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Short treks and walks at altitude in Chamonix Mt Blanc
Start your trekking holiday with a panoramic view of the valley and neighbouring mountains.
Ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car to an altitude of 3842m (12,680ft) and take in the breathtaking scenery. Descend by cable car back to the mid-station at the Plan d'Aiguille and then walk the steep, zig-zag, wooded track back down to Chamonix (3hrs ) or cross over from the Plan d'Aiguille to the Montenvers train station (3 hrs) to take the tourist train back down to Chamonix.
One of the best places to admire the Mt Blanc massif is from the other side of the Chamonix Valley. The Aiguille Rouge nature reserve is not to be missed. Hike to Lac Blanc (2352m) on a sunny day and enjoy the view of the Mont Blanc. From the Flegere / Index lift, the hike is a bit under 2 hours. You will find facilities and refreshments at the lake. Great place to have a picnic!Don't forget
The Planpraz gondola to the Brevent midstation is closed for the summer 2008. But there are plenty of hikes in the Aiguilles Rouges side of the Chamonix Valley including the GR5 which is also known as the Tour of Mt Blanc route - TMB on some signposts. You can still go up to the top station of Brevent by either walking up from the valley (3.5 hrs) or hiking across from the Flegere mid station (2hrs).
From the top of Brévent, hike along the ridge, past the refuge of Bel Lachat, down through woods to the Merlet Animal Park (see chamois, mouflons and ibex) and then back to the ever-visible town of Chamonix by the "Petit Balcon Sud" (3 hr ).true
Aiguillette des Posettes at 2201m (7,220ft)
Go to the Nature Reserve Exhibition at the Col des Montets .
Then walk up above Le Tour to the top and a beautiful 360° view over France and Switzerland. (4 hrs total).
Don't Forget: Use sunglasses and skin and lip protection. At these altitudes (3000m, 10,000ft) it is easy to get badly burnt. Don't forget that a lift gains lots of height quickly and it can be cold and windy up there.
The weather can change quickly so check our weather report before leaving.
The Tourist Office has a good supply of trail maps or buy "Chamonix, the most beautiful hikes for everyone" at newsagents. The Office de Haute Montagne (OHM) is another good source for information.Clean air ? keep the valley a "truck-free zone"Click here for Summer Lift Prices
Keep up on the campaign to keep 4000 trucks a day out of the
valley, and onto the railway network where they belong.
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Let us help you to find a Trek Leader.
Books on Trekking in the Chamonix Valley