Walking Routes in Chamonix — 11 of Our Favourites

Lac Blanc is a high altitude mountain lake, surrounded by rocks and accessed by a number of different hiking trails. The calm clear waters create the perfect mirror image of Mont Blanc and the snowy peaks on the opposite side of the valley.

Lac Blanc is a particular favourite of ours as it offers so many different perspectives of the Mont Blanc Massif and demonstrates some of the most beautiful alpine colours, changing all year round. At the tail end of summer a few seasons ago we hiked up to Lac Blanc in the late afternoon staying overnight in the refuge. That evening we saw the most amazing sunset over the Mont Blanc massif. We were lucky enough to have a clear day the following morning and were able to watch the sun rise over the range again. It was a truly amazing sight with rich autumnal colours on display against the stunning Mont Blanc backdrop.

The mountain refuge on the edge of the lake was destroyed by an avalanche and re-built in the 1990’s but it has proven to be such a popular stop over with walkers (being on the Tour de Mont Blanc) that it was further extended in 2005 to offer more beds.

Starting from the lake at Les Gaillands, walk towards the rock face and follow the footpath to turn left into the forest. You’ll pass a second lake on your left and a treetop adventure park on your right before passing some houses and coming out into a small clearing. On your right you’ll see a signpost and a narrow path leading uphill into the forest.

Hiking up to Merlet is a short but deceptively steep little jaunt; you climb around 500m in just under 4km. The path is very easy to follow, there are a few deviations but you just keep following the most obvious trail.

The route zig-zags back and forth amongst the trees, mostly in the shade but occasionally opening out to show just how high you’ve come as the valley becomes further and further away. As you get higher you become more level with the Les Bossons glacier, which is quite an impressive sight.

Depending on the weather and time of year, there is the occasional stream to pick your way across - you can usually find enough stepping stones to avoid getting your feet wet! The biggest torrent comes just a few hundred metres before the end of the trail and is equipped with a bridge.

The trail eventually spits you out onto a small road with some picnic benches on the other side. Turn right and follow this road for a few minutes and you’ll come to the gates of the Parc Merlet; a small wildlife park where local alpine breeds such as marmots and chamois can be seen up close.

You can either return by the same route, or make a circuit of it by walking further down the road and picking up the next trail on your left to Les Bossons. This will take you down to the Promenade des Arves, from where you can turn right and walk to Les Houches or turn left and return to Les Gaillands.

Starting from the car park at the Mont Blanc tunnel this short walk goes through the forest to a small chalet offering drinks and refreshments. Suitable for the whole family this hike is a great choice for a spare few hours during your day.

Starting from Chamonix centre, head up behind the tourist office and take the Brévent-Planpraz lift up to the mid-station at 2,000m. When you come out of the lift station you’ll see a restaurant directly ahead of you, follow the path that goes to the left of it and you’ll soon pick up signs for the Grand Balcon Sud and La Flégère.

The trail drops downhill first of all, twisting through boulders covered in thick bracken and wildflowers. Listen out for the whooping sound of marmots, they’re well camouflaged but you’re never far away from them up here.

Although there is a bit of up and down to contend with, this hike ambles fairly gently along a path that once passed through old grazing pastures - you’ll still come across the ruins of old cottages and shepherds huts from time to time. Small streams run alongside the path in places and there are countless places to take the perfect photo, or to stop for a leisurely picnic.

On the sunnier side of the valley and above the tree line, this is a great hike for admiring the spectacular views across to the Mont Blanc Massif and the Aiguilles Rouges.

It doesn’t take long at all, maybe only a couple of hours, but it can easily be extended at either end by hiking up to Lac Brévent from Planpraz or Lac Blanc from Flégère.

This hike starts with a ride on the world-famous Aiguille du Midi cable car. You only need to go to the mid-station but we recommend going all the way to the top first and then coming back to the Plan de l'Aiguille - just for the experience.

Step outside the cable car station at Plan de l'Aiguille and follow the hiking signs for Montenvers. Dropping down past the Refuge du Plan de l’Aiguille, the path then veers off horizontally to the right to La Tapia (not to Chamonix via Plan du Trois or Pre du Rocher). Once on this path, you can pretty much always see the route ahead meaning minimal opportunity to take a wrong turn. Look out for donkeys beside the refuge, they can often be found grazing here and are quite friendly.

Don’t forget to take a break to admire the views of the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc which will always be behind you in this direction. Having passed the sign to the Chalets du Blaitière (and continued straight on), the next junction you come to will give you a choice of route.

To the left is a shorter but very narrow path that leads to Montenvers across steep gullies which can be dangerous if snow covered. This route is not recommended if you have young children with you or if you are unsure of heights as the path drops away sharply in places.

The better route to take (and the most scenic) is the path that climbs up to the right to the Signal Forbes (2,198m). The additional effort is repaid in amazing views of Les Drus and the Mer de Glace that the other route does not offer. Once at the top, the path continues down to the Montenvers view point and the railway station.

Perched above the deep rocky ravine that now exists at the base of the Mer de Glace, the refuge du Chapeau has been used since the beginning of tourism in Chamonix. 

Once a stop on the famous Vallée Blanche, the retreating glacier has meant that the ice now falls far short of this picturesque refuge. The views it offers are still outstanding, overlooking the whole Chamonix Valley. Grab a table and you can enjoy local cuisine and other refreshments.

Chalet Floria is one of the best places to get an aerial view of the valley. The curved terrace juts out over the mountains and on a clear day you can see for miles.

The chalet is named for the hundreds of flowers that cover its walls, spilling out from window boxes and plant pots.

Cable cars and chairlifts are used widely by walkers and climbers alike, whisking you up to around 2,000m, or taking you back down. Using the lifts can cut a good two hours off a walk, thus enabling you more time to enjoy the views at a higher altitude without unnecessary slog. The lift system comes into its own in the event of deteriorating weather, injury or just plain tiredness, when it will swiftly transport you back to the valley floor (providing you are within the lift operating hours).

The river de L'Arve runs through the entire Chamonix valley and there are essentially two directions one can head from Chamonix. Down the valley down towards Les Houches, or up the valley towards Argentière and Le Tour. 

Suffice to say, whichever direction you choose, both riverside paths will provide some colourful plantations and spectacular panoramic views of the massif.

Promenade d’Arve – towards Les Houches

This is a leisurely walk, following the right bank of the river Arve on the south side of the valley.
Starting Point: Chamonix
Duration: Two hours (one way)

Starting from the crossroads Lionel Terray, follow the Route des Pecles to Les Gaillands. 

Three lakes, known as the mirrors of Mont Blanc, lie in the wooded area near the Rocher d’Escalade (natural climbing wall). 

Continue along the Promenade a l’Anglais through a small wood, crossing the Ravin des Vouillouds above Les Bossons.

After passing Les Montquarts, cross the Lapaz ravine then once level with the Pont de Clair-Temps (a railway bridge), the path climbs slightly into the forest of les Roches; then joining the Chemin des Eaux Rousses.

 Follow the path which arrives at the bridges at Les Gures (EDF dam and railway station), at the crossroads of the Route de Coupeau.

You can return by the same route (two hours) or catch the train or bus from Les Houches.

Cable cars and chairlifts are used widely by walkers and climbers alike, whisking you up to around 2,000m, or taking you back down! Using the lifts can cut a good two hours off a walk, thus enabling you more time to enjoy the views at a higher altitude without unnecessary slog. The lift system comes into its own in the event of deteriorating weather, injury or just plain tiredness, when it will swiftly transport you back to the valley floor (providing you are within the lift operating hours).

The river de L'Arve runs through the entire Chamonix Valley and there are essentially two directions one can head from Chamonix. Down the valley down towards Les Houches, or up the valley towards Argentiere and Le Tour. The following two routes are two of our favourite river walks :

Suffice to say, whichever direction you choose, both riverside paths will provide some colourful plantations and spectacular panoramic views of the massif.

Promenade d’Arve – towards Argentière

This route climbs gently along the banks of the river Arve on the south side of the valley.
Starting point: Chamonix
Duration: 2h40 (one way)

Near the sports centre, take the Promenade du Fiori past the tennis courts. Turn left, cross the two bridges and take the Promenade des Encontres which follows the left bank of the river Arve and brings you out at the bridge at Les Praz. 

Crossing the bridge, turn right and take the Promenade des Mouilles des Praz which will take you past the 18-hole golf course. Cross the Pont de la Flegere (bridge) and the cable car park and follow the main road (RN506) as far as the Route du Golf which crosses the Arve. Follow the Promenade du Paradis des Praz on the right bank of the river (old dairy, café, play area for children and pony rides in summer) and on reaching Les Tines, ignore the Pont de la Corruaz and take the path on the right which passes under the railway line and climbs alongside the Eboulements tunnel.

You will then pass the Moulins footbridge below the road junction to Le Lavancher, and eventually come to the bridge at la Joux. Continue along the right bank of the river, passing Les Iles and at the end of the Chemin des Caquerets you will arrive at the bridge at Les Chosalets. 

Cross the bridge and turning left, walk through the Grand Montets car park which will bring you out in Argentiere.

Return by the same route or by train or bus.

Starting from Chamonix bus station, this hike only takes around 45 minutes to get there and less to get back, making it ideal if you only have time for a quick jaunt. The view of the cascade is worth the effort and the dense forest gives you the feeling of having escaped into the wilderness within a very short distance of Chamonix town.

Once you get near to the waterfall there are a couple of bridges to cross that give you a fantastic view of the cascade in all its glory.

The forest is lush with thick green foliage and masses of wild flowers throughout the summer months, wafting fresh invigorating scents into the air. In the spring months this area is announced as “out of bounds” by the Compagnie du Mont Blanc for being still at risk of snow slides and rockfalls; it's amazing what a difference a couple of weeks of sunshine can make though and by the start of summer the paths are all clear and perfectly passable.

On your return towards Les Planards ski area don’t panic if you hear screaming, it’ll most likely be coming from the toboggan ride that loops around the meadow - in the summer the ski area is transformed into a fun park. There is also a restaurant with a big sunny terrace if you fancy rewarding yourself with an ice cream on the way home.