Explore Chamonix's five unmissable hikes
Chamonix… Just mentioning this most famous city in the Alps conjures up a variety of rich associations in our minds. The Olympics, skiing, hiking, Mont Blanc, mountaineering, the intoxication of the peaks... Actually, I don't often publish blog posts, but I think it's worth slightly shifting the editorial direction this time. For hikers stopping by the Chamonix Valley for a few days, figuring out which peaks to climb can be quite a challenge... because there are so many treasures to explore!
In this article, you'll discover the five unmissable hikes in the Chamonix Valley. If you're only here for a few days, I strongly recommend these routes. You'll not only be captivated by the stunning scenery along the way but also be amazed by the rich biodiversity of these places.
Lac Blanc
Without a doubt, Lac Blanc tops my recommendation list. Although this spot is crowded during peak season, the quality of the landscape it offers is unparalleled! Located at the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve, Lac Blanc stands at an altitude of 2352 meters.
Lac Blanc consists of a lower part about three meters deep and an upper part about ten meters deep. The lake's water flows into a stream, eventually joining the Arve River at Les Îles, north of Chamonix. Typically, the back of the lake remains covered in snow until late summer (mid-August), but with climate change, the ice and snow melt earlier each year (late June or early July).
Once you reach Lac Blanc, hikers will witness stunning views. The peaks of the Mont Blanc Massif seem within reach! There are two routes to reach the lake: from Flégère or from Col des Montets or Tré-le-Champ. The route via Flégère involves taking the cable car of the same name, reaching Lac Blanc in less than two hours. Personally, I recommend the routes from Col des Montets or Tré-le-Champ because they are wilder and less crowded.
Difficulty: Hard
Altitude: 2352 meters
Ascent time: Both routes are 2 hours 45 minutes
Descent time: Tré-le-Champ route is 1 hour 30 minutes / Col des Montets route is 2 hours
Total elevation gain: Tré-le-Champ route is 990 meters / Col des Montets route is 970 meters
Round trip distance: Tré-le-Champ route is 8.0 km / Col des Montets route is 9.4 km
Restrictions: No pets and no picking plants allowed. Camping is allowed between 19:00 and 09:00.
L’Aiguillette des Houches
Compared to Lac Blanc, L’Aiguillette des Houches is less frequented, but I often recommend it without hesitation. Located in the Carlaveyron Nature Reserve, L’Aiguillette des Houches stands at an altitude of 2285 meters, overlooking the village of the same name. This peak is actually the western boundary of the Aiguilles Rouges Massif and offers an excellent view of the Mont Blanc Massif and the northern Fiz Massif. Besides the magnificent scenery, it is also a treasure trove of biodiversity: the meadows of Carlaveyron are dotted with numerous small ponds that provide shelter for many species.
The route to L’Aiguillette des Houches starts from the Parc de Merlet parking lot (recommended to visit the park after the hike), south of Chamonix. This route forms a loop, first reaching the Refuge de Bellachat, then the summit. The descent passes by the Chalets de Chailloux, returning to the parking lot.
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 2285 meters
Ascent time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Descent time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total elevation gain: 910 meters
Round trip distance: 9.1 km
Restrictions: No pets and no picking plants allowed. Camping is allowed between 19:00 and 09:00.
Lac Cornu et Lacs Noirs
Another classic hike in the Aiguilles Rouges Massif: Lac Cornu and Lacs Noirs. Lac Cornu is a natural lake at an altitude of 2276 meters, covering 54.4 hectares, with a maximum depth of 22 meters and a water volume of about 550,000 cubic meters. The lake's water flows into the Torrent du Lac Cornu, then into the lower Diosaz River. Further up, you'll find the Lacs Noirs, which consist of two parts, their water first flowing into the Torrent des Lacs Noirs, then into a small lake lower down, finally joining the Diosaz River.
In the typical style of the Aiguilles Rouges, Lac Cornu and Lacs Noirs offer magnificent views of the Mont Blanc Massif. Unlike Lac Blanc, these lakes are less visited. Therefore, if you want to avoid the crowds, these lakes are a great choice. I recommend the route starting from Planpraz Station (reached by cable car from Chamonix), then climbing towards Col du Lac Cornu and Col de la Glière, finally reaching Lacs Noirs.
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: Lac Cornu 2276 meters, Lacs Noirs 2540 meters
Ascent time: Lac Cornu 1 hour 45 minutes, Lacs Noirs 2 hours 30 minutes
Descent time: 1 hour 30 minutes from Lacs Noirs
Total elevation gain: 790 meters
Round trip distance: 11.0 km
Restrictions: No pets and no picking plants allowed. Camping is allowed between 19:00 and 09:00.
La Montagne de Peclerey
This time, we head to the eastern part of the Chamonix Valley, climbing one of the region's least known mountains: La Montagne de Peclerey. Located above the village of Argentière, this mountain will satisfy hikers seeking tranquility. In fact, the trails here are little frequented, and the scenery is very pristine. The most unforgettable part is undoubtedly the Tour Glacier along the way and the platform at the summit, from where you can see both the Mont Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges Massifs simultaneously.
The hike starts from Le Planet parking lot, forming a loop that first heads to the Tour Glacier. Then, the route climbs La Montagne de Peclerey, descending through the Grand Chantet forest. For me, this is a perfect beginner's hike!
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: Tête du Grand Chantet 1967 meters
Ascent time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Descent time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total elevation gain: 630 meters
Round trip distance: 6.7 km
Le Balcon Nord
To conclude the article, I continue to recommend the so-called “giant” of the Chamonix Valley: the Le Balcon Nord hike. This route is a classic of the valley. Hikers can first see the Mer de Glace, then follow a legendary path along the foot of the Aiguilles de Chamonix. I call Le Balcon Nord the “giant” because completing the entire hike requires a lot of physical effort: a total ascent of 1550 meters, a round trip of 16.4 km, and a total ascent time of 5 hours 30 minutes.
If you choose to hike the entire route, the descent from Plan de l’Aiguille to Chamonix is challenging, with many switchbacks and steep sections. Fortunately, the route can be shortened by taking the Montenvers Train to Mer de Glace. Finally, you can descend to the valley by taking the Aiguille du Midi cable car.
Le Balcon Nord is a beautiful hike that will surely inspire you to conquer higher peaks!
Difficulty: Without cable car, very difficult; with cable car ascent, difficult; for Le Balcon Nord hike only, medium
Altitude: Signal Forbes 2198 meters, Lac Bleu 2299 meters
Ascent time: Sentier du Montenvers 2 hours 30 minutes + Signal Forbes 1 hour + Le Balcon Nord 2 hours = total ascent time 5 hours 30 minutes
Descent time: 2 hours 30 minutes from Lac Bleu
Total elevation gain: 1550 meters without mechanical lifts
Round trip distance: 16.4 km
Exploring the beauty of nature and challenging your limits is the charm of hiking. The Chamonix Valley offers numerous beautiful hiking routes, whether it's Lac Blanc, L’Aiguillette des Houches, Lac Cornu and Lacs Noirs, La Montagne de Peclerey, or Le Balcon Nord, each route provides you with a unique experience and unforgettable scenery.
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