Vallorcine walks

Located above the Tour glacier, on its right bank, it is the only refuge managed by the Chamonix CAF that can be reached without crossing a glacier in summer. Its location is ideal, with views over a wide range of peaks: Aiguille du Tour, Chardonnet, Aiguille d'Argentière, la Verte and les Drus, les Aiguilles Rouges. It was named after Albert 1st, King of the Belgians. Considered the only high-mountain refuge accessible to families.

A short summer hike with exceptional panoramic views over the Chamonix valley and its massifs. There are several ways to approach it from Le Tour: the one shown is from the East, using the Charamillon cable car and the Autannes chairlift. The return journey is via the Charamillon cable car.

With a group of senior hikers from the Arve Valley, we set off down the Arve River from its source at La Jonction, Geneva, to its confluence with the Rhône.
A short one-day circuit, ascending via the balconies and descending as close as possible to the river, the SM3A path.

This modest hike takes us to the Péclerey mountain overlooking the village of Le Tour, at the northern end of the Chamonix valley. This small, unassuming mountain offers superb views of the surrounding peaks (Aiguilles Rouges, Mont-Blanc), the Chamonix valley and the Tour glacier.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This 9th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) offers three options, the North-West one that climbs up almost to the summit of Carraye (t 2,132m) and drops down to Valorcine, the South-West past Col de Balme (at 2,191m) then drops to Le Tour or the middle option that goes over Col de Balme and Aiguilette des Posettes (at 2,210m) to drop down to Tré-le-Champ. Here's the description of the classic middle option. 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.

Starting from Col de la Forclaz (1527m), a short and easy out-and-back walk along the Bisse du Trient (irrigation channel) to the Chalet du Glacier (1583m), which offers a fine view of the Glacier du Trient and the Petite Pointe d'Orny (3187m).

⚠️ Part of the trail has been damaged by a landslide. Bypassing is possible, but the walk is not accessible for baby carriages and wheelchairs (see practical info).

7th stage of the TMB: from Forclaz pass to Montroc

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.

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.

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.

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.

9th stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc, from the Refuge du Lac Blanc to Chamonix.

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.

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.

Hiking facing the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix peaks.

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.

Lovely loop at the end of the Grand Balcon Nord, Chamonix valley.

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.

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.

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.

Beautiful walk facing the Mont Blanc massif, with a permanent view of the massif and glaciers.

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.