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Mont Blanc, at 4808 m, is the highest mountain in Western Europe and dominates the major holiday destinations of Chamonix and Courmayeur. In spring, summer and autumn the views of glaciers plunging towards the valleys, high snowy summits glinting in the sun and flower-bedecked slopes tempt walks out onto the rocky trails. Many famous trails take them to viewpoints opposite Mont Blanc but there are also lesser-known paths that lead to remote and unfrequented areas.
This book offers the best routes on both the French and the Italian sides, including 50 day walks and 4 multi-day treks.
Introduction; The Region; How it all Started; Glaciers; Via Ferratas; Animals and Birds; Flowers and Trees; Transhumance and Alpages; When to Go; Getting There; Alpine Accommodation; Language; Currency; Maps; Safety; Security and Rescue; Guided Walking; Walking with Dogs; Mountain Biking; Trail Running; Things not to be Missed; How to Use this Guide; THE WALKS; Chapter 1 - St Gervais Les Bains and Les Contamines-Montjoie; 1 Mont Truc; 2 Mont Joly; 3 Lac d'Armancette; 4 Col de la Fen´┐¢tre; 5 T´┐¢te Nord des Fours; 6 Lacs and Monts Jovet; Chapter 2 - Servoz and the Plateau d'Assy; 7 Lac Vert; 8 Pointe Noire de Pormenaz; 9 The D´┐¢rochoir and the D´┐¢sert de Plat´┐¢; Chapter 3 - Les Houches; 10 Le Prarion; 11 Mont Vorassay; 12 Aiguillette des Houches; Chapter 4 - Chamonix; 13 Chamonix Valley Walk; 14 La Chapeau and T´┐¢te des Prapators; 15 Montenvers; 16 Montagne de Blaiti´┐¢re; 17 Chalet de Cerro; 18 Montagne de la Cote; 19 Refuge de Bel Lachat and Le Br´┐¢vent; 20 Grand Balcon Sud - La Fl´┐¢g´┐¢re to Planpraz; 21 Lac Blanc; 22 T´┐¢te de Villy; 23 Col de Salenton; 24 Lac Cornu and Lacs Noirs; Chapter 5 - Argenti´┐¢re; 25 Argenti´┐¢re Valley Walk; 26 Pierre ´┐¢ Bosson; 27 T´┐¢te du Grand Chantet; 28 Aiguillette d'Argenti´┐¢re - Les Ch´┐¢serys; 29 Argenti´┐¢re Glacier Pointe de Vue; 30 Aiguillette des Posettes; 31 Refuge Albert Premier; 32 Croix de Fer; Chapter 6 - Vallorcine; 33 Vallorcine Valley Walk; 34 Pointe de la Terrasse and Tr´┐¢-les-Eaux Valley; 35 Cheval Blanc; 36 Dinosaur Tracks; 37 Bel Oiseau; 38 Col de Barberine and Fontanabran; 39 Refuge de la Pierre ´┐¢ B´┐¢rard; 40 Mont Buet by the Normal Route; 41 Refuge de Loriaz; 42 Emosson from Loriaz; 43 Mont Buet by the north ridge; Chapter 7 - Courmayeur; 44 Punta della Croce; 45 Mont Fortin; 46 Mont Ch´┐¢tif; 47 Col and Lac Liconi; 48 Mont de la Saxe; 49 T´┐¢te Entre Deux Sauts; 50 T´┐¢te de Ferret; Chapter 8 - Multi-day Treks; 51 Vallorcine to Plaine Joux; 52 Tour of the Aiguilles Rouges; 53 Vallorcine to Servoz; 54 Italian Val Ferret Circuit; APPENDIX 1 Mont Blanc Region Tourist Offices; APPENDIX 2 Useful Terms and Glossary; APPENDIX 3 Transport in the Chamonix and Courmayeur Valleys; APPENDIX 4 Rainy Day/Rest Day Activities; APPENDIX 5 Hut Etiquette; APPENDIX 6 Climbing Peaks and Hiring Guides
Hilary Sharp is British, and a qualified Accompagnateur en Montagne. She is author of "Snowshoeing in the Western Alps", and is a regular contributor to "High" magazine and the author of "Trekking and Climbing in the Western Alps" published by New Holland in 2002.
