The Tour of Mont Blanc: Complete two-way trekking guide

There are two versions of this guide.The version I received from Amazon was the “Complete two-way trekking guide.” It is a great narrative overview, but its not relatable if you haven’t been on the TMB. Most notably, it is missing any sort of useful map. If you’re the kind of person who gives directions like “go past the McDonald’s and turn left at the green fuel station, then right at the forked tree” then maybe you can use this to find your way around the TMB.The other version is titled “complete two-way hiking guidebook and map booklet.” The maps in this version are detailed enough to be used for planning and way finding purposes.I received a copy of the useful version from my TMB guide. I would not recommend the narrative version (without maps) to anyone. It wasn’t until I received the practical version with maps that I understood this guidebook’s value. If you aren’t sure what version you’re getting, just get the two IGN maps instead (3630OT, and 3531ET) and you’ll be fine.The TMB trails are well marked. And there are so many people walking it that you can generally just follow the crowd. While hiking, I only consulted the IGN maps when I wanted to confirm location or estimate distance.TL;DR: get this if you’re planning your own route and booking your own hostels/hotels, but make sure it comes with the maps!

This guide was indispensible while on TMB (Tour of Mont Blanc). As others indicated, the author clearly has done his research on the route. The book covered about 95-98% of the situations I ran into while on the trek and there is no doubt that you will need this book.However, the author could have listed that most, if not all, of the refuges on the treks are only open for lunch at 12pm (and dinner around 7pm) - this made for some timing issues on one section at the beginning of the trek before I found this out. Also, I had to skip about 2 days of trekking due to rain, and had to figure out local transportations from one town to others on my own. A few routes he listed also are technically "shortcuts," but he doesn't quite state that. So sometimes, I got confused with "... so the main trail/sign points this way, but he tells me to head that way.... which way do I really go?" These are minor, but my one big criticism about this book is it's size and weight - the book covers both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, which made the book twice as big as it really needs to and as such, the book (which is not pocket sized) was slightly difficult to use while on the trek (where do I keep it for immediate reference?). In conclusion, indispensible, but not perfect.

Great book and probably the most informative one out there. Wish it included more detailed maps and catered to people who camp along the TMB. This is a GREAT resource for those staying in refuges, but not necessarily for those who are camping and need more ideas of where to camp. Getting a detailed map (25,000:1) is recommended along with this book. Also, there was a section that said to NOT take the main TMB route if there is inclement weather (along an exposed ridge) but it doesn't offer an alternative route. The author does admit this, but it means you have to prepare and look it up before that section. I would also divide the book into two smaller books, or have a way to take out the counterclockwise or clockwise route that you are NOT doing. It's just added weight along the trail to bring both routes. (I ended up cutting out the CCW section since we were doing CW)Overall a great resource and everyone on the TMB had this, but like most things, there can be improvements.

We did the hike in 2013 after reading about the hike in the WSJ. I researched the hike and learned about this guide as well as a web site walkingtheTMB which has individual experiences about doing the hike from people around the world. We studied this guide beforehand and referenced it daily during the hike. It hasn't been updated since 2012 and some information about refuges available may be out of date. Some new ones have been added that we learned about along the way. This book was used by virtually everyone we met who does the walk from all around the world. In fact we met several fellow walkers in restaurants when we saw them refering to the book. If you read this book you do not need to hire a guide or pay a tour company to support you on the trek. If you are reasonably fit and know how to read a map you can do the hike as a self-guided trip. It will be the experience of a lifetime.

I did the Tour de Mont Blanc in mid September with essentially no planning or research, I just read this book every night in my tent to plan out the next day. Very helpful with just the right amount of information, in general. I do wish it had some more info on where to camp, and suggestions about which days can be easily combined for trekkers who want to move faster.The book survived getting soaked a few times in icky weather. It's small enough to fit in the pocket of a large jacket but not too tiny to get lost. I frequently referred to this book and observed many other trekkers with their own copy!

Just completed the TMB (its amazing life changing and challenging) The book really helps and also can really confuse I want to make an american worded version the book is English but not how we speak it, there is a lot of extra un helpfull wording when your lost you just want the auther to give clear consice directions. This is the standard book everyone used so I dont think there is a better one I just want it broken down to 1 page main route 1 page alternate rout with key pictures of landmarks to look for - instead there will be a picture of a churh in town meenwhile I just missed an unmarked turn.

There may be a fancy new modern cover on this book now but it is very old-fashioned inside. It might be a new edition but I reckon this book has hardly changed in 30 years. I have walked this route a number of times and in my opinion, the photos are small and dated and the colours are flat.To me the text is long-winded and boring: there are places where there are no pictures for 5-6 pages. And the maps are poor, old fashioned sketch maps.Walking books like this one are so dated. I like my walking guidebooks to be clear and concise. When I am walking I want more time to look around me than have my head stuck in a book reading pages and pages of textIt is a great shame as the Tour du Mont Blanc is Awesome. This book makes it look a bit average on paper. There is no excuse for that.

Absolutely fantastic guide for the Tour du Mont Blanc, and I constantly referred to it during my trek (as did virtually ever other person I met on my trip).For each stage you are provided with a highly detailed description including estimated time, height gain and loss, transport options, accommodation, a map, as well as a step-by-step description of the trail itself (e.g. "cross the footbridge to a path junction and walk straight ahead up the steep slope..."). Alternative options for each stage are included in the guide (normally one is longer / harder or not suited to bad weather). You are also given some background knowledge for the towns / landmarks on the trail, and the history of the tour.I very rarely (if at all) needed to use the separate map I took due to the detailed descriptions for each stage that are written in the guide, combined with the well sign-posted trails. However, I undertook the trek in summer - in Winter some of the trails would certainly benefit from bringing an additional map.

This is an essential purchase for anyone trying to do the tour du Mont Blanc. Great advice and details given. Having just completed the tour myself, nearly everyone I met on the way seemed to have a copy of their own.My recommendation would be to buy this, give it a read and then start to plan your trip. Then reread before going making notes on your preferred route. And finally, bring it with you and give it another read as you make your way through the tour.

I completed the Tour du Mont Blanc in August of this year. 9 days out of 11 had perfect weather and I used both this book and the Rother Wanderfuehrer (German). Once on the trail, maps and waymarking signs sufficed, but the books highlighted the options on the variant routes. I recommend the high level variants over Col du Tricot to Refuge du Miage, the climb to Tre la Tete and the faster route to Refuge des Mottets over Col des Fours. If you do have time, the walk down to Tre le Champs over Col des Possettes from Col de Balme is beautiful, heather galore and plenty of marmots in the early evening. The guides mentioned the alternative route to La Fouly from La Peule; I took it. You stay high and come down gradually to Ferret, instead of going down directly to the road and staying on the road to La Fouly. Much more scenic. Too many group guides stick to the easiest routes and miss out on some interesting alternatives.

I solo hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc over 9 days in July, and I camped along the way. The Cicerone guide book is great for descriptions of the route and location of Refuges, and I would recommend it. However, I think it could be impoved for campers so I wrote a blog post with the information I wish I'd had:http://alpsoutdoorslife.com/2015/08/09/tour-du-mont-blanc-camping-a-guide-to-campsites-on-the-route-of-the-tmb/You can't pre book the campsites, but most of them have designated areas for TMB hikers which had plenty of space.