In this page, you will find informations and advices we can give, based on our experience
Chamonix
What to do if you have little time : Montenvers Mer de Glace and Aiguille du Midi
Chamonix is located in a deep valley at the foot of Mont Blanc. World-renowned, it is a paradise for mountaineers and paragliders but also a delight for hikers. Despite this reputation, Chamonix is a pleasant resort, relatively quiet (in summer), only disturbed by the incessant comings and goings of helicopters that take tourists up onto the glaciers. The best known of these glaciers is the Sea of Ice. Transport (shuttle and sncf train) is free when you are accommodated in the resort. For mountain walks, we advise you to take the Multipass pass for the ski lifts including the cable car that goes up to the Aiguille du Midi.
Tip : check the weather forecast before going hiking, as it can change quickly in the mountains. During our stay in June 2019, the Grand Balcony South was closed for work and abundant snow. Bring warm clothing.
Aiguille du Midi
No hike
3 hours
Pay cable cars
Not to be missed when you come to Chamonix! The view on the Mont Blanc from the Aiguille du Midi is exceptional as well as on the whole mountain range: the Drus, the Grandes Jorasses, the Dôme du Goûter ...
For photographers, the view on the Mont Blanc is best in the morning and the view on the Grandes Jorasses and the Drus is best in the afternoon.
The Aiguille du Midi is at an altitude of 3,842 meters and it is cold especially in the morning. Bring warm clothes.
Access : take the Plan de l'Aiguille cable car then the Aiguille du Midi cable car.
Refuge Albert 1er
4,2 kms one way - 2h00
1 half day
Pay cable cars
This hike of 4.2 kms one way and 532 meters of difference in altitude leads to the Albert 1er hut at 2,702 meters of altitude. This hut overlooks the Tour Glacier. The view on several summits is superb. During our stay in June 2019, we did the last kilometer in the snow.
During the descent and before taking the Autannes chairlift again, you can go to the nearby and easily accessible Col de Balme to have a look at Switzerland!
Access : take the Charamillon cable car then the Autannes chairlift.
Grand Balcon Nord
7,7 kms one way - 2h45
4 to 5 hours
Pay cable cars and train
Nice and easy 7,7 kms long hike mainly on a slight descent from Plan de l'Aiguille to Montenvers Mer de Glace. The view on the other side of the valley, the Grand Balcon Sud, is beautiful.
To get back to the resort, you can either take the little Montenvers train (paying), or go down on foot (Vallée Blanche exit path 6 kms, 800 meters of negative difference in altitude).
Access : take the Plan de l'Aiguille cable car.
Montenvers Mer de Glace
3,7 kms one way - 1h30
1 half day
Pay cable cars and train
The Mer de Glace is the most famous glacier in Chamonix. Unfortunately, it is receding more and more and instead of a sea of ice, it is more like a sea of dust. From the Montenvers train station, you can see the aiguilles des Drus on the other side and at the bottom of the valley, you can see the Grandes Jorasses.
Access : from Chamonix, take the Montenvers train.
Glacier of Argentière
4,6 kms one way - 1h30
4 to 5 hours
Pay chairlift
A 4.6 kms one way hike with 500 meters of difference in altitude that leads to the Argentière Glacier (from Plan Joran). Don't be satisfied with the view from the bottom, climb a little on the side of the glacier, the view is superb.
Access : reach the village Argentière, take the Lognan chairlift.
Planpraz and Brévent
Depending on wish
2 hours
Pay cable cars
Magnificent viewpoint over the entire Mont Blanc range.
The Planpraz is the privileged site for paraglider take-offs.
Access : take the Planpraz cable car and then the Brévent cable car.
Glacier of the Bossons
3,7 kms one way - 1h30
3 to 4 hours
Pay chairlift
The hike that leads to the Glacier des Bossons is 3.7 km long one way and has a difference in altitude of 420 metres. Almost the entire hike is in undergrowth. The view of the glacier from the Chalet des Pyramides is quite limited. Avoid going there in the morning, otherwise you will be against the light for the photos.
Access : from Les Bossons, take the Bossons chairlift.
Copyright Magali and David BELLEC