The TMB Bucket List: Our Top 5 Views
The Tour du Mont Blanc is an exceptional trek. We all know that. Every day, the TMB yields consistently incredible sights and that is why so many people have it on their bucket lists. With so much beauty on offer, it is very difficult to pick a mere handful of the best. However, we are constantly asked our opinion on this subject so here is our TMB bucket list of views. Pray for good weather because these are some of the very finest mountain viewpoints in the world. Mountain scenery that most people dream of seeing. Mountain scenery that you will never forget.
It's hard to believe but this is not on our list!
Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
4. Aiguillette d’Argentière (Stage 10)
This is a connoisseur’s choice. The views of this relatively diminutive spiky pinnacle, which has Mont Blanc as a backdrop, are exceptional but are barely noticed by many walkers who are more concerned with the forthcoming ascent of the notorious TMB ladders. The ladders are legend but our advice would be to take a break a few hundred metres before the base of them. Spend 15 minutes soaking in some of the finest views available of Mont Blanc. Then, and only then, turn your attention to scaling the exhilarating vertical ladders.
This is a connoisseur’s choice. The views of this relatively diminutive spiky pinnacle, which has Mont Blanc as a backdrop, are exceptional but are barely noticed by many walkers who are more concerned with the forthcoming ascent of the notorious TMB ladders. The ladders are legend but our advice would be to take a break a few hundred metres before the base of them. Spend 15 minutes soaking in some of the finest views available of Mont Blanc. Then, and only then, turn your attention to scaling the exhilarating vertical ladders.
The connoisseur’s choice: l'Aiguillette d'Argentiere
3. Mont Favre (Stage 4b)
On the TMB, there are three great balcony paths directly facing the mighty Mont Blanc: the first of them passes just below Mont Favre on the way to Rifugio Maison Vieille. The balcony starts with a steep climb from the valley floor at Combal but we find that we barely notice the exertion so bewitched are we by the scenery. You will find it hard to believe that this can be bettered....but it can!
On the TMB, there are three great balcony paths directly facing the mighty Mont Blanc: the first of them passes just below Mont Favre on the way to Rifugio Maison Vieille. The balcony starts with a steep climb from the valley floor at Combal but we find that we barely notice the exertion so bewitched are we by the scenery. You will find it hard to believe that this can be bettered....but it can!
The Mont Favre Balcony: unbelievably the TMB gets even better than this
2. Le Grand Balcon after le Brévent (Stage 11a)
This is the third of the TMB’s great Mont Blanc balcony paths and, in fact, is widely considered to offer one of the finest Mont Blanc views of all. The end of your trek is approaching and soon you will make your final descent into the valley: perhaps the knowledge that these are your last views of Mont Blanc gives this section of the TMB a hint of poignancy for these views seem to stick in the mind for a long time.
This is the third of the TMB’s great Mont Blanc balcony paths and, in fact, is widely considered to offer one of the finest Mont Blanc views of all. The end of your trek is approaching and soon you will make your final descent into the valley: perhaps the knowledge that these are your last views of Mont Blanc gives this section of the TMB a hint of poignancy for these views seem to stick in the mind for a long time.
Finish the TMB on this incredible balcony below le Brevent
1. Mont de la Saxe (Stage v5b)
This stage is a TMB variant but in our opinion it is an unmissable one for those who have good legs and are favoured by the weather. The second of the great Mont Blanc balconies is, in our opinion, quite simply la crème de la crème. Mont Blanc is so close that you can almost touch it. And the glaciers! Oh the glaciers! They are everywhere!
This stage is a TMB variant but in our opinion it is an unmissable one for those who have good legs and are favoured by the weather. The second of the great Mont Blanc balconies is, in our opinion, quite simply la crème de la crème. Mont Blanc is so close that you can almost touch it. And the glaciers! Oh the glaciers! They are everywhere!
Epic is the only word to describe the path upon Mont de la Saxe
The Tour du Mont Blanc Handbook (two way): 2nd Edition
£18.99
Available Now
The second edition of the definitive guidebook for the Tour du Mont Blanc: now covers the trek in both directions (anti-clockwise and clockwise). Fully rewritten from scratch to provide complete information for both campers and those staying in huts: now includes absolutely everything needed to plan and hike the TMB so there is no need to spend hours trawling the internet for scraps of information. Includes the main route and a host of new variants (many of which are not found elsewhere).
Also includes:
- Bespoke mapping: all accommodation, facilities and transport are shown clearly on the map. Perfect for planning and navigation. No other book has this.
- Unique Itinerary Planner (both anti-clockwise and clockwise): plan a bespoke itinerary to match your ability and vacation schedule. All difficult calculations of time, distance and altitude gain are done for you.
- 14 different itineraries of between 5 and 12 days.
- 17 exciting variants: includes new alternatives which are not available in other books.
- Orientation charts: showing exactly which peaks are visible from each significant viewpoint.
- Full accommodation listings: spectacularly situated mountain huts, villages and hamlets.
- Complete list of camping locations and wild camping rules are explained in detail.
- Travel to the trail-heads.
- Equipment and travelling light.
- Everything the trekker needs to know to plan the route: route descriptions, costs, budget, difficulty, weather, how to get there, and more.
- Information for both self-guided and guided trekkers.
The Tour du Mont Blanc is the world’s most famous trek. It starts near Chamonix in the French Alps. It is an epic journey around the mighty Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps:
- 174km
- 7-12 days
- 9700m of altitude gain
- 14 mountain passes
- 3 countries, France, Italy and Switzerland
Unspoilt and remote high mountain terrain: snow frosted summits, beautiful valleys and pastures, sparkling azure lakes, carpets of wild flowers, the soothing sound of cow bells and easy to follow paths. This trek should be on your hiking bucket list.
Tour du Mont Blanc: Trekking Map
£15.99
Available Now
The only sheet map for the Tour du Mont Blanc that shows all accommodation, food and transport options. The entire trek and variants on a single sheet: perfect for planning and navigation.
1:40,000 - larger scale and more detail than other single sheet maps.
Made specifically for the TMB by Knife Edge Outdoor Guidebooks:
- Facilities marked on map: accommodation, food, transport
- English/French/German map key
- 1:40,000
- Numerous variants
- Includes free GPX downloads for the trail
- GPS compatible
- Tougher than traditional maps: try to tear me!
- More water-resistant than traditional maps
- Lighter than traditional maps
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The epic Tour du Mont Blanc traverses the mountains of France, Italy and Switzerland as it circumnavigates the mighty Mont Blanc (the highest peak in the Alps).
Unspoilt and remote mountain terrain: snow-frosted summits, beautiful valleys and pastures, sparkling azure lakes, carpets of wild-flowers, the soothing sound of cow bells and easy to follow paths. This trek should be on your hiking bucket list.
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:
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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:
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- 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.
- 6 different itineraries of between 10 and 14 days.
- 24 exciting variants: includes new alternatives which are not available in other books.
- 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, villages and hamlets.
- Complete list of camping locations.
- Section on Zermatt day walks.
- Information for both self-guided and guided trekkers
- Numbered waypoints linking maps to text
Walking Chamonix Mont Blanc
£15.99
Available Now!
​The 20 hikes in the Chamonix Valley that need to be on your Bucket List. No fillers. Only must-do hikes are included.
â–º Real IGN Maps inside: 1:25,000
â–º Detailed information on public transport, including cable cars
â–º Our secret tips on how to get away from the crowds
â–º Numbered waypoints linking the Real Maps to our clear descriptions
â–º Graded routes to suit all abilities
► Everything the hiker needs to know: route descriptions, difficulty, weather, how to get there, and more
â–º 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.Â
​
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.
​The 20 hikes in the Chamonix Valley that need to be on your Bucket List. No fillers. Only must-do hikes are included.
â–º Real IGN Maps inside: 1:25,000
â–º Detailed information on public transport, including cable cars
â–º Our secret tips on how to get away from the crowds
â–º Numbered waypoints linking the Real Maps to our clear descriptions
â–º Graded routes to suit all abilities
► Everything the hiker needs to know: route descriptions, difficulty, weather, how to get there, and more
â–º 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.Â
​
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.
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:
- English/French/German map key
- 1:40,000
- Numerous variants
- Includes free GPX downloads for the trail
- GPS compatible
- Tougher than traditional maps: try to tear it!
- More water-resistant than traditional maps
- Lighter than traditional maps
- Huts/accommodation marked on the map
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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
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.
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Also includes:
- Detailed information on equipment and travelling light
- Full accommodation/campsite listings
- Wild camping rules explained
- Everything the trekker needs to know: route, costs, difficulty, weather and more
- Travel to the trail-head
- Essential info for both self-guided and guided trekkers
- Information on plants and wildlife
- Numbered waypoints linking the Real Maps to our clear descriptions
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.
- Real maps for each stage: IGN 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, equipment and more
- Full accommodation listings: spectacularly situated mountain huts, villages and hamlets
- Full information on camping
​
- Exciting variants to the main route!
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   Â
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
Trekking the Dolomites AV2
£18.99
Available May 2026. Pre-order now to secure one of the first batch.
The ultimate planning guide for the Dolomites Alta Via 2 which is one of the most spectacular and exhilarating treks in Europe. This book describes both the main route and a host of variants (some of which are not found elsewhere).
Includes:
- Real Tabacco maps inside: 1:25,000. No other book has this. All accommodation is marked on the maps.
- Free GPX downloads.
- 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 different multi-day itineraries of between 7 and 13 days. No other book contains so much detail on AV2 itinerary planning.
- Full accommodation listings.
- Wild camping rules explained.
- Travel to the trail-heads.
- Equipment and travelling light.
- Everything the trekker needs to know to plan the route: route descriptions, costs, budget, difficulty, weather, how to get there, and more.
- Information for both self-guided and guided trekkers.
The AV2 is one of the premier long-distance trekking routes in the Dolomites and is the perfect way to explore the range’s exquisite beauty. It is a linear route, entirely within Italy, between Bressanone-Brixen in the north and Feltre in the south. On the journey, you will cross incredible high mountain passes, enabling travel from magnificent valley to magnificent valley. You will roam remote alpine plateaus and wonderful grassy pastures bedecked with carpets of wild-flowers (the like of which you will never have seen before). And at all times, you are surrounded by the rugged dolomite peaks for which the region is so famous. This trek should be on your hiking bucket list.
