Grand Balcon Nord, Plan de l'Aiguille to Montenvers
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.
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.
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What to bring
You won't need a map for this hike, as it is so well signposted. It is exposed for much of the route, so sunscreen and sunglasses are advised. High altitude can increase your chances of dehydration, so bring some water and remember to keep sipping.
What to see
Start your hike by taking the Aiguille du Midi cable car all the way to the top station at 3,842m; from here you can see the French, Swiss and Italian Alps, as well as look out over the famous Vallée Blanche.
You'll look down at the crevasses and seracs of the glaciers and maybe even see some mountaineers setting off on an expedition. There are numerous viewing terraces, as well as "Step Into The Void", a glass cube suspended high above the mountains.
At the end of your hike you'll come to the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France. Depending on the time of year, you can go down into the glacier itself and visit the ice grottoes. There is also a crystal gallery, a "glaciorium", a café and the Grand Hotel des Montenvers to visit while you're there. You can then take the historic Montenvers train back down to Chamonix.
Sights in Chamonix
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Mer de Glace and Montenvers cog railway
No trip to Chamonix should be complete without a visit to the legendary Mer de Glace, the longest and arguably the most impressive glacier in the Chamonix valley. It is also the largest glacier in France.
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Alpine Museum
The museum is currently closed for renovations
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Maison de la Memoire et du Patrimoine, Chamonix- Centre
This museum houses exhibits of Chamonix's past.
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Municipal library
The main central library for Chamonix which houses the occasional exhibition and lectures.
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Espace Tairraz Crystal Museum
Discover the minerals from the Mont Blanc Valley, famous throughout the world, and learn more about the art of mountaineering.
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Panoramic gondola - Aiguille du Midi
The Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola operates during the summer months, connecting the Aiguille du Midi with the Skyway Monte Bianco lift at Helbronner, on the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
Where to lunch
There are cafés both at Plan de l'Aiguille and at Montenvers, as well as the panoramic restaurant at the top of the Aiguille du Midi and the Grand Hotel des Montenvers. There are also plenty of lovely picnic spots along the way.
Restaurants in Chamonix
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Le Mayen Restaurant
Situated in La Folie Douce Hotel, it's the perfect place for traditional alpine cuisine with a modern twist.
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La Bergerie de Planpraz Restaurant
At an altitude of 2000m facing the Mont-Blanc massif, welcome to their restaurant, La Bergerie de Planpraz.
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Stories & Beer
Stories is a local craft beer bar and taco restaurant in Chamonix. Enjoy a slice of Mexico in France.
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Bighorn Bistro Restaurant
Bighorn Bistro in Chamonix Sud is known for its homemade American-style comfort food, from stacked burgers to freshly baked desserts. You can pair your meal with a craft beer or one of their creative cocktails. With friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s a favourite with both locals and visitors.
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Pointe Isabelle Bar and Bistro Restaurant
This tastefully refurbished restaurant and bar are right in the heart of Chamonix on the popular Avenue Michel Croz, close to the train station.
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The Dainty Pizza Restaurant
Great quality ingredients lovingly prepared.
What to do
Things To Do in Chamonix
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Teresa Kaufman Chamonix Photoshoots
The Chamonix-based photographer Teresa Kaufman proposes naturally-lit photoshoots to capture and illustrate quality memories in outstanding surroundings.
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Canyoning
An exhillerating mountain water experience travelling down rivers or streams within a canyon by a variety of means including walking, scrambling, climbing, abseiling and swimming.
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Chamonix Holiday Planning & Travel Scout - Teresa Kaufman
Your holiday time in the Chamonix valley is valuable. Every day counts. Every moment should be a special one.
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Cinema VOX
Chamonix's own Cinema VOX is situated right in the centre of town, slightly tucked back on the Place Balmat (main square in the centre). There are three recently refurbished screens equipped with digital 3D projectors show the latest French and International films, as well as a number of premieres and specialist mountain-sports films.
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Tandem Paragliding
This company's sole activity is tandem paragliding, so they are 100 % focused on you and your flight. Their fully qualified pilots have vast experience and have done 1,000s of flight in the Chamonix Valley.
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Introductory Tandem Paraglide
Realise man's oldest dream and discover the simple pleasure of a tandem paragliding-flight. The best way to discover Chamonix Valley and Mont-Blanc massif
