Rick Steves Urges Hikers To Adopt This Important Routine Before The Tour Du Mont Blanc

European travel expert Rick Steves is famous for a few key things. He's a keen advocate of shoestring travel, and not being scared to head off the beaten track to explore alternative, lesser-known destinations. He's a huge fan of European food and cuisine, and his genius tips for budget meals in Europe have helped many travelers enjoy amazing meals without breaking the bank. He's a lover of high art and culture, and his smart approach to European museums is one of the best ways to guarantee a great day out.

One thing he's less famous for, but equally passionate about, is hiking. Steves got into hiking relatively recently, but has since hiked some of Europe's most impressive trails, from the Bernese Oberland Traverse to the Alta Via in the Dolomites. The epic alpine Tour du Mont Blanc changed Steves' perspective on hiking, helping him learn the most important part of any multi-day hike: a proper stretching routine.

Steves fell in love with multi-day hiking adventures on the Tour du Mont Blanc. This iconic trail is one of the world's best Alpine treks, and one of the most spectacular hikes in Europe, looping 105 miles around the majestic Mont Blanc massif from the village of Les Houches in the Chamonix Valley, and passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Steves says he "loved the rhythm of my feet on the trail," describing it as therapeutic, but even though he says that "Tour du Mont Blanc is doable for any reasonably fit hiker," he adds that "it's wise to be proactive about health and safety" and to follow some simple tips and advice, being particularly careful about stretching. 

Rick Steves describes the Tour du Mont Blanc as "the best hike of my life." It's a stunning route, serving up some of the world's most extravagantly beautiful views, with nothing but snow-capped mountains, sweeping Alpine meadows, and clear blue skies for miles. The terrain is challenging but manageable for most travelers, but Steves is clear there are a few things you need to do to prepare for this epic undertaking. He says that "good gear, smart and proactive ways to stay healthy, stretching, and taking it easy" are the key ingredients to a successful hiking adventure. 

Hiking eight hours a day for consecutive days is a big ask for anyone, no matter how fit they are, and Steves says "after learning my lesson on other long hikes, I decided to be religious about stretching on the Tour du Mont Blanc from the start." He says that staying loose throughout the day is key to enjoying your hike and making sure you're ready to go again in the morning. His "routine of six stretches" included a piriformis stretch, and is what helped make it such a special experience. He also recommends "a solid breakfast," as climbing on an empty stomach is far harder.

Steves also waxes lyrical about the importance of having the right kit. He says, "I was skeptical about a lot of 'good ideas,' but two things I eventually appreciated were a daily baggie of trail mix and my metal water bottle," as well as investing in the right clothes. "Good boots, liner socks, slippery powder, and moleskin for tender skin are essential," as well as hiking poles, woolen clothes, and high-quality hiking shoes. For multi-day hikes, the Scandinavian saying that "there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes" is gospel!