A guide to the best walking routes on both sides of Mont Blanc, in France and Italy, based around Chamonix and Courmayeur. 50 day walks are described and the guide outlines 4 multi-day treks around two sides of the Mont Blanc massif; Chamonix and Courmayeur. The day walks range from 2 to 12 miles and are organised by base and include both high-level and easy valley walks. In addition to the high-level walks there is often a valley walk that can be done whatever the weather, on tired days, with children, by bike, or as a run. The four multi-day treks that are briefly detailed all use parts of other walks already described in the guidebook and with a little imagination many more can be invented. The trek descriptions given are short, with just map information, daily altitude gain, distance and route details. These are not intended to be full guides to the routes, rather a basic outline to be used in conjunction with the appropriate maps.
Table of Contents
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 Fenetre 5 Tete 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 Derochoir and the Desert de Plate 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 Tete des Prapators 15 Montenvers 16 Montagne de Blaitiere 17 Chalet de Cerro 18 Montagne de la Cote 19 Refuge de Bel Lachat and Le Brevent 20 Grand Balcon Sud - La Flegere to Planpraz 21 Lac Blanc 22 Tete de Villy 23 Col de Salenton 24 Lac Cornu and Lacs Noirs Chapter 5 - Argentiere 25 Argentiere Valley Walk 26 Pierre a Bosson 27 Tete du Grand Chantet 28 Aiguillette d'Argentiere - Les Cheserys 29 Argentiere 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 Tre-les-Eaux Valley 35 Cheval Blanc 36 Dinosaur Tracks 37 Bel Oiseau 38 Col de Barberine and Fontanabran 39 Refuge de la Pierre a Berard 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 Chetif 47 Col and Lac Liconi 48 Mont de la Saxe 49 Tete Entre Deux Sauts 50 Tete 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
Author Biography
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.
