4 REASONS TO HIKE THE

Tour du Mont Blanc

The 170-kilometer Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular long-distance treks in Europe—and for good reason. The stunning hiking trail completes a loop around the glaciated Mont Blanc massif, passing through Italy, France, and Switzerland on the way.

Each year, thousands of travelers flock to the area from around the world, either to day hike parts of the route, or to complete multi-day journeys. The most common way to complete the route is counter-clockwise, and many hikers begin at the “official” start point in Les Houches, France. To hike the entire route, most people take about a week, with faster hikers sometimes completing the route in as few as five days.

Here are four reasons to put the Tour du Mont Blanc on your radar for your next adventure vacation. Refuges

The Tour du Mont Blanc is dotted with huts, or refuges, which are small bed-and-breakfasts tucked away in the mountains. These picturesque spots serve hot meals, pour local beer and wine, and offer warm beds and showers after a long day of hiking. Each refuge prepares dinner and breakfasts for hikers, and they serve lunch and drinks during the day for hikers who are just passing through. With so many huts along the route, it’s possible to carry just a few snacks in your pack, and stop for leisurely, hot meals along the way. Most are situated in gorgeous lo-

cations, too, so your meal or cold beer is served with a side of scenery. Wildlife

Spotting wildlife along the trek is one of the most exciting aspects of this long-distance hike. Among the most iconic creatures are the alpine ibex, which sport striking, curved horns. You might spot ibex perched high on rocky cliffs, often above the snow line. Deer and chamois are also common. Marmots are easily spotted on snow fields at higher elevations, and in grassy meadows lower down. These adorable animals often whistle to each other or romp around playfully. Hares, foxes, boars, martens, and more are also present, as are a wide variety of birds. Keep your eyes peeled, and try hiking early in the morning when the trail is quieter if you’re hoping to spot wildlife. Scenery

The Tour du Mont Blanc wends through three distinct areas: small towns, countryside, and alpine. It’s possible to pass through all three in one day, as you move through valleys and high passes. The towns are thoroughly charming and complete with restaurants and shops for refueling or souvenir shopping. Grocery stores, cheese shops, charcuterie stores, and cafes are usually present, so it’s easy to stay fueled. The rural areas outside the towns are filled with holiday

homes, ski resorts, and farms, while the mountains are windswept and desolate, with high passes that hold snow year round and plenty of glacier-covered mountain peaks. Food

Because the tour passes through three countries, it’s possible to try a wide array of regional specialties. While the huts aren’t always the best source of haute cuisine, a handful do excel at cooking. And the towns are also great dining destinations; it’s possible to spend hours hiking in the mountains, and then visit a highly regarded restaurant—perhaps even one with a Michelin star. Towns like Chamonix, Les Contamines, Courmayeur, and Trient offer great restaurants with regional dishes, plus local beer and wine. There’s also the DIY option: stop at a cheese shop, bakery, and deli along the way to build your own backcountry meal of local goods.

Inn Love with Hendersonville, NC

The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville, North Carolina, is known for its vibrant downtown, cultural attractions, scenic views and craft beverage trail. Located just south of Asheville, Hendersonville is a quintessential small town surrounded by hundreds of acres of preserved forest, ideal for hiking, biking and exploring.

Hendersonville is also known for its collection of romantic inns. Visitors choose from nearly a dozen bed-andbreakfasts spread throughout town and the surrounding countryside.

For those who prefer to stay in walking distance of Main Street boutiques, restaurants and pubs, three options are located downtown. The Waverly Inn and Charleston Inn sit side-by-side on North Main, two blocks from the central business district. These stately Victorians with wrap-around porches were built in the late 1800s when flatlanders flocked to the mountains to escape the summer heat. Both retain their original charm, while being updated with modern amenities.

One block west of Main Street is The Henderson, an early 1900s hotelturned-inn with 17 guest rooms. Each room has its own personality, thanks to one-of-a-kind vintage and antique furnishings. The Henderson’s awardwinning restaurant, Harvey’s, serves a small-plate dinner menu, brunch on Sundays and wine dinners once a month. Inn co-owner and executive chef Michael Gilligan brings more than 25 years of culinary experience with The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels and Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The Elizabeth Leigh Inn is another Victorian, perched above Fifth Avenue in a well-maintained residential

Hendersonville is known for its collection of romantic inns.

section of town. The inn features four elegant suites, each with a king bed, private bath and fireplace. Built in 1893, the Elizabeth Leigh is on the National Register of Historic Places.

High above Hendersonville, at nearly 3,000 feet elevation, sits Echo Mountain Inn, a gracious stone structure dating to 1896 with spacious guestrooms. Four generations of the Bonnema family pitch in to operate the property. Watch the sun rise as you enjoy breakfast in the window-walled dining room looking east across the mountains. For sunset, head two miles farther up to Jump Off Rock and enjoy one of the best views in WNC as the sun drops behind the Blue Ridge. The inn recently opened a full-service restaurant on property that serves dinner Thursday through Saturday and Sunday brunch. Chef Tom Makowski spent time in some of the finest kitchens in Italy and Charleston, South Carolina, before settling in Hendersonville, and the menu reflects those influences in seafood entrees and Italian-comfort-food favorites.

In the Mills River countryside, the Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill is surrounded by rolling horse pastures.

Fall inn love with Hendersonville

This purpose-built inn — a Select Registry property and the first bedand-breakfast in the Southern Living Hotel Collection — is known for its casual elegance. The inn excels at the details: twin staircases for added privacy, luxury sheets creating a seven-layer bed and a fridge stocked with local craft beverages. Each morning, the inn serves a gourmet, three-course Breakfast at Tiffany’s, complete with dessert. Special additions to a stay at Tiffany Hill include a massage treatment session, flowers delivered to your room, or a packed picnic ready to take on an outdoor excursion.

Tucked in a bend of the French Broad River, The Horse Shoe Farm is an 85acre retreat with cottages and houses dotted across the sprawling property. The Stable Spa and Sanctuary are a haven for the mind, body, and soul. Choose from massages, facials, body wraps or acupuncture treatments. Activities range from the peaceful and restorative, such as yoga and meditation sessions, to flyfishing adventures on the river.

For your chance to fall inn love with Hendersonville, go to www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org or call (800) 828-4244.