Best Day Hikes in Chamonix

Arguably the day best hikes in France, Chamonix in the French Alps checks all the boxes for an outdoor activity paradise. A great base for hiking on the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) with day hikes for days on the TMB trails and/or local trail network. Not just for winter sports, you’ll find PLENTY to do in Chamonix. Hike, Bike, Explore.

Chamonix was the destination of choice to celebrate my first 50 years around the sun. We traveled in September and stayed for 7 nights. We found few crowds, crisp cool mornings and bright blue skies in sunny afternoons. Did it Rain? Of course. Did it matter? No! There is never bad weather, only bad gear! Bring your raincoat and base layers!

Our favorite Chamonix hikes were chosen based on our own personal fitness and:

• Best views of Mont Blanc from both sides of the Valley
• Chairlift or Cable Car access up and down to decrease impact on our knees [we are all 50-somethings]
• A Refuge or Restaurant at start/finish for reward refreshments 
• Approx half-day or 4-6 hours of hike time

Best Chamonix Day Hikes IMHO

These hikes in Chamonix are listed in order of the progression of our trip and from easy to more intense:

1. Can’t Miss: Panoramic Mont-Blanc RT Chamonix to Pointe Helbronner
2. Nid d’Aigle Glacier Loop. Starting at le Fayet via the Tramway du Mont Blanc
3. Grand Balcon Nord (via Mer de Glace): Montenvers to Plan de l’Aiguille
4. Grand Balcon Sud: Flegere to Brevent.
5. Lac La Blanc from l’Index Loop.
6. Stage 10 of TMB

Can’t miss: Panoramic Mont-Blanc RT Chamonix to Pointe Helbronner 

This sight seeing trip was the best introduction to the elevation and grandeur of Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Mastiff. Not to mention the WOW factor. WOW, WOW, WOW!

Read more about our intro to Chamonix elevation in my post here>

Nid d’Aigle Glacier Loop. Two starting variants, Les Houches or le Fayet

The Nid d’Aigle Glacier Loop was the perfect primer to Chamonix-style hikes. This was our break-in hike. We became familiar with our group’s hiking ability, the trail style, wayfinding, and how to use the AllTrails maps. Possibly, more importantly, how to enjoy the Refuge stops and/or cafes along the trail. We found the morning to be quiet, and after lunch you could tell it was a favorite for the locals for a weekday afternoon hike.

Overerall this hike was a great mix of strolling alpine valley up to an increase in elevation following the receding Nid d’Aigle glacier. Side trips from the trail went down the remaining glacier esker into a moraine valley.

• When we were here [September] the Tramway du Mont Blanc was under construction at Nid d’Aigle. Some of us got out at Bellevue and hiked out and back, while the rest took the train as far as it would go and hiked the tracks close to Nid d’Aigle.
• If traveling late in the season be sure to confirm the closing DATE of the Belleview lift. Whoopsies. This Traveler did not and we had to take the Tramway du Mont Blanc back down. Belleview would have been faster, but darn, had to enjoy the cog train view once again in reverse back to le Fayet. Sadly, even when off the clock, your chamonix hikes will be influenced by the clock.
  

Getting to the Nid d’Aigle Glacier Loop via the Tramway du Mont Blanc

With your cart d’ hotel [What is a cart d’hotel>] you’ll be able to hop on the train from Chamonix for two options:

1. Round Trip from Les Houches. You will take the Bellevue cable car up to la Chalette and return the same way or…
2. Start at Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet to meet the Tramway du Mont Blanc.

If meeting the Tramway du Mont Blanc at Le Fayet, you’ll need to arrange your travel time in advance. I recommend an early start to give you the most of your day to explore. If taking the Tramway du Mont Blanc back down to the valley, you will also need to secure a return trip. This is a casual, laminated paper ticket with your return trip time handed out by the agent.

Grand Balcon Nord: Montenvers / Mer de Glace Start

The trip from the Chamonix Valley up to Montenvers is a trip through geologic time. This hike starts from Chamonix via historic cog train, Train du Montenvers – the Chamonix Valley itself carved centuries ago from the receding glacier. You’ll arrive at the top of a moraine shaped by the glacier.

Recommend: Make this a full day trip with a Mer de Glace tour and lunch at Refuge du Montenvers and a hike across on the Grand Balcon Nord to Plan de l’Aiguille.

The Journey up to Montevers

An amazing ride through alpine forest and epic valley views – no matter the weather. The skies were gray and threatened rain when we were here, but it only added to the magic and the mystery of our trip. The cog train track took us in and out of multiple tunnels, and hugged the valley wall. As we traveled higher we would literally go through the clouds and pop out onto the glacial ridge that held the Refuge du Montenvers, Train Station and Mer de Glace complex. The view here was amazing despite the clouds. The Refuge stands guard here as a witness through the ages watching the glacier carve out the valley below. 

By taking the trip up to Montenvers by train, you will save your legs for the long descent through the Mer de Glace Valley. That’s right- DESCENT to visit the glacier. Read my full post on Mer de Glace here>

Tips for a Great Day on the Grand Balcon Nord from Montenvers

• No reservations for the Train du Montenvers, beat the crowds and get on the first train out.
• In addition to the Refuge du Montenvers that has a great restaurant, there’s a great cafe at the station for everything from coffee to lunch. Gift shop, too. In busy season, reservations are recommended at the Refuge Restaurant. 
• Both Nord and Sud Baclonies are very exposed. Be prepared with water and sunscreen.
• After our hike across the Grand Balcon Nord, we were able to make the last cable car down via Plan de l’Aiguille with enough time for a beverage stop at the Buvette du Plan de l’Aiguille.

Grand Balcon Sud: Flégère to Brevent.

This is a fantastic point to point hike, easy up via the Flégère Cable Car and back down to the valley from Planpraz. The views are non-stop. 

The walk is straightforward without much for elevation gain and a pure delight with constant views of Mont Blanc and Bossons Glacier along the entire trail. This hiker was happy she was solo on this hike, I was constantly stopping to take photos- the sun was warm, the sky was blue and the grandeur of the Mont Blanc Mastiff was non stop. If I could have walked sideways the entire hike, I would have. Take a look at the shots below, the backdrop is real, I swear!

Before you Go, Check the Chamonix Weather App

This morning the valley was socked in with clouds, but when checking my Chamonix App, the weather report was for sunny skies above 6000ft. Taking the Flégère Cable Car up in altitude made a pretty chilly landing and start to this walk. She who packs everything, I donned gloves and a cap before I set out on the trail. The App is a great tool to have along for Mont Blanc Chamonix Weather.

Check out my post on more nice to knows for hiking in Chamonix>>

The Grand Balcon Sud is a mix of wide a gravel track of winter ski trails, and footpath through the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. As this hike is point to point, from cable car to cable car, and there is always a vantage where you can see the trail’s end – which is helpful as many trails criss-cross this path. Trail signage, Alltrails and a good map were very helpful in navigation. Mont Blanc is always on your left shoulder.

Getting to Flégère

• Check out the bus schedule>> and use your cart d’ hotel to Les Praz Flégère ()   (I used Blue Bus #2 ) More about Chamonix Transportation in my post here>>
• A great add on from Flégère is to take the next chair lift up to l’Index. Take the lift round trip for the ride and the view, and start your hike back at Flégère– or add on another trail section with a RT hike to Lac La Blanc.<link to hike>
• Fair warning there is no shade on the balcony. While the trail is not terribly long. Water, sunscreen and sun protection are highly recommended.

Lac La Blanc from l’Index.

This is a great loop hike, or a great add on to the Grand Balcon Sud or the walk below – Stage 10 of the Tour Du Mont Blanc. We did this as an out-and-back from the l’Index chair lift (accessed by the Flégère Cable Car), but if you want to add on the climb up (or down), the addition is an easy gravel trail.

The walk along the balcony to Lac La Blanc doesn’t gain much altitude, but portions of the trail do follow along an old scree path, the trail has been literally formed out of rubble. I was thankful for the trail crews that placed individual stones and then shored them up to prevent wobbling to create the trail.

Lac La Blanc is a blue oasis that reflects Mont Blanc from it’s brilliant blue waters. There is a Refuge here, for overnight stays and refreshments, and the view from the deck is a stunning vantage point for the Chamonix Valley. 

• A popular lunch spot – whether purchased from the Refuge or picnic from town. If you can find a quiet spot, the Lac really provides great reflection (literally and figuratively) of the views around you.
• The easy access from the chair lifts makes this a popular spot. Be prepared by getting an early start to avoid the snaking line of visitors – there isn’t much room for passing along the trail.

Stage 10 of Tour du Mont Blanc

The best for last. This is what we trained for. This was THE BEST CHAMONIX HIKE.

The Nord and Sud balconies are beautiful walks, and a must for anyone who visits the Chamonix Valley. Those who want a little more adventure, a little more elevation gain, and a little more test of grit, Stage 10 of the TMB should be on your list. (FWIW This writer has grit) As a group, we had spent time training our legs for the elevation gain we expected on this hike. After four days in Chamonix getting the kinks out on other hikes, becoming accustomed to the altitude, we were ready for the longest hike on our Chamonix adventure.

We left our lodging in Chamonix, grabbed a sandwich for the day and hopped on the 8:15 bus to Montroc. After The bus was packed as we left town, and gradually thinned out over the 22 minute ride, we were left off at a quiet corner near the pink Montroc Train Station. In high season there are more buses running directly to Tres le Champ and a closer drop off to the trail head, but we did not mind this leg and the Montroc start. Check out this cute and clean public toilet.

If you follow my AllTrails map [see below], you’ll find the trail head across the highway from the trio of stone buildings, one of which appears to be a chapel with a curved figure in the niche above the door. Hopefully, you’re early enough to beat the crowd, or in our case – let the herd go on ahead. This is a very popular section of trail.

Hints to Avoid the Hiking Herd

• Start early! We left Chamonix on the first bus we could, but the folks staying in Argentiere (etc) got the leg up from us. Pack patience in your rucksack, even in the off season, there were plenty of people.
• Bring lots of water. The start is shaded as you hike through the Alpine forest, but soon you will be exposed above the treeline.
• Leave no Trace People. I was SHOCKED at the amount of litter left behind rocks and bushes that made perfect pee stops. (TP, etc) It really made me ashamed of our human impact on the land. I wasn’t prepared to pick it up, but made a point on other hikes throughout our trip.
• Take breaks before, or after the crowds. If the crowd stops at the pinnacle, hike a bit away from them and you’ll find better views (and avoid their music. Yes, apparently we hike with speakers now)
• At some point close to Refuge Lac Blanc, I literally felt like a salmon swimming upstream. Don’t be a dick and start tromping on an erosion trail. They too will pass, and you’ll have a chance to ascend.

This Traveler would have turned right around and done this hike again if her legs weren’t Jello. I loved the journey via train to the trailhead, through the forest and up, up, up to Lac La Blanc. I didn’t even mind the women ahead of me from CA who freaked out on the ladders. There were no bullies on the trail and everyone respected the other’s space. Yay us!