Trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc - Cicerone Press

Guidebook for walking the Tour of Mont Blanc, one of the world's classic treks. The 170km TMB route typically takes 11 days and is described in both anti-clockwise and clockwise directions, with optional variants. Includes information about refuges and facilities and a separate booklet showing the entire route on IGN 1:25,000 maps.

Seasons

With high passes to negotiate, this is a summer-only route, best tackled between early July and end of September.

Centres

Chamonix (not on the actual route); Les Houches and Les Contamines (France); Courmayeur (Italy); La Fouly, Champex and Trient (Switzerland) are all on the route of the TMB.

Difficulty

Much of the TMB follows clear, well-graded paths suitable for fit walkers. But there are some very steep climbs (and descents), and two stages on which near-vertical ladders are used to scale cliffs (though alternative options are offered). A demanding route for first-time trekkers and old-hands alike.

Must See

Some of the world's finest mountain scenery; Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe; the Chamonix Aiguilles; the Mer de Glacier, second longest glacier in the Alps, a choice of seven or eight passes to cross, each with its own heart-stopping views.