 The AV1 starts at the magnificent Lago di Braies It is no exaggeration to state that the Dolomites AV1 is one of the world’s most beautiful treks. And it is therefore no surprise to learn that it is also very busy. In a normal year, in July and August, almost every bed in every refuge, gîte and hotel will eventually be booked up and not just by AV1 trekkers: weekenders and day walkers also want to experience this magnificent terrain. Of course, Covid changed the world and 2020 was a very different year. Travelling to the Dolomites was a challenge for those who did not reside in Continental Europe and few English-speaking trekkers have walked this year. Even the number of UK trekkers willing or able to cross the English Channel was very small. Those that did find a way to get to the Dolomites had an overwhelmingly positive experience: walker numbers were far fewer than at any other time in recent years and you could sometimes book accommodation at the last minute. Often people had to move heaven and earth to get there but they were richly rewarded, enjoying an exceptional Alpine ‘honeypot’ without the crowds. Italy had its serious Covid outbreak before other western countries and as a result, it was one of the first to recover. Whilst Covid is still present, it appears that the situation is being kept under control. Those that did trek in 2020 have mostly reported that they felt very safe. The rifugi, by all accounts, handled Covid very well and the sanitary and distancing measures that they put in place seemed to please most.
However, I think that those desperate to walk the AV1 should not put plans completely on hold. The Dolomites trekking season is very short (approximately 10-12 weeks depending on the year). With a popular trek like the AV1, it can be difficult to get the stars to align to get on the trek within this short period. And these days, it is very difficult to plan the AV1 at the last minute if you are not camping. We do not get much notice when governments change rules or when airlines start up flights again. If you have not done some planning and preparation before that happens then you will probably miss out. Those who have already done their homework will be able to move faster. Furthermore, because so many people missed out in 2020, there is going to be massive pent-up demand for the AV1 in the next few years. And the rifugi will probably continue to run at reduced capacity in the next few seasons. Accordingly, AV1 accommodation for the foreseeable future is going to be like gold dust.  An AV1 marker on the route to Rifugio Pramperet So, this is what I think you should do: Plan your itinerary now: buy the guidebooks and maps; work out how many days you want to spend on the trek; design an itinerary that matches your capabilities and vacation schedule; and make a list of the places you want to stay. Take your time. Get yourself into a position to be able to start booking accommodation the moment that you feel it is right to do so. Forget about flights for now: those can be booked later on, if and when, they become available. If they do not become available, then you have not wasted any time: your itinerary planning work will still be good for the following season. Consider booking AV1 accommodation: there are ways of booking accommodation so that it can be cancelled later or moved to future dates. Most of those who booked for 2020, but could not travel, obtained refunds or were permitted to shift their dates to subsequent seasons. If done right, you should not lose any money if you have to cancel or postpone. If booking accommodation independently, choose rifugi/hotels that allow cancellation or amendment. Or book with a self-guided/guided tour company that allows you to cancel or change your dates. In any case, most accommodation requires only small deposits of €15-20 so the risk is not huge. If you start booking in October 2020, then you should get the choice accommodation: private rooms, etc. If you wait until flights open up next year than you may get nothing. If travel is impossible next year then you should have lost nothing more than a little time. On the other hand, if you do not put the work in now then it seems likely that you will miss out with the accommodation operating at such reduced capacity. Please feel free to ask me any questions!
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 Finish the TMB on this incredible balcony below le Brevent It is no exaggeration to state that the Tour du Mont Blanc is exquisite. And it is therefore no surprise to learn that it is also very busy. In a normal year, in July and August, almost every bed in every refuge, gîte and hotel will eventually be booked up and not just by TMB trekkers: weekenders and day walkers also want to experience this magnificent terrain. Of course, Covid changed the world and 2020 was a very different year. Travelling to the Alps was a challenge for those who did not reside in Continental Europe and few English-speaking trekkers have walked this year. Even the number of UK trekkers willing or able to cross the English Channel was very small. Those that did find a way to get to the Chamonix Valley had an overwhelmingly positive experience: walker numbers were far fewer than at any other time in the modern TMB era and you could sometimes book accommodation at the last minute. Often people had to move heaven and earth to get there but they were richly rewarded, enjoying an exceptional Alpine ‘honeypot’ without the crowds. Those that did trek in 2020 have mostly reported that they felt very safe. The refuges, by all accounts, handled Covid very well and the sanitary and distancing measures that they put in place seemed to please most.
But what the hell do I know?! Well, while I cannot profess to be an expert on contagious disease or economics, I do know that the current environment is deterring most people from making travel plans, especially in places like the US where Covid has continued to spread over the summer. Most people will wait for flights actually to open up before starting to plan a trip. There is of course common sense to this: what is the point of planning a trip if there is no way of getting there? However, I think that those desperate to walk the TMB should not put plans completely on hold. The Alpine trekking season is very short (approximately 10-12 weeks depending on the year). With a popular trek like the TMB, it can be difficult to get the stars to align to get on the trek within this short period. And these days, it is almost impossible to plan the TMB at the last minute if you are not camping. We do not get much notice when governments change rules or when airlines start up flights again. If you have not done some planning and preparation before that happens then you will miss out. Furthermore, because so many people missed out in 2020, there is going to be massive pent-up demand for the TMB in the next few years. And the refuges will probably continue to run at reduced capacity in the next few seasons. Accordingly, TMB accommodation for the foreseeable future is going to be like gold dust.  Col de la Croix du Bonhomme on the TMB So, this is what I think you should do:
If travel is impossible next year then you should have lost nothing more than a little time. On the other hand, if you do not put the work in now then it seems likely that you will miss out with the accommodation operating at such reduced capacity. Please feel free to ask me any questions!
Walking Chamonix Mont Blanc
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The 20 hikes in the Chamonix Valley that need to be on your Bucket List. No fillers. Only must-do hikes are included. ► Real IGN Maps inside: 1:25,000 ► Detailed information on public transport, including cable cars ► Our secret tips on how to get away from the crowds ► Numbered waypoints linking the Real Maps to our clear descriptions ► Graded routes to suit all abilities ► Everything the hiker needs to know: route descriptions, difficulty, weather, how to get there, and more ► Information on Wildlife and Plants Our walks have been carefully selected to enable easy access by public transport, including the Chamonix Valley’s incredible cable car network. Chamonix is the most famous mountain town in the world. It is where mountaineering began. Its peerless reputation owes everything to the mighty Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe: our hikes will take you to the finest viewpoints of the mountain and its glaciers. Walker's Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt: 2nd Edition (2025)
£18.99
Available March 2025!
Fully updated to cover the new Europaweg. Includes the main route and a host of new variants. Real maps inside (1:40,000). An incredible trek between Chamonix, France and Zermatt, Switzerland, the two most famous mountain towns in the Alps. Start at Mont Blanc and finish at the Matterhorn. On the way, pass the largest collection of snowy 4000m summits in the Alps. Wild mountainous terrain: amazing glaciers, jagged peaks, beautiful valleys and pastures, shimmering lakes, carpets of wild-flowers and the soothing sound of cow bells. This trek should definitely be on your hiking bucket list. Also includes:
Trekking the Dolomites AV1 (2024 updated version)
£16.99
Fully Updated for 2024! The only guidebook exclusively for the AV1. Real maps inside (Tabacco 1:25,000): the finest maps available for the Dolomites. Everything you need to know to plan and walk Italy's most popular long distance route. Also includes: Numbered waypoints linking maps to text Unique Itinerary Planner: plan a bespoke itinerary to match your ability and vacation schedule. All difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain are done for you 7 Proposed Itineraries of between 6 and 11 days Everything the trekker needs to know to plan the route: route descriptions, costs, budget, difficulty, weather, how to get there, and more Full accommodation listings: spectacularly situated mountain huts Section on Camping Exciting variants to the main route Information for both self-guided and guided trekkers Edge to edge colour: the most modern and beautiful guidebooks Tour of the Ecrins National Park (2nd Edition)
£18.99
AVAILABLE NOW 2nd Edition: fully re-written and updated for 2024 Complete guidebook for planning and trekking the GR54 which is arguably the finest trek in the Alps.
Tour du Mont Blanc (2022 updated version)
£17.99
AVAILABLE NOW!
Complete guidebook for planning and trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc, the world's most famous trek Real maps for each stage: 1:25,000. No need to carry a separate map! Unique Itinerary Planner: plan a bespoke itinerary to match your ability and vacation schedule. All difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain are done for you Everything the trekker needs to know: route descriptions, costs, budget, difficulty, weather, how to get there, and more Full accommodation listings: spectacularly situated mountain huts, villages and hamlets Full section on camping: a complete list of camping locations 10 exciting variants to the main route! Information for both self-guided and guided trekkers Trekking Map: Walker’s Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt: 1:40,000 mapping; Free GPX downloads
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The best sheet map for the Walker’s Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt. This is the only map available that displays the entire route and numerous variants on a single sheet: perfect for planning and navigation. 1:40,000: larger scale and more detail than any other map. 1:10,000: for select areas where navigation is challenging. Made specifically for the Walker’s Haute Route by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks:
Trekking the Tour des Combins: Two-way Guide: 1:40k mapping; 10 different itineraries
£18.99
The definitive guidebook for the Tour des Combins: the new bucket list trek in the Swiss/Italian Alps. A superb alternative to the more famous Tour du Mont Blanc. Two-way guide: both clockwise and anti-clockwise routes are described in full. Real Maps: full mapping inside (1:40,000), made specifically for Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks. All accommodation/campsites are numbered and marked on the maps. 10 different itineraries: schedules of 6, 7, 8 and 9 days for hikers and runners. Includes both clockwise and anti-clockwise itineraries. Difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain/loss are done for you.
Also includes:
Tour of Monte Rosa: Trekking Map
£16.99
Available now! The best sheet map for the Tour of Monte Rosa. Displays the entire route and variants on a single sheet: perfect for planning and navigation. 1:40,000 - larger scale and more detail than any other map. Made specifically for the Tour of Monte Rosa by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks:
The Tour of Monte Rosa is one of the classic Alpine treks. It leads the trekker on an epic circuit around the Monte Rosa massif. The largest group of 4000m peaks in the Alps is on display: the Weisshorn, the Zinalrothorn, the Dom, the Täschhorn, the Breithorn and the Matterhorn, to name a few. It is the sister trek to the Walker’s Haute Route and crosses unspoilt and remote mountain terrain: amazing glaciers, snow frosted summits, beautiful valleys and pastures, shimmering lakes, carpets of wild flowers and the soothing sound of cow bells. This trek should be on your hiking bucket list Tour des Combins: Trekking Map
£16.99
Available now! The best sheet map for the Tour des Combins. Displays the entire route and variants on a single sheet: perfect for planning and navigation. 1:40,000 - larger scale and more detail than any other map. Made specifically for the Tour des Combins by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks:
The Tour des Combins is an epic trek in the Swiss and Italian Alps. It traverses some of Europe's wildest mountain terrain. The sublime scenery makes it a worthy alternative to the more famous Tour du Mont Blanc (which is only a stone's throw away). Hike along the edge of the Corbassière Glacier, one of the longest in Europe. Enjoy snow frosted summits, magnificent valleys and pastures, sparkling azure lakes, carpets of wild flowers, the soothing sound of cow bells and easy to follow paths. Stay in spectacularly situated villages and remote mountain huts. This will be a trip that you will never forget |
Andrew McCluggageblogs about life on the Knife Edge Archives
January 2024
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