=o 2 mi iivj- jo^f^ o ^ OJIIVDJO^ ^OJIIVJ-JO"^ &Aavaan#' \WEUN1VER% .v^OSANCElfjVx -o\HIBRARYQr •SOl^^ %a3AINfl-3i\V ^lOSANCElfj-^ > so -< %a3AINn-3WV^ ^lllBRARYQc ^OFCA1IFO%. ^«!/0JllVDJO^ ^0FCA1IF0% C3 "^(^AHvaani^ ^> %0JI1VJJ0^ -^TJlJONVSOl^ ^lOSANCElf/^ -< %a3AINn-3WV^ IFO/?^ ^OFCALIFO/?^ AWMINIVER5"//- ^lOSANCElfj> o ^ ^^Abvaaii-# -^ILIBRARY^^ -^^^l•llBRARYQA A GUIDE TO THE WESTERN ALPS. JOH^^ BALL, F.E.S., M.E.LA., &c LATE PRKSIDEXT OF THE ALPIXE CLUB. JVSW EDIT 10 X. LONDON : LONGMANS, GKEEN, AND CO. 1870. LONDON: PBINTED BY 3POTTISWO0DE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUABi AND PARLIAMENT STBEET StacK Anne;< PEEFACE TO HE T H I E D EDITION. If it be a task of no slight difficulty to provide the traveller with a tolerably correct and complete guide-book through any part of the Alps, experience soon proves to the writer that his labour is very far from ceasing when he has at length given his work to the public. The large and constantly increasing number of active travellers who visit the less known and less frequented districts, the extension of new roads, and the open- ing of new inns, are amongst the prominent causes that neces- sitate constant revision and correction. On going carefully through the sheets of the present volume, the writer has found with surprise that, since the appearance of the first edition, in 1 863, and even since the last edition was given to the public, such extensive changes have occurred that it has become necessary to rewrite many routes, and to introduce elsewhere extensive corrections and addition?. Having endeavoured to bring the work as nearly as possible up to the required mark at the present time, he is aware that a similar process of correction will be required after another interval of two or three years ; and he trusts that the kind assistance of travellers who, by communicating information, have hitherto materially aided him in the performance of his work, will not be withheld from him in the future. In case he should, through inadvertence, have failed directly to convey his acknowledgments to any of those who have favoured him witli information, he takes this occasion to apolo- gise for the omission. -f rackn^^ J. BALL. AUTHORITIES QUOTED. The quotations introduced in the present volume are dis- tinguished by the initials corresponding to the subjoined list of authorities, and are chiefly taken from the MSS. notes communicated to the Editor. T, G. B. Rev. T. G. Bouney. E. N. B. Edward N. Buxton, Esq. G. C. M. le Chanoine G. Carrel. J. J. C. J. J. Cowell, Esq. J. F. Mrs. Freshfield, authoress of ' Alpine Byways,' &c. H. B. G. Rev. H. B. George. F. G. Cavaliere Francesco Giordano. W. E. H. W. E. Hall, Esq. F. V. H. F. Vaughan Hawkins, Esq. J. J. H. Rev. J. J. Hornby. F. J. H. Rev. F. J. A. Hort. F. W. J. F. W. Jacomb, Esq. J. R. K. Rev. J. R. King. M. Murray's 'Handbook for Switzerland,Savoy, and Piedmont.' W. M. AVilliam Mathews, jun., Esq. F. M. F. Mills, Esq. A. M. Arthur Milman, Esq. A. W. M. A. W. Moore, Esq. R. C. N. R. C. Nichols, Esq. A. A. R. A. Adams Reilly, Esq. J. S. Rev. John Sowerby. L. S. lieslie Stephen, Esq. F. F. T. F. Fox Tuckett, Esq. R. S. W. R. Spence Watson, Esq. A. W. Arthur P. Whately, Esq. C. L. W. Rev. C. L. Wingfield. S. W. Stephen Winkworth, Esq. CONTENTS, PnEFACE Authorities quoted . Abbreviations and Explanations PRELIMINARY NOTES TO TPIE WESTERN ALPS. CHAPTER I. MARITIME ALPS. Section 1. TENDA DISTRICT. Rte. A. Turin to Nice — Col diTenda 3 „ B. Cuneo to the Baths of Valdieri 6 „ C. Baths of Valdieri to Nice, Col delle Cei-ese 8 „ D. Cuneo to Nice, by Entracque and Col delle Finestre . . .10 Section 2. ARGENTIERE DISTRICT. Rte. A. Cuneo to Barcelonclte — Col d'Argentifere II „ B. Cuneo to Barcelonclte, b}- Val Maira 13 „ C. Cuneo to Prazzo, by Val Grana 15 „ D. Saluzzo to Barcelonette — Val Vraita 15 Section 3. BASSES ALPES. Rte. A. Nice to Barcelonette — Vallev of the Tinea 17 „ B. Nice to Colmar — Valley of the Var 18 „ C. Colmar to Barcelonette 19 „ D. Barcelonette to Embruu — Valley of the Ubaye . . . .19 via CONTENTS. . CHAPTER II. COTTIAN ALPS. Section 4. VISO DISTRICT. PAGE Kte. A. Saluzzo to Mont Dnupliin — Col de la Traversette . . . .22 B. Ascent of JNlonte Yiso — • Tour of Monte Viso 27 C. Barcelonette to Guilestre — Col de Vars 30 D. Barcelonette to Queyras, by St. Veran 30 E. Castel Delfino to Guilestre, by Col de Linget and Col de Cristillan . 32 F. Castel Delfino to Queyras — Col dell' Agnello 33 Section o. WALDENSIAN DISTRICT. Rte. A. Pignerol to Mont Dauphin — Yal di Luserna 34 „ B. Pignerol to Cesanne — Valley of the Chisone — Col de Sestrieres . 36 „ C. La Tour de Luserne to Perouse — Val Angrogna . . . .37 „ D. Perouse to Abries, by the Val Germanasca 38 „ E. Perouse to Pragelas — Val de Massel 38 „ F. Perouse to Cesanne, by Rodoret 39 Section 6. GENEVRE DISTRICT. Rte. A. Susa to Brianpon, by the Mont Gen^vre 39 „ B. Queyras to Brian90Q — Col d'lzouard 41 „ C. Abrie's to Cesanne 41 „ D. Briancon to St. Michel — Col de Galibier 42 „ E. Brian9on to Modane — Mont Tabor 43 „ F. Modane to Cesanne — Tunnel through the Alps . . .4.5 Section 7. CENIS DISTRICT. Rte. A. Chambery to Turin — Pass of Mont Cenis 47 „ B. Susa to Bessans — Roche Melon 53 „ C. Bramans to Susa, by the Col du Clapier— Petit Mont Cenis . . 54 „ D. Bramans to Exilles — Col de Galambre — Mont d'Ambin . . .59 „ E. Bramans to Bardonneche, by RochemoUe 59 CHAPTEE III. DAUPHINE ALPS. Section 8. OISANS DISTRICT. Rte. A. Briancon to Grenoble — Col du Lautaret . „ B. St. Michel to La Grave en Oisans .... ,, C. La Grave en Oisans to St. Jean de INIaurienne . „ D. Bourg d'Oisans to St. Jean de Maurienne „ E. Bourg d'Oisans to La Chambre. The Grandes Rousses „ F. Bourg d'Oisans to Allevard — Les Si'pt Laux „ G. Allevard to La Chambre — Pic du Frene 64 GS 09 70 72 74 76 CONTENTS. IX Section 9. PELVOUX DISTRICT. PAGE Rte. A. Bour<^ d'Oisans to La Berarde — Valley of the Vendon . . .78 „ B. (iuik'stre to Vallouise — Ascent ot the i\Iont Pelvoux . . .80 „ C. La lie'rarde to Vallouise, by the Col des Eciiiis. Points des ficrins . 83 ., D. La Berarde to Vallouise, by the Col de la Tenipe . . . .85 ,, K. La Berarde to Vallouise, by the Co! du Sele, or the Col de la Pilatte 86 „ F. La Beriirde to Vallouise, by the Val Godemar — Col de Sais — Col du Ce'lar 87 „ G. Vallouise to La Grave en Oisans — Col du Glacier Blanc . . 88 „ IL Vallouise to Monestier — Col de I'Echauda . . . . .89 „ I. La Grave en Oisans to the Valley of the Veneon . . . .89 „ K. \'allouise to Embrun, by the Valleys of the Hautes Alpes . . 93 „ L. Bourec d'Oisans to Grenoble, by La i\Iure 94 ,. JI. La Mure to La Chappelle in Val Godemar .... [93] „ X. St. Christophe to LaChapelle, by the Col de la Muande . . [94 J CHAPTEE IV. SOUTH SAVOY ALPS. Section 10. CH.\MBERY DISTRICT. Rte. -A. Paris to Chambe'ry — Lake of Bourget 97 B. Grenoble to Chambe'ry, by the right bank of the Ishre — Mont Granier 99 C. Grenoble to Chambery, by Moutmelian and the left bank of the Isere ........... D. Chambery to the Baths of Allevard — Excursions from AUevard E. Chambe'ry to Uriage — Ascent of the Belledonne F. Chambe'ry to Grenoble, by the Grande Chartreuse G. Chambe'ry to Pont de Beauvoisin, by Aigucbellette H. Aix les Bains to Chatelard — 13eauges Mountains I. Chatelard to Clianibe'ry K. Chatelard to AlbertviUe L. Chatelard to Annecy 101 102 104 106 109 111 112 114 114 Section 11. TARENTAISE DISTRICT. Rte. A. Chambdry to Bourg St. Maurice 116 „ B. Bourg St. JIaurice to Lanslebourg, by the Col d'Iseran . . . 119 „ C. Tignes to Moutiers Tarentaise, or Bourg St. Maurice, by the Col du Palet — Ascent of the Jlont Pourri 123 „ D. Tignes to Lanslebourg, by the Col de la Leisse .... 126 „ E. jMoutiers Tarentaise to Lanslebourg, by the Col de la Vanoise . 126 „ F. Pralognan to Modane, by the Col de Cliaviere, or the Col d'Aussois . 130 „ G. St. Michel to Moutiers Tarentaise 132 „ H. St. Jean de Maurienne to Moutiers Tarentaise, bj' the Col de la Platifcre 133 „ I. La Chambre to Moutiers Tarentaise or AlbertviUe, by the Col de la Madeleine 134 X COXTENTS. Section 12. ALBERTVILLE DISTEICT. PAGE Kte. A. Albertville to Sallanches — Mont Joli 135 B. Albertville to Annecy 13 6 C. Annecy to Bonneville 138 D. Annec3' to Sallanches or Cluses 139 K. Albertville to St. Gervais, by the Valley of Beaufort . . .140 F. Albertville to Bourg St. Maurice, by Beaufort 141 G. St. Maxima de Beaulbrt to Moutiers Tarentaise .... 142 CHAPTER V. GRAIAN ALPS. Section 13. LEVANNA DISTRICT. Rte. A. Turin to Lanslebourg, by Lanzo and Groscavallo . „ B. Bonneval to Ceresole — Ascent of the Levanna „ C. Ceresole to Lanzo and Turin, by the Col della Crocetta „ D. Lanzo to Lanslebourg, by Ala and the Col du Collarin ,, E. Lanzo to Lanslebourg, by Viu ..... „ F. Passes to and from the Val di Viii .... 145 148 150 J50 152 154 Section 14. PARADIS DISTRICT. Rte. A. Turin to Aosta, by the Val Soanaand Val de Cogne — Ascent of the Grivola 155 „ B. Aosta to Cogne, by the Becca di Nona and Col de Garin . . . KiO „ C. Aosta to Cogne, by the Mont Emilius and the Val de Grauson . 1G3 „ D. Cogne to Bard, by the Fenetre de Cogne 164 „ E. Ponte to Tignes, by the Col de Galese 165 „ F. Ceresole to Villeneuve, in Val d'Aosta — Ascent of the Grand Paradis 1('6 „ G. Cogne to Ceresole — Col de Grancrou — Col de Monei . . • 170 Section 15. RUITOR DISTRICT. Rte. A. Bourg St. Maurice to Aosta — Pass of the Little St. Bernard . . 171 „ B. La 'liiuile to Sainte Foi — Ascent of the Ruitor .... 174 „ C. Ivrogne to Sainte Foi, by the Val Grisanche 177 „ D. Val (Jrisanche to Tignes 180 „ E. Tignes to Aosta, by the Col de Gailletta and the Val de Rhemes [179 J CONTENTS. XI CHAPTEK VI. PENNINE ALPS. Section 16. MONT BLANC DISTRICT. I'AfiE Rte. A. Paris to Chamouni, by Geneva — Excursion from Cliamouni . l-s.j „ B. Chamouni to Courmayeur, by the Col du Bonhomme . . . "203 „ C. Salhinches to Contaiuines and Courmayeur, by St. Gervais . .210 „ D. Courmaveur to Contamiues, by the Col du Mont Tondu, or the Col de TiVlatcte. . . " 211 „ E . Chamouni to Courmayeur, by the Glacier de Miage . . .213 „ F. Chamouni to Courmayeur, by the Col du Geant, or the Col de Talefre "J 1-5 „ G. Ascent of ]\Iont Blanc 218 „ H. Chamouni to Maitigny ......... '22() „ I. Chamouni to Orsiferes, by the Col de Champey .... 229 „ K. Orsiferes to Courmayeur, by the Col de Ferrex .... 230 .. L. Chamouni to Orsieres, by the Glacier d'Argentifere . . . .231 „ M. Chamouni to Orsiferes, by the Glacier du Tour 2-3.5 Sectiox 17. SIXT DISTRICT. Rte. A. Geneva to Sixt, bv Tanninges [235 j „ B. Geneva to Sixt, by Cluses or St. Martin 238 „ C. Sixt to Chamouni, by Servoz 239 „ D. Sixt to Chamouni — Ascent of the Buet 240 „ E. Sixt to Martigny, by Salvan 242 „ F. Samoens to Champery and Monthey 2-14 „ G. Sixt to Champery 245 „ H. Champery to Martigny — Ascent of the Dent du Midi . . . 246 „ I. Geneva to St. Maurice', by Thouon . 247 „ K. Bonneville to Thonon 249 „ L. Thunon to Samoens . . . . . . . . . .251 „ M. Thonon to Champery, or to Monthey 252 Section 18. GREAT ST. BERNARD DISTRICT. Rte. A. Geneva to Aosta, by Martigny and the Gi'eat St. Bernard . . 254 „ B. Hospice of the Great St. Bernard to Courmayeur .... 264 „ C. St. Pierre to Courmayeur, by the Col des Planards .... 266 » D. St. Pierre to Aosta, bv the Col de Menouve — Ascent of the Mont Ve'lan . . . ' 2';6 „ E. Martigny to Aosta, by the Val de Bagnes and the Col de Fenetre . 268 „ F. Chables to St. Pierre', by the Col de la Maison Blanche — Ascent of the Grand Combin 271 „ G. St. Pierre to Chermontane, by the Col de Sonadon .... 274 „ H. Aosta to Zermatt, by the Val Pellina and the Col de la Val Pellina — Dent d'He'rens ' 276 „ L St. Barthelemi to the Val Pellina 279 „ K. Prarayen to Val Tournanche, or Breuil, by the Col de Vacornfere — Ascent of the Chateau des Dames 280 „ L. Chermontane to Prarayen, bv the Glacier d'Otemma — Ascent of the Mont Gele' . " . ' 281 „ M. Chermontane to Evolena, by the Col de Chermontane, or the Col de Breney . . . ' 284 „ N. Chcrmoatane to Evolena, or to Ile'remence, Ijy the Col du Mont Rouge 286 Xll CONTENTS. Section 19. EVOLENA DISTRICT. PAGE Rte. A. Sion to Aosta, by the Val d'Herens and Col de Colon . . .288 ,, B. Evolena to Prarayen, by the Col des Bouquetins .... 291 „ C. Sion to the Val de Bagnes, by the Val d'Heremence . . . 292 „ D. Evolena to Zermatt, bj' the Col d'Herens — Ascent of the Dent Blanche 293 „ E. Sierre to Zermatt, hy the Val d'Anniviers 295 „ F. Evolena to Vissoie, by the Val de Torrent 301 „ G. Zinal to Evolena, by the Col du Grand Cornier .... 302 „ H. Evolena to Zinal, by the Val de Torrent 303 „ I. Vissoie to Turtman, or to Griiben, in the Turtman Thai . . 303 „ K. Griiben to St. Niklaus, or to Kanda 306 Section 20. MONTE EOSA DISTRICT. Rte. A. Visp to Zermatt — Excursions from Zermatt 310 „ B. Zermatt to Ivrea, by the Val Tournanche — Col de St. Theodule — Breithorn — Matterhorn 323 „ C. Zermatt to Verrex, by the Schwarz Thor and the Val d'Ayas . 328 „ D. Zermatt to! Pont St. Martin, by the Lys Joch, or Felik Joch, and the Val de Lys 329 „ E, Zermatt to Varallo, by the Sesia Joch and the Val Sesia . . 333 „ r. Zermatt to Vogogna, by the Weiss Thor and the Val Anzasca . 337 „ G. Tour of Monte Rosa, by the High Glacier Passes .... 341 „ H. Val Tournanche to Macugnaga, by the Middle Passes . . . 344 „ I. Aosta to Ponte Grande, by the Lower Passes 346 „ K. Ivrea to Orta, by Biella 350 „ L. Orta to Ponte Grande, by the Val Mastalone . . . .-352 „ M. Orta to Ponte Grande, by the Val Strona 353 „ N. Visp to INlacugnaga, by the Monte Moro 354 „ 0. Saas to Zermatt, hy the Saas Grat ...... 357 „ P. Saas to St. Niklaus", by the Ried Pass 360 Section 21, SIMPLON DISTRICT. Rte. A. Martigny to Aronn — Pass of the Simplon 362 „ B. Domo d'Ossola to Brieg, by the Val Cherasca .... 370 „ C. Domo d'Ossola to Arona, bj* Orta 371 „ D. Simpeln to Saas — Ascent of the Fletschhorn 373 „ E. Saas to Isella, by the Zwischbergen Pass— Ascent of the VVeissmies 375 „ F. Simpeln to Domo d'Ossola. bv the Val Bugnanco .... 376 „ G. Saas to Domo d'Ossola, by the Val Antrona 377 Inde.x of Peaks or Mountains, -with their Height above the Sea . 381 Index to the Alpine Passes, with their Height above the Sea 385 General Index 389 LIST OF MAPS. Key Map To be pasted inside the cover at the beginning The Western Alps — General Map . . . , . To face title-page The Dauphine Alps To face page 61 The Graian Alps „ 143 The Mountains of Cogne from Moitt Emilius :} 163 The Pennine Alps from the Becca di Nona Mont Blanc ,,181 Monte Rosa „ 308 The Western Alps— Geological at end PRELIMIXAEY NOTES TO THE WESTERN ALPS. Tours in the Westerv Alps. The following tours may be of service to those who are but slightly ac([uainted with the country, and wish to be directed to the places whence the finest scenery is most conveniently accessible. It is taken for granted that some days (the more the better) will be given to halts at the more interesting spots included in each tour. I. Carriage Tour in the Western Alps — 30 days' easy travelling, exclusive of halts, railways, and bouts being occasionally used. AIX LES BAINS. 1. Excursion by boat to Haute Com be 2. Rail to Chambery. Carriage to Grande Chartreuse 3. Carriage to Voiron. Rail to Grenoble 4. Carriage to Allevard !). Char to Chamousset. Rail to St. Jean de Maurieiine, or St. Michel G. Carriage to Linslebourg, and Susa 7. Excursion to Bardmnieclie. Hail to Turin 8. Rail 10 Cuneo. Carriage to Baths of Val- dieri 9. Return to Cuneo. Carriage or rail to Saluzzo 10. Char to Paesana, Barge, and La Tour de Luserne 11. Turin by rail from Pignerol. Carriage by Lanzo to Ceres and ViCl 12. Return to Lanzo.thenceby Courpne tolvrea 13. Carriage to Aosta. Char to Courmayeurj 14. Return to Aosta and Ivrea l.'i. Char to Biella. Excursion to Oropa IB. Char to Varallo, by Roniagnano 17. Excursion to Val Mastalone, returning to Varallo 18. Orta by new road to Fella, or by Roma- gnauo and Borgo Manero Carri:ige to Arona, and thence to Stresa or Baveno Carriage to Ponte Grande or Vanzone Carriage to Domo d'Ossola Carriage to village of Simpeln Carriage to Susten. Char to Baths of Lcuk Carriage to Sierre. Rail to Bex Excursion to Champery Return to Bex. Rail to Villeneuve, thence to Geneva by steamer, or by road as far as Vfvey Carriiige to Samoens 28. KxcursiO'i to Sixt and Fer-a-Cheval 20. Carriage to C hamouni by Tanninges 30. Carriaj.e to Geneva. Those who have seen the Pass of Mont Cenis may vary the above route by returning from Allevard to Grenoble, and travelling to Turin bv Bourg d'Oisans, Col du Lautaret, Briangon, Mont Genevre, and Susa ; or, avoiding Susa, they may reach Turin by FencstttUe and Pigne- rol. 27 II. Tour of three months in the Western Alps, for moderate pedestrians or ladies able to ride. Alternative routes given in italics are practicable only on foot. Carriage to La AIX LES BAINS. . fGrande Chartreuse as above, or by Mont ,,'-i du Chat, St. Genix, and Pont de Beau- ■ \_ voisin 3. Grenoble by Sappey 4. Carriage to Bourg d'Oisans. Mule-path to Venos 5. Excursion to La Berarde, returning to Venos 6. Path to Bourg d'Oisans. Grave 7. Monestier by Col du Lautaret 8. Mule-path to Ville Vallouise by Col de I'Echauda 9. Carriage to Embrun 10. Barcebnette by Valley of the Ubaye,orby Col de I't.yssalettc 11. Bersesio by Col d'ArgentiJre INTRODUCTION. Mnle-patli to Vinadio. Char to Borgo Sin Daliiiazzo. Carriage to Baths of Valdien Carriage to Ciinet) Carriage or rail to Saluzzo. Carriage to Paesana Excursion to Crissolo and Piano del Re, returning to Paesana Cliar by Biirge to I, a Tour de Luserne Rlule-patli by Val Angrogna to Perouse. • Carriage to Fenestrelle. Mule-patti to Susa Rail to Turin. Carriage to Lanzo and Ceres Ceresole by Col della Crocetia or by Locara Mule-path to \'al Savaranche by Col de la Croix de NiV"let Mule-path to V'illeneuve. Char to Cour- mayeur Ascent of Mont de la Saxe or Cramont Mule.palh to Chapiu Mule-path to St. Gervais Char to Sallanches, Cluses.Tanninges, and Samoens Char to Fer-a-Cheval, returning to Sixt Mule-path to Brevent, descending to Cha- niouni Excursion to Col de Voza Mule-patli to Montanvers, returning to Chamouni by Chafieau Mule-path to Tete Noire or Col de Balme Mule-path to Orsieres by Col de Cliampey Char to St. Pierre. Miile-path to Grand St. Bernard Mule-path to St. Remy. Char to Aosta Carriage to Chatillon. Mule-path to Bru»- sone and Gfpssonay Mule-path to Alapna by Col d'OUen or Col di Val Dobbia Mule-path and char to Varallo Ponte Grande by Pella and Orta, thence by Monte Motterone, Baveno, and carriage to Vogogna— or by Fobello, and Barranca Pass Mule-path to Macugnaga. Excursion to Belvedere Return to Ponte Grande, Char to Dome d'Ossola Carriage to Erieg; siinie to Visp, and mule-path to St. Niklauj — or by Puss of Monte iloro from Macugnaga to Mattmark See. Visit to Fee, and sleep at .Saas; thence to St. Niklaus Mule-pal h to Zerinatt Excursion to Gorner Grat Excursion to Schwarz See and Zrautt Keturn to St. Niklaus Mule-p^th to Visp. Carriage to Sierre Wule-path to Zinal Mule-path to Evolena by Ool de Sorebois and Col de Torrent ; Evolena to Sion— or mule-path to St. Luc, and ascent of Bella Tola, descending next day to Sierre : Railway thence to Sion Rail to Bex. Mule-path to Plan des Isles Mule-pHth to Chateau d'Oex Vevey by Montreux and Plan de Jaman Steamer to Geneva III. Pedestrian Tour of two months in the Alps of Dauphine, South Savoy, and AVestern Piedmont, occasionally putting up with very bad accommodation. 1. Lyons to Grande Chartreuse. Ascend Grand Som 2. By Col de Manival to Bernin. Thence to Domcne and Baths of Uriage 3. Visit Cascade del'Oursiere. Sleep at Revel 4. Ascend Belledonne, descending to Sables and Bourg d'Oisans (To Venos ; next day to La Berarde ; and on the following day, by one or other of the glacier passes, to Vi"lle Vallouise— or by La Grave, Monestier and the Col de I'Echauda ». Ville Vallouise to Queyraz, or Villevielle, partly bv char 9. Sleep at chalets of La Ruine under. Monte Viso 10. Pass of the Traversette to the Piano del Ke, thence bv Col delle Sagnette and Val della Forciolline to Castel Deliino 11. By Col della Bicocca to Stroppo, and thence to .^ccoglio 12. To Barcelonette by Col de Sautron 13. To Alios, wiih excursion to the Lac d' Alios 14. '! o San Stefano in the Valley of the Tmea 15. To Baths of Valdieri by the Col di Frema Morta 16. Ascend Monte Matte 17. To S. Martino di Lantosca by the Col dclle Cerese 18. To Cuneo by the Col delle Finestre and Rdtracqiie 19. Railway to Siliizzo ; thence to Crissolo 20. La Tour de Luserne 21. To Susa, by Val Angrogna and Col de la Fenetre 22. To Bardonneche. Visit tunnel through the Alps 23. Ascend Mont Tabor, desceniiing to Modane 24. To Pralognan by the CI de Chaviere 25. To Lanslebourg by Col de la Vanoise ; thence to AnciennePoste on Mont Cenis by the evening diligence 26. Make circuit by Petit Mont Cenis and f"o) du Clapier, returning to the Ancienne I'oste 27. By Bessans to Boiuieval 28. To Ceres in Val Grande, by Col de Girard 29. To Via by Col di Cialmetta, or by Monte Solera 30. Sleep at Malciaussia 31. Ascend Rochemlon : descend to Bessans, or to the Ancienne Posteon Mont Cenis 32. To Bonneval 33. To Ceresole by Col de Carro, or Col de Galese 34 . Descend Valley to Ponte 35. To Cogne by Col della Nouva, or by Col de Banlonney 36. Excursion to Le Poucet :h7. To Val Savarawche by Col de Lauzon 38. To Aosta. Sleep at Chalets de Comboe 39. Ascenii Beccadi Nona, and reach Cogne bv Co. d'Arbule 40. By Viilcncuve and St. Didier to La T'huile 41. Ascend Kuitor, descending to Ste Foi. The traveller may then rench Chambery by the valliy of the Isere, or Geneva by Albert- viile and the Lake of Aniecy. BOOKS ON WESTERN ALPS. IV. Pedestrian Tour of two months in the Pennine Alps. XV a Macon to Chambery and Chamousfet by railway. Thence by diligcnct to Albert- ville; then walk, or by char, to Ugine Megdve Ascend Mont Joli. Descend to St. Ger- vais To Sixt by La Portette Visit Fer-VCheval. Sleep at Les Fonds Ascend the Buet. Descend to Chan.ouni by the Brevent, or by Pierre a Berard Visit Cascade du Dard and (jlacier des Bossons Tuur of the Aiguilles by the Pierre k I'Echelle. Sleep at Montanvert Visit Jardin. Return to Chamouni To CoMtamines by the Col de Voza Excursion to Glacier de Treiatete. Sleep at the Pavilion Courinayeur by Col de Treiatete Ascend Cramont Ascend Grande Rossdre, and sleep at Hos- pice ot Great St. Bernard Visit neighbourhood of the Hospice Ascend Mont Velan. Descend by Col de Menouve to Etroubles By Col de Feiietre to Chalets de Chermon- lane Ascend Mont Avril Chermontane to Prarayen by Col de la Reuse de I'-AroUa Zermatt by Col de la Val Pellina Visit Schwarz See and Hiirnli Ascend Mettelhorn !*;t Visit Corner Grat. Sleep at Riffel Hotel To Breuil by Col de St. Theodule To Ayas by Cimes Blanches, or by Col de Portola ' To Gressonay by Col de Pinta. Ascend Grauhaupt Visit Lys Glacier. Sleep at Cour de Lys To Alagna by Col delle Piscie, or by Col d'Ollen [ To Ponte Grande by Col de Moud. Ri- j masco, and Carcoforo, or by Varallo, (, Fobello, and the Barranca Pass Macugnajja Tour of Macugnaga Glacier Ascend Pizzo Bianco To Mattmark See by Monte Moro fTo Saas, visiting Fee Glacier, and Gletscher )Alp ; next day to .St. Niklaus ; follow- ing day to Griiben in Turtman Thai — or by Zwischbergen Pass to Isella ; next I day to Brieg by Simplon Pass ; foUow- L ing day to Griihen by Turtman Zinal by Pas de Forcletta, and Arpitetta Alp Evolena by Col de Sorebois and Col de Torrent Ascent of Couronne de Breona, or Aiguille de la Za Sion. Thence by railway to Bex Chami'ery Ascent of Dent du Midi To Geneva by Samocns, or by Thonon and lake steamer. The portion of the above tour comprised between Chamouni and Zermatt should not be undertaken otherwise than in company with a trustworthy guide, well acquainted with the country. It is not likely that in a sinoje expedition a traveller should be so fiivoured by the weather as to be able to make all the ascents here set down. Books and Maps connected with the Wkstern Alps. It has been thought convenient to give in this place as complete a list of the books and m?ps specially connected with the Western Alps as could be prepai'ed, exceptinjf, however, geological works and memoirs, of which a list IS given in the Introduction (Art. XIV.). Besides the works enumerated below, several of tliose of a more general character, enumerated in Art. XV , are chiefly designed to describe or illustrate the scenery of the Western Alps. Of the former the classical works of Saussure and Professor Forbes deserve especial mention. Abridgments of both works in a portable form have been published, containing most of the matter interesting to the un- scientific reader. Of the illustrative works there is none equal, in accuracy and beauty of execution, to Mr. Coleman's ' Scenes from the Snow Fields.' The chromo-lithographic illustrations, all taken from drawings sketched or coloured on Mont Blanc, surpass any similar attempts to convey the eifect of the colouring of the upper region of the Alps. PART I. a XVlll INTRODUCTION. Albert (Aristide") Essai descriptif. L'Oisans, 1 vol. Maisonville, Grenoble, 1854, Anderson (E.) Chamouni and Mont Blanc, 8vo. London, 1856. Atkins (H.M.) Ascent of Mont Blanc, 8vo. Ivondon, 1838 (not published). Aubert (E.) La Vallee d'Aoste, 4to. Paris, 1860. Auldjo (J.) Narrative of an Ascent to the Summit of Mont Blanc on the 8tli and 9th August, 1827, 1 vol. Long-man & Co. 1828. 3rd edition, 1 vol. (Traveller's Library). Longman & Co. 1856, Baines (E.) A Visit to the Vaudois of Piedmont, 1 vol, (Traveller's Library). Longman & Co. 1855. Bakewell (R.) Travels in the Tarentaise, &c., in the Years 1820, 1821, 1822, 2 vols. Longman & Co. 1823. Barry (M.) Ascent of Mont Blanc, 8vo. Edinburgh, 1836. Beattie — The Waldenses, or Protestant Valleys of Piedmont, Dauphine, &c., illus- trated by Brockedon, Bartlett, Stanfield, and Harding, 1 vol. Virtue & Co, London, 1838. Beaumont (Jean Franyois Albanis de) Travels through the Maritime Alps, London, 1795. Voyage pittoresque aux Alpes Pennines, fol. col. pL Geneve, 1787. Description des Alpes grecques et cottiennes, Ire partie, 2 vols. Paris, 1802. '——^ 2me partie, 2 vols. Paris, 1806. Berthout van Berchem — Itineraire de la Vallee de Chamouny, etc., 8 vo. Lausanne, 1790. Bouney (Rev. T. G.) Outline Sketches in the High Alps of Dauphine. London, 1865. Bourrit (M. H.) Description des Glacieres et Amas de Glace du duche de Savoye, 12mo. Geneve, 1773. — — — (English translation) A Relation of a Journey to the Glaciers in the Dutchy of Savoy, 2nd edition, 1 vol. G. Robinson, London, 1776. Nouvelle Description des Glacieres, etc., noavelle edition, 3 vols, 12mo. Geneve, 1785. Bravais (A.) Le Mont Blanc, ou Description de la Vue.et des Phenomenes du Sommet. Bertrand, Paris. Description des Aspects du Mont Blanc, etc., 12mo. Lausanne, 1776. Browne (J. D. H ) Ten Scenes in the Ascent of Mont Blanc. London, 1853, Carrel (Le Chanoine G.) Les Alpes Pennines dans un Jour ; soit Panorama boreal de la Becca di Nona. Lyboz, Aoste, 1855, 1 vol. Alpes Graies, Chaine de la Grivola vue de la Becca di Nona. 2me edition, 1 vol. Aoste, 1860. Clissold (F.) Narrative of an Ascent to the Summit of Mont Blanc. London, 1823. Club Alpino — Bollettino del, Torino. Of the fifteen parts issued nearly ail relate exclusively to the Western Alps. Cole (Mrs.) A Lady's Tour round Monte Rosa, &c. 1 vol. Longman & Co., 1859, Coleman (E. T.) Scenes from the Snow Fields, being illustrations from the Upper Ice-world of Mont Blanc, fol. London, Longman, 1859. Cowell (J. J.) The Graian Alps and Mont Iseran, in Galton's ' Vacation Tourists ' of l&fiO. Macmillan, 1861. BOOKS OF THE WESTERN ALPS. XIX Excursion au Mont Blanc, 1 vol. 2me edition. Geneve et Bale, Georg, 18fiO. Fellowes (Charles) Ascent of Mont Blanc, 4to. London, 1S27. Forbes (Sir J.) A Physician's Holiday, or a Month in Switzerland in the Summer of 1848. 1 vol. 3rd edition. Orr & Co., London, 1852. Francesetti (L. Conite de Mezzenile) Lettres sur les Vallees de Lanzo, 1 vol. Chirio & Mina. Turin. 182.3. Friibel (Julius) Reise in die weniger bekannten Thaler auf der Nordseite der Penninischen Alpen, 1 vol. Reimer, Berlin, 1840. Gnifetti (Parroco d'Alagna) Nozioni Topografiche del Monte Rosa e Ascension! «u di esso, 1 vol. secouda edizione. Crotti, Novara, 1853. Hamel (J. von) Beschreibung zweier Reisen auf den Mont Blanc, unternommen in August 1820, 8vo. Wien, 1821. Hawkins (F. V.) Partial Ascent of the Matterhorn, in Galton's 'Vacation Tourists' of 1860. Macniillan, 1861. Hudson (Rev. C.) & Kennedy (E. S.) — Where there 's a Will there 's a Way ; an Ascent of Mont Blanc withoutGuides, 1st edition, 1 vol. Longman & Co., 18.56. Do. ; with two Ascents of Monte Rosa, 2nd edition. Longman & Co., 1856. Joanne (Adolphe) Itineraire descriptif ethistorique de la Savoie, 1 vol. Hachette, Paris, — — —Do. du Dauphine, Ire partie CIsere). Hachette, Paris, 1862. Do. do. 2nie partie (Drome et Hautes Alpes). Hachette, Paris, 1863. King (Rev. S. W.) The Italian Valleys of the Pennine Alps, 1 vol. Murray, 1858. Lory (Prof. Ch.) Tableau des Positions geographiques et Hauteurs ahsolues des Points principaux du Departement de I'lsere et des Locaiites environnantes, 1 vol. Maisouville, Grenoble. Mace (A.) Le Pic de Belledonne, 1 vol. Maisonville, Grenoble, 1858. Les Montagues de St -Nizier, 1 vol. Maisonville, Grenoble, 1858. Manget (J. L. ) La Vallee deSixt et le Petit St.-Bernard,l vol. Gruez, Geneva. 1851. Meuta et Riva, La Vallee dWoste monunientale, photographiee et annotee his- toriqueuient. Ivree, 1869. Monson (Lord) Views in the Department of the Isore and the High Alps, chiefly designed to illustrate the Memoirs of Feli.x. Neff, by Dr. Gilly, 1 vol. Lon- don, 1840. Mortillet (G. de) Guide de TEtranger en Savoie, 1 vol. Perrin, Chambery, 1855. Muston ( A.) Histoire complete des Vaudois, du Pieinont, et de leurs Colonies, 4 vols. Meyruels, Paris. Parrot (Friedrich) Ueber die Schneegrenze auf der mittiigliehen Seite des Rosagebirges und barometrische Messungen. ' Schweigger's Journal fiir Chemie und Physik,' Rand xix. NUrnberg, 1817. Payot (Venauce) Guide itineraire du Mont Blanc. Geneve, 1869. RaoulRochette — Voyage pittoresque dans la Vallee de Chamouni et autour da Mont Hlanc, 40 col. pi. 4to. Paris, 1826. Raverat (Le Baron A.) A travers le Dauphine ; voyage pittoresque et artistique, 1 vol. Maisonville, Grenoble, 1861. a2 XX INTRODUCTION. Revue des Alpes. Maisonville, Grenoble. Koussillon (J. H.) Guide du vojageur en I'Oisans, 1 vol. Maisonville, Grenoble, 1845. Schott. (A.) Die deutschen Kolonien in Piemont; ihr Land, ihre Mundart und Herkunft. Stuttgart, 1842. Sherwill (M.) Ascent of Mont Blanc. 1826. Historical Sketch of the Valley of Chamouni. Paris, 1832, Smith (Albert) The Story of Mont Blanc. London, 18;),3. Stephen (Leslie) The Allalein Horn, in Galtou's ' Vacation Tourists' of 1860. Macinillan, 1861. Taulier (Jules) Excursion aux Sept-Laux, 1 vol. Maisonville, Grenoble, 1859. Guide du Voyageur a la Grande Chartreuse, 1 vol. Maisonville, Grenoble. Taylor et Nodier — Voyages pittoresques dans I'ancienne France. Dauphine, fol. Didoi, Paris, 1854. LTlrich (Prof. M.) Die Seitenthiiler des Wallis und der Monte Rosa topographisch geschildert, 1 vol. Orell Fiissli & Co., Ziirich, 185U. Voyage pittoresque de Geneve a Milan par le Siniplon, fol. col. pi. Didot, Paris, 1811. Welden (Ludwig Freiherr von) Der Monte Rosa, eine topographische und natur- historische Skizze ; nebst einem Anhange der von Herrn Zunistein gemachten Reisen zur Ersteigung seiner Gipfel, 1 vol. Gerold, Wien, 1824. Wey (Francis) La Haute Savoie. Paris, 1865. "Wills (Alfred) ' The Eagle's Nest ' in the Valley of Sixt, with Excursions among the great Glaciers, 1 vol. Longman, 1860. The principal writings connected with Hannibal's passage of the Alps are referred to at page 56, where a summary is given of the latest dis- cussions on the subject. Maps. — Reference is frequently made in this volume to^ the map of Piedmont, Savoy, and the County of Nice, published by the Etat Major in 'J'urin, before the recent political changes which have merged Piedmont in the new kingdom of Italy, and united Savoy and Nice to France. The map is believed to be generally correct in the lower part of the country, and in the inhabited portions of the valleys, but entirely fails to give a true repre- sentation of the Alpine region, and especially of the higher peaks and glaciers. A reduction in 6 sheets has been published, and has from time to time received some corrections. The smaller map answers the purpose of a ]>edestrian quite as well as the larger one, neither being trustworthy. The Trench Alps, i.e. those of Dauphine and Provence, are at present in a still more deplorable condition than those of Piedmont. The only map having the least pretence to accuracy is that of General Bourcet, now more than a cen- tury old. For the period at which it was executed this is a very remarkable V ork, and bears evidence of having been in great part founded on actual ob- tervation, if not on a scientific survey ; but it is needless to say that it falls greatly short of the requirements of modern chartography. There is now a prospect that within a reasonable time this extraordinary deficiency will be supplied, anl that a map worthy of the scientific reputation of the French Etat Major will be given to the public. Switzerland has long possessed maps which might be called good by com- LIST OF ALPINE MAPS. XXI j parisnn with those of the neijjhbnurina oountries, but this year has seen the completion of a work which is a just subject of national pride. The Federal Mnp of Switzerhuid, published under the direction of General Dufour, is a work which is almost faultless, both as to accuracy and as to technical execu- tion, and, considering the difficulties encountered and overcome, must be admitted to be the finest work of the kind ever executed. The entire territory of the Confederation is included in 2.5 sheets, of whicli the following contain portions of the districts includeil in the Western Alps: — 17, the lower Valais — E. end of the Lake of Geneva — 18, the upper Valais with a portion of the iMonte Rosa district, and the Simplon — 21, the vallev of the Arve — 22, ihe N. side of the Pennine Ali)S from JNIont Blanc to the iNIatter- horn — 23, Monte Rosa and a portion of the Saas district, with a portion of the Italian valleys. Of special maps of particular districts there are not many requiring notice. Those of the Chain of Mont Blanc by the French Ftat Major, and I by i\Ir. Adams Reilly, and the map of the Valpelline, Valtournanclie, and , the Southern valleys of Monte Rosa by the last-named aentleman, are works ' of real excellence. M. Gottlieb Studer's map of the district Iving between the Val de Baixnes and the Simplon has been superseded bv the Federal Map. Professor Alphonse Favre, of Geneva, has recently published a geo- logical Map of a part of the north of Savoy from the yallev of the Isere to the Lake of Geneva, including the range of Mont Blanc. To tlie geologist this is a very valuable work, and it is the best existing map of the district N. of M