Blanc et rouge en France, jaune en Italie, jaune ou blanc-rouge-blanc en Suisse : apprenez à lire le balisage du Tour du Mont-Blanc, frontière après frontière.
Trail markings on the Tour du Mont Blanc: finding your way in France, Italy and Switzerland
The Tour du Mont Blanc crosses three countries, and each one marks its trails in its own way. Red and white in France, yellow in Italy, yellow or white-red-white in Switzerland: here is how to recognise the signs to follow, border after border.
One Tour, three marking systems
On the TMB, you change country by crossing a pass. The trail stays the same, but the colours painted on rocks and posts do not. Knowing these codes before you set off saves a lot of hesitation at junctions.
One marker stays with you along the route of the Tour : the green “TMB” logo, round or square. When you see it, you are on the right track, whichever country you are in.
In France: the red and white of the GR®
On the French side, the Tour du Mont Blanc is a GR®, a long-distance hiking route approved by the French hiking federation (FFRandonnée). It is marked in white and red, and the marks read like a simple code:
- Two horizontal stripes, white and red: you are heading the right way.
- The two stripes with an arrow bending left: turn left.
- The two stripes with an arrow bending right: turn right.
- A white and red cross: wrong direction, turn back. These marks are painted on rocks, trees and low walls, or fixed to posts. How often you see them depends on the terrain: close together at junctions, further apart where the path leaves no doubt.
In Italy: follow the yellow
Once you cross the border, the Tour du Mont Blanc is marked in yellow. Four signs to know:
- The yellow “TMB” diamond: it identifies the Tour du Mont Blanc route.
- The yellow arrow: it shows the direction to take.
- The yellow dot : a confirmation marker, you are still on the right trail.
- The rectangular yellow mark: it indicates a hiking trail.
In Switzerland: yellow or white-red-white
In Switzerland, the colour of the marking tells you what kind of trail you are on:
- Yellow: a hiking trail with no technical difficulty.
- White-red-white: a mountain trail, which may include exposed or technical sections. Sure-footedness and good boots are a must. Do not mix them up: in France, the two white and red stripes simply mean you are on the GR®. In Switzerland, the three white-red-white bands announce more demanding terrain.
Our tips for staying on track
- At junctions, spot the next mark before you commit.
- No mark for several minutes? Go back to the last one you saw rather than cutting across the slope.
- In fog, or on early-season snow patches, marks can be hidden. Check the trail and weather conditions before you set off.
- Trail markings do not replace preparation: carry a map or a track of your stage, and take the time to prepare your Tour.
- Stay on the marked trails: it is also one of the good practices that protect the pastures and the wildlife.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tour du Mont Blanc well marked?
Yes. The route is marked in all three countries. The codes change at each border, which is why it helps to know them before you leave.
Which colour should I follow on the TMB?
The white and red of the GR® in France, yellow in Italy, yellow or white-red-white in Switzerland. The green “TMB” logo is common to the whole route.
Do I need a map if the trail is marked?
Yes. A map or a track is still essential to anticipate the elevation gain, choose a variant or find your way if the weather turns.
What should I do if I can no longer see a mark?
Stop, then go back to the last mark you spotted. In France, a white and red cross tells you that you are heading the wrong way.
Ready to follow the marks?
You can now read the markings of all three countries. All that is left is to plan your journey: explore the route stage by stage and book your nights in the refuges and gîtes of the Tour.