Hiking in Chamonix: the Best Day Hikes, When to Go and Multi-Day Routes

The Chamonix valley runs from south-west to north-east, with the town in the middle. Trails exist at three levels: valley paths along the river and through the villages, balcony paths at roughly 2,000 m with long-distance views, and high-mountain routes above that where snow can stay well into summer. The lift network gives quick access to the balcony level on both sides, which means hikers with limited time still reach proper alpine terrain without a long climb from the valley floor. For a broader picture of walking in France, see our overview of hiking in France.

The table below lists the 14 Chamonix hikes in this guide, in the order in which they appear.

Easy means mostly level ground or a short climb. Moderate means a rocky mountain path with some ascent. Hard means a long climb, steep terrain or exposed sections.

If you have three days: start with the Grand Balcon Sud on day 1 to get used to the altitude; take the Grand Balcon Nord and visit the Mer de Glace on day 2; spend day 3 at Lac Blanc or, for something quieter, the Vallon de Bérard. On a day with low cloud, choose a valley walk such as the Cascade du Dard or the Chalet de la Floria, because the views from the high balconies disappear in cloud.

The closest international airport is Geneva. A shared shuttle takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and runs directly to Chamonix. The alternative is the train: change at Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, or approach from Switzerland via Martigny and Vallorcine.

Within the valley, a local train and bus network connects Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentière, Le Tour and Vallorcine. Ask your accommodation about a guest card, which often covers local transport at no extra cost.

Lifts serve both sides of the valley. On the Mont Blanc side the main options are the Montenvers rack railway, the Aiguille du Midi cable car and the Bossons chairlift. On the Aiguilles Rouges side the key lifts are La Flégère and the Index chairlift above it, plus the Planpraz gondola and the Brévent cable car. Most lifts run in summer only, roughly June to September. The Montenvers train ran from 1 June to 1 November in 2026; always check the last descent time before you set off. A multi-day lift pass, the Mont Blanc Multipass, covers most of the lifts in the valley.

The Mont Blanc side of the valley gives direct views of glaciers and the high peaks of the massif. Three hikes cover the main options, from an easy café stop to a hard climb between two rivers of ice.

1. Grand Balcon Nord

At a glance: start: Montenvers (1,913 m, rack railway) or Plan de l'Aiguille (2,310 m, Aiguille du Midi cable car) · lift: Montenvers train or Aiguille du Midi cable car · time: about 2 h 30–3 h without breaks · height: about +400 m · level: moderate

The Grand Balcon Nord is the classic traverse along the Mont Blanc side of the valley. The operator of the Montenvers train recommends starting from Montenvers and walking to Plan de l'Aiguille. The path runs between about 1,900 and 2,300 m and gives continuous views across the valley to the Aiguilles Rouges. Some sections require good footing on rocky ground. Snow can remain on this path in June, so check conditions before you go. The recommended period is July to September. Finish by taking the Aiguille du Midi cable car back down to Chamonix.

2. Le Chapeau and the Mer de Glace viewpoint

At a glance: start: Le Lavancher · time: about 45 min each way to Le Chapeau · height: Le Chapeau at 1,576 m · level: easy

Le Chapeau is a short walk from the hamlet of Le Lavancher to a chalet with a buvette and a direct view over the Mer de Glace. The walk is short and graded easy. From Le Chapeau, a further 15 minutes of walking brings you to a closer viewpoint of the glacier. This is one of the more relaxed Chamonix day hikes and works well as a half-day outing.

3. Chalet du Glacier des Bossons and La Jonction

At a glance: start: Bossons chairlift or hamlet of Le Mont (about 40 min on foot) · height: Chalet du Glacier des Bossons at 1,425 m; La Jonction at about 2,589 m · level: easy to the chalet; hard beyond

The walk to the Chalet du Glacier des Bossons is short and easy, with a buvette at the top and views up to the Bossons Glacier. For experienced hikers, the route continues steeply to La Jonction, the point where the Bossons and Taconnaz glaciers meet: in total a climb of about 1,190 m. That upper section is a long, hard climb and should only be attempted in good conditions.

The Aiguilles Rouges side faces directly towards Mont Blanc, making it the go-to choice for views of the full massif. Five routes cover the balcony path and the chain of lakes above it.

4. Grand Balcon Sud

At a glance: start: La Flégère (about 1,880 m) or Planpraz (about 2,000 m), both by lift · time: about 2 h one way · height: mostly level · level: easy

The Grand Balcon Sud runs along the lower edge of the Aiguilles Rouges, roughly level with the mid-stations on either side. It is about 5.5 km and stays at altitude for its full length, giving uninterrupted views across the Chamonix Valley to the Mont Blanc massif. The path is mostly level, which makes it one of the most accessible high-altitude Chamonix walks. An extension to the Brévent summit (2,525 m) is possible for those who want more height. The route can be walked in either direction between La Flégère and Planpraz.

5. Lac Blanc from La Flégère

At a glance: start: La Flégère lift (or Index chairlift above it) · time: about 1 h 30 to the Refuge du Lac Blanc · level: moderate · note: busy in July and August

Lac Blanc is the best-known lake in the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. The hike from La Flégère follows a waymarked path with a steady climb. For the full route description, summit panorama and wildlife spotting details, see our Lac Blanc hike guide.

6. Lac de Chéserys

At a glance: start: Argentière · time: about 2 h 45 one way · height: about 2,210 m · level: moderate to hard

Lac de Chéserys sits just below Lac Blanc and is far less crowded. The approach from Argentière makes it a good choice if you want a quieter alternative to the main Lac Blanc trail. The path runs through the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, where swimming in the lakes and dogs are not permitted.

7. Lac Cornu and the Lacs Noirs

At a glance: start: Planpraz lift (about 2,000 m) · time: about 1 h 45 to Lac Cornu (2,276 m) via Col Cornu (2,414 m); about 2 h 30 to Lacs Noirs (about 2,540 m) · level: moderate to hard

Lac Cornu and the Lacs Noirs are the high-level lakes on the Brévent side of the Aiguilles Rouges. The path from Planpraz crosses Col Cornu before dropping to Lac Cornu, with a longer and more demanding option continuing to the Lacs Noirs. Snow can remain on this route early in the season. The path to the Lacs Noirs is less frequented than the routes to Lac Blanc.

8. Brévent to Refuge de Bellachat and Parc de Merlet

At a glance: start: Brévent summit (2,525 m, lifts via Planpraz) · time: about 1 h 30 down to Refuge de Bellachat; about 1 h 30 on to Parc de Merlet · level: hard

This is a long descent from the Brévent cable car station, first to the Refuge de Bellachat where there is a buvette, then continuing down to Parc de Merlet, a wildlife park where ibex and chamois can be seen. The descent includes a steep rocky section that requires care. The total elevation loss to the valley is significant, so this is not a route for tired legs.

Argentière and Le Tour, at the head of the valley, are quieter bases than central Chamonix. The three hikes here range from an easy riverside walk to a hard climb to a high refuge.

9. Aiguillette des Posettes

At a glance: start: Le Tour or Col des Montets · distance: about 7 km · height: about 700 m of ascent, summit 2,201 m · level: hard (tourist office grade: difficult)

The Aiguillette des Posettes is a ridge walk above the Vallorcine valley, rated as difficult by the local tourist office. The ascent of about 700 m makes it one of the more demanding Chamonix day hikes, but the 360-degree view from the top takes in the Mont Blanc massif, the Vallorcine valley and the peaks towards Switzerland. A lift on the Vallorcine side shortens the climb.

10. Vallon de Bérard

At a glance: start: Le Buet station · time: about 1 h 45 to the Refuge de la Pierre à Bérard · level: easy to moderate

The Vallon de Bérard is one of the gentlest options in the Chamonix area. A gentle path follows the river up the valley from Le Buet station, passing the Cascade de Bérard near the start. The valley is part of the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, so dogs are not allowed. This is a good choice on days when the high-altitude routes are in cloud, or as an easy introduction to Chamonix walks.

11. Refuge Albert Premier

At a glance: start: Col de Balme chairlift above Le Tour (top at 2,162 m) · height: Refuge Albert Premier at 2,702 m, about 540 m of ascent · level: hard

The path to the Refuge Albert Premier climbs beside the Glacier du Tour to the refuge at 2,702 m. The route starts from the top of the Col de Balme chairlift, which removes the lower climb. This is a high-mountain path: go only in clear, stable weather.

Most Chamonix hiking takes place on mountain paths. Difficulty depends mainly on altitude gain and terrain rather than distance. Three easy walks suit families, visitors arriving for the first time or anyone who wants a short outing. The level ladder below shows how the hikes in this guide compare.

12. Cascade du Dard

At a glance: start: edge of Chamonix town · height: about 200 m of ascent · level: easy

The Cascade du Dard is a family walk from the edge of Chamonix up a winding trail to a waterfall, with only about 200 m of height gain. It is a good choice for the first or last afternoon of a trip.

13. Chalet de la Floria from Les Nants

At a glance: start: Les Nants (Chamonix) · time: about 45 min each way · level: easy

The path from Les Nants to the Chalet de la Floria climbs gently on a shaded path with wide views along the way. The chalet offers refreshments on its terrace. The return trip takes the same path and the whole outing fits comfortably into a morning or afternoon.

14. Cascade de Bérard from Le Buet

At a glance: start: Le Buet station · time: about 15–30 min to the waterfall · level: easy

This is the shortest walk in the guide: a short path up the Bérard valley from Le Buet station to the Cascade de Bérard waterfall. It works well as a quick stop on the way to or from Vallorcine. Like Le Chapeau and the Chalet de la Floria, it ends at a buvette, a small mountain café serving drinks and snacks, which is a large part of why these short walks are popular.

Level ladder: - Easy: Cascade du Dard, Chalet de la Floria, Cascade de Bérard, Le Chapeau, Vallon de Bérard (lower section), Grand Balcon Sud. - Moderate: Grand Balcon Nord, Lac Blanc from La Flégère, Lac de Chéserys (lower), Lac Cornu. - Hard: Brévent to Bellachat, Aiguillette des Posettes, Refuge Albert Premier, La Jonction, Lac de Chéserys (full), Lacs Noirs.

Is the Aiguille du Midi a hike?

No. The Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m) is reached by cable car in two stages, the second rising from Plan de l'Aiguille to the summit station. Above Plan de l'Aiguille the terrain is high-mountain terrain for alpinists. For hikers, the Aiguille du Midi is a viewpoint, not a walking destination. The hiking starts at Plan de l'Aiguille (2,310 m), which is the starting point for the Grand Balcon Nord and for routes towards the Mer de Glace.

Mid-June to mid-September covers the reliable hiking window. Mountain huts open around mid-June, which also marks the point when most balcony-level paths are clear of snow. July and August are the busiest months; the valley fills with trekkers on the Tour du Mont Blanc and day visitors on the lifts. The last weekend of August is usually UTMB race week, when the town and some huts are very busy.

The first half of September is generally the best time for Chamonix day hikes. Visitor numbers drop and the light is clear. Snow can return to the higher routes from mid-September onward, and lifts close gradually through October.

Snow can remain on the Grand Balcon Nord and on paths above 2,200 m into late June in years with a heavy winter snowpack. Before setting out early in the season, check current trail conditions locally. If you book one of our trips, the Bookatrekking app shows the weather forecast per hut.

For those who want more than a day hike, several multi-day routes start directly from Chamonix or from nearby villages.

The Best of Tour du Mont Blanc: Lac Blanc (2 days) covers 32.7 km with about 1,890 m of total ascent. Day 1 runs from La Flégère past Lac Blanc and the Chéserys lakes to a gîte in the upper valley (12.0 km, +510 m). Day 2 is significantly longer, returning to Chamonix via Tré-le-Champ, Lac Blanc and the Chéserys ladders (20.7 km, +1,380 m). The second day includes a short exposed section with fixed ladders; it is a genuine mountain day. This is the most accessible introduction to Tour du Mont Blanc terrain.

The Tour des Fiz starts from Plaine-Joux above Passy, in the Fiz range between the Mont Blanc and Arve valleys. Two versions are available: the Intermediate Short Tour des Fiz (3 days), 30.9 km, and the Expert Tour des Fiz (4 days), 42.8 km with an extra night at Refuge des Fonts.

The Tour du Mont Blanc circles the entire Mont Blanc massif through France, Italy and Switzerland. Three length options start or finish in Chamonix: the Western Tour du Mont Blanc (5 days) runs from Chamonix to Courmayeur (67.9 km); the Eastern Tour du Mont Blanc (6 days) returns from Courmayeur to Chamonix (95.4 km); and the Full Tour du Mont Blanc (10 days) completes the full circuit of 162.7 km. For a detailed stage-by-stage breakdown, see our Tour du Mont Blanc guide and all Tour du Mont Blanc trips.

One further option from Chamonix is the Walker's Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt; for more hut-to-hut ideas in the Swiss Alps, see our guide to walking in Valais.

Prices are per person when two people travel together, as of October 2026. The price includes hut bookings, half-board in the huts, packed lunch on the Tour des Fiz where possible, and the Bookatrekking trekking app. The app gives you maps with offline GPS navigation, elevation profiles, GPX files and the weather forecast per hut.

Not included: travel to the start point, lifts, local buses and taxis. On the Western Tour du Mont Blanc and the Full Tour du Mont Blanc, the transfer to and from Bourg-Saint-Maurice is included. Lunch is not included, except the packed lunch on the Tour des Fiz where possible. Luggage transport is not included. The Tour des Fiz uses dormitory accommodation only. Travel insurance is not included. For a full cost breakdown, see our article on what the Tour du Mont Blanc costs.