Les Houches to the Bellevue lift station
This is a steep and challenging walk up to the top of the Bellevue lift station
But once you've made the climb, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Chamonix Valley.
The walk to the top takes approximately 2.5h.
It starts in Les Houches just up the hill from the Bellevue car park on the road towards Chamonix. As you are nearing the post office, there is a road to right that has a sign-post for the walk. Follow this windy road up past various chalets until you reach the tree line. There is a sign post which indicates the Bellevue walk to the left.
Half way up this woodland section there is an intersection, the path to the right is fairly steep and crosses couloirs which in May and October can be covered with snow. The path to the right is shallower in comparison. They both meet up again close to the Grands Bois drag lift. From here it's a simple walk up to the top of the Bellevue lift where you can take in the views towards Les Contamines as well as Le Tour.
The descent takes about two hours and the trail leads along the tramway and past the Col de Voza hotel. If you know the ski area from the winter, you'll pass the bottom of the Kandahar lift station, and under the Maison Neuve chairlift, almost following the route of the Kandahar run coming out by the Bellevue car park.
For a detailed map, we recommend a 'Carte Sentiers' from the tourist office and has details of all routes in the valley.
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What to bring
Plenty of water, snacks and a packed lunch. IGN3630 map is recommended.
What to see
Sights in Chamonix
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Montagnard museum
Situated in a house dating back to the 1750's, this museum showcases mountain lifestyles from the reconstruction of three pieces of traditional housing and objects from everyday life.
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Les Houches summer lifts
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.
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Parc de Merlet
Parc de Merlet is a great place to spot some local animals in their natural environment. A nature reserve, rather than a zoo, the park is perched on a large plateau high above Les Houches.
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Tramway du Mont-Blanc
The Tramway du Mont Blanc runs from the bottom of the valley in Le Fayet all the way up to the Nid d'Aigle at 2,380m above Les Houches.
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Les Bossons glacier
This small two person chairlift is only open for a short time in summer, but it's great if you want to take a close up look at the bottom of the Glacier des Bossons.
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Maison de l'Alpage museum
This little museum is housed in the same building as the post office and library in the village centre of Servoz.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Les Houches
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Kitsch Inn Bar & Restaurant
Quirkily decorated, as the name suggests, this restaurant has different rooms for different moods. Grab a quick coffee and a snack at the breakfast bar, enjoy a casual meal in the retro formica kitchen area, or sit and take your time over dinner at one of the large tables in the dining room. They also have a large sunny terrace where they serve up a nice BBQ in the summer and a kids play area.
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Rocky Pop Restaurant
This restaurant is part of the popular Rocky Pop Hotel, opened in December 2016, whose ethos is "joy and togetherness".
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Les Vieilles Luges Restaurant
An authentic Alpine farmhouse with a charming ambience and great food. Located right in the middle of Les Houches ski resort, this chalet serves delicious home-cooked local produce.
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Le Hors Pistes Restaurant
Brilliantly located in the heart of the Les Houches Prarion ski area.
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La Ferme des Agapes
This restaurant is located right in front of the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches.
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Le Delice Restaurant and Café
Le Delice in Les Houches serves fresh seasonal dishes made from scratch, including two flavour-packed burgers with homemade fries. There are veggie vegan and gluten-free options, plus a great drinks list with beers on tap cocktails and local liqueurs. Whether you're after lunch dinner or just a drink it's a welcoming spot with something for everyone.
What to do
Things To Do in Les Houches
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Teresa Kaufman Discovery Walks & Mini-Photoshoot
An opportunity to get in the picture with Teresa Kaufman as your personal photographer, guide and story teller. This is the perfect activity accessible to everyone; children, adults, grandparents - easy walking, incredible scenery, a moment to share. Non-skiers will love it in the winter. An activity to experience with loved ones or to give as a gift.
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Chamonix Valley Vortex Walk
Chamonix-based photographer and writer Teresa Kaufman has been hosting Discovery & Photo Walks since 2011 in the beautiful and energy-charged environment of the Chamonix Valley. Orignally designed for budding photographers visiting Mont Blanc, Teresa’s walks have started to appeal to a different kind of visitor - those looking for a digital detox from the internet and social networks in order to reconnect to nature in Chamonix’s fantastic landscapes.
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Adaptive Sensory Walks in Chamonix
In 2012, the photographer/author Teresa Kaufman hosted her first group of autistic adolescents on a Discovery & Photo Walk in the valley of Chamonix. She is now introducing a 5 Senses Walk for disabled visitors - visually impaired, hard of hearing or autistic youngsters.
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Parc de Merlet
Parc de Merlet is a great place to spot some local animals in their natural environment. A nature reserve, rather than a zoo, the park is perched on a large plateau high above Les Houches.
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Centre Equestre Du Mont-Blanc
This horse riding centre is situated in just up the hill from the train station in Les Houches. The centre is open all year round and has both an indoor and outdoor arena.
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Indoor Climbing Wall
The Chamonix valley is home to one of the largest indoor climbing walls in France. The Mont Blanc Escalade is located in Les Houches and is open all year.
