What to do in Chamonix Besides Climbing Mont Blanc?

Lying at the heart of the French Alps, the lively town of Chamonix-Mont Blanc is hailed as the ‘mountaineering capital’ of Europe and also, as a world-class ski resort.

Surrounded by outstanding alpine landscapes, this town in Haute Savoie provides endless adventures for mountain lovers. During the summer season, the biggest drawn is climbing the mythical Mont Blanc (4,808m), the highest peak in the Alps and a classic mountaineering ascent.  

Keep reading: here’s our guide with all you need to know about the Mont Blanc ascent!

If you are preparing to climb Mont Blanc and plan to stay a little longer in the valley, or if mountaineering isn’t really your thing but you still want to enjoy the majestic mountains at this corner of the world, you may be wondering how to make the most of your stay in Chamonix. At Explore-Share we got you covered! We’ve compiled the 4 best summer adventures in Chamonix (besides climbing Mont Blanc) and hand-picked our favorite guided trips for each type of traveler.

Let’s get inspired!

1. Hiking

The Chamonix Valley ―which comprises several mountain villages, like Les Houches, Argentiere, Le Tour, Les Praz and the actual town of Chamonix― is an amazing destination to explore by foot. There are hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails in the area, ranging from easy to challenging. Plus, the Mont Blanc massif provides exhilarating adventures on a wonderful alpine environment. Here are some ideas for a memorable hiking experience in Chamonix:

• For the adventurous: go glacier hiking in one of the many glaciers of the Vallee Blanche! Take the famous Aiguille du Midi cable car to Punta Helbronner (3,466 m) and join a guided trek to explore the glaciated paradise of the Vallée Blanche.

• For nature lovers: join a hiking & photography tour in the Balcons du Mont Blanc and enjoy the most breathtaking views of the massif!

• For foodies: venture into the Chamonix forest and share a traditional alpine cheese fondue under the stars.

[BONUS] Two of the most famous hikes in the Alps start off in Chamonix: the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) and the Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt. These hut-to-hut hikes traverse stunning mountain areas across different countries, but you need to count at least with one week to complete them. In case you want to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, here are all the details!

Check more options for hiking trips in and around Chamonix!

2. Rock Climbing

Chamonix is the cradle of alpinism and therefore, is home to many legendary climbing routes. From the imposing granite spires and towers of the Envers des Aiguilles, featuring world-class multi-pitch routes; to the reddish rocks of the Aiguilles Rouges, on the opposite side of the Chamonix Valley; there are options for all types of climbers:

• For beginners: want to have a first rock climbing experience? Chamonix is such an awesome place to get started! Check this 2-day rock climbing initiation course.

• For those who’d like to tackle the legendary routes: this 5-day alpine climbing tour takes you to the classics, like Cosmiques Ridge, Aiguilles du Chamonix and Pyramide du Tacul East Ridge.

• For adrenaline lovers: if you are seeking for an special experience, you can combine rock climbing with a night on a portaledge, enjoying unique views of Mont Blanc!  

See all the rock climbing trips in Chamonix available at Explore-Share!

3. Trail Running

Trail running is on the rise and Chamonix ―the Vallée du Trail― has become its perfect playground! There are well-marked runs of every size and duration, all of them surrounded by exhilarating alpine views.

Keep reading: What are the Best Trail Running Runs in Chamonix?

The trails take you through forests, waterfalls, bridges, crosses rivers and passes picturesque mountain villages. But the most iconic challenge is the ‘Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc’, a marathon that spans three different countries and traverses 275 km.

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These are our picks for you to experience trail running in Chamonix:

• For beginners: if you’d like to have a first approach to trail running, join this private tailor-made trail running trip in Chamonix!

• For pros: set out on a 3-day trail running session in Combloux, in the company of a guide and one the best trail running athletes in the world: Sébastien Chaigneau.

• For those who want to train for a big goal: join a guide on a 4-day specialized training for the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.

Find all the options for trail running in the Mont Blanc area!

4. Via ferrata

If you are up for a thrilling activity in the mountains, but you lack the technical knowledge required for rock climbing, then climbing a via ferrata may be just the perfect option for you! Via ferratas are protected routes that allow you to reach high altitudes in a safe way. These are some of our favorite routes in and around Chamonix:

• For those who want amazing views: this via corda near Les Mottets provides dramatic views of the French Alps. Unlike via ferratas (which are secured with steel cables), via cordas use rope and has more things in common with rock climbing.

• For adrenaline junkies: take this extreme via ferrata route in La Flegere and feel your heart pumping as you cross a spectacular Himalayan-style suspension bridge.

• For those who can’t decide between adrenaline & amazing views! Chamonix is synonym with adventure and this trip just proves that: it combines via ferrata and paragliding, allowing you to climb & fly…all on the same day!  

Check out all the via ferrata adventures in the Chamonix Valley!

With an all-year-round offer of outdoor activities and a privileged location, Chamonix is a haven for sporty people in the Alps. Don’t wait any longer and set out for a unique adventure in this majestic destination  at the foot of Mont Blanc!