer In case of injury or serious accident. Only you can determine an appropriate safety threshold. You will likely meet other people and make friends on the trail, though! Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck, and I know you're going to have a great time!

[@SolarSailor]

I really appreciate it! hose are great pieces of advice. This seems like a bucket list trip for me, so if I go I'm sure it'll be great

[@najmaashraff8970]

Hey Brandon, the info you have provided here is fantastic! ive already ordered my book!! yayy. I'm planning my Haute Route this August so this is truly a gem! I have 2 questions: 1) do you think its a trek that can be done solo - like in7-9 days? 2) Are there routes where you can come off the trail and into local towns should one need to and how accessible and easy are they? Ideally, im trying to persuade individuals to accompany me but last resort I may just trek solo - although would love company!!

[@JourneywithBrandon]

1) I think you could do it solo, but I would personally stick with the schedules in the Cicerone book. You could skip some legs by taking a bus or train of course. I know of people that have literally run it in a few days but that's not my thing. 2) Once you're in the mountains, you're in the mountains. The paths go up and over these massive passes. Check out the maps in the guide, they can explain more than I can in a comment. Have a great time! If no one goes with you, I think a solo trip is perfectly fine. Take precautions for your safety.

[@ALEX-pg1hb]

What drone did you bring on your hike and was it heavy/travel friendly?

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Hi Alex, It was the Gen 1 DJI Mavic Air. It was travel friendly enough, and we put the auto pilot features it had to good use as you can see. I think that two batteries would have been enough for our trip. Today I travel with a DJI Mini 2. At time of recording, Swiss law was very permitting of drones as long as we followed their common sense rules and obeyed no flight zones/restrictions. I'm behind though, so make sure you do your research before traveling with a drone. Thanks for asking! Oh, I think you'll enjoy this too 😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2XbdHivr96YiJY

[@ALEX-pg1hb]

@@JourneywithBrandon wow that video was spectacular, I didn't want it to end! Thanks so much for the helpful info! I'm very new to drones but go on many hiking adventures and I want to really get into this kind of footage on top of my photography. My instagram is escapeinhertravels let me know if you also have one I can follow!!

[@JourneywithBrandon]

I'm glad you liked it! And you're very welcome! I'm happy to help. Let me know if you have other questions about the trek! Drones are getting smarter and smarter, I personally think that navigating the different international laws is the hardest part of flying. journeywithbrandon - and it looks like you have a nice account with great pictures! I'll enjoy following your adventures too :) See you on the trail!

[@suspower]

I know that in october that most of the huts are unattended or closed. Do you know which ones are completely closed and cannot be opened ? I'm going to start this soon :) Camping though

[@JourneywithBrandon]

Unfortunately I don't know for each hut, you'll have to check the website for each of them (if they're available) to see what you can learn. Camping is going to be awesome! Stay safe out there, the nights are getting colder and colder now. Enjoy!

[@suspower]

@@JourneywithBrandon Def looking forward to it. I'll check the site. Have a good one and safe hiking!