The Tour of Mont Blanc is Europe's most popular long-distance walk, encircling the highest mountain in the Alps (and arguably in the continent). This classic alpine route runs for 170 km (106 miles) and can be completed in 11 days. You walk through France, Italy and Switzerland, overnighting in alpine refuges. Although the route ascends and descends a lot, its highest pass is at only 2665 m (8750 ft), and no technical skills or equipment are needed. The scenery is superb: majestic glaciers and snow-laden peaks overlook peaceful lakes and alpine meadows. This book contains all you need to plan and enjoy your holiday: drop-down map showing the whole route in four panels the Way in sections, with summaries of distance, terrain and where to find food and drink concise background on Mont Blanc, geology, and wildlife planning information for travel by train, bus or plane in full colour, with over 60 photographs waterproof paper throughout.
Born in 1973 in Northern Ireland, Gareth McCormack graduated from Queen's University Belfast in 1995 in law. After two years of walking and climbing through Asia, Australia and New Zealand, he returned to Ireland and established himself as a professional writer and photographer. He has worked extensively on the Lonely Planet series of walking guidebooks and is a regular contributor to the Irish magazine Walking World Ireland. His photographs have appeared in magazines, newspapers and advertising worldwide and he still lives in the north-west of Ireland.