Tour of Mont Blanc CICERONE

Tour of Mont Blanc

Complete two-way trekking guide by Kev Reynolds

An essential guidebook for anyone walking the Tour of Mont Blanc. The 170km circuit typically takes 11 days to walk around the Mont Blanc massif. The TMB is recognised as one of the world’s classic trek. The book describes both anti-clockwise and clockwise directions, with variants and information about huts, refuges and facilities en route.
 

The Tour of Mont Blanc is one of the world's classic treks, and the most popular long walk in Europe. Stretching to 170km (105 miles) through France, Italy and Switzerland, the Tour circles around the Mont Blanc Massif with spectacular alpine views at every turn. This guide to the TMB follows the entire circuit, from both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, mixing route descriptions with information on the culture, history and most importantly the mountains along the way.

The trek is a versatile one, with alternative stages and possibilities for high-level, challenging routes. As it is, the TMB climbs over ten passes, through seven valleys, three countries and two languages. Days on the trek wander through wooded hillsides, over rocky cols, past glacial cascades and sapphire alpine lakes. The highest peaks clad in snow and ice are never out of sight, ensuring this will remain one of the world's greatest treks.

This guide is the perfect companion to the TMB and contains all the information needed to make a successful Tour. Typically taking between 9 and 11 days to complete, it's packed with practical information on accommodation, facilities and transport to and around the region. As well as maps, route profiles and breathtaking photography. 

• Everything you need to plan and walk your trek, from variants, access and accommodation to clear descriptions of the route.
• The route described in 11 day-long stages, from both the classic anti-clockwise direction as well as the clockwise route.
• Details on the Alpine towns and villages along the way: Chamonix, Cormayeur, Les Contamines and Champex.

Introduction 

The Tour of Mont Blanc 
The Route 
Clockwise or Anti-Clockwise? 
Suggested Itineraries 
How to Get There 
When to Go 
Accommodation 
Languages 
Maps and Waymarks 
Notes for Walkers 
Safety in the Mountains 
Using the Guide 
Information at a Glance 

The Tour of Mont Blanc – Anti-Clockwise 

Stage 1  Les Houches – Bionnassay – Les Contamines 
Alt Stage 1  Les Houches – Refuge de Miage – Les Contamines 
Stage 2  Les Contamines – Croix du Bonhomme – Les Chapieux 
Stage 3  Les Chapieux – Col de la Seigne – Rifugio Elisabetta 
Stage 4  Rifugio Elisabetta – Courmayeur 
Stage 5  Courmayeur – Rifugio Bonatti 
Stage 6  Rifugio Bonatti – Grand Col Ferret – La Fouly 
Stage 7  La Fouly – Champex 
Stage 8  Champex – Alp Bovine – Col de la Forclaz 
Alt Stage 8  Champex – Fenêtre d’Arpette – Col de la Forclaz 
Stage 9  Col de la Forclaz – Col de Balme – Tré-le-Champ 
Alt Stage 9  Col de la Forclaz – Refuge Les Grands – Tré-le-Champ 
Stage 10  Tré-le-Champ – La Flégère 
Stage 11  La Flégère – Le Brévent – Les Houches 

Places and Items of Interest on the TMB 
The Story of Mont Blanc 

The Tour of Mont Blanc – Clockwise 

Stage 1  Champex – Ferret 
Stage 2  Ferret – Grand Col Ferret – Rifugio Bonatti 
Stage 3  Rifugio Bonatti – Courmayeur 
Stage 4  Courmayeur – Rifugio Elisabetta 
Stage 5  Rifugio Elisabetta – Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme 
Stage 6  Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme – Les Contamines 
Stage 7  Les Contamines – Bionnassay – Les Houches 
Alt Stage 7  Les Contamines – Refuge de Miage – Les Houches 
Stage 8  Les Houches – Le Brévent – La Flégère 
Stage 9  La Flégère – Col de Balme – Trient 
Stage 10  Trient – Alp Bovine – Champex 
Alt Stage 10  Refuge Les Grands – Fenêtre d’Arpette – Champex 

Appendix A  Accommodation 
Appendix B  Useful contacts 
Appendix C  Further reading
Appendix D  French–English glossary