Explore Chamonix in France with us - a renowned European mountain destination.Given the vast expanse of hiking opportunities found here, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That's where our expert hiking guides come in. We'll lead you on a carefully curated selection of the region's finest hikes, tailored to your fitness level and interests.
Group
Alps
6 Days
Jul, Aug
High
Intermediate
Come with us to explore Chamonix - one of the most renowned mountain destinations in Europe, alongside Zermatt.
Blessed with its iconic peaks and an illustrious mountaineering legacy spanning nearly three centuries, this valley is equally popular with hikers and climbers in the summer and skiers in the winter.
With the vast expanse of hiking opportunities at your disposal, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start your adventure. That's why we recommend entrusting one of our expert hiking guides to lead you on a carefully curated selection of the region's finest hikes.
Your summer hiking week in Chamonix begins with a pickup from Geneva Airport and a transfer to your hotel. Each morning, we'll meet you at your hotel and take you to the start of the day's hike, typically a ski lift. After your daily excursion, we'll return you to your hotel, where you can relax in comfort, enjoy the stunning views of the valley, or have a well-deserved drink at the hotel bar.
In addition to these exceptional treks and awe-inspiring vistas, we'll leverage the lift system to transport you to some truly majestic high-altitude vantage points, all while sparing your legs and delivering you directly to the most splendid hiking terrain.
This trip is suitable for moderately fit people who have never hiked before. We can customize the trip to meet the needs and expectations of the group, but on average, we expect to walk 10-15 kilometers per day and climb up to 600 meters.
Book your spot today and experience the beauty of the Alps firsthand!
We will adapt the itinerary each day based on the weather, trail conditions, and the group's abilities and expectations. The following is a suggested itinerary, but we may make changes as needed:
We will pick you up at Geneva Airport and drive you to your hotel.
Hike to Lac Blanc, a world-renowned lake and popular viewpoint for photographers. Enjoy lunch at the refuge, which offers a menu of snacks, drinks, and Tour du Mont Blanc accommodation.
Start early by taking the Flegère Gondola to gain elevation. Follow the Grand Balcon Sud trail, with stunning views of Mont Blanc, the Grandes Jorasses, and the Aiguille Verte. Often, you can spot wild ibex in this area, which is a natural reserve.
Ascend to the lake via the smaller Cheserys lakes and a short ladder section. After lunch, make your way back to the Gondola for the return ride to the valley.
A trip to Chamonix wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Aiguille du Midi, the highest cable car in France. On a clear day, the panoramic views from the summit are simply breathtaking.
We'll carefully coordinate our visit with the weather forecast to ensure we have the sunniest day of the week.
Our day begins with a ride on two cable cars to the summit. There, we'll spend about an hour soaking up the stunning views.
We'll then return to the middle station and hike to the Plan de l'Aiguille refuge. From there, we'll set off on the Grand Balcon Nord trail, which offers captivating views of the Mer de Glace glacier.
After lunch at one of the local restaurants, we may descend to the glacier itself to explore the ice caves.
On our way back to Chamonix, we'll have the option of hiking through the lush woods or taking the historic cog railway.
A trip to Chamonix wouldn't be complete without venturing to the pinnacle of Aiguille du Midi. Renowned worldwide, this cable car is the highest of its kind in France and ranks among the country's most popular attractions. On a clear day, the panoramic views from the summit are simply breathtaking, extending across the Vallée Blanche to Mont Blanc.
We'll carefully coordinate this adventure with the weather forecast to ensure we have the sunniest day of the week for our visit.
Our day begins with a ride on two cable cars to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi. There, we'll spend about an hour soaking up the stunning views.
Upon our return to the middle station, we'll embark on a short downhill hike to the Plan de l'Aiguille refuge. From there, we'll set off on the Grand Balcon Nord, the iconic trail along this side of the valley.
Following the balcony trail, we'll reach the Montenvers railway station via the Signal Forbes, offering captivating views of the Mer de Glace.
After lunch at one of the local restaurants, we may descend to the glacier itself to explore the renowned ice caves.
As we make our way back to Chamonix, you'll have the option of descending through the lush woods on foot or taking the historic cog railway.
Today, we embark on a captivating journey to a viewpoint overlooking the Argentière Glacier. We take the Plan Joran Gondola to the Grand Montets ski area and ascend to a viewpoint with unobstructed views of the glacier and its icefall. We explore the moraine walls and then journey through the ski area and woodlands to the Pendant Alpage. A brief climb over the Tête de Prapators leads us to a snack break at the Chapeau Buvette.
On our final day, we'll take the Brevent lifts to the summit for stunning views of Mont Blanc. From there, we'll descend along the ridge and ascend the Aiguillette des Houches, offering a unique perspective of the Aiguilles Rouges massif and the lower Arve valley.
After lunch at the Chailloux pastures, we'll descend through the woodlands and past the Merlet animal park, before taking a series of balcony paths back to Chamonix.
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
In the July and August weeks, we typically trek 10-15km per day with up to 600m altitude gain. The September week is a bit tougher, with up to 1300m of climbing per day. The difference is that there are fewer lifts open for us to use in September.
What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
The July and August weeks are suitable for adults and children aged 12 and above. Because there are fewer lifts open, the September week is a bit tougher and is suitable for ages 16 and above.
How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?
You can get to Chamonix by bus, train, or car. The nearest airport is Geneva from where there are regular buses and transfer services. Transfers are not included in the price, but we can book these for you on request.
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
We'll usually stop for lunch at a mountain restaurant or refuge. If this isn't possible, we'll let you know in advance so you can bring a picnic lunch.
Accommodation is not included in the basic price, but we can organize a full package with accommodation, airport transfers, and a lift pass on request.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that I need to consider before the tour?
You’ll need to have insurance to cover search and rescue (including by helicopter) and medical expenses.
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
The hiking conditions are usually good in Chamonix from June to October, although June can still have snow on the higher paths and October can be cold.
Can I join a group?
Yes, we have four group dates scheduled from June through to September, and we can add more on request.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
We will plan the itinerary according to the weather conditions each day. If the weather is bad, we may stick to lower-level walks for safety.
Can you arrange transfers, accommodation, and lift passes for this trip?
Yes. We can offer a complete package including hotel accommodation, return transfers from Geneva airport and lift passes, or any combination of these. Send us a message for prices and details.
Do I need a lift pass?
Yes, we make use of the lift system to access the best hiking terrain. For the weeks in July and August, the five-day Mont-Blanc multi-pass is the most cost-effective option. For the September week, many of the lifts will be closed and we will only use them for a few days, so it will be better to buy single or return lift tickets as needed.
5.0
(1)
Mountain Leader
Living in the mountains was a childhood dream for me, and for the last twenty years I’ve been making that dream happen. I live in Chamonix, at the foot of Mont-Blanc, and can’t think of anywhere I’d rather call home.
I’m an International Mountain Leader and a qualified ski instructor. This combination lets me help people explore the beautiful mountains we live in almost year-round. In the summer and autumn, I run hiking trips around the world-renowned Tour du Mont Blanc circuit as well as provide navigation courses to help you gain the confidence and skills to venture into the hills alone. In the winter and spring, I teach skiing and ski touring.
Please get in touch to book a group trekking holiday or a navigation course.
Languages
English | French | Spanish
Certificates
UIMLA
5
We had 4 days trekking with Ian on the Tour De Mont Blanc, the booking and communication from the start was excellent with the whole package being first class. The pick up and drop off to the airport was super helpful and not rushed in any way, Ian met us all at the airport. The route was fantastic, every day was different, some really good stops for lunch, coffee and cake (really worth it), the huts at night gave you a real alpine experience finishing in Chamonix with pizza and beer, what more could you want! Well recommended thank you Ian.
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