Tour des Aiguilles Rouges: Servoz - Refuge Moede Anterne
Departure from Servoz (Haute-Savoie)
First stage of the Aiguilles Rouges tour.
This stage begins with a forest climb with views of Mont Blanc and the Bossons glacier. Continuing with a panoramic hike over the Passy reserve, we pass Lac de Pormenaz and arrive at Refuge de Moëde Anterne which overlooks the Mont Blanc mountain range.
Tour des Aiguilles Rouges: Bellachat Refuge - Servoz
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Fifth and final stage of the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges.
This stage offers panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif and its glaciers, the Contamines valley and Les Fiz. The descent is through forest.
Les Houches to Les Contamines - Tour Mont Blanc
Departure from Les Houches (Haute-Savoie)
This 1st stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) is possibly the toughest but the adrenaline is pumping and short-cuts are not on the agenda. Let's do it!
The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
Tour Mont Blanc in 11 stages
Departure from Les Houches (Haute-Savoie)
The Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France. These 11 stages are one way of doing it but you can make your own version of the TMB. The classic route begins and ends in Les Houches and takes an anticlockwise direction around Mont Blanc and the adjacent peaks. There is a total of 164 km (102 miles) walking these 11 routes and a positive height gain of over 10,000m. Certainly a challenging adventure but well worth the effort. Let's do it!
The Aiguilles Rouges Black Lakes (Les Lacs Noirs des Aiguilles Rouges)
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Hiking on the Aiguilles Rouges massif through a wild landscape, discovering magnificent mountain lakes.
You'll pass the Col du Lac Cornu, overlooking the eponymous lake, before arriving at the Lacs Noirs, where the mountain fauna is particularly present.
Despite some technical sections, I strongly recommend descending to the second lake, where few people venture. You'll be able to spot a few mountain animals - chamois, ibex, marmots - and, weather permitting, take a dip in a mountain lake with an exceptional panorama of Mont Blanc.
Lac Cornu (lake) from the Planpraz cable car
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Beautiful walk facing the Mont Blanc massif, with a permanent view of the massif and glaciers.
La Jonction via Montagne de la Côte
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
The Montagne de la Côte is a steep ridge separating the final tongues of the Bossons and Taconnaz Glaciers tumbling down from Mont Blanc and Le Goûter.
Historically, the route taken by Balmat and Paccard on their first ascent of Mont Blanc, this climb starts out pleasantly winding through the forest, then onto grassy slopes, and finally into a more mineral setting, ending in a very high-mountain glacial atmosphere.
Lac Blanc (lake) from La Flégère
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
A hike for those who want to enjoy the high mountains without too much elevation gain. It's ideal for children aged 8-10, to help them appreciate the mountains.
You'll enjoy a panoramic view of the Mont Blanc range from the Chamonix side.
From Plan de l'Aiguille to Montenvers station
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
A beautiful hike downhill from the restaurant near the Plan de l'Aiguille cable car to the Montenvers station and back to Chamonix station by train.
Lac Blanc and Cheserys lakes from La Flégère
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Hiking facing the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix peaks.
Tour des Aiguilles Rouges: Refuge La Flégère - Refuge Bellachat
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Fourth stage of the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges.
This stage is on the Mont Blanc GRP® route, with the Mont Blanc massif and its glaciers as a panorama. Balcony hike to Planpraz. The panorama on arrival at Brévent is exceptional.
Mer de Glace through the forest
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Many of you are familiar with the Mer de Glace and its trusty red cogwheel train. This time, however, you won't be using the train - you'll be climbing Mer de Glace on foot. Don't worry, you'll be able to admire the little red train as you make your way up. The hike continues as far as the ladders leading down to the Mer de Glace. From here on, the ride becomes mountaineering, and it's time to turn back.
The Tines loop via Argentière
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
3rd° loop of the Arve descent, from Les Tines, up through Le Lavancher and Petit Balcon Nord, superb scenery and a very pleasant forest crossing, and a descent as close as possible to the river.
Tête de Prapator (Prapator head)
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Lovely loop at the end of the Grand Balcon Nord, Chamonix valley.
Traverse of Mont Joly and Aiguille Croche
Departure from Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie)
A good ridge walk starting from the Bettex telecabin station at Mont d'Arbois and finishing at Le Signal telecabin station above Les-Contamines-Montjoie.
Lac Blanc to Les Houches - Tour Mont Blanc
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
This 11th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) is practically all downhill (with obvious exceptions at La Flégère, up to the Col du Brévent and Le Brévent and the Tête de Bellachat). The Refuge Lac Blanc is at 2,352m and the Chalet Les Méandres is at 1,100m. Let's do it!
The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
Refuge du Lac Blanc - Chamonix
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
9th stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc, from the Refuge du Lac Blanc to Chamonix.
Tour des Aiguilles Rouges : Refuge Pierre à Bérard - Refuge Flégère
Departure from Vallorcine (Haute-Savoie)
Third stage of the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges.
This stage is on the GRP® Tour du Pays du Mont Blanc itinerary. Descend through the Vallon de Bérard nature reserve with its waterfall to the Col des Montets, then climb back up to the Refuge de la Flègère to take in the panoramic view of the Mont Blanc mountain range and its glaciers.
Grand Balcon Nord - Montenvers to Plan de l'Aiguille and to Les Houches
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
A high-level and stimulating walk along the Grand Balcon Nord overlooking the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley. The route starts from the Montenvers train station (the Little Red Train) and passes the Refuge du Montenvers (worth an overnight stop). The Grand Balcon Nord terminates at Plan de l'Aiguille but the route drops down to Les Houche on the river L'Arve to reach the Chalet Les Méandres (ex Tupilak).
From the Mer de Glace to Chamonix through the forest
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Return from the Mer de Glace glacier through the Montenvers forest along the eponymous railroad.
To refuge de Tré la Tete
Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
A circular walk from Les Contamines Montjoie up to the Refuge de tré la Tete and views of the Tré la Tete glacier, then descending to Combe Noire to the waterfalls before returning past the pretty chapel of Notre Dame de la Gorge.
Lognan refuge and Argentiére glacier
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
An exceptional hike, with no great technical difficulty, but with a substantial vertical drop that will take you to one of the most beautiful accessible glaciers in the French Alps, along with the Tour glacier.
The scenery is breathtaking, with the Aiguille Verte (4100 m), the Aiguille d'Argentière (3900 m) and the Aiguille du Chardonnet, among the most famous. The glacier is accessible, but be careful not to venture onto this glacier without suitable equipment, as numerous crevasses are visible.
Forest and alpine pastures on the heights of Argentière
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Outward journey from Argentière via Aiguillette d'Argentière and Lac Blanc, then down via Flégère to Les Praz de Chamonix.
Return to Argentière by train from Les Praz station. Otherwise two cars are required for arrival and departure.
Loop from Argentière to Le Tour
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
After the sources of the Arve, the second loop of the Arve starts from Argentière and takes you on a balcony to the village of Le Tour. The return journey is via Tré-le-Champs, with beautiful panoramic views of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Lacs Jovet out and return
Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
From Les Contamines-Montjoie; an out and return walk to the Lacs Jovet, joining and following the Tour du Mont Blanc trail for most of the way. There are more challenging alternatives to this walk to make it longer, more circular or technically harder; these are described in the useful information section.
Tré-le-Champ to Lac Blanc - Tour Mont Blanc
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
This 10th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) normally runs along the high ground above the L'Arve valley to La Flègere but here's the description of the variant to Lac Blanc. A shorter stage but full of excitement and challenges. Let's do it!
The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
Circular: Posettes ridge and Vallorcine valley
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Circular close to the Franco-Swiss border with a variety of exposures in a Nature Reserve (forest to the East, long ridge, alpine pasture, forest to the west), with a beautiful 360° panoramic view and a belvedere ideal for picnics.
Lac Blanc via Lacs de Chéserys from Col des Montets
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
A must-do hike through the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve in the Chamonix Valley.
Lac Blanc culminates at 2352 m, offering an unforgettable panorama of the Mont Blanc range.
The route described here is much more bucolic and wild than the variant via La Flégère, which has become far too touristy.
Lac de la Remuaz loop
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Magnificent hike, facing the Mont Blanc Massif all the way! While the whole route is quite busy, Lac de la Remuaz is off the trail and therefore isolated: a little forgotten gem.
Chéserys, Blanc and Persévérance lakes circuit
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
A long loop taking in the various lakes in the eastern part of the Aiguilles Rouges Massif, with magnificent views of the Mont Blanc Massif just opposite, reflected in the waters of the lakes.
⚠️ The itinerary includes two tricky sections equipped with ladders and metal ramps.
Tête du Pré des Saix and Chalet de l'Airon from Plateaux des Saix
Departure from Samoëns (Haute-Savoie)
A short circular walk from the top station of the Telecabin du Grande Massif Express. A short variant is also described to take in the two lakes. Magnificent views from the Tête du Pré des Saix.
Les Contamines to Les Chapieux - Tour Mont Blanc
Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
This 2nd stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) follows the river Le Bonnant upstream to climb over the Col du Bonhomme at 2,329m. Let's do it!
The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
Le Fer a Cheval
Departure from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (Haute-Savoie)
A very popular out and back walk into the nature reserve above Sixt Fer A Cheval. Excellent scenery but best enjoyed out of the main summer season when it is very busy.
Le Giffre, Gorges des Tines and Sixt Fer a Cheval from Samoens
Departure from Samoëns (Haute-Savoie)
Apart from the first hill at the start this is a mainly flat and low level walk from Samoens to Sixt Fer a Cheval and back taking in the Gorges des Tines. It is a pleasant walk with a lot to see and do.
Col de la Fenetre
Departure from Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie)
This walk starts from the top of the gondola at Le Signal. It is an interesting walk, up to and through the Col de la Fenetre. The descent takes you back down through alpine pastures and into the valley leading back to Les Contamines-Montjoie.
⚠️ Please note that you need to park at (A) and not (D) for this walk ⚠️