Discover the top Chamonix walking trails and routes
If you come to Chamonix in the summer (and we think you really should), the chances are you'll want to get your walking boots on and go for a ramble or two.
Find loads of top tips and local insights in our Chamonix Hiking & Walking Guide.
Easy walk to a beautiful mountain refuge decorated with over 4,000 flowering plants
A short hike suitable for families with children of walking age.
A short but rewarding hike up to an animal park from the lake
This short hike starts at a lake and ends at an animal park, with plenty to see along the way.
A half-day hike towards Montenvers that begins and ends in Chamonix centre
When the weather is beautiful here in Chamonix it seems a shame to not go out and explore the surrounding mountains. This is a great half-day hike that sees you leave the town and head up towards Montenvers through the forest.
A scenic walk to an abandoned lift station complete with old cable car
The walking route up to the old La Para mid station of Les Glaciers cable car via La Cascade du Dard Refuge is a popular forest route with stunning valley views towards Les Houches through breaks in the tree line.
A simple walk all along the river Arve from Chamonix centre towards Argentière
Getting around the Chamonix Valley and up into its high mountain terrain is made easy thanks to the extensive transportation network available. The local buses that take you to all the main gondola and cable car stations are free with a carte d’hôte (guest card). You can get your card on arrival at your accommodation.
Easy to follow sunny trail to a stunning south facing climbing destination
Leaving the town of Argentiere, this walk takes you through the south facing woods to the popular climbing crag of Aiguillette d'Argentiere
A gentle family-friendly hike with superb views and friendly goats along the route
Les Houches is one of the most idyllic parts of the Chamonix valley in summer; not so steep or dramatic as some of the other areas, it has a more gentle landscape filled with meadows and forests.
A stunningly beautiful but very accessible hike in the mountains
This section of the Grand Balcon Sud can be done in either direction and has the benefit of lifts at either end, saving your calves on the way up and your knees on the way down.
A varied walk with great valley views and France's longest glacier at the top
This beautiful walk takes you up to the Mer de Glace and the Montenvers station. For those that prefer downhill walks you can take the train up and trek back down, or you can do a complete loop lasting approximately five hours.
An easy hike through the alpine meadows of Les Houches
This hike is a pleasant stroll through the bucolic high alpine meadows of Les Houches, making life easy by using the lift system at either end.
A picturesque circuit of around 12km with a lovely lunch stop
With having spent a few years exploring the trails of this valley, I thought I knew all the accessible routes so when someone mentioned one I’d never heard of I was excited to check it out - even more so when I was promised a good lunch along the way.
A short but rewarding hike up to a dramatic waterfall overlooking Chamonix
Cascade du Dard is a dramatic waterfall tucked away in the forest beneath the Aiguille du Midi.
Hike from the Aiguille du Midi cable car to the Mer de Glace
Skirting along the north side of the valley, both the access and departure points of this walk are served by the lift system, making it one of the most accessible high altitude hikes.
Read more about Grand Balcon Nord, Plan de l'Aiguille to Montenvers
A shaded walk offering spectacular views of Glacier des Bossons
Leaving the village of Les Bossons this walk takes you through the forest to a viewing area situated a stone's throw away from the impressive Glacier des Bossons.
An easy walk that combines waterfalls, rivers and stunning valley views
This walk will take you on a complete loop bringing you back to the Vallorcine car park. You can choose to include the refuge de Loriaz as part of your loop or not. This beautiful family-friendly walk is suitable for all levels and has stunning views down towards the Swiss boarder and passes two waterfalls.
A simple walk from Chamonix centre towards Les Houches
Getting around the Chamonix Valley and up into its high mountain terrain is made easy thanks to the extensive transportation network available. The local buses that take you to all the main gondola and cable car stations are free with a Carte d’Hôte (guest card). You can get your card on arrival at your rental accommodation or hotel.
A forest trail leading towards the Mer de Glace with a stop at the Refuge du Chapeau
Situated 150m above the bottom of the Mer de Glace, the Refuge du Chapeau has been a classic stop for tourists for over a century.
Get a close up look at the glacier towering above Argentière
A lift-accessed high altitude hike above 2,000m, with some of Chamonix's most picturesque views of the valley.