The Mont Blanc massif is the highest mountain in the Alps and one of the most iconic walking destinations in the world. Centred on Chamonix, the capital of mountaineering, and stretching across the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland, this is a landscape of glaciers, soaring granite aiguilles, alpine meadows and high-altitude lakes that offers exceptional walking at every level of experience and fitness.

This third edition Cicerone guidebook by Hilary Sharp, a qualified International Mountain Leader based permanently in the Alps, covers 50 graded day walks and outlines four multi-day treks across the Mont Blanc region, ranging from easy valley routes to challenging high-level terrain. Day walks range from 3 to 20km (2 to 13 miles), with grades 1 to 3 covering easy valley routes to challenging high-level terrain, plus valley walk alternatives included for rest days and bad weather.

• 50 day walks graded 1 to 3, covering Chamonix, Argentière, Vallorcine, Les Houches, St Gervais and Courmayeur on the Italian side, with detailed route descriptions from easy viewpoint walks to challenging routes over boulders, scree and via ferratas
• Classic Chamonix walks are fully described, including Lac Blanc, Grand Balcon Sud, Montenvers and the Aiguilles Rouges, covering the most celebrated walking terrain above the Chamonix valley
• Courmayeur and the Italian Val Ferret are covered with complete route descriptions for Mont de la Saxe, Mont Chétif and the Tête de Ferret, offering a different perspective on the massif from the Italian side
• Four multi-day trek outlines, ranging from 22 to 52km, include the Tour of the Aiguilles Rouges and the Italian Val Ferret circuit, providing options for those looking to extend their stay beyond day walks
• Sketch maps and graded route descriptions for every walk, with accommodation and access information for all main bases, valley walk alternatives for bad weather and practical guidance on Alpine hut etiquette throughout

Chamonix is one of the world's great walking destinations. This guidebook, written by someone who has spent over 23 years living and guiding in the Alps, does it full justice.

Mont Blanc Walks - Quick Facts

Area: Mont Blanc massif, spanning France, Italy and Switzerland 
Total routes: 54 (50 day walks plus 4 multi-day trek outlines) 
Day walk distances: 3 to 20km (2 to 13 miles) 
Multi-day trek distances: 22 to 52km (14 to 33 miles) 
Grades: 1 to 3 (Grade 1 = any reasonably fit person; Grade 2 = long with rough terrain; Grade 3 = experienced Alpine walkers only) 
Difficulty: All abilities for Grade 1 and 2 day walks; Grade 3 and multi-day treks for experienced Alpine walkers only 
Via ferrata: Some Grade 3 routes involve via ferrata sections 
Areas covered: St Gervais and Les Contamines, Servoz and Plateau d'Assy, Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentière, Vallorcine, Courmayeur (Italy) 
Walk highlights: Lac Blanc, Grand Balcon Sud, Montenvers, Aiguilles Rouges, Mont de la Saxe, Refuge Albert Premier, Mont Buet, Aiguillette d'Argentière 
Multi-day treks: Vallorcine to Plaine Joux, Tour of the Aiguilles Rouges, Vallorcine to Servoz, Italian Val Ferret Circuit 
Centres: Chamonix, Courmayeur, Argentière, Vallorcine, Les Houches, Servoz 
Mapping: Sketch maps included (1:100,000 for day walks; 1:200,000 for treks) 
Bad weather options: Valley walk alternatives included for rest days and poor conditions 
Best season: Late June to mid-September; busiest mid-July to mid-August 
Special features: Alpine hut etiquette; notes on glaciers, wildlife, flowers and transhumance; guided walking information; transport appendix; rainy day activity suggestions; hints for walking with dogs

Author Highlight

“Mont Blanc, at 4808m (or thereabouts, as they keep remeasuring it) is the highest mountain in Western Europe. No matter how many times I walk, run or bike the trails around the region, I can never ignore the sight of this huge peak and its equally spectacular neighbours.”

- Hilary Sharp, author of Mont Blanc Walks

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 Fenêtre
5 Tête 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 Dérochoir and the Désert de Platé
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 Tête des Prapators
15 Montenvers
16 Montagne de Blaitière
17 Chalet de Cerro
18 Montagne de la Côte
19 Refuge de Bel Lachat and Le Brévent
20 Grand Balcon Sud – La Flégère to Planpraz
21 Lac Blanc
22 Tête de Villy
23 Col de Salenton
24 Lac Cornu and Lacs Noirs
Chapter 5 – Argentière
25 Argentière Valley Walk
26 Pierre à Bosson
27 Tête du Grand Chantet
28 Aiguillette d’Argentière – Les Chéserys
29 Argentière 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 Tré-les-Eaux Valley
35 Cheval Blanc
36 Dinosaur Tracks
37 Bel Oiseau
38 Col de Barberine and Fontanabran
39 Refuge de la Pierre à Bérard
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 Chétif
47 Col and Lac Liconi
48 Mont de la Saxe
49 Tête Entre Deux Sauts
50 Tête 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

APPENDICES
APPENDIX A Mont Blanc Region Tourist Offices
APPENDIX B Useful Terms and Glossary
APPENDIX C Transport in the Chamonix and Courmayeur Valleys
APPENDIX D Rainy Day/Rest Day Activities
APPENDIX E Hut Etiquette
APPENDIX F Climbing Peaks and Hiring Guides

Seasons

Unsurprisingly, summer is the usual season for walking in the mountains, as its when they tend to benefit from more stable weather conditions: it's also when the huts are open and the lifts are working. So to have maximum choice of walks that's the time to come. This season extends from late June to mid-September and is busiest between 14 July (Bastille Day in France) to 15 August (Assumption). Earlier, in June the weather is often hot and sunny and the days are long, but snow often remains above 2000m or lower, and can seriously interrupt a high level walk, and facilities may be closed, as is also the case in September and October: the chance of snow is far less in autumn, too.

Centres

Chamonix; Courmayeur; Ferret; Les Houches; Plaine Joux; Servoz; Vallorcine

Difficulty

Walks are presented as one of three grades: • Grade 1 walks are of a standard that any reasonably fit person can manage, not involving more than about 500m of ascent and/or descent. Paths are good and usually waymarked. Grade 1 walks do not call for more than basic map-reading skills. • Grade 2 walks are usually quite long and involve up to about 1000m ascent and/or descent. Terrain can be rough but paths which are quite good and waymarked. • Grade 3 routes are long, often with no trail or where the path is difficult to find; there could be some scrambling, and there is considerable height gain and loss. These walks should only be undertaken by experienced walkers who have already hiked in the Alps.

Must See

54 alpine walks centred around Chamonix, the 'capital of mountaineering' Sublime high-altitude landscapes: glaciers, flower-decked slopes and rocky trails Gastronoic specialities including cheese, chocolate and ice cream Chamonix alpine museum, cable cars and mountain railways for the bad weather days All routes feature a detailed route description and mapping and are illustrated with spectacular photography

June 2019

Updates

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