© Tom Humpage
© Tom Humpage
© SeeChamonix.com
© Jemima Lang
© Graham Pinkerton
Les Houches summer lifts
Gondola access to VTT and hiking trails and the Tour du Mont Blanc route
Les Houches sits at the bottom end of the Chamonix Valley and is a popular place for hikers, mountaineers and mountain bikers in the summer months.
In summer the Prarion gondola and the Bellevue cable car operate, plus you also have access to the Tramway du Mont Blanc train which leads from St Gervais all the way up to the Nid d'Aigle, a popular place for mountaineers to start their ascents from.
The Prarion gondola and the Bellevue cable car both accept mountain bikes, as one of the few areas in the Chamonix Valley with a dedicated downhill mountain biking area, plus you can take bikes on the first and last train of the day on the Tramway du Mont Blanc.
Just a short walk along the mountain top will bring you to the start of the Tour du Mont Blanc route and plenty of other hiking routes and trails which connect to neighbouring resorts.
Who should go
Access Yes/No Notes Elderly access ✓ Unless against medical advice Babies ✓ From six months Wheelchair access ✓ At Prarion, not at Bellevue Disabled toilets ✓ At bottom of Prarion Dogs ✓ On both main access lifts but must be kept on a lead Parapentes Speed-riding possible in winter Mountain bikes ✓ Summer only Car parking ✓ Free at both main lift stations Lockers Reservations required Sports and activities ✓ Skiing, hiking, mountain-biking, trail-running
Things to do in Les Houches
In summer there are lots of hiking and mountain bike trails that criss cross the area. You can drop over the top of the Col de Vosa into St Gervais and take the Tramway du Mont Blanc or the Mont Blanc Express train back.
Directions
You can access Les Houches most easily by one of the local buses or by car. There is a large free car park at the Prarion gondola which you can pretty much always find a parking space at. There is a train stop in Les Houches but it's a very long walk from there to get to the bottom of the lift.
When to come
Take a look at all the lift opening dates and timetables.
How to get passes
You can buy tickets directly from the lift station or buy a Mont Blanc Multi-pass in advance on line. See all the summer lift prices and if you're not sure which pass to buy, read our guide.
More inspiration...
Find your way around with our maps for summer hiking and walking or mountain biking.
If you're looking for winter lift access head over to our ski pass prices.
