The Best Day Hikes in Chamonix, France (plus map + tips!)
Looking for some amazing hikes in Chamonix? Luckily, Chamonix is filled with tons of scenic trails that promise epic alpine views over the French Alps, beautiful blue lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and up-close views of jagged peaks and cascading glaciers. In this guide, we’ll share our favorite hikes in Chamonix, plus give you all our best tips for hiking in this incredible mountain destination.
If you know us, you know that mountains and hiking are two of our favorite things ever. And one place that we came to absolutely love that combines both of these things perfectly? Chamonix! This small mountain town tucked in between the amazingly picturesque French Alps quickly became one of our favorite places to hike!
Though well-known as a world-class ski destination, summer in Chamonix is not to be missed if you’re an avid hiker. Once the winter snow melts, a whole new world of hiking trails and mountain views appears, and the problem now becomes picking which trails you want to hit!
One of the really cool things about hiking in Chamonix is that although many of the trails are high up in the alpine environment, the trailheads are easily accessed via a collection of lifts, cable cars, and trains that bring you from Chamonix Valley up into the mountains, eliminating a lot of steep elevation gain that would otherwise be needed to start the hikes. From the top of the lifts, the Chamonix hikes then range from easy and quick to more challenging alpine climbs, so there’s really something for everyone, but we will say that on even the quickest of hikes in Chamonix, you’re promised breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the French Alps.
With a limited time, it can be pretty tough to decide which Chamonix hikes to do, but we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll share our favorite hikes in Chamonix, plus give you all our best tips, including how to get around Chamonix, the best time to go, and more!
In this Chamonix hiking guide:
Things to Know About Hiking in Chamonix
Before we get into all our favorite Chamonix hikes, there are a few things that are important to know about how to get around Chamonix and how to access all of these amazing trails. We’ll go over these points briefly here, but for tons more information about Chamonix, make sure to read our Complete Guide to Chamonix + Things to Do.
Where are the best hikes in Chamonix?
Hiking in Chamonix means endless mountain views!
It’s important to know that when people say “Chamonix”, they are often referring to more than just the town of Chamonix itself. Chamonix Valley is actually a whole stretch of small mountain towns and villages spread out across 40 km or so. Chamonix town is the central hub of this valley, with quaint walkable streets, restaurants, and accommodations, but a lot of the best hikes in Chamonix are spread out throughout the entire valley.
So, even though you may be staying right in Chamonix town, you’ll need to travel to other towns and villages to access many of these Chamonix hikes. So, let’s get into how to do that now…
How to get around Chamonix Valley
Getting around Chamonix is really easy and convenient, and we really loved the public transportation here.
You could get around by car, but we’d say it’s definitely not needed here, or really even recommended. After rental costs and parking fees, it’s way more expensive and, with how easy and cheap the public transportation is, not worth it in our opinion.
The Mont Blanc Express is the train that runs up and down Chamonix Valley on a regular basis between St. Gervais on one end and Vallorcine on the other. We mostly used the train while in Chamonix because it was easy, convenient, not crowded, had great views, and was a nice smooth ride. Plus, with a Chamonix Guest Card (which you should receive at your accommodation in Chamonix Valley), train travel in Chamonix is free!
The Mont Blanc Express is an easy way to get to all the best Chamonix hikes!
There are also several bus lines that run up and down Chamonix Valley that are also super easy. The two main lines you’ll mostly likely use are Bus Lines 1 and 2 that each go to different ends of the valley. With a Mont Blanc Multipass (we’ll talk more about this amazing pass below!), you can travel on the Chamonix buses for free.
It doesn’t really matter whether you take the bus or train- regardless, there’s likely to be a stop within a 15 minute walk (or much closer) to any of the starting points for all these Chamonix hikes. Just base it on which train or bus stop is closest to your starting point, and which timetables match better with your schedule. You can find the Chamonix bus schedules and train schedules online, and they are also posted at all the stops around the valley.
For each of the Chamonix hikes we list below, we’ll share the exact train and bus stops you’ll need to travel to.
Chamonix lifts and passes
For all of the Chamonix hikes we mention in this list, the trailheads are best accessed by taking a series of lifts up from the valley and higher into the mountains. While it certainly is possible to hike from the valley floor in most cases, you’ll save a lot of time and energy by taking the lifts up to a higher starting point, and you’ll be able to fit more into your days.
Most of the hikes in Chamonix are made much easier by the collection of lifts throughout the valley
Across the valley are a collection of cable cars, gondolas, chairlifts, and cogwheel trains that leave from different towns and villages and give access to different regions of the French Alps. It might seem a bit confusing at first, but we promise- it’s not too bad. In this Chamonix hiking guide, we’ll be sure to share the exact lifts and their locations for each of the hikes we mention, and we’ll also share a map of all the Chamonix hikes to help better orient you to Chamonix Valley and the locations of all the hikes.
It's important to know that each lift requires its own ticket, and it’s possible to buy each individual lift pass on its own, either online ahead of time, or at the ticket counters at the bottom lift stations. But the most convenient way to use the Chamonix lifts is to get the Mont Blanc Multipass. This pass is a one-time purchase, based on the number of days you plan on being in Chamonix. This single ticket gives you access to pretty much all the lifts in Chamonix Valley (and will work on all the lifts needed for the Chamonix hikes in this guide). You’ll simply buy it once online, pick it up at a kiosk once you get to Chamonix, and then use it to get on all the lifts- it’s super easy, super convenient, and it’s likely to save you a lot of money. Even if you plan on just being in Chamonix for a few days and taking a couple of lifts, a 2 day Mont Blanc Multipass is likely to be more cost-efficient than buying all the necessary lift tickets separately.
The Best Hikes in Chamonix
Now that we got some of the important details out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff! Here are our favorite hikes in Chamonix (plus some that are still high on our list for next time!). For each Chamonix hike, we’ll share where it is, how to get there, and what to expect on the trail. For several of the hikes, we’ll link to more detailed hiking guides where you can learn more about the trails and our experience!
Lac Blanc
Lac Blanc- one of the best day hikes in Chamonix!
Need to know info for the Lac Blanc hike:
Length: 6 miles/ 9.7 km (This distance is based on our recommended hiking route to Lac Blanc, though it can be shorter or longer depending on which trails you take- see our Lac Blanc guide for more info!)
Elevation gain: 1,020 feet/ 311 km (Again, this is based on our exact hiking route to Lac Blanc!)
Town: Les Praz
Lifts: You’ll take the Flegere gondola out of Les Praz up to the midstation. From there, you can start your hike, or continue on the L’Index chairlift to the top station.
Bottom station location: Station La Flegere
Best bus stop: Les Praz-La Flegere on Bus Line 1 or 2
Best train stop: Les Praz
The Lac Blanc hike makes the top spot on our list simply because this is probably the most famous, well-known, and popular Chamonix hike! But trust us- it’s for good reason.
Despite being a bit crowded (which we generally don’t particularly like on hiking trails!), this was still our favorite hike in Chamonix, and one that we think is totally worth braving the crowds for.
The Lac Blanc hike runs along the northern slopes of Chamonix Valley, and the entire time you get absolutely incredible views of the Mont Blanc massif and the jagged peaks of the French Alps across the way. And the beautiful blue Lac Blanc is the icing on the cake with its jagged mountain backdrop and alpine views. While at the lake, you can also grab a bite to eat at the small restaurant, or spend the night at the Lac Blanc refuge (be sure to book ahead of time!).
Views of Mont Blanc and the Alps from the Lac Blanc hike in Chamonix
Lac Blanc
There are a few different ways to hike to Lac Blanc, ranging from a challenging climb up from the valley floor, to more moderate routes that start from the top of various lifts. We recommend taking the series of lifts from the town of Les Praz to either Flegere (the midstation) or L’Index (the top station) and hiking from either one of these.
Views from the top of the L’Index Chairlift in Chamonix
The hikes from Flegere are a little longer and require a bit more elevation gain to get to Lac Blanc because the trailhead starts off lower on the mountain. However, these trails are very scenic and a bit less rugged for most of the way until you get closer to the lake.
The trail from L’Index is the shortest, and in our opinion, the easiest, way to hike to Lac Blanc. It’s a bit rugged as it crosses high alpine territory, but there’s very little elevation gain and mileage to get to Lac Blanc, and the views from the trail are stunning.
Hiking to Lac Blanc in Chamonix
You can also choose to connect two of the trails to Lac Blanc, making a nice loop that starts at L’Index and finishes at Flegere, which is what we recommend!
Regardless of the exact route you take, the Lac Blanc hike is certainly one of the best hikes in Chamonix, offering high rewards for little to moderate effort.
Lacs des Cheserys
The beautiful Lacs des Cheserys in Chamonix
Need to know info for the Lacs des Cheserys hike:
Length: 5.6 miles/ 9 km (This distance is based on an out-and-back hike along the Grand Balcon Sud trail from the Flegere cable car station. However, it can also be done as part of a larger loop hike to Lac Blanc!)
Elevation gain: 2200 feet/ 670 m
Town: Les Praz
Lifts: You’ll take the Flegere gondola out of Les Praz up to the Flegere midstation and start the hike from here along the Grand Balcon Sud trail.
Bottom station location: Station La Flegere
Best bus stop: Les Praz-La Flegere on Bus Line 1 or 2
Best train stop: Les Praz
Even though it’s just about a 20 minute hike away from the famous Lac Blanc, the Lacs des Cheserys is a much less-visited but equally stunning alpine lake. In fact, we’d even go so far as to say that we loved this lake even more than Lac Blanc! It has beautiful mountain views and its deep blue color reflected the mountains of the Mont Blanc massif so perfectly. We definitely think this is an underrated Chamonix hike.
The most direct way to hike to the Lacs des Cheserys is to hike along the Grand Balcon Sud trail from the Flegere midstation as an out and back hike. From this station, the hike traverses through subalpine meadows and past a waterfall as it ascends relatively gradually beneath the northern slopes of Chamonix Valley. It isn’t until you turn off the Grand Balcon Sud and onto the final push of the ascent that the trail climbs a bit more aggressively.
Walking along the Grand Balcon Sud to Lacs des Cheserys in Chamonix
But the effort is well worth it- be sure to make your way to the far side of the lake for the most epic views from the lake!
Enjoying the Mont Blanc reflections in the Lacs des Cheserys
You can also hike to Lacs des Cheserys during the Lac Blanc hike as well, which would be an awesome way to see two stunning lakes of the French Alps. Be sure to visit our Lac Blanc hiking guide for more information about hiking to Lacs des Cheserys from Flegere, and how to include it in the Lac Blanc hike as well!
Grand Balcon Sud
Views of the Alps from the Grand Balcon Sud
Need to know info for the Grand Balcon Sud hike:
Length: 3.5 miles/ 5.6 km (This is the standard point-to-point hike along the Grand Balcon Sud between Flegere and Planpraz, though the hike can easily be extended!)
Elevation gain: 1400-1900 feet (427-580 m) depending on the direction you hike it
Town: Les Praz (for the Flegere end of the trail) and Chamonix (for the Planpraz end of the trail)
Lifts: The Flegere Gondola out of Les Praz and the Planpraz cable car out of Chamonix
Bottom station location for the start of the hike: Station La Flegere
Best bus stop: Les Praz-La Flegere on Bus Line 1 or 2
Best train stop: Les Praz
Bottom station location for the end of the hike: Telepherique du Brevent
Best bus stop: Chamonix Center on Bus Line 1 or 2
Best train stop: Aiguille du Midi
The Grand Balcon Sud trail is definitely one of the best hikes in Chamonix for awesome views of Mont Blanc and the jagged peaks of the French Alps. This trail runs along the northern slopes of Chamonix Valley, with wide open views across the way to the entire Mont Blanc massif. It’s definitely one of the most picturesque trails we’ve hiked- and even though the views don’t change too much along the trail, we could never get sick of them!
The Grand Balcon Sud is a Chamonix hike with non-stop views of Mont Blanc
The Grand Balcon Sud starts at the Tre-le-Champ trailhead down in Chamonix Valley, just past the town of Argentiere. It climbs up the mountain side until it rises above the treeline into wide open views of the valley below and the mountains across the way. It then follows the slopes above the valley, passing through the Flegere lift station and continuing all the way to the Planpraz lift station (the midstation for the popular Brevent cable car).
But to hike on the Grand Balcon Sud, you don’t have to start down in the valley, and we certainly don’t recommend it. Instead, you can hike the most scenic sections as a point-to-point hike. The most common way this is done is by starting at Flegere and hiking one-way to Planpraz for about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) or so. There’s more elevation gain in this direction towards Planpraz, but Mont Blanc will be in view the entire time, making this direction worth it.
Looking over to La Flegere Station from the Grand Balcon Sud in Chamonix
We hiked the Grand Balcon Sud as part of our hike to Lac Blanc. We hiked down from Lac Blanc, passing by Lacs des Cheserys, and met up with the Grand Balcon Sud to hike back to Flegere from there, and we quickly realized why this trail is one of the best hikes in Chamonix. We couldn’t get over the non-stop views of Mont Blanc and the Alps, and the closer we got to Flegere, the more in-your-face the views of Mont Blanc became. We didn’t have time to continue past Flegere and head to Planpraz, but we know the views would just keep getting better the further along the valley you hike!
Grand Balcon Nord
Traversing the Grand Balcon Nord- one of the most popular Chamonix hikes
Need to know info for the Grand Balcon Nord hike:
Length: 4.5 miles/ 7.2 km (This is the standard point-to-point hike along the Grand Balcon Nord between Plan de l’Aiguille and and Montenvers.)
Elevation gain: 760 feet/ 232 meters
Town: Chamonix
Lifts: The Aiguille du Midi cable car for the start of the hike and the Montenvers cogwheel train for the end of the hike.
Bottom station location for the start of the hike: Teleferique Aiguille du Midi
Best bus stop: Chamonix Sud on Bus Lines 1 or 2
Best train stop: Aiguille du Midi
Bottom station location for the end of the hike: Gare Chamonix Train du Montenvers
Best bus stop: Chamonix Center on Bus Lines 1 and 2
Best train stop: Chamonix-Mont Blanc
The Grand Balcon Nord is another scenic and popular hike in Chamonix. Similar to the Grand Balcon Sud, the Grand Balcon Nord traverses the slopes above Chamonix Valley, but this trail crosses the southern side rather than the northern, with stunning views over the valley and out to the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve, where Lac Blanc and Lacs des Cheserys lie.
The trail is most commonly done as a point-to-point hike between Plan de l’Aiguille (the midstation for the popular Aiguille du Midi cable car) and Montenvers (a popular destination to view France’s largest glacier, the Mer de Glace). When hiked in the direction from Plan de l’Aiguille and towards Montenvers, it’s a mostly downhill hike across sometimes rugged and rocky terrain, though mostly the trail is pretty straightforward. There are some portions that may feel a bit exposed, but there are never any sheer drop-offs that seem dangerous or scary.
Views from the Grand Balcon Nord trail in Chamonix
From the Grand Balcon Nord, you’ll have great views across Chamonix Valley, and if you look behind you, Mont Blanc will dominate the view for much of the hike. You’ll also have the option along the way to hike up to Signal Forbes (coming up soon on our list!) for a great view over the Mer de Glace glacier.
Views of Mont Blanc from the Grand Balcon Nord hike in Chamonix
We loved doing this Chamonix hike because it’s also a great way to connect two of Chamonix’s most popular attractions- the Aiguille du Midi and the Mer de Glace- while hiking a fairly easy trail with great alpine views.
Lac Bleu
Lac Bleu in Chamonix
Need to know info for the Lac Bleu hike:
Length: 0.9 miles/ 1.4 km out and back from Plan de l’Aiguille
Elevation gain: 150 feet/ 45 meters
Town: Chamonix
Lifts: The Aiguille du Midi cable car to the midstation (Plan de l’Aiguille)
Bottom lift station location: Teleferique Aiguille du Midi
Best bus stop: Chamonix Sud on Bus Lines 1 or 2
Best train stop: Aiguille du Midi
The Lac Bleu hike is the easiest Chamonix hike on this list, but it’s no less worthy than any of the others. It’s short and sweet, but leads to a pretty alpine lake and great alpine views.
To hike to Lac Bleu, you’ll simply ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car to the midstation, Plan de l’Aiguille, and start your hike from here. Right from the start of the hike, you’ll get beautiful views of Mont Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi, and the jagged peaks of the Mont Blanc massif. A relatively flat trail then leads through the rocky landscape, followed by a small climb to the lake.
The hike to Lac Bleu in Chamonix
You can hike to Lac Bleu on its own as a short out and back hike- easy to do after a visit to the Aiguille du Midi. Or, you can add it on as part of your hike on the Grand Balcon Nord trail to Montenvers that we described above. For more information about the hike to Lac Bleu and how to add it on to the Grand Balcon Nord Trail, be sure to check out our complete Guide to the Grand Balcon Nord hike in Chamonix!
Signal Forbes
The view over the Mer de Glace from the Signal Forbes hike in Chamonix
Need to know info for the Signal Forbes hike:
Length: 2 miles/ 3.2 km as an out and back trail from Montenvers
Elevation gain: 1100 feet/ 335 meters
Town: Chamonix
Lifts: The Montenvers cogwheel train
Bottom station location: Gare Chamonix Train du Montenvers
Best bus stop: Chamonix Center on Bus Lines 1 and 2
Best train stop: Chamonix-Mont Blanc
The Signal Forbes viewpoint (or Le Signal) sits 7200 feet in elevation and provides absolutely gorgeous views over the Mer de Glace (France’s largest glacier) and its glacial valley and surrounding peaks. It’s a short Chamonix hike, but it’s quite a climb.
The most direct and quickest route to the top of Signal Forbes is from Montenvers, a popular place to visit in Chamonix for views of the glacier and access to an ice cave at the foot of the Mer de Glace. From Montenvers, you’ll hike up a steep and steady series of rocky switchbacks to the top, with great views over the glacial valley nearly the whole way.
The rocky switchbacks from Montenvers leading to the Signal Forbes viewpoint
You can also hike to Signal Forbes as a detour off the Grand Balcon Nord. As you’re hiking from Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers, you’ll come to a junction in the trail- head right up a series of steep switchbacks to continue to Signal Forbes. Then, from the top, you can continue down the other side to reach Montenvers.
The Signal Forbes hike from the Grand Balcon Nord, with views of Mont Blanc and Chamonix Valley
We hiked Signal Forbes as part of the Grand Balcon Nord, so be sure to check out our Guide to the Grand Balcon Nord hike in Chamonix for information about the Signal Forbes hike.
The Argentiere Glacier
A view of the Argentiere Glacier as seen from the opposite side of the valley. You can also see the trail that runs through the subalpine meadows from the lift station.
Need to know info for the Argentiere Glacier hike:
Length: About 2.7 miles/ 4.3 km out and back
Elevation gain: About 700 feet/ 213 meters
Town: Argentiere
Lifts: The Lognan and Grand Montets Cable Cars, or the Plan Joran Cable Car
Bottom station locations: Les Grand Montets or the Telecabine de Plan Joran
Best bus stop: Mediatheque on Bus Line 2
Best train stop: Argentiere
One of the things we loved about Chamonix was how accessible the high alpine areas were, and particularly the ability to get up- close views of the giant glaciers that cascade down the Alps. The hike to the Argentiere Glacier viewpoint is one of the best hikes in Chamonix to do just that.
The Argentiere Glacier hike is a relatively short and easy trail. There are two different lifts that leave from the town of Argentiere and bring you to the start of the trail. From either of the top lift stations, the trail gently undulates across the subalpine landscape with views over Chamonix Valley and the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouge across the way. The trail seems pretty straightforward, with nothing too difficult or any tricky terrain, and it leads to several viewpoints over the massive Argentiere Glacier. From here, you can get an up-close look at the massive seracs and crevasses that make up the foot of the glacier, all with very minimal effort!
We didn’t get a chance to hike to the Argentiere Glacier since the entire Grand Montets area was closed for maintenance and construction, and we were super bummed! But you can bet that this Chamonix hike is at the top of our list for next time.
La Jonction
La Jonction is the rocky area on the left of this picture that sits between the two converging glaciers. You can see part of the trail on the grassy spine leading up to it.
Need to know info for La Jonction hike:
Length: 7.3 miles/ 11.7 km out and back from the top of the Bossons Chairlift
Elevation gain: 3,900 feet/ 1190 meters
Town: Bossons
Lifts: Les Bossons Chairlift
Bottom station location: Telesiege Glacier Des Bossons
Best bus stop: Les Montquarts on Bus Line 1
Best train stop: Les Bossons
This Chamonix hike is by far the most challenging on the list. It climbs nearly 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) at altitude to an absolutely stunning viewpoint of the Taconnaz and Bossons Glaciers that cascade down from the Mont Blanc massif. It’s one of the best up-close views you can get of such massive glaciers and all their jagged seracs and features, but it’s a view that definitely requires work.
The Bossons Chairlift takes you up to the Chalet du Glacier des Bossons near the foot of the Bosson Glacier at nearly 4700 feet (1,432 meters) in elevation. While you can get a great view of the bottom of the glacier from here, the truly breathtaking views are further up- and the only way to get there is hike.
The Jonction hike is a steep and demanding trail, gaining on average over 1,000 feet per mile (190 m per km). The first part of the hike climbs steadily through the forested ridge between the two glaciers until reaching the next major pitstop on the trail, the Chalet des Pyramides, offering up more great views of the Bossons Glacier. From here, the trail continues its steep ascent as it leaves the forest and enters steep and rocky alpine territory as it climbs to the tip of the ridge and the epic viewpoint of the two glaciers. Since the Jonction viewpoint sits at nearly 8,500 feet (2,590 meters) in elevation, you’ll probably start feeling the effects of altitude on this one.
The different points along the hike to La Jonction- here you can really see how much climbing is involved!
It's estimated to take 4.5 hours one-way to climb from the top of the chairlift to the Jonction, so as a roundtrip hike it can take around 7-8 hours- this is definitely an all day adventure! Because of this, it’s important to start as early as you can- check the timetables of the Bossons Chairlift and get on as soon as it opens, because you’ll likely only have about 8 hours or so before the last lift descends back down to the valley. And if you miss it, the extra 1200 feet (366 meters) or so of descent will be an unwelcome way to finish your hike!
We were really looking forward to doing this Chamonix hike, but we didn’t have the best weather during our time in Chamonix, and we ended up having one completely washed out day. So, we decided to scratch this hike from the list, since we wanted to try and squeeze more shorter hikes into our limited days in Chamonix rather than spend an entire day dedicated to just one. But we will definitely be back to do this one for sure! And if you’ve done it before, let us know how it was!
The ALbert Premier Refuge
Views of the massive Le Tour Glacier from the Albert Premier Refuge hike in Chamonix
Need to know info for Albert Premier Refuge hike:
Length: 5.4 miles/ 8.7 km as an out and back hike from the top of the Autannes Chairlift
Elevation gain: 1820 feet/ 555 meters
Town: Le Tour
Lifts: Charamillon Gondola and Autannes Chairlift
Bottom station location: Domaine du Tour
Best bus stop: Le Tour on Bus Line 2
Best train stop: Montroc Le Planet
The Albert Premier Refuge sits at an altitude of about 8,800 feet (2,682 meters) and has stellar panoramic views overlooking the Le Tour glacier that sits over Chamonix Valley. This Chamonix hike is a great alternative to the much more challenging Jonction hike if you want epic glacier views without as much effort.
Don’t get us wrong, though, the hike to this refuge is still a moderate half day hike, with rocky terrain, some steep ascents, and a bit of exposure along the trail that might make some uncomfortable. But the reward at the top, with endless views of Le Tour Glacier and the surrounding jagged peaks of the Alps, is more than worth the climb.
The Albert Premier Refuge hike in Chamonix has rugged trails with some exposure
The easiest way to hike to the Albert Premier Refuge is to take the Charamillon Gondola out of the small village of Le Tour at the far end of Chamonix Valley, followed by the Autannes Chairlift. Doing this will greatly shorten the length of the hike and remove a lot of elevation gain.
From the top of the chairlift, the trail steadily gains elevation, with views over the valley and out to Mont Blanc in the distance, before turning into the Tour Glacier valley and revealing breathtaking views of waterfalls and the foot of the Tour Glacier.
Amazing views of the Le Tour Glacier from the Albert Premier Refuge hike in Chamonix
From here, the trail skirts the rocky cliff edges on sometimes narrow and exposed trail, and finishes with a final grueling push up a steep moraine to the hut.
The final steep and rocky push up to the Albert Premier Refuge
Best Hikes in Chamonix Map
To give you a better idea of where all the best hikes in Chamonix are located, check out our Chamonix trail map!
On this Chamonix map, we’ve labeled where all the Chamonix hikes we mentioned in this post are located in relation to Chamonix town.
Best Time to Hike in Chamonix
We’d say the best time to hike in Chamonix is from July to mid-September. Snow can often linger on the higher elevation trails like Lac Blanc well into June, and sometimes even into July (though by this point it should be doable without any special snow gear).
Starting in early September, many of the lifts in Chamonix start to close as they get ready for the busy winter ski season. When we were there, the earliest one closed by September 8th, and then most followed suite shortly after. You can still hike in Chamonix after this, but you’ll have to hike up from the valley rather than take the lifts to reduce the climbing. As a plus side, the trails will be much quieter. However, the further you get into the fall, the weather can be a little more unstable and unpredictable, so just be prepared for anything, including snow!
July and August are the peak months to hike in Chamonix, and while we don’t usually recommend traveling places during peak times, it’s worth it in Chamonix. The biggest reason is because the lifts have longer daily open times during these months, so you can have up to a few more hours in the day to do things without having to worry about big hikes up or down from the valley- which can make the difference between having a more relaxed time on the trails verses feeling more rushed. Coming during the peak of summer will definitely allow you to squeeze more into your days. Yes, it will be busy, but honestly, when we visited Chamonix in September, things were still pretty crowded, so I think it would still be worth it to have more time in the day for hiking and exploring!
What to Pack for Chamonix Hikes
Here are things we’d recommend specifically for hiking in Chamonix.
Hiking boots- Many of the Chamonix trails are rocky and rugged, so we definitely recommend having a good pair of hiking boots or trail runners with good traction, grip, and ankle support. Hiking poles would be a good idea as well for some of the steep and slick descents.
The trails in Chamonix are often rugged and rocky!
Sun protection- Hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses are all good things to have, as most hikes in Chamonix are exposed to the sun in the high alpine environment.
Layers and rain gear- Weather can change quickly in the mountains, and you’ll be changing elevation a lot going up and down the lifts, so be sure to have some layers for cooler weather, and a rain jacket just in case.
Cash- If you want to stop for a snack or drink at a refuge along a Chamonix trail, they often take cash only (like the restaurant at Lac Blanc), so be sure to bring some Euros.
First aid kit- Having a small first aid kit with things like bandaids and ointment is useful. Like I said, the trails here can be a bit rugged- and I had to admittedly bust out the first aid kit more than once on my time on the Chamonix trails.
Lift ticket- You’ll likely have a Mont Blanc Multipass if you plan on doing lots of hiking in Chamonix, so make sure to keep that in a safe place and always have it on you! It’s your magical key for all the lifts you’ll be using.
Tips For Hiking in Chamonix
Here are some final tips for hiking in Chamonix!
Check the weather before your hike
Weather can be tricky in Chamonix- the mountains can be very unpredictable and oftentimes, the forecasts change a lot leading up to any given day, and they can vary from source to source. We recommend checking the night before your planned Chamonix hike to get a pretty good idea of what to expect in terms of weather and if it’s worth it to hike.
We recommend checking Meteoblue and/or En.chamonix.com and the Mont Blanc website (checking multiple forecasts is a good idea because sometimes they all say something a little different).
We also like to use the Mountain Forecast website to see the forecast for different elevations of nearby mountains to get an idea of whether or not different parts of the range will be in or out of the clouds.
Check the Chamonix webcams
This is one of our favorite tips for hiking in Chamonix in general! The Mont Blanc website has webcams from a bunch of locations in the valley. These give you a good sense of what the views will be like before you commit to hiking anywhere. This is super helpful, because sometimes it might be foggy and viewless down in the valley, but super clear and sunny higher up in the mountains due to an inversion. Or, some parts of the range may be socked in with clouds while others aren’t. So if you look up from the valley and can’t see Mont Blanc, don’t despair quite yet…check the webcams first!
Check the Chamonix lift timetables carefully
Each Chamonix lift has its own schedule and timetable, and these change based on the time of year it is. When planning out your day in Chamonix, always be sure to take note of the last lift down to the valley so you don’t get stuck on a long unplanned hike!
Be sure to check all the Chamonix lift schedules before starting on your hikes!
More Chamonix Guides
Want more information about all the best hikes and things to do in Chamonix? We got ya covered! Check out all our Chamonix travel guides for some trip planning inspiration!
Best Things to Do in Chamonix + Complete Chamonix Summer Travel Guide
Chamonix Itinerary: 1-4 Days in the French Alps
How to Hike to Lac Blanc: Chamonix’s Best Day Hike
The Complete Guide to the Albert Premier Refuge Hike in Chamonix
We absolutely loved hiking in Chamonix and hope you do, too! Which of these Chamonix hikes are on your list? Let us know if you have any questions below and as always, happy hiking!