The AV1 compared to the TMB and the Walker's Haute Route
The AV1 adds a third fascinating option to the classic duo of the Tour du Mont Blanc and Walker's Haute Route. Compared to the TMB, the AV1 has less daily distance and elevation gain. A lot of the AV1's distance runs along good solid and wide tracks, making progress quick and easy.. but importantly, the rocky and rough sections when they come are more demanding than those on the TMB. Some settings are bold and mountainous.
More sections of the AV1 have steep drops to one side or other, or both. The AV1 is a trek in and across the mountains, as opposed to the TMB's gentler terrain set apart from the main massif. The AV1's uphill walking is more spaced out; there are fewer solidly uphill sections taking all morning, for instance. Compared to the Haute Route, the AV1 is less challenging overall, but with one day (to Pian de Fontana) that some might feel approaches the Haute Route's level of terrain and situation.