TRAVEL TIPS: The best time to hike Tour du Mont Blanc is from late June to early September. “Most folks start from Chamonix, France, and hike counter clockwise around Mont Blanc,” Michael said.

You can, too. We didn’t even have to sleep on the ground when we did the Tour du Mont Blanc. Boutique hotels, great food, and hot showers are possible with proper planning.

Fremont’s Jojy Michael (top left), seen here in Les Houches, France, linked up with some college friends to hike 100 miles of the Tour du Mont Blanc in Europe (photo courtesy of Jojy Michael).