The following books are some of many we would recommend for reading before coming to the Alps. Some are what we would call ‘background’ reading, some are specific to the trip you will be doing, and all are excellent preparation and fun to read, counting the days before your holiday begins.
MAPS
TOUR DU MONT BLANC
Chamonix – Massif du Mont Blanc
Author: IGN (French Geographical Institute), 1:25,000
If you’re thinking of doing more hikes near Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Range, the two following maps are ideal.
Combined, the ‘Chamonix Mont-Blanc’ and ‘St. Gervais’ map cover the Tour du Mont Blanc, and lots of other great hikes.
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Chamonix – Massif du Mont Blanc
Author: IGN (French Geographical Institute), 1:25,000
If you’re thinking of doing more hikes near Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Range, the two following maps are ideal.
Combined, the ‘Chamonix Mont-Blanc’ and ‘St. Gervais’ map cover the Tour du Mont Blanc, and lots of other great hikes.
USA | CANADA
TOUR DU MONT BLANC
St-Gervais-les-Bains
Author: IGN (French Geographical Institute), 1:25,000
If you’re thinking of doing more hikes near Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Range, the two following maps are ideal.
Combined, the ‘Chamonix Mont-Blanc’ and ‘St. Gervais’ map cover the Tour du Mont Blanc, and lots of other great hikes.
USA | CANADA
St-Gervais-les-Bains
Author: IGN (French Geographical Institute), 1:25,000
If you’re thinking of doing more hikes near Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Range, the two following maps are ideal.
Combined, the ‘Chamonix Mont-Blanc’ and ‘St. Gervais’ map cover the Tour du Mont Blanc, and lots of other great hikes.
USA | CANADA
Guide Books
Chamonix – Zermatt: The Classic Walker’s Haute Route
Author: Kev Reynolds, Publisher: Cicerone
This is THE classic Haute Route Walking guide to take on the trip.
However, be careful when looking at ‘walking times’ given in the book, as they are defined as pure walking time, without any breaks. Add breaks for photos, water, lunch, snack, bad weather, to get an idea of the day’s walking duration.
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Author: Kev Reynolds, Publisher: Cicerone
This is THE classic Haute Route Walking guide to take on the trip.
However, be careful when looking at ‘walking times’ given in the book, as they are defined as pure walking time, without any breaks. Add breaks for photos, water, lunch, snack, bad weather, to get an idea of the day’s walking duration.
USA | CANADA
Tour du Mont Blanc
At 15,781ft, Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in western Europe. All-in-one hiking route guide, maps and accommodations for the trail (105 miles, 168km) that circumnavigates the massif. Passing through France, Italy and Switzerland, is the most popular long distance walk in Europe. Includes 50 large-scale walking maps; 12 town maps and 2 overview maps. Full details of all accommodations and campsites, restaurants and inns; plus full public transport information. Includes day-walks.
USA | CANADA
At 15,781ft, Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in western Europe. All-in-one hiking route guide, maps and accommodations for the trail (105 miles, 168km) that circumnavigates the massif. Passing through France, Italy and Switzerland, is the most popular long distance walk in Europe. Includes 50 large-scale walking maps; 12 town maps and 2 overview maps. Full details of all accommodations and campsites, restaurants and inns; plus full public transport information. Includes day-walks.
USA | CANADA
Tour of the Jungfrau Region – A two-week Trek in the Bernese Oberland
Author: Kev Reynolds, Publisher: Cicerone
Making a horseshoe loop among some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in all the Swiss Alps, the brand new Tour of the Jungfrau Region is destined to become one of the classic walks of Europe. In a journey of 9-10 days the walker visits pastures, ridges, summits and passes, skirts exquisite mountain lakes, and gazes on waterfalls, gorges and glaciers – all in the shadow of such iconic peaks as Wetterhorn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Accommodation is both plentiful and atmospheric, and the route has lots of bad-weather alternatives.
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Author: Kev Reynolds, Publisher: Cicerone
Making a horseshoe loop among some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in all the Swiss Alps, the brand new Tour of the Jungfrau Region is destined to become one of the classic walks of Europe. In a journey of 9-10 days the walker visits pastures, ridges, summits and passes, skirts exquisite mountain lakes, and gazes on waterfalls, gorges and glaciers – all in the shadow of such iconic peaks as Wetterhorn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Accommodation is both plentiful and atmospheric, and the route has lots of bad-weather alternatives.
USA | CANADA
Bernese Alps – Switzerland
Author: Kev Reynolds, Publisher: Cicerone
Over 100 routes in the Bernese Alps are described in this third edition of Kev Reynolds’ popular guide. It is an indispensable companion to a region that boasts famous peaks such as the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.But there are lesser-known mountains too that are just as scenically dramatic, and in their shadow peaceful villages and seemingly forgotten hamlets are lodged in spectacular locations. Add to that the romantic valleys, lakes, flower-filled meadows and a network of mountain huts and rustic inns for those who want to experience the Alps of the Victorian pioneers, and you’ll understand why the Bernese Alps seduce the connoisseur back year after year.All this, and more, is available to the mountain walker, and this indispensable guide will enable you to explore the very best of the Bernese mountain wonderland.
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Author: Kev Reynolds, Publisher: Cicerone
Over 100 routes in the Bernese Alps are described in this third edition of Kev Reynolds’ popular guide. It is an indispensable companion to a region that boasts famous peaks such as the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.But there are lesser-known mountains too that are just as scenically dramatic, and in their shadow peaceful villages and seemingly forgotten hamlets are lodged in spectacular locations. Add to that the romantic valleys, lakes, flower-filled meadows and a network of mountain huts and rustic inns for those who want to experience the Alps of the Victorian pioneers, and you’ll understand why the Bernese Alps seduce the connoisseur back year after year.All this, and more, is available to the mountain walker, and this indispensable guide will enable you to explore the very best of the Bernese mountain wonderland.
USA | CANADA
Tour de Monte Rosa
Author: Hillary Sharp, Publisher: Cicerone
Situated on the Swiss-Italian frontier, Monte Rosa is spectacular from all angles. More of a massif than a single mountain, Monte Rosa claims ten separate summits over 4000m, making it a mountaineer’s paradise. The Tour of Monte Rosa is an adventure, challenging and very varied, taking a high route around the massif. In areas of true wilderness on this tour walkers will experience a sense of remoteness rarely found in the Alps.The trek takes walkers over high passes using ancient trails, to superb viewpoints and through fascinating alpine villages. Italy and Switzerland meet on the summit of Monte Rosa and the contrast between these two countries, their different culture, food and languages, gives this trek its originality.
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Author: Hillary Sharp, Publisher: Cicerone
Situated on the Swiss-Italian frontier, Monte Rosa is spectacular from all angles. More of a massif than a single mountain, Monte Rosa claims ten separate summits over 4000m, making it a mountaineer’s paradise. The Tour of Monte Rosa is an adventure, challenging and very varied, taking a high route around the massif. In areas of true wilderness on this tour walkers will experience a sense of remoteness rarely found in the Alps.The trek takes walkers over high passes using ancient trails, to superb viewpoints and through fascinating alpine villages. Italy and Switzerland meet on the summit of Monte Rosa and the contrast between these two countries, their different culture, food and languages, gives this trek its originality.
USA | CANADA
Mountain Literature
Killing Dragons
Author: Fergus Fleming, published by Granta Books
In a riveting narrative of daredevils and eccentrics, Fergus Fleming gives us the breathtaking story of some of history’s greatest explorers as they conquer the soaring peaks of the Alps. Fleming recounts the incredible exploits of the men whose centuries-old fear of the mountain range turned quickly to curiosity, then to obsession, as they explored Europe’s frozen wilderness.
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Author: Fergus Fleming, published by Granta Books
In a riveting narrative of daredevils and eccentrics, Fergus Fleming gives us the breathtaking story of some of history’s greatest explorers as they conquer the soaring peaks of the Alps. Fleming recounts the incredible exploits of the men whose centuries-old fear of the mountain range turned quickly to curiosity, then to obsession, as they explored Europe’s frozen wilderness.
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Scrambles amongst the Alps
Author: Edward Whymper, published by Appleby Press
Edward Whymper (1840–1911) was an English mountaineer and explorer with dozens of first ascents under his belt, the most famous being that of the Matterhorn. Also an author and illustrator, he wrote several books on his profession, including Travels Amongst the Great Andes of the Equator and the classic Scrambles Amongst the Alps.
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Author: Edward Whymper, published by Appleby Press
Edward Whymper (1840–1911) was an English mountaineer and explorer with dozens of first ascents under his belt, the most famous being that of the Matterhorn. Also an author and illustrator, he wrote several books on his profession, including Travels Amongst the Great Andes of the Equator and the classic Scrambles Amongst the Alps.
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