Climbing in Chamonix

Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides. You will make your way along rivers and rapids, using the riverbed as a natural obstacle course. Canyoning takes place a little way outside Chamonix in two locations - either Barberine near the Swiss border or in the opposite direction at Belle au Bois in Megeve. The activity companies will take you there via minibus or coach, with the activity available usually between May and September, weather permitting.

Rock climbing

Like most of the Alps, Chamonix is a great place to go rock climbing. Chamonix has numerous spots along the valley for cragging. In France, it is common to find bolted routes or single pitch or top rope, which makes climbing relatively accessible as less gear is required. The most popular spot is Les Gaillands, which is within walking distance from the town centre and has an open park ideal for barbecues. It's a great location for a day out as it's set next to a lake and has many walking trails nearby, as well as a buvette (snack bar). Les Gaillands is one of the oldest climbing sites in France with the first of its 130 bolted routes being put up in the 1930's by Alfred Couttet. The routes are now maintained by the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix and offer a variety of slabs, cracks, and overhangs at all levels of difficulty.

Rock climbing in Vallorcine

At the high end of the Chamonix valley and 20 minutes by car sits the pretty village of Vallorcine. It's the perfect place to head if you want to escape the busy world of Chamonix and enjoy some great rock climbing. The options available range from children’s routes to highly technical routes with official climbing grades up to 8a+.
La Dalle de Vallorcine is a wide and large climbing wall that's a great way to discover the sport, it's usually used by schools and groups for lessons. The face is very easy to access. Driving from Chamonix turn right just as you enter ‘Le Buet’ and take the signs to the ‘Montets’ campsite. Before the campsite, park and then take the tunnel under the railway and it’s just a short walk. There are over thirty mid-range climbs available here, ranging from grade 4 to 7a. They are typically north-west facing.
Les Perrons de Vallorcine is a more challenging crag with routes up to 370m high. There are over 20 climbs here on south-east faces that will demand the best from climbers. The way to access these is via the Emosson Dam, just across the Swiss border at Chatelard. This includes the Bada Boom route, the hardest and longest (at 400m) on Les Perrons.

Bouldering in Grands Montets

Just up from Vallorcine, there are two bouldering areas located on either side of the Col des Montets, with more than 50 problems from 3a to 7c grades. The first is located about 200m from the Col on the Vallorcine side, while the other is on the Col itself, looking back towards the Grands Montets. Parking is roadside or just opposite the Col.

For the true mountain enthusiast, why not scale an amazing frozen waterfall or glacier? Chamonix has a multitude of ice-falls and gulleys where you can experience the thrill of ice climbing with a guide. This is a fantastic sport, and not just for experienced mountaineers. Beginners can start off at La Crémerie in Argentière, while the more experienced can sample some of the many other sites around Chamonix, Servoz, Les Houches and Argentière. The ice climbing season peaks between December and March. Some knowledge of ropes and basic climbing skills will give you a head start, but if you're a complete novice then your guide should be able to teach you from scratch.

The Chamonix valley is home to one of the largest indoor climbing walls in France. Mont Blanc Escalade is located in Les Houches and is open all year, with more than 100 routes to the roof ranging from 16m to 21m in height. All necessary equipment is available for hire. In Chamonix town, there is a good sized bouldering wall in the Sports Centre (Centre Sportif Richard Bozon). There is another climbing wall at the ENSA, but you need to be a member of the local Club des Sports to gain access. Just down the valley in Saint-Gervais-Les-Bain is Le Topo indoor climbing which is open daily, hires equipment and offers courses. They also have a lovely café serving hot drinks and food. It's perfect for all the family.

Mountaineering and mountain climbing

Chamonix is quite simply the mecca of mountaineering. Whether you're a rock climber, ice climber, ski tourer, or just enjoy being in the mountains, Chamonix really is the place to be. The glaciers and icy slopes of the Mont Blanc Massif offer a massive number of climbing routes for alpinists, while the world famous Chamonix granite is extremely popular with rock climbers. Chamonix is also home to what is perhaps the most popular high-mountain route in Europe, the climb to Mont Blanc. However, this is no mean feat, in order to tackle it, you must be very fit and should book a guide to accompany you.

Via Ferrata climbing offers an element of security that still allows beginners to enjoy the achievement of having scaled a mountain! This form of climbing was invented by Italian soldiers in the Dolomites who used it to enable them to scale vertiginous faces easily and quickly. These days it is a popular sport that makes the thrill of mountain climbing more accessible to children, beginners and those who want a bit more security when they climb. Following marked routes through the mountains, you are helped along by metal steps, bridges and ladders whilst being roped up for extra safety. Suitable for adults and children over the age of eight; guides can be arranged on request.
At Flégère there is a Via Ferrata course which can be found at the top of the Index chairlift. There are two different routes which can be done separately or joined together for a full day out. There is also a Via Ferrata route at the Mer de Glace which is easily accessible from Chamonix town centre. Take the Montenvers train and, from the station, descend the ladders down onto the Mer de Glace following the signs marked ‘Le Refuge’. Cross the glacier heading for the white square painted on the opposite rock face, from here you will find a well-marked Via Ferrata route that consists of around 30 ladders and, if climbed to the end, finishes at the Refuge de Couvercle. One way should take around four to five hours, there is a shorter return route through Les Egralets that takes a further three hours.
Further afield, there is also a route above Passy that sits under the Aiguille de Varan on a cliff face, and climbs up 180m over a length of 400m. Access to the spot from car park takes 20 minutes and then the average time to complete the Via Ferrata is 1h30.