18 B&W Film Photos of Hiking Europe's Iconic Tour du Mont Blanc

An honest and artful look at the classic 170 km trek through France, Italy & Switzerland

18 B&W Film Photos of Hiking Europe's Iconic Tour du Mont Blanc

Author

Matt Doran

Photographer

Matt Doran

Camera

Canon AE-1

Film

Ilford HP5 Plus

Matthew Doran is anarchitect, designer, and hobby photographer based in Scotland. Follow Matthew on Instagram for more.

The breathtaking views, the mornings spent cocooned in a sleeping bag looking out the tent towards the imposing peaks of alps, and the sense of accomplishment felt while meandering back down towards Chamonix on that last, gloriously sunny day. These are the memories I remember best from walking the Tour du Mont Blanc, or maybe, these are the memories I have chosen to remember.

Google “Tour du Mont Blanc” and you will be overwhelmed with thousands of photos of beautiful alpine lakes and meadows with the imposing mass of Mont Blanc towering in the background. But little capturing the people and toll that such a walk has both mentally and physically at stages throughout.

Matt-Doran-MTB-3
Matt-Doran-MTB-2
Matt-Doran-MTB-13

By turning the camera around at points throughout the walk, I aimed to capture the difficult and exhausting moments of contemplation along with the mountains and landscapes that surrounded and enveloped us as we marched through France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Being able the recall the moments of struggle enhances the moments of achievements. As with the highs and lows of the landscape, there can be parallels drawn to the highs and lows within ourselves.

Matt-Doran-MTB-1

Matt-Doran-MTB-7
Matt-Doran-MTB-8
Matt-Doran-MTB-11
Matt-Doran-MTB-10
Matt-Doran-MTB-12
Matt-Doran-MTB-14
Matt-Doran-MTB-15
Matt-Doran-MTB-16
Matt-Doran-MTB-21
Matt-Doran-MTB-19
Matt-Doran-MTB-17
Matt-Doran-MTB-4
Matt-Doran-MTB-6
Related articles
Vivid Photos of the Iconic Hut-to-Hut Tour du Mont Blanc
Hut-to-Hut Hiking Europe's Iconic Tour du Mont Blanc Trail

From hut to hut, through Switzerland, Italy, and France, covering 170 kilometers in just 10 days

A Visual Journal From 10-Days on the Tour du Mont Blanc Trail
Why You Should Hut Hike Europe's Tour du Mont Blanc Trail

Trekking across France, Italy, and Switzerland on the iconic alpine loop

More articles
18 B&W Film Photos of Hiking Europe's Iconic Tour du Mont Blanc

Gallery Mode

Photographer

Matt Doran

Camera

Canon AE-1

Film

Ilford HP5 Plus

Back to article
Free Shipping on FM Zines!

HIKE & WINTER film photo zines make perfect gifts for outdoor lovers!

  • 60+ pages of inspiring photography
  • 30+ international contributors
  • Limited-edition & printed in NYC
  • Free shipping w code "ZINEME" thru 12/16
Shop Now
Free Shipping on FM Zines!