Chamonix Itinerary: 1 to 4 Days in the French Alps (Summer Version!)
Are you looking to spend 1 to 4 days in Chamonix in the summer? In this guide, we’ll share four Chamonix itineraries that include all the highlights of this beautiful mountain destination. No matter how much time you have, these itineraries will cover some of the best Chamonix hikes, sights and activities, plus we’ll give you our best tips, maps, and more!
Chamonix is a small mountain town tucked between the rugged peaks of the beautiful French Alps and known as a world-class ski destination in the winter. But summer is an equally worthy time to visit this beautiful area, especially for hikers, as a whole new world of trails, vistas, and alpine views opens up, and the same lifts that brings skiers and snowboarders to the top of the mountains in the winter bring up hikers and sightseers to trailheads, mountain vistas, and restaurants with a view in the summer.
Even though Chamonix, and the collection of small towns and villages that make up Chamonix Valley, is a relatively small area, there are a surprising number of things to see and do here, and once you realize this, the problem then becomes figuring out how to fit everything into your Chamonix itinerary!
But don’t worry- we’re here to help. We spent four days in Chamonix as part of a larger trip through the French and Swiss Alps, and trust us- we had the same problem.
With so many amazing hiking trails and viewpoints located across the valley, and with all the different lifts, gondolas, trains, and chairlifts that take you there, we were a little overwhelmed at first when trying to plan out our Chamonix itinerary. But we quickly realized that getting around and figuring out all the different modes of transportation really isn’t complicated at all- it’s actually pretty easy! And if you come with a plan, then you’ll be sure to hit all the highlights of Chamonix no matter how much or how little time you have.
In this guide, we’ll share with you a Chamonix itinerary for one, two, three, and four days. For each itinerary, we’ll walk you through how to plan each day so that you can get the most out of your time while hitting a lot of the best things to do in Chamonix. Plus, we’ll share some tips for visiting and getting around Chamonix, as well as map to save for later! So, let’s get to it!
In this Chamonix itinerary guide:
About This Chamonix Itinerary
On this Chamonix itinerary, you’ll hike to amazing views like this!
Before we share our Chamonix itinerary suggestions, there are a few things to know about when to visit Chamonix to follow these itineraries, how to get around Chamonix, and what passes you’ll need.
We also want to note that our Chamonix itineraries are definitely more geared to people who love to hike, and who also want to pack their days full! Because you’ll only have a limited time to spend here, we want you to see as much as you can, so if you follow one of our itineraries, plan for long busy days.
And while we do have a lot of hiking in our itineraries, we try to balance it out with some simple sightseeing and options for other adventurous activities as well. The great thing about Chamonix is that the high alpine environment is very easily accessible by the series of lifts up from the valley- so you can get amazing views of the Alps, Mont Blanc, and the cascading glaciers without having to exert too much effort or time!
When to visit Chamonix
These Chamonix itineraries are for those who plan to visit in the summer for hiking and sightseeing. We think the best time to visit to follow these itineraries is from July to mid-September. This is due to weather considerations, and also because of Chamonix’s lift schedules.
Regarding weather, snow can linger on higher elevation trails well into June, and sometimes even into July depending on the year. If you want to ensure that you can get on some of the best trails in Chamonix without the need for winter gear, we suggest waiting until July.
July and August are the peak months to visit Chamonix the summer, and will bring the most crowds, however, there is one important benefit to visiting during these months- and that’s the Chamonix lift schedules. During peak months, the lifts that will bring you up the mountains to all the trailheads and views have longer windows of operation each day- meaning they start earlier in the morning and end later in the afternoon. This means you can get more out of each day without feeling overly rushed trying to hop from one thing to another before the last lifts head down the mountain. Of course, you can always continue to adventure after the last lifts have gone down, but you’ll just have to be prepared to hike all the way down the mountain back to Chamonix Valley at the end of the day.
We think that if you only have one or two days in Chamonix and you’re trying to squeeze in as much as possible, then it’s especially important to visit during these peak months. Depending on what you want to do, you can have up to several more hours in your day for exploring in the mountains if you come in July or August as opposed to June or September, and when you only have a day or two, those extra hours count!
Most things on these Chamonix itineraries require the use of lifts and cable cars to bring you higher up into the mountains!
By September, summer starts winding down. This is when we visited Chamonix because we read the weather is still great and the crowds are lower. While historically, yes, weather is supposed to be pretty good at this time, we experienced something quite different- getting weather ranging from heat waves with stormy and rainy spells all the way to cold fronts and snow at higher elevations. So, just be prepared for anything!
But the really important thing to know about visiting Chamonix in September is that many of the Chamonix lifts start to close by mid-September as they prepare for their winter season. The only lift that stays operating most of the year is the Aiguille du Midi, but for most other lifts that we mention in this Chamonix itinerary, you’ll want to check timetables and schedules carefully so that you make sure to visit before they stop running for the season. We’ll make sure to reference where you can find this information in our itineraries below!
How to get around Chamonix
Chamonix is much more than a single mountain town- it’s a whole valley with a collection of villages and lifts that take you higher up into the mountains for hiking and views. On the longer Chamonix itineraries we share here, you’ll be hitting a few different towns up and down the valley. The great thing, though, is that the area isn’t too big, and it’s super easy to get around by public transportation. You can get around by car if you have one, but we think it’s just too easy, and actually even cheaper, to get around by Chamonix’s bus and train system.
The Mont Blanc Express is Chamonix’s train line that runs frequently up and down the valley between Vallorcine and St. Gervais. There are stops conveniently located near most of the best things to do in Chamonix (usually no more than a 15 minute walk from the station, though often less than that). What’s really great is that the Chamonix train is free with a Chamonix Guest card, which is usually given to you once you get to your accommodation in Chamonix, or you can get one cheaply at a visitor center. We loved taking the Chamonix train- it was a smooth scenic ride, never crowded, and quick.
We highly recommend using the Chamonix train to get around for our Chamonix itineraries!
The Chamonix buses are also easy. There are stops located all throughout the valley close to anywhere you’d need to get to. Plus, bus travel is free with the Mont Blanc Multipass (more on this in just a second…).
Whether you choose to take the bus or train just depends on which one best matches up with your timeframe and what station stops are closest to where you are and where you’re going. Be sure to check the train schedule and bus schedule online, or find them posted at all the stops throughout the valley.
The Mont Blanc Multipass
As you’ll quickly learn, many of the best things to see and do in Chamonix lie at the top of a collection of lifts, gondolas, and cogwheel trains that leave Chamonix Valley and take you higher into the mountains. Pretty much all of the hikes and sights in our Chamonix itineraries will require you to take a series of lifts. And since each lift requires its own ticket, these can quickly add up in cost!
But there’s actually an easy solution to this, and it’s called the Mont Blanc Multipass. This handy pass is a one-time purchase that works for all of Chamonix’s lifts! You buy it online based on the number of days you plan on being in Chamonix, and then use it to get on all the lifts throughout the valley. It’s super easy, and really convenient. You only have to keep track of one ticket, and it can be used as much as you want throughout the number of days you’ve purchased it for.
And the best part is it can save you a good amount of money. If you plan on doing even just two things while in Chamonix, the cost of the Mont Blanc Multipass will likely be cheaper than buying the tickets individually for all the lifts you’d need to take. For example, if you follow our one day Chamonix itinerary below and plan on visiting just the Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers, a one day Mont Blanc Multipass would be cheaper than buying the Aiguille du Midi cablecar tickets and the Montenvers cogwheel train tickets separately.
So, for each of our Chamonix itineraries we suggest below, we highly recommend getting the Mont Blanc Multipass.
Pack a lunch
Because these Chamonix itineraries are pretty packed, we recommend packing a lunch most days. There are bakeries downtown that sell sandwiches that you can pack for lunch, or head out to the grocery store the night before to load up on lunch and snacks. However, if you’re good on time, you can decide to stop for lunch at one of the high mountain restaurants found in many of the sites we mention in this guide, for example at Aiguille du Midi, at Montenvers, at Lac Blanc, and at the Albert Premier Refuge, among others. If this is your plan, be sure to bring some cash with you, as some of these places don’t accept credit card.
Where to stay in Chamonix
Chamonix Valley is more than just the town of Chamonix- it’s a collection of small towns and villages that stretch between the peaks of the Mont Blanc massif and the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouge, and there are plenty of accommodation options in all of them.
Deciding on where to stay in Chamonix really depends on what things you plan on doing throughout the valley and what would be most convenient. For our one day Chamonix itineraries below, it would be most convenient to stay right in Chamonix itself, as most things you’ll be doing are based right out of Chamonix or very close to it.
Downtown Chamonix
The longer you spend in Chamonix, you’ll likely be doing more things that are spread throughout the valley. For our three day Chamonix itinerary, you’ll be doing things near Chamonix itself, and then some things on the Vallorcine side of the valley, so it would make the most sense to stay in a town on that side of the valley (such as Chamonix, Les Praz, or Argentiere).
For our four day Chamonix itinerary, you’ll be doing a nice spread of things on each side of the valley, so it doesn’t matter too much where you stay. Everything is very well-connected by bus and train and it doesn’t take too much time to travel from place to place. So if you want to stay outside of the hustle and bustle of downtown Chamonix, and perhaps save a little more money, it’s easy to stay at one of the towns or villages further away.
For example, we stayed near Les Houches and really liked it. It was cheaper than staying right in Chamonix, and very quiet. We were just 5 minutes away from the nearest bus stop, and 8 minutes from the train station, and we were able to be in downtown Chamonix within 20 minutes.
How Many Days Do You Need in Chamonix?
There are lots of things to do in Chamonix in the summer, and of course, the more time you have to spend here the better. If Chamonix is your only destination, then spending a week in Chamonix is easy- you won’t run out of things to do, and you certainly won’t get sick of the views or the atmosphere.
Glacier views in Chamonix
But often, Chamonix is part of a larger itinerary through France or through the Alps, and people often spend just a few days here. We thought spending four days in Chamonix was perfect. It allowed us to see and do a lot (though we still had to pick and choose!) without feeling too rushed. We also suggest having four days in Chamonix because mountain weather can be unpredictable and unstable, and it’s likely you’ll need to plan in some contingency time to work around bad weather (we had one full day of rain where we were completely washed out and couldn’t do anything). We suggest listing all the things you want to do in Chamonix for the four full days you’re there, ranking them, focusing on all your top things on the good days, and being okay with skipping some things on the bottom of your list in case of bad weather.
With 2 or 3 days in Chamonix, you’ll have to be a bit more selective with what you do, but you can still see a lot of Chamonix’s highlights with careful planning and good weather.
It’s definitely possible to visit Chamonix with just one day if you plan carefully- pick two (maybe 3) highlights that are close and easy to travel between and cross your fingers that the weather is good! Below, we’ll share a few options for spending one day in Chamonix to see some of the best views in the area! It will be a busy day, but certainly worth it.
Chamonix Itinerary For One to Four Days
Below we outline four different Chamonix itineraries to have you hitting the trails and the highlights of the area no matter how much time you have.
One day in Chamonix
If you only have one day in Chamonix as part of a longer road trip, that’s ok! We still think it’s worth the visit, and we have a couple ideas of how you can plan out your day to hit a few of Chamonix’s highlights with your limited time. The idea is to pick two main things that are relatively near each other and focus on those.
Also, we said this above but it is worth mentioning here again- if you only have one day in Chamonix we do highly recommend visiting in either July or August. That way you can take advantage of the longer lift schedules and start your day earlier. In each of the itinerary options below, we include a visit to the Aiguille du Midi, one of Chamonix’s best things to do. In July and August, this Chamonix lift starts much earlier in the day, and all lifts overall run a bit later into the evening, meaning you can have up to 2 or 3 more hours in your day to get things done- which can make the difference of getting to squeeze in one more thing, or overall just not having to feel rushed in your one day in Chamonix!
One day in Chamonix option 1: Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers
In this Chamonix itinerary, you’ll visit two of the most popular attractions in the area, with the option of connecting them via a scenic alpine hike.
Morning: Visit Aiguille du Midi
The views of Mont Blanc from the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix
Bottom station location: Teleferique Aiguille du Midi
Best bus stop: Chamonix Sud on Bus Lines 1 or 2
Best train stop: Aiguille du Midi
In the morning, you’ll be visiting one of the best attractions in Chamonix. Get an early start and head to Chamonix first thing. We recommend eating breakfast at your accommodation or grabbing a quick breakfast in town (Le Fournil Bakery right near the Aiguille du Midi station is a great place to do this!). We also recommend packing a lunch or buying something quick from the bakery to pack with you, because it’s going to be a busy day. However, if time permits, you can always stop at one of the mountain restaurants for a quick lunch, at either Aiguille du Midi, Plan de l’Aiguille, or Montenvers.
The Aiguille du Midi is a 12,600 foot (3,842 meter) peak in the Mont Blanc massif and can be seen throughout Chamonix. But what’s so unique about this peak, and what makes it the most popular thing to do in Chamonix, is that at the top of Aiguille du Midi sits a collection of viewing terraces, exhibits, and restaurants that give you the most epic, up-close views of Mont Blanc, the Alps, and its glaciers and icefields that you can possibly get- and without the need for any sort of climbing or mountaineering!
A series of two cable cars brings you right up from the town of Chamonix to the top of Aiguille du Midi. The first is a five minute ride from Chamonix to the midstation, Plan de l’Aiguillle. Here, you’ll transfer into a second cable car that takes another five minutes to get to the top. You can check out the Aiguille du Midi timetables and prices here. Be sure to look at the timetables carefully, as they change depending on the time of year!
The Aiguille du Midi cable car
Along the ride up to the Aiguille du Midi, you’ll be treated to views over Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc, and as you get close to the top, you’ll be riding alongside stark cliffs and snowfields that are greeting you to the high alpine environment.
From the top, you can walk along a series of viewing terraces and exhibits that have been expertly carved into the mountaintop (it’s quite amazing to see!), and the views from here over the jagged peaks of the Alps, the cascading glaciers and ice fields, and of Mont Blanc itself are breathtaking (and so is the altitude!).
Terraces and walking paths at the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix
Taking in the views over Mont Blanc’s icefields from the Aiguille du Midi
From Aiguille du Midi, you can also take another cable car ride, called the Panoramic Mont Blanc. This incredible cable car crosses over the giant icefields of the Mont Blanc massif and brings you to Pointe Helbronner in Italy, which has its own collection of viewing terraces, shops, and restaurants.
The Panoramic Mont Blanc was definitely one of our favorite things we did in Chamonix- the views from this cable car ride were literally jawdropping, and it was such a unique experience to be dangling hundreds of feet in the air over massive glaciers.
Riding the Panoramic Mont Blanc is an amazing addition to your Chamonix itinerary!
For your one day in Chamonix, we recommend getting a very early start on the Aiguille du Midi by taking the earliest cable car you can get. Because the Aiguille du Midi is so popular, we recommend booking a spot on the cable cars a few days in advance. On the day of, the earliest time slots will likely be full.
A visit to Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix can take at least a few hours. Between the ride up from Chamonix and the time to explore the terraces and exhibits, plan for 2 to 3 hours. Then, if you ride the Panoramic Mont Blanc, this will take another 2 hours or so.
Midday: Hike the Grand Balcon Nord (optional!)
The Grand Balcon Nord is a scenic Chamonix trail that runs along the southern slopes high above Chamonix Valley. This trail connects Plan de l’Aiguille (the midstation going up to Aiguille du Midi) with Montenvers, another popular site in Chamonix and where you’ll be visiting later this afternoon.
After your visit to the Aiguille du Midi, head back down the cable car and hop off at the midstation to start the hike. The Grand Balcon Nord Trail is a 4.5 mile (7.2 km) point-to-point trail that will take about 2.5 to 3 hours. It’s not too challenging, and though it has its ups and downs, it is an overall downhill hike to Montenvers in this direction.
Plan de l’Aiguille- the midstation for Aiguille du Midi and the start of the Grand Balcon Nord hike
Hiking the Grand Balcon Nord in Chamonix
From the trail, you’ll have great views over Chamonix Valley and the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouge on the other side, Mont Blanc will be behind you, and the jagged peaks of the French Alps will be hovering over you on the southern side of the valley. And these epic views are non-stop.
You’ll also have the option to hike up to the Signal Forbes viewpoint for an amazing view over the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier, and the surrounding jagged peaks of the glacier valley.
View of the Mer de Glace (France’s largest glacier) from Signal Forbes
Fitting this hike in on your one day Chamonix itinerary will really only work if you get an early start on the Aiguille du Midi- otherwise you might feel a bit rushed trying to get to Montenvers at a reasonable time. If you feel you don’t have time to complete the entire hike, or just don’t want to, you can also just hike out to Lac Bleu, a short 15 minute walk from the Plan de l’Aiguille station.
Lac Bleu- a quick hike to add to your Chamonix itinerary
Afternoon: Montenvers and the Mer de Glace
The Montenvers Hotel sits right next to epic views of the Mer de Glace
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
Montenvers is a popular alpine region above Chamonix. Here, you’ll find a mountain refuge where you can spend the night, along with a couple of restaurants, shops, exhibits, and a few viewing terraces overlooking the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. The glacier has unfortunately receded quite a bit, but the views of the jagged peaks and glacial valley is still incredible.
One of the things that makes Montenvers so popular to visit, though, is the ability to access an ice cave at the foot of the Mer de Glace. From Montenvers, a gondola takes you down into the valley a bit, and then from the gondola, approximately 500 or so stairs will take you down to the base of the glacier. From there, you can explore the manmade cave and its ice sculptures before heading back up to Montenvers.
The view of the Mer de Glace from Montenvers. On the bottom right, you can see the gondola that leaves from Montenvers and goes down to the ice cave at the foot of the glacier.
To get to Montenvers, you can hike the Grand Balcon Nord from Plan de l’Aiguille as we mentioned above. But if you didn’t want to hike, take the Aiguille du Midi cable cars all the way back down to Chamonix.
From the bottom station in Chamonix, it’s about a ten minute walk (less than a kilometer) to the Montenvers train station. From here, a red cogwheel train will bring you up to Montenvers in 20 minutes. Along the way, you’ll be treated to views of Mont Blanc, and then Chamonix Valley (be sure to sit on the left side of the train on the way up for the best views over the valley!).
The Montenvers cogwheel train
We would say to plan for about two hours minimum at Montenvers in order to have time to visit the ice cave and enjoy the views over the Mer de Glace from the terraces. If you want to grab a bite to eat or walk around the Glaciorium (a museum about the Mer de Glace), plan for a little more time.
Make sure to check the timetable for the Montenvers cogwheel train carefully so you know when the last train down to Chamonix is! This will typically be 5:00 or 5:30 pm depending on the time of year. If you miss it, you’ll have to hike the trails all the way back down to Chamonix.
Evening: Explore Chamonix town
After you’re done exploring, relax in downtown Chamonix by strolling the quaint streets filled with shops, restaurants, and views of Mont Blanc, and grab a bite to eat.
Downtown Chamonix
Planning your time for one day in Chamonix
Here’s an example of how you can plan your day in Chamonix to fit in everything we mentioned above. This is based on visiting Chamonix in either July or August when lifts start operating earlier in the day.
6:00 am: Grab a quick breakfast in Chamonix.
6:30 am: Head up to Aiguille du Midi. Explore the terraces and exhibits and ride the Panoramic Mont Blanc.
12:00 pm: Arrive at Plan de l’Aiguille and start the Grand Balcon Nord hike to Montenvers.
2:30 pm: Arrive at Montenvers, visit the ice cave, and explore the viewing terraces.
5:30 pm: Head back down to Chamonix. Explore down and grab dinner.
If you want to feel less rushed, or have to get a later start, you can skip the Panoramic Mont Blanc to save a few hours. Or, skip the Grand Balcon Nord hike and head directly to Montenvers on the cogwheel train.
One day in Chamonix option 2: Aiguille du Midi and Lac Blanc
On this version of our Chamonix itinerary, you’ll skip Montenvers in order to take on one of Chamonix’s most popular and scenic hikes!
Morning: Visit the Aiguille du Midi
Your morning in Chamonix will look exactly as described above for visiting the Aiguille du Midi.
When done, take the cable cars all the way back to Chamonix.
Afternoon: Hike to Lac Blanc
Views from the Lac Blanc hike- a must for any Chamonix itinerary!
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 views from Lac Blanc are one of the most recognizable sites in Chamonix and are often what draw in people to this mountain destination. While it is a quite popular and crowded hike, the views from the trail are unbeatable and certainly make this hike a top contender for things to do with just one day in Chamonix.
Views over Lac Blanc and the Alps
If seeing this beautiful alpine lake is on your to-do list, then after heading down from the Aiguille du Midi, you’ll make your way to the town of Les Praz. This is just one town over from Chamonix, so a quick ride on either the bus or the train.
From Les Praz, take the gondola up to the midstation- Flegere. You can start the hike to Lac Blanc from here on one of two trails, but it will be a slightly longer hike with much more elevation gain than the next option. However, trails to Lac Blanc from Flegere are incredibly scenic, and a little less rocky and rugged.
The alternative option is to take the chairlift from Flegere to the top station at L’Index. The hike to Lac Blanc from here is shorter, with much less elevation gain, but it is a pretty rugged trail. There’s nothing technical or overly challenging but you should just be prepared for some particularly rocky terrain, and keep your eyes peeled for the trail blazes on the rocks to stay on track.
The L’Index Chairlift
The trail to Lac Blanc in Chamonix
A great option is to make the hike to Lac Blanc a loop, hiking to the lake from L’Index and then hiking from the lake to Flegere. Or you can make a loop using the two trails that go to and from the lake from Flegere. No matter which route you take, you’ll have stunning non-stop views over Chamonix Valley and across to Mont Blanc and the jagged peaks of the French Alps.
Once at Lac Blanc, you can explore the area to get different views of the lake and distant mountains, and grab a bite to eat at the restaurant located in the mountain hut.
Admiring the stunning views over Lac Blanc and the Alps
Depending on which hiking route you take, the hike to Lac Blanc could take you between 3-4 hours, or a bit more depending on how long you want to stay and enjoy the lake and restaurant. Make sure to carefully check the timetables for the L’Index chairlift and Flegere gondola to know when the last ones head back to Les Praz. If you miss them, you’ll have to make the long and steep hike back down to the valley, which lies almost 3,000 feet below.
How to plan your one day in Chamonix
Here’s a suggested timeline for planning your one day Chamonix itinerary. Again, keep in mind that this is based off visiting Chamonix in July or August. If you have to get a later start, things will be a bit more rushed.
6:00 am: Grab a quick breakfast in Chamonix.
6:30 am: Head up to Aiguille du Midi. Explore the terraces, exhibits, and ride the Panoramic Mont Blanc.
12:00 pm: Arrive back in Chamonix. Take the bus or train to Les Praz. Head up to either Flegere or L’Index to start your hike.
1:00-5:00 pm: Hike to Lac Blanc.
5:00 pm: Head back down to Les Praz and take the bus or train back to Chamonix. Stroll around the streets of Chamonix and grab dinner.
If you need to shorten this itinerary, skip the Panoramic Mont Blanc to save a few hours.
Two day Chamonix itinerary
With a busy two days in Chamonix, you can hit a lot of the highlights! Below, we’ll show you exactly how with our two day Chamonix itinerary.
As with our one day itinerary, we do recommend getting early starts and carefully checking all timetables to plan your exact schedule!
Day 1: Aiguille du Midi + Montenvers (with an optional hike on the Grand Balcon Nord)
A walkway on Aiguille du Midi, with views down to Chamonix Valley
The first day of this 2 day Chamonix itinerary looks exactly like the first option of our one day itinerary above.
You’ll spend your morning at Aiguille du Midi, taking in the views of Mont Blanc, exploring the exhibits, and riding the Panoramic Mont Blanc if you have the time.
In the afternoon, visit Montenvers for views over the Mer de Glace and to explore an ice cave at the foot of the glacier.
If you have the time, connect these two experiences with a hike along the Grand Balcon Nord, the scenic trail that runs between the Aiguille du Midi midstation and Montenvers.
Refer to our one day itinerary above for more details on planning this day, and make sure to check out our guides to the Aiguille du Midi and the Grand Balcon Nord Trail for tons more information!
Day 2: Lac Blanc + the Brevent Cable Car (with an optional hike on the Grand Balcon Sud)
During your second day in Chamonix, you’ll hike to the famous Chamonix lake, and then get the most epic views of Mont Blanc from the top of the Brevent cable car (no hiking required!).
Morning: Hike to Lac Blanc
The Lac Blanc shore
Bottom station location: Station La Flegere
Best bus stop: Les Praz-La Flegere on Bus Line 1 or 2
Best train stop: Les Praz
After a quick breakfast, head to Les Praz and catch one of the first gondolas up to Flegere. As we described above in our one day itinerary, you can hike to Lac Blanc from Flegere, or take the chairlift up to L’Index and hike from there.
Depending on the route you take, the hike should take you anywhere between 3-4 hours or so, plus some time spent enjoying the epic lake views. Be sure to read our guide to the Lac Blanc hike in Chamonix for tons more information about the different routes and what to expect along the trail.
Midday: Hike the Grand Balcon Sud
Views of Mont Blanc from the Grand Balcon Sud
If you’re not ready to leave the trails after the Lac Blanc hike, then we highly recommend continuing onto the Grand Balcon Sud trail. This is one of the best hikes in Chamonix for epic non-stop views of Mont Blanc and Chamonix Valley.
The hike stretches along the northern slopes of the valley between Flegere and Planpraz (the midstation for the Brevent cable car). It’s a perfect add-on to the itinerary today, as the trail connects the two main attractions you’ll be visiting- Lac Blanc in the morning, and the Brevent cable car in the afternoon!
From the Grand Balcon Sud, you’ll get non-stop views over Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc
From Flegere to Planpraz, the Grand Balcon Sud is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long. It’s a straightforward and well-traveled trail with no particular challenges, but does climb about 1800 feet (550 meters). However, you’ll be hiking towards Mont Blanc the entire time, so the views from this trail are really unbeatable.
Hiking this portion of the Grand Balcon Sud will take you about 2-3 hours. If you don’t have the time or energy for it today, don’t feel too bad about skipping it, as the views you get from both the Lac Blanc hike and Brevent are very similar. The Grand Balcon Sud is just a chance to spend more time on the trails!
Afternoon: The Brevent Cable Car
A visit to Brevent is a must-do on your Chamonix itinerary for incredible views of Mont Blanc!
Bottom station location: Telepherique du Brevent
Best bus stop: Chamonix Center on Bus Line 1 or 2
Best train stop: Aiguille du Midi
In the afternoon, you’ll get a break from hiking and get to enjoy the epic views of Chamonix and Mont Blanc with minimal effort!
Brevent is a high mountain viewpoint, about 8200 feet (2,500 meters) in elevation. From here, you’ll get panoramic views of the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve, Chamonix Valley, and the best part- the in-your-face views of Mont Blanc! We thought this was the absolute best view of Mont Blanc you could get in Chamonix Valley, so the journey up here is well worth it. You can also enjoy snacks and drinks at a restaurant and café located at the top.
To get here, you’ll take a series of two cables cars from the town of Chamonix up to Planpraz (the midstation) and then from Planpraz to Brevent. If you decided to hike the Grand Balcon Sud from Flegere, you’ll hike right to Planpraz where you can then take the cable car up. If you decide to skip the Grand Balcon Sud, you’ll take the lifts back down to Les Praz. Then take a bus or train to Chamonix and walk to the bottom station of the Planpraz cable car and head up that way.
The Brevent Cable Car at Planpraz
Here’s how we would plan out this day:
8:30 am: After breakfast, arrive in Les Praz and take the cable car up to Flegere or L’Index to hike to Lac Blanc.
9:00 am- 1:00 pm: Hike to Lac Blanc. Have lunch at the restaurant at Lac Blanc or pack a lunch to enjoy by the lake.
1:00-3:30 pm: Hike the Grand Balcon Sud trail from Flegere to Planpraz.
3:30- 5:00 pm: Head up to Brevent to enjoy the views. After, take the cable cars back to Chamonix. Relax in town and grab dinner.
Three day Chamonix itinerary
Having three days in Chamonix allows you to go beyond the typical Chamonix attractions and get a little more off the beaten path, or gives you time for some other unique activities, such as paragliding!
Days 1 and 2 will be exactly the same as the 2 day Chamonix itinerary above, so here, we’ll start with the third day.
Day 3: Hike to a glacier + adventure activity
For your third day in Chamonix, we recommend choosing between two hikes- both get you up-close to massive glaciers, with incredible views of their giant seracs, crevasses, and jagged features. However, one is shorter and easier, while the other is a bit more challenging and off-the-beaten path.
Morning: Hike to the Argentiere Glacier or the Albert Premier Refuge
The awesome view of Le Tour Glacier from the Albert Premier Refuge in Chamonix
Argentiere Glacier:
Bottom station location: Les Grand Montets or Telecabine de Plan Joran
Best bus stop: Mediatheque on Bus Line 2
Best train stop: Argentiere
Albert Premier Refuge:
Bottom station location: Domaine du Tour
Best bus stop: Le Tour on Bus Line 2 (on Google Maps:
Best train stop: Montroc Le Planet
One of the things we love about Chamonix is how accessible the high alpine environment is, and how relatively easy it is to get incredible glacier views without the need for mountaineering or technical climbing. And there are two Chamonix hikes in particular that we would recommend for getting those incredible glacier views. Both are located on the eastern side of Chamonix Valley (towards Vallorcine).
The first is the Argentiere Glacier hike. This hike is the shorter and easier of the two. A cable car from the town of Argentiere will take you up most of the way, and then in less than 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip, you can hike a relatively easy and straightforward trail through subalpine meadows to a view over the massive Argentiere Glacier.
A view of the Argentiere Glacier as seen from the Lac Blanc hike on the opposite side of the valley. You can see the short trail that runs from the lift station to the glacier viewpoint.
This hike should only take a few hours of your day. If you want to extend it a little, you can hike down from the glacier viewpoint to the Chalet Refuge de Lognan where you can grab a bite to eat and enjoy more views of the foot of the Argentiere Glacier.
The second Chamonix hike we’d suggest is the hike to the Albert Premier Refuge, which sits at the top of a moraine overlooking the massive Le Tour Glacier.
This hike leaves out of the small village of Le Tour, just past Argentiere. A gondola and then chairlift will bring you up to the trailhead. From here, it’s a steady uphill climb across the slopes above Le Tour. However, once you turn the corner and head into the glacial valley, things get a bit more interesting. The trail becomes very rocky and rugged, and there are quite a few spots where the trail narrows and has a decent amount of exposure. But the views of the foot of Le Tour glacier and cascading waterfalls are beautiful!
The hike to the Albert Premier Refuge has some narrow and exposed sections of trail
Up-close views of Le Tour Glacier from the trail!
The final push to the refuge is an exhaustingly steep climb up a rocky moraine. At altitude, this climb is quite the workout, but at the top, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views over the massive Le Tour glacier and the surrounding peaks of the Alps. You can rest at the refuge and grab a bite to eat before returning back to the chairlift and heading back to Le Tour.
This hike is a bit longer than the Argentiere hike and will take about 4-5 hours, depending on how long you spend at the refuge. Plus, depending on where you are staying in Chamonix Valley, it could take a while to get to Le Tour (for example, from where we stayed in Les Houches, it took about an hour to get to the bottom station in Le Tour). So if you choose this hike, it will take the better part of the day.
Afternoon: Go paragliding or ride the alpine coaster
If you did the shorter Argentiere Glacier hike in the morning, or just got a really early start and have a free afternoon, you can take a break from the trails and do something unique in Chamonix!
Paragliding is hugely popular in Chamonix- I mean, can you think of a more scenic spot to do this?!
On any clear day, the sky will be dotted with paragliders all around. We didn’t do this, so can’t recommend any particular company to go with, but a google search will bring up plenty, and this Chamonix website lists some as well. There are also signs around town advertising different companies, so you can book in town a few days in advance.
Paragliding in Chamonix
If paragliding isn’t your thing but you still want to do a fun activity in Chamonix, then we suggest hitting up the Chamonix Amusement Park! There’s a lot of things to do here for families, but the main attraction for most people is the alpine coaster.
This park is located in the Domaine des Planards, which is just outside the town of Chamonix, less than a ten minute walk from the Montenvers cogwheel train station.
The alpine coaster is a fun addition to a Chamonix itinerary!
They also have a nice restaurant and bar where you can eat traditional French dishes, which would be a great way to end your day.
Four day Chamonix itinerary
The first three days of this itinerary follow the 3 day Chamonix itinerary above, so we’ll start here with Day 4. On your fourth day in Chamonix, we have options for you depending on if you want to continue to hit the trails, or if you’d rather have a more relaxing time after the previous busy three days! Either way, your day will be focused on the western end of Chamonix Valley (the St. Gervais/Les Houches side).
Day 4 option 1: Hike to La Jonction
La Jonction is the rocky highpoint on the left between the two glaciers
Bottom station location: Telesiege Glacier Des Bossons
Best bus stop: Les Montquarts on Bus Line 1
Best train stop: Les Bossons
If you’re looking for an epic way to end your time in Chamonix, then consider tackling the Jonction hike. This trail is a steep and demanding climb up a rocky spine between two glaciers, climbing just under 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) in under 4 miles (6.4 km) one-way. But at the top, you’ll be standing at the convergence of two massive glaciers cascading down from the Mont Blanc massif- a view that will absolutely be worth the exhausting climb to get there.
This Chamonix hike starts in the town of Les Bossons, which sits in between Chamonix and Les Houches on the western end of Chamonix Valley. A quick chairlift will take you up to the Chalet du Glacier des Bossons near the foot of the Bossons Glacier. From here, it’s a steep climb, first through forest, and then up the exposed rocky ridge leading to the viewpoint at the top, which sits at 8500 feet (2,590 meters) in elevation.
To get to La Jonction viewpoint, you’ll climb the steep spine between the two glaciers running down from the Mont Blanc massif- it’s quite an undertaking!
This hike is a big undertaking- we saved it for your last day because hopefully by now, your legs will be warmed up from all the previous days’ hiking, and you will be a bit more acclimated to altitude at this point. But it will be an all day adventure, for sure. It’s estimated to take about 7-8 hours to complete, so you’ll want to make sure you get the first chairlift of the day up to give yourself enough time. Check the timetables of the Bossons Chairlift here.
Day 4 option 2: The Bossons Chairlift, the Merlet Animal Park, and the Tram du Mont Blanc
If you’re looking for a more relaxing way to spend your last day in Chamonix (and we don’t blame you after all that hiking!), then there are a couple of ways to spend your time! We suggest picking two of these so you don’t feel too rushed trying to squeeze everything in.
The Bossons Chairlift
Even if you don’t plan on hiking all the way up to La Jonction, you can still take the quick 5 minute chairlift ride up to the Chalet du Glacier des Bossons to enjoy the views of the glacier and Chamonix Valley, and to grab a bite to eat or drink.
If you do want to do a shorter hike from here, you can always hike to the Chalet des Pyramides for a higher viewpoint of the glacier. This Chalet is about a third of the way up to the Jonction, so it’s still a bit of a climb, and mostly through the forest.
The Merlet Animal Park
If you’re looking to spot some unique wildlife in Chamonix, then the Merlet Animal Park is your best bet! This is essentially an open range space where you can spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Trails wind through forest and meadows where animals like ibex, chamois, marmots, and deer are often spotted.
The best way to get to the Merlet Animal Park is to drive there if you have your own car, or take their free shuttle, which leaves from the Les Houches train station in July and August. You can also hike there, but it will require 500 meters of climbing!
In the summer, a reservation is required to visit the Merlet Animal Park, which you can make online. Check out the Merlet Animal Park website to get the most current hours, ticket prices, and to make your reservations.
Ride the Tramway du Mont Blanc
This cogwheel train is the highest in France, and climbs from the edge of Chamonix Valley (from either St. Gervais or Le Fayet) all the way up to Nid d’Eagle- a viewpoint overlooking the Bionnassay Glacier. This is a relaxing hour and 15 minute journey through the mountains, and a great way to get the views without the effort!
You can also stop in Bellevue along the way to grab a bite to eat at an alpine restaurant with a view.
The Tramway du Mont Blanc does require an advanced reservation which you can make online a few days before. Head to the Mont Blanc website for more info on timetables, costs, and making reservations.
Chamonix Itinerary Map
We’re including this map of all the things we’ve mentioned in our four day Chamonix itinerary and color coded by day so it’s easy to follow!
For this Chamonix itinerary, Day 1 is in red, Day 2 is in green, Day 3 is in orange, and day 4 is in purple.
More Chamonix Guides
For more help planning your perfect Chamonix itinerary, check out all our Chamonix guides for tons more information and helpful tips!
Best Things to Do in Chamonix + Complete Chamonix Summer Travel Guide
How to Hike to Lac Blanc: Chamonix’s Best Day Hike
The Complete Guide to the Albert Premier Refuge Hike in Chamonix
Do you have questions about planning your perfect Chamonix itinerary? Let us know in the comments below…we’d love to help you plan!