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!
There is of course no right or wrong answer to such an impossibly tough question of world-shaking import. Many of you who have already conquered the TMB will disagree with our choices. But what finer argument could you hope to have than one involving favourite mountain vistas!
And so, braving your inevitable differences of opinion, here is our pronouncement of the finest of the finest: the Top 5 Views on the Tour du Mont Blanc (in reverse order). The stage numbers referred to are the ones that are used in our Tour du Mont Blanc guidebook.
5. Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (Stage 2c)
For walkers who start at les Houches (the vast majority) this treat comes only a few days in. A long climb from the town of les Contamines delivers the first real foray into the high mountains on the main TMB route. It is a shock to the system but a wonderful one: first cross the magnificent Col du Bonhomme (2329m) and then the higher and more spectacular Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. It is just breathtaking and you can even spend the night here in the fabulously situated refuge: book ahead though as this is one of the most sought after locations on the whole route.
And so, braving your inevitable differences of opinion, here is our pronouncement of the finest of the finest: the Top 5 Views on the Tour du Mont Blanc (in reverse order). The stage numbers referred to are the ones that are used in our Tour du Mont Blanc guidebook.
5. Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (Stage 2c)
For walkers who start at les Houches (the vast majority) this treat comes only a few days in. A long climb from the town of les Contamines delivers the first real foray into the high mountains on the main TMB route. It is a shock to the system but a wonderful one: first cross the magnificent Col du Bonhomme (2329m) and then the higher and more spectacular Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. It is just breathtaking and you can even spend the night here in the fabulously situated refuge: book ahead though as this is one of the most sought after locations on the whole route.
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
Tour du Mont Blanc (2022 updated version)
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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
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
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.
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.
