Rachel and Steph walked the northern section of the Tour du Mont Blanc in July, starting in Courmayeur, and walking the usual anti-clockwise route to Les Houches.

Day 1 - Chamonix to Courmayeur

We started in Chamonix, and took our rest day at the start of the trip, due to logistics. We started the day with an ice cream, which we reckon should be the start of any day...!



We then took the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, where we were treated to some fantastic views of the Mont Blanc summit.

Unfortunately, the cable car across the top of the range to the Italian side of Mont Blanc is out of order this season, meaning the only way to get to the Aiguille du Midi is from Chamonix. However, we'd highly recommend it if you have the time, and the weather is good!

We then caught the bus through the tunnel to Courmayeur, where we enjoyed a fantastic pizza at Du Tunnel. Another strong recommendation!

Day 2 - Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti

This was the first day of walking, and the weather was fantastic!



Here is the view from Rifugio Bertone, looking back towards Courmayeur. This is a great spot to take a pause after the long and steep climb out of Courmayeur before carrying on up the hill.

From here, we took the Mont de la Saxe route, which is the high option for the day. We thoroughly enjoyed the views of this stage, but being used to living in Scotland, the weather was a challenge...!

The presence of this tiny dog at the Tete de la Tronche spurred us on, and gave us hope that if he can do it, then so can we..!

We persevered with the heat, and made it to Rifugio Bonatti, where we were able to enjoy the fantastic views of the mountains in the low sunlight.





Bonatti is a fantastic hut, which is much more modern than some other huts on the route, and it was a delight to stay here!

Day 3 - Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly

Today we enjoyed the slightly flatter day from Bonatti to La Fouly. The day starts with quite a gentle walk to Rifugio Elena, where we stopped for some fuelling snacks before climbing the Grand Col Ferret (2,537m)

The view from the Col is wonderful, and looks back up the valley towards Courmayeur. You can also usually get some great views of Mont Blanc from here, but unfortunately the clouds had covered it when we arrived.

We then enjoyed the downhill section into La Fouly, which began to have quite a Canadian feel..!


Day 4 - La Fouly to Champex

This is quite a short and flat day, in comparison to the previous two, which was welcomed by our legs which were still adjusting to the terrain! We also welcomed the cooler weather! You pass through a number of very quaint and typical alpine villages, in the valley leading up to the climb to Champex.





The climb up to Champex then feels significantly easier than the previous two days of climbing, and offers some lovely views back to the valley below:



After arriving into Champex, we had some time, so enjoyed a leisurely and fresh (!) lunch at Hotel Mont Lac, which also had a lovely lakeside view.





Day 5 - Champex to Trient

Today we took the Bovine route form Champex to Trient. We chose this over the Fenetre d'Arpette route, which was newly re-opened just before we arrived. The bovine route was still a lovely day though, with plenty of animals, including dogs and of course some cows!

While we were on the route, the wildflowers were still out in force, so we enjoyed the bright colours they provided!

Day 6 - Trient to Argentiere

Unfortunately, we had to stop our walk early due to illness, which is very uncommon! However, we enjoyed the scenic views from the Mont Blanc Express on the journey from Martigny to Argentiere.





The views from Argentiere offer the first look at Mont Blanc since day 2 of our walk!

Day 7 - Argentiere to Les Houches

Today we skipped the stage to Refuge de la Flegere and headed straight to Les Houches. A charming town which offers some amazing close up views of the mountains!

Day 8 - Refuge de la Flegere

To end our trip, as we were still not up to hiking, we got the cable car up to Flegere, where we sat and enjoyed the amazing views of the Mont Blanc range!

It was certainly a shame to miss out on the last 3 days of walking, but we hope to return next season to finish the trip! However, the views were simply amazing, and there are far worse places to be..!

The Northern section of the route is a perfect length, and each day has something different to offer, it's impossible to get bored of a route as amazing as this! :-)

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Link text - please join us!

Rob Gale walked the Coast to Coast in June, to make our Season Update. Thanks Rob! Many days saw brilliant spring weather, of the type that lucky trekkers get in May or June.

The classic green fields and open hillsides of the Lake District.

New 'aw' signs after Alfred Wainwright, originator of the Coast to Coast route. Traditionally the CTC has not been marked as its own trail, instead running along existing paths and being described in books (and our routecards!) The National Parks take charge of their own signage and here is a Yorkshire Dales National Park sign.

On route to Kirkby Stephen the trail drops to Smardale Bridge.

Kirkby Stephen's church yard.

Here is a typical wooden signpost on the Coast to Coast.

On Nine Standards Rigg, a Yorkshire Dales view.

Nine Standards Rigg.

Coastal views, nearing Robin Hood's Bay. The CTC walks along short sections of coastline at either end.

Near Moor Row, the metal signposts on the old railway path.

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Coast to Coast - please join us!

Joy O'Flanagan undertook our Lakes recces for 2018. Our Lake District Circuit is made up of the South, East, North and West each of 4 stages. The result is - we hope - a pretty full exploration of the Lake District and its different areas.

 Walking to Keswick, Skiddaw House behind. This is the day from Threlkeld to Keswick.

The Langdale Pikes and a typical Cumbrian dry stone wall. We are looking into Great Langdale.

In the West, this is Black Sail hut in Ennerdale.

Walkers relax outside the Black Sail hut. This is a small hostel, unusual for the UK in being in the wilds yet manned.

From the Lake District Circuit and Coast to Coast routes, which are similar here, we see Crummock Water and Buttermere. The peaks are Red Pike on the Left and Grasmoor on the Right.

The North circuit has these views of Grasmoor and Grizedale Pike.

At Tarn Hows near Coniston, the view to Wetherlam.

Thanks Joy!

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Lake District Circuit - please join us

Alpine Exploratory's Rob Gale completed the Pennine Way in March, April and May 2018. Rob made several shorter visits, to complete the route in sections. This is our recce before the 2018 season.

At Colden Clough the old packhorse bridge is under repair, passable with care.

Hadrian's Wall from above Once Brewed.

Hadrian's Wall with the moorland of the North to the Right.

The double bridge over the canal at East Marton.

At Fountains Fell in the Yorkshire Dales.

High Cup Nick.

A path winds through Ing Scar.

Leaving High Cup on the way down to Dufton.

Pen-y-ghent in the Dales. This approach is the opposite from the usual one from Horton-in-Ribblesdale. The Pennine Way takes a bold route over Fountains Fell and across the moor to Pen-y-ghent.

The shelter after the highest hills of the Cheviot.

Long moorland approach to Stoodley Pike in West Yorkshire.

At Top Withens above Haworth.

Watlows Raven Scar.

At Wessenden Head, an iron picture frame.

Looking to Windy Gyle, the summit before the Cheviot. This is the long two-day run into Kirk Yetholm.

Thanks Rob!

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Pennine Way - please join us on this wild route

Joy followed on from the West Highland Way to trek the Great Glen Way. Together these walks take you from Glasgow to Inverness.

 

A bench typical of the GGW with a wooden seat built into a dry-stone wall. Behind is Loch Ness. The GGW climbs above the lock in two main stretches, either side of Invermoriston.

  

There are two old stone bridges in Invermoriston. This is the village part-way up Loch Ness. There is a ceilidh in the village hall every Thursday evening.

 

Nearer Fort William, the ski area of Aonach Moor (Nevis Range) with Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis to the right of the scene. The GGW crosses the glen to gain these views of the peaks and start the Caledonian Canal.

Looking down the length of Loch Ness.

A second high view above Loch Ness. The hills on the far side ultimately form the Monadh Liath, a rolling stretch of moorland and rounded peaks.

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Great Glen Way - please join us!

Joy O'Flanagan walked the West Highland Way in late April 2018. This was our pre-season recce for 2018. Joy had bright Spring weather.

Looking over Loch Lomond from Conich Hill.

 The Black Mount and Ben Starav area from above Inveroran.. the edge of Rannoch Moor.

 A rainbow over Rannoch Moor.

The Kingshouse Hotel is undergoing extensive building work this Summer and so will - sadly - be out of action for WHW walkers.

Blackrock cottages at the top of Glen Coe, the Buachaille Etive Mor behind.

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 West Highland Way - our self-guided trek 

Joy made our pre-season TMB recces, in June for our 1st July season-start. Early Summer is a fabulous time for flowers in the Alps.

The view from the Grand Col Ferret ascent, looking towards Col de la Seigne.

Minor snow patches at Grand Col Ferret...

... on the way down to La Fouly.

At Lac Blanc above Argentiere. This bowl often holds snow into early Summer. This has not been a snowy start to the season.

Meadows like this burst with colour in June and early July. Here we are looking up to the Trient glacier.

The globe flower on a grassy hillside.

Thanks Joy!

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 Tour du Mont Blanc - see our self-guided trip