Good beginner route to test your skill and fitness in the Chamonix valley
This is a fairly short, easy run that can be done in about an hour. It’s about 25km there and back, the climb averaging just 3% or so.
If you want to make it a little more difficult, continue over to Vallorcine before you turn around. The road can be quite busy but it is wide enough to allow traffic to pass safely.
Head up the valley out of Chamonix through Argentière towards Switzerland, (sign posted Martigny) – keep going up until there is no more up!! Turn around and come down the way you have come.
| Average grade | 3.3% |
| Length | 11.7km |
| Height start | 1,035m |
| Height top | 1,419m |
| Elevation | 384m |
| Time | 40 minutes |
Mountain bike hire, accessories and protective gear available in Chamonix
Located on the main road out of Chamonix and leading up the valley towards Argentiere, you can find this branch of Intersport just after the Albert 1er Hotel, and just before the MBC micro-brewery.
Road bike hire and servicing available at this shop in Chamonix
Located close to the Aiguille du Midi lift in the centre of Chamonix, Legend'Chx is a large shop of 250m2 dedicated to renting and selling bikes. They also have a workshop for repairs.
Snowboard and mountain bike specialists on the high-street in the town centre
This is a bike and snowboard shop located high in the French Alps, in the resort of Chamonix. They're service-orientated and strive to make you happy. They speak English, Swedish, Italian and French and their priority is to get you out on the trails with the best possible kit for you & your wallet, as fast as they can.
Mountain bike hire and servicing available at this shop in Chamonix
Located close to the Aiguille du Midi lift in the centre of Chamonix, this is a large shop of 250m2 dedicated to renting and selling mountain bikes. They also have a workshop for repairs, plus they have a handy bike wash to hose down your ride after a day on the trails.
All-in-one bike hire, workshop and gear hub in Chamonix with expert local knowledge
This Chamonix-based shop offers a full range of quality bikes for hire, servicing year-round, and a passionate team ready to help you hit the trails.
Summer lifts giving you access to the Swiss border, hiking and MTB trails
Le Tour is a small, quaint little village at the far end of the Chamonix valley in the 'Domaine de la Balme' area with access to some great hiking and mountain bike trails.
Walk amongst this protected natural area and enjoy beautiful scenery in the summer
The Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve was created in 1974 and is a bio-diverse area of around 16,000 hectares with spectacular views of the Col des Montets. There is an information centre where you can find out about the animals and plants of the area and buy a drink or snack.
CLOSED SUMMER 2025 Head up to get great views of the Argentière glacier
The Plan Joran télécabine takes you up to Grands Montets at an altitude of 1,972 metres.
Museum dedicated to life in the valley from ancient times to present day
Situated in an 18th century house, the Barberine museum is dedicated to showing pastoral life of the Vallorcine people in the valley since the 18th century.
Just over the border to Switzerland you can journey up to the Emosson Dam
At the edge of the Franco-Swiss border lies the 'VerticAlp' experience, which is made up of a steep funicular, a panoramic train and a smaller funicular taking you up to the Emosson Dam.
Cable car and chairlift giving access to lots of great hiking trails and Via Ferrata
In summer the cable car at Flégère and the Index chairlift operate, taking you up to an altitude of 1,894m and then on to 2,396m at the top of the Index.
Next to the Plan Joran gondola at 1,923m, only accessible on skis or snowboard
You will find a takeaway bar and a self-service restaurant in this magnificent wooden chalet at the bottom of the Tabé chairlift. Find “Maison des Drus” products and takeaway pizzas in the snack bar, to be enjoyed on the terrace facing the ski slopes. At the self-service restaurant, enjoy a hot and filling meal without wasting your skiing time. The large room with exposed timbers offers a space to warm up and the terrace offers a place to relax.
Idyllic restaurant in the Grands-Montets ski area
Have a bite to eat in this lovely restaurant that can only be accessed on skis.
Popular restaurant at the foot of the Plan Joran télécabine at Grands Montets
Right on the edge of the Lognan piste in Grands Montets, this restaurant with it's a large sunny terrace and chic interior is the perfect spot for lunch or après drinks during a day on the mountain.
Savoyard restaurant in a beautiful forest
Open in summer and winter, this charming restaurant serves all the traditional Savoyard dishes including farçon, fondues, omelettes, gratins and croutes.
Situated just at the entrance to Argentière, this cosy restaurant is renowned for its great burgers
Situated on the main road, here you'll be delighted to find great quality home-cooked food.
Argentière restaurant that is ingrained in the folklore of the local après ski scene
Anybody who is serious about their skiing (or après-skiing!) has partied in the bar after tackling the world famous Grands Montets. During the summer this is a great place to head for lunch which can be taken on the outdoor terrace
20 - 30min helicopter flights in and around the Chamonix Valley
Take to the skies with Evolution 2. The most exciting and beautiful way to see the breathtaking views - you are guaranteed to leave with memories of a lifetime!
Walk amongst this protected natural area and enjoy beautiful scenery in the summer
The Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve was created in 1974 and is a bio-diverse area of around 16,000 hectares with spectacular views of the Col des Montets. There is an information centre where you can find out about the animals and plants of the area and buy a drink or snack.
Find out all about what is happening in the Chamonix valley and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See all Latest News & ReviewsChamonix hosts a wide range of sporting events throughout the year. The biggest ones include the Mont Blanc Marathon in June and the UTMB trail running race in August. In March, the Unlimited Festival brings ravers to the mountains while Musilac Mont Blanc takes place a month later. At the end of July, the Cosmo Jazz Festival hosts concerts all around the valley.
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