The Grand Balcon Nord Trail in Chamonix: How to Hike from Plan de l‘Aiguille to Montenvers
The Grand Balcon Nord trail in Chamonix is a great and relatively easy half day hike in the French Alps, with non-stop views over Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc massif. It also connects two of Chamonix’s most popular attractions- the Aiguille du Midi and the Mer de Glace (France’s largest glacier). In this guide, we go over everything you need to know to hike the Grand Balcon Nord trail, including how to get there, when to go, route options, how to plan your time on the trail, and more!
If you’re looking for a relatively easy hike in Chamonix with great views, then the Grand Balcon Nord trail is a great choice. There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular hikes in Chamonix! Though it can get rocky and rugged at times, this hike never gets too challenging, doesn’t have much elevation gain, and can be done in just a few hours. But the views along the way into Chamonix Valley, back to Mont Blanc, and across to the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve are non-stop and stunning.
The Grand Balcon Nord trail runs along the southern slopes of Chamonix Valley, under the jagged peaks of the Mont Blanc massif. It’s typically done as a point-to-point hike, using cable cars and cogwheel trains at the start and finish to get to and from the town of Chamonix below.
What’s particularly great about this Chamonix hike is that it connects two other really popular attractions in Chamonix- the Aiguille du Midi, and Montenvers, where you can see and experience the Mer de Glace (France’s largest glacier!). One end of the Grand Balcon Nord trail begins at the midway station for the Aiguille du Midi (at Plan de l’Aiguille) while the other begins right in Montenvers. So before and/or after your hike along the Grand Balcon Nord trail, you can add on these other experiences to make one really amazing day in Chamonix.
While we admittedly like the hikes on the other side of Chamonix (like the hike to Lac Blanc) a little more for their grand views back to Mont Blanc and the jagged peaks around Aiguille du Midi, the Grand Balcon Nord trail still offers great views, with great up-close looks at these spire-like peaks as you traverse the slopes directly beneath them. Plus, it’s a great way to connect two of the best things to do in Chamonix while getting to enjoy the beautiful Chamonix trail system.
In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to hike the Grand Balcon Nord trail in Chamonix. We’ll share how to get to the start and end of the hike from Chamonix, how to plan your day if you also want to visit the Aiguille du Midi and the Mer de Glace on the same day, the best time to hike the trail, and what to expect along the hike (including different route options!).
We have a lot packed in, so let’s get to it!
In this Grand Balcon Nord hiking guide:
Where Does the Grand Balcon Nord Trail Start and End?
The Grand Balcon Nord trail is a point-to-point hike that runs along the southern slopes of Chamonix Valley, beneath the Mont Blanc massif.
One end of the trail starts at Plan de l’Aiguille. This is the middle cable car station that sits between the town of Chamonix and the popular Aiguille du Midi- a 12,600 foot peak with a collection of exhibits and epic viewing terraces over Mont Blanc and its glaciers. To get to the start of the Grand Balcon Nord on this end, you’ll hop off the Aiguille du Midi cable car at the midstation.
Plan de l’Aiguille- the start of the Grand Balcon Nord hike in Chamonix
The other end of the Grand Balcon Nord trail is in Montenvers, another popular place in Chamonix. Montenvers is accessed via a 20 minute cogwheel train into the mountains, and has epic views over the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. From here, you can even head down to the foot of the glacier to explore an ice cave. Montenvers also has restaurants, a refuge, exhibits, and it’s the start of several hiking trails including the Grand Balcon Nord.
A refuge and restaurant at Montenvers- the other end of the Grand Balcon Nord trail
Visiting the Aiguille du Midi and the Mer de Glace are two of Chamonix’s best things to do, so it’s tempting to try to do at least one of these things on the same day that you hike the Grand Balcon Nord since this trail connects the two. Fortunately, it’s possible- with a little bit of planning… but more on that later.
Grand Balcon Nord trail map
Here is a map of the Grand Balcon Nord trail in Chamonix, showing where it starts and ends, as well as the lifts needed to get there.
This Grand Balcon Nord trail map shows the hike running between Plan de l’Aiguille and Montenvers (the path in red). The Aiguille du Midi cable car and the Montenvers cogwheel train are used to get to and from Chamonix from either end of the trail.
Which direction should I hike the Grand Balcon Nord?
The Grand Balcon Nord can be hiked in either direction between Plan du l’Aiguille and Montenvers.
We personally hiked it starting from Plan de l’Aiguille. In this direction, the hike is mostly downhill, so it’s much easier in that sense. You’ll be hiking away from the views of Mont Blanc, though.
If you hike from Montenvers to Plan de l’Aiguille, you’ll hike towards Mont Blanc, so the views get better and better as you go, but it’s a lot more uphill in this direction. You might also have to go against the flow of most of the traffic this way, too.
Views like this of Mont Blanc will be ahead of you if you hike the Grand Balcon Nord trail towards Plan de l’Aiguille
If you’re planning on visiting the Aiguille du Midi on the same day that you hike the Grand Balcon Nord, it’s best to do Aiguille du Midi first thing in the morning, and then start your hike, so you’d be starting from Plan de l’Aiguille.
Let’s get into how to plan out your day on the trail if you plan to visit either the Aiguille du Midi and/or the Mer de Glace in the same day.
Can You Do the Grand Balcon Nord Trail, the Aiguille du Midi, and the Mer de Glace in One Day?
Before and after your hike on the Grand Balcon Nord trail, you can add on a visit to either the Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers and the Mer de Glace, or even both if you plan the day right and have a lot of time. To do everything, it will be a long day and you might feel rushed, but if you have limited time in Chamonix then it’s definitely something to consider, as you’ll get to see and do a lot of Chamonix’s best things in one go!
You’ll get incredible up-close views of Mont Blanc from the top of Aiguille du Midi!
In order to make this work, you really need to make sure to check the schedules of the Aiguille du Midi cable cars and the Montenvers cogwheel train to know what your time restrictions are and to make sure you’ll be able to get the last ride back down the mountainside to Chamonix. Otherwise, you’ll need to hike all the way back down to Chamonix at the end of the day, which would make a long day even longer.
Our biggest recommendation if you want to do the Aiguille du Midi and/or the Mer de Glace in the same day as the Grand Balcon Nord trail is to visit Chamonix in July or August, which is peak season. Now normally we don’t recommend travelling during peak times, but in our opinion, Chamonix is one of those places where it’s worth doing. The reason? Chamonix’s lift schedules. Access to most of Chamonix’s best things to do, including the Aiguille du Midi, Mer de Glace, and the Grand Balcon Nord, is made much easier by lifts and cable cars. In the peak season of July and August, these lifts often run much longer each day- they have earlier start times each morning and stop later in the evening. This means you can start your day so much earlier and really make the most of your time.
We visited Chamonix in early September, and by this time, the lift schedules had changed and were starting later and stopping earlier each day compared to the peak summer schedule. As a result, we had to start our day later, didn’t have as much flexibility in our schedule, and felt a bit rushed on the Grand Balcon Nord trying to make the last ride down to the valley. We started up on Aiguille du Midi in the morning, where we had to wait out some cloudy weather, and this delayed our start on the Grand Balcon Nord trail even more, and we just simply ran out of time to visit the Mer de Glace when we arrived at Montenvers. If we came during the peak season, we would have had almost three more hours to play with! We definitely would have felt less rushed, would have more wiggle room, and probably would have been able to visit the Mer de Glace at the end of the day.
So, how would we plan out our day?
How to plan your day for the Grand Balcon Nord hike in Chamonix
If you’re only look to do the Grand Balcon Nord hike and not the Aiguille du Midi or ice cave, then you really won’t be in a time crunch. The hike itself will only take you a few hours, so you don’t need to worry too much about getting a super early start or rushing through things.
But, if you’re planning on visiting the Aiguille du Midi and/or the Mer de Glace ice cave as well, you’ll have to be a bit more thoughtful with your planning.
Here’s how we would do it:
Get the earliest cable car you can get up to the Aiguille du Midi. To do this, you’ll have to book your tickets a few days in advance, as earlier timeslots can sell out. Spend a few hours up here enjoying the epic views over Mont Blanc and visiting the exhibits. If you want to do the Panoramic Mont Blanc while up here (another epic cable car ride that crosses into Italy), it will take another 1.5 to 2 hours. It adds a bit more time, but we think it’s so worth it (moreso than the Mer de Glace ice cave!). Be sure to read our Guide to the Aiguille du Midi to learn everything you need to know about planning your visit, including how to get tickets and reserve your time slot, as well as things to do and how to plan your time.
When you’re done at Aiguille du Midi, head back down on the cable car and get off at the midstation of Plan de l’Aiguille. From here, start your hike on the Grand Balcon Nord trail to Montenvers.
Once you arrive at Montenvers, enjoy the views from the terraces. If you have time before the last train leaves for Chamonix, you can head down to the Mer de Glace ice cave, or grab a bite to eat at the restaurant.
The view of the Mer de Glace and its glacier valley from the viewing terraces at Montenvers
We don’t recommend doing this Grand Balcon Nord itinerary in the opposite direction by starting in Montenvers. The Aiguille du Midi cable car starts running earlier, especially in the summer season, so you can have an earlier start to your day by doing that first.
Cable Cars for the Grand Balcon Nord Hike in Chamonix
As a point-to-point hike, there are two Chamonix lifts you need to know about for the Grand Balcon Nord hike.
Aiguille du Midi cable cars
The first is the Aiguille du Midi cable cars. A series of two lifts run from the town of Chamonix to Plan du l’Aiguille, and from there to Aiguille du Midi. To hike the Grand Balcon Nord trail, you’ll get off at Plan du l’Aiguille and start the trail from there.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car as it travels from Plan de l’Aiguille (the midstaton) to Aiguille du Midi
The bottom station in Chamonix is called the Teleferique Aiguille du Midi.
If you have a car and want to drive there, the Grepon car park is closest (there is a fee to park here). The station is also easily accessible by Chamonix’s public transportation:
By bus, take either Line 1 or 2 to the Chamonix Sud bus stop. From this stop, it’s about a 5 minute walk down Rue du Lyret.
If taking the Chamonix train, get off at the stop Aiguille du Midi and from here, it’s a 5 minute walk down Av. de l’Aiguille du Midi.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car station in Chamonix
While tickets for the Aiguille du Midi cable car can be bought at the ticket window at the station the day of, we highly suggest booking a few days in advance. You have to reserve a time, and the earliest time slots often sell out. You can book your Aiguille du Midi tickets here. Also check the Mont Blanc site to see what the current prices are for the ride to either just Plan de l’Aiguille or to Aiguille du Midi and back down, and to see the timetables. Be sure to check the schedules carefully, as the opening and closing times differ throughout the season.
At the station, you’ll scan your ticket and get in line for the next cable car. To learn more about our experience riding the Aiguille du Midi cable car, be sure to check out our Complete Guide to the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix.
Montenvers cogwheel train
The other end of the Grand Balcon Nord hike is at Montenvers. To get between here and Chamonix, you’ll take the Montenvers cogwheel train. This is a scenic 20 minute train ride that leaves from Chamonix center and ascends the side of the mountains and into the glacial valley, with nice views over Chamonix Valley and the Aiguilles Rouges peaks on the other side (sit on the right side on the way down or the left side on the way up for the best views!).
The Montenvers cogwheel train
Tickets for the Montenvers train don’t have to be reserved in advance, although you can book them here if you’d like. You can simply show up at the ticket counter at either the bottom station in Chamonix or the top station in Montenvers and purchase a ticket there. Be sure to check the Mont Blanc website for the current prices and schedules.
The Montenvers train station in downtown Chamonix
The Mont Blanc Multipass
If you plan to do the Grand Balcon Nord as a point-to-point hike and also do at least one other thing in Chamonix Valley during your visit, we highly recommend buying the Mont Blanc Multipass. This magical ticket is a one-time purchase that gets you access to pretty much all the lifts throughout Chamonix Valley. You can buy the multipass online based on the number of days you plan to be in Chamonix, and then pick up your ticket when you arrive. Then, use this single ticket for everything. It will get you on both the Aiguille du Midi cable cars and the Montenvers cogwheel train, as well as on the ice cave gondola.
This pass is totally worth it, especially if you plan to do the Aiguille du Midi. Even if you are only in Chamonix for one day, if you compare prices, it’s cheaper to get a one-day multipass than to buy all the tickets separately. And it makes things super easy and convenient.
How Long is the Grand Balcon Nord Trail in Chamonix?
Before we give you our hiking stats for the Grand Balcon Nord Trail in Chamonix, we first have to let you know that there are a couple of different route options.
The first is the detour to Lac Bleu. Lac Bleu is a small but picturesque alpine lake tucked beneath the peaks of the Mont Blanc massif. It’s pretty close to the Plan de l’Aiguille trailhead, but it is off the main Grand Balcon Nord trail, so will require some extra distance to your day.
Lac Bleu is a short and worthy detour on the Balcon Nord trail in Chamonix
The second is the detour to Signal Forbes, or Le Signal. During the final section of the hike to Montenvers, you have the option to continue the main Grand Balcon Nord trail along the mountain slopes, or you can hike further up to a viewpoint (Signal Forbes) overlooking the Mer de Glace. The route via Signal Forbes is a bit longer and requires more climbing, but it’s worth it for the epic views you get from the top.
Kevin at the Signal Forbes viewpoint, with views of the Mer de Glace
We share our Grand Balcon Nord hiking stats below, which include the following:
The hike in the direction from Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers
The detour to Lac Bleu
The hike to Signal Forbes
If you choose to skip the lake or the viewpoint, your hike will be a bit shorter with less elevation gain. Our version of the hike is the longest version, but we also think it’s the best version!
Distance: 4.5 miles/ 7.2 km point-to-point
Elevation gain: 760 feet/ 230 meters
Elevation loss: 2044 feet/ 620 meters
Time: 2.5-3 hours. It can be done much faster- we finished in 2 hours and 15 minutes at a rushed pace. But we suggest going at a more relaxed pace and enjoying the views!
Elevation profile:
Our elevation profile for the Grand Balcon Nord trail, hiked from Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers
Grand Balcon Nord trail map:
Our trail map of our hike on the Grand Balcon Nord (in red). The pink lines show the Grand Balcon Nord trail without the detours to Lac Bleu and Signal Forbes.
How Hard is the Grand Balcon Nord Trail in Chamonix?
When hiking in the direction from Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers, we’d say the Grand Balcon Nord trail is on the easy side of moderate. The trail does undulate up and down in short spurts, but overall it is mostly downhill and there’s nothing really steep. The trail has nothing technical either, though it is a typically rocky and rugged trail like most found throughout Chamonix Valley. At times you’ll be walking across loose rock or small boulders, so just make sure you’re wearing good hiking shoes or boots.
Hiking along the Grand Balcon Nord- which can get a little rugged and narrow at times
The whole Grand Balcon Nord trail follows the southern slopes of Chamonix Valley, so there are times where the trail is a bit narrow and has some exposure- but for us, it was never scary because there are no drop-offs or cliff edges. It’s always just more like a grassy gradual drop to your left. But as a result, there are great views from the trail!
A more exposed section along the Grand Balcon Nord trail
Hiking the Grand Balcon Nord Trail in Chamonix: Our Experience
Here’s our experience hiking from Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers along the Grand Balcon Nord trail to help you decide if this experience is something you want to tackle! We’ll also include the detour to Lac Bleu and the hike up to Signal Forbes. For more information about visiting Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers and the Mer de Glace before or after your hike, be sure to read our Ultimate Guide to the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix, and our guide to the Best Things to Do in Chamonix in the Summer.
We started our morning up at the Aiguille du Midi, enjoying the views and riding the Panoramic Mont Blanc to Italy and back. We didn’t have the best weather in the early morning, and we had to wait a bit at the top for the clouds to clear and the views to open up, so by the time we took the cable car back down to Plan de l’Aiguille and started the Grand Balcon Nord hike, it was just after 2 pm- a pretty late start if we wanted to catch the last train down from Montenvers at 5 pm! We set off with the expectation that we might need to hike back down to Chamonix at the end, but still hopeful we could hike fast enough to not have to.
The crammed cable car ride from Aiguille du Midi took just 5 minutes. Plan de l’Aiguille was bustling with people. Here, there are beautiful views over to Mont Blanc and the giant Bossons Glacier. You also get a great view of Aiguille du Midi and the cable car. Ahead are the epic jagged peaks of the Mont Blanc massif. It’s a really pretty area, and worth a visit even you don’t plan on hiking the Grand Balcon Nord!
Views of the French Alps from Plan de l’Aiguille
Views of Mont Blanc and Aiguille du Midi from Plan de l’Aiguille
There’s also a small café here that serves snacks and drinks. The trailhead for the Grand Balcon Nord starts just in front of this café. You’ll see trail signs pointing to the left, and almost immediately, there will be a trail split. There’s lots of signs with tons of different destinations that might seem confusing at first, but it’s pretty easy: If you want to go to Lac Bleu, head right here and continue to follow the signs pointing toward Lac Bleu. Or, if you’d rather just start on the Grand Balcon Nord and head to Montenvers, head left here and continue to follow signs pointing to Montenvers/Mer de Glace. If you choose to go this way, in about 15 minutes you’ll pass by the Refuge du Plan de l‘Aiguille, which is a restaurant where you can stop for lunch if you have the time.
The immediate trail junction on the Grand Balcon Nord. Head left to continue on the Grand Balcon Nord to Montenvers, or head right to detour to Lac Bleu.
The hike to Lac Bleu
We decided to visit Lac Bleu first since it wasn’t too far away (the sign indicated a 15 minute walk). When we first got off the cable car, this trail seemed quite busy, but once we started, it really wasn’t bad and seemed like most people were hiking back out by this time.
The trail to Lac Blue is an obvious path with lots of signs to guide you. It’s a nice and easy hike that’s mostly flat or slightly downhill at first, followed by a small bit of rocky climbing to get to the lake.
The entire way is filled with gorgeous views of the spiky peaks above, with Mont Blanc behind you in the distance, and Chamonix Valley below. And honestly, this small hike alone is a good alternative if you didn’t feel like doing the entire Grand Balcon Nord trail, because it really does give a good taste of what the rest of the trail will feel and look like.
Hiking the trail to Lac Bleu in Chamonix
Looking back to Mont Blanc along the Lac Bleu hike in Chamonix
The final push up to Lac Bleu in Chamonix
Lac Bleu itself is a small alpine lake with a deep blue color and great mountain views. It took us less than 15 minutes to get there from Plan de l’Aiguille, and that’s with a slow pace with lots of stopping for pictures and enjoying the views.
Lac Bleu
The view of the Plan de l’Aiguille station from Lac Bleu
We couldn’t spend too much time here since we got such a late start on the trail, but we were really glad we made this detour at the start of the trail and thought it was worth it.
Getting from Lac Bleu to the Grand Balcon Nord Trail
Ok, here’s where things get a bit tricky.
We had read that you can connect back to the main Grand Balcon Nord trail using a path that heads down the mountain from Lac Bleu. When looking away from the lake and down the slope, we did see a herd path heading downhill. We also could see a few trails much further down below, so we figured this must connect somehow, so we started down. Quicky the trail seemed to split into two different directions, but we followed what seemed to be the most obvious-looking path.
Herd paths leading from Lac Bleu to the Grand Balcon Nord trail
Following herd paths from Lac Bleu
Well, this path eventually led us to a boulder field, at which point some light rain and drizzle had moved in, making things wet and slippery. We navigated downhill along the rocks, feeling a bit frustrated that we didn’t quite know where we were going or if we’d end up on the main trail, but eventually we stumbled upon another dirt path.
Navigating the rocky path trying to find the Grand Balcon Nord
We headed right on this path (since going left seemed like it would take us back towards Plan de l’Aiguille). As we walked further along this path, we could see an obvious trail further down with what seemed to be a trail sign- so we figured that must be the Grand Balcon Nord and felt a little bit better that we were heading in the right direction.
The herd path we were on brought us to some slightly sketchy scrambling down boulders (made even sketchier by the drizzle). But at the bottom of this descent, it was a flat walk right out to the main trail.
Finally at the bottom of the descent and near the Grand Balcon Nord!
We ended up back on the Grand Balcon Nord and at the trail sign we had seen from above after about 25 minutes of hiking down from Lac Bleu. According to this trail sign, we were about 30 minutes into the Grand Balcon Nord trail from Plan de l’Aiguille at this point. The rain was letting up, the clouds were clearing, and we were so happy to be back on a main trail.
The point along the Grand Balcon Nord where we came out on after hiking down from Lac Bleu
We will say that navigating back to the Grand Balcon Nord from Lac Bleu was a frustrating experience, made even moreso due to the fact that we knew we were slightly in a rush to make the last train from Montenvers. Maybe we missed something obvious (I wouldn’t put it past us!), but there really wasn’t a marked cut and dry trail from Lac Bleu. And it’s a pretty big descent down from the lake. Honestly, I would probably recommend just backtracking from Lac Bleu back to the trailhead and starting on the Grand Balcon Nord from the beginning. It would be easier and probably only take a little bit longer, but you’ll be on a defined trail without risk of getting lost or ending up in a bad place along the rocky slopes.
From this point along the Grand Balcon Nord, the sign stated that Montenvers was 2 hours and 20 minutes away, which would mean we would miss the last train down to Chamonix. We debated whether we should continue, but we figured we were here…might as well, and we just mentally prepared for a longer hike. But we still had hope we could hike fast enough, so the rest of the hike felt a bit rushed since we did really want to make that last train!
Hiking on the Grand Balcon Nord
Views from the Grand Balcon Nord trail in Chamonix
There’s really not too much to say about the Grand Balcon Nord trail, actually. Once you’re on it, the terrain and views are pretty consistent.
The trail follows the grassy slopes beneath the jagged peaks of the French Alps. The views are non-stop out over Chamonix Valley below and the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges across the valley. Keep looking back, too, because you’ll see Mont Blanc for a while as it pops up above the landscape. While we do think the views are better from the hikes on the opposite side of the valley because you get to see the entire expanse of the Mont Blanc massif, it’s still really cool to walk through the subalpine meadow-like landscape and so close underneath the spiked peaks that are so characteristic of the Chamonix Valley.
The view of Chamonix Valley from the Grand Balcon Nord. And, our second of three rainbows that day! (The one good thing that came from the rainy weather!)
The view of Mont Blanc and Plan de l’Aiguille from the Grand Balcon Nord trail
In terms of terrain, the Grand Balcon Nord trail is an obvious and pretty straightforward path, with a mix of dirt and rock. It does get a little rugged in some places, with loose rock and stone steps. There are spurts of short uphill sections mixed in, but overall, it’s a downhill hike to Montenvers.
The sometimes rocky and rugged trail conditions along the Grand Balcon Nord trail
Since the trail does follow the slopes of the valley, there are some narrow sections that skirt along an “edge”, but it’s never a straight drop-off, rather, it’s more of a gradual grassy slope downwards. But this can still be a little unnerving for people who aren’t comfortable with exposure.
Typical views from the Grand Balcon Nord trail in Chamonix
Hiking across the grassy slopes of the Grand Balcon Nord
Views of Mont Blanc from the Grand Balcon Nord
One thing we really liked about the Grand Balcon Nord was how empty the trail was. We knew this trail was one of the more popular hikes in Chamonix, so we were expecting it to be pretty busy- but we barely saw anyone out there! It seemed more people were concentrating on just hiking to Lac Bleu and back. A big reason could be because we were on the trail so late, and cutting it close to not making the train down, but we were definitely enjoying the solitude out here!
After about 50 minutes of hiking since joining up with the Grand Balcon Nord trail, we came to the final trail split. Here is where you can choose to either continue along the Grand Balcon Nord directly to Montenvers, or you can take the high route up to the Signal Forbes viewpoint.
The junction for Signal Forbes along the Grand Balcon Nord
To give you an idea of how far along the trail this junction is, here’s a view of Mont Blanc and the Plan de l’Aiguille from the Signal Forbes trail split.
According to the signs, the direct route would be about 20 minutes quicker than taking the higher route. Plus, I knew that the Signal Forbes route had a steep climb involved. At this point, we had about an hour and 10 minutes to make it to the train- we ended up making pretty good time on the trail up to this point! And the trail sign indicated it would take about an hour and 5 minutes to get to Montenvers via Signal Forbes. For me, that was cutting it too close and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make it, but Kevin would be more than capable- he’s a much faster hiker than me. So, we decided to split up- Kevin would take the Signal Forbes route, and I would continue on the Grand Balcon Nord directly to Montenvers.
After the hike, Kevin and I compared notes. We both thought the Signal Forbes route would be the harder of the two given the extra elevation gain, but surprisingly, it turns out that the Signal Forbes route was probably easier! And it was certainly more scenic (but that was expected).
Below, we’ll go over each route to Montenvers to help you decide which one you’d want to take.
The Signal Forbes hike
From the junction, the hike to Signal Forbes immediately starts climbing up a series of steep switchbacks with great views over Chamonix Valley. This is the hardest part of the climb, and doesn’t last very long actually.
Climbing up to Signal Forbes from the Grand Balcon Nord
After the switchbacks, the trail continues along the face of the slope as it gradually continues to climb up a stone path.
Views over Chamonix Valley on the hike to Signal Forbes
The rocky path near the top of Signal Forbes
There’s one final push up to the summit of Signal Forbes through a rocky alpine landscape as the trail hooks a right into the valley. The summit is marked with a trail sign.
Reaching the top of the Signal Forbes viewpoint in Chamonix
The Signal Forbes summit
Views of the start of the Mer de Glace valley from Signal Forbes
From here, you can see the mountain peaks of the glacial valley but you can’t quite see down into the valley or the Mer de Glace, so we recommend walking just past the trail sign further towards the valley for an epic viewpoint overlooking the glacier. This view is what makes this route to Montenvers totally worth it!
The stunning view of the Mer de Glace from Signal Forbes!
Backtrack to the summit sign and you’ll continue on the trail down to Montenvers. From Signal Forbes, it’s a steady descent down switchbacks for nearly the entire way. Kevin described the path as being easy and straightforward (though steep), and there were great views into the valley and out to the glacier the whole time.
View from the hike down Signal Forbes- can you see the Montenvers Refuge?
Beautiful views of the Mer de Glace from the switchbacks down to Montenvers
If you have the time, we definitely recommend this route to Montenvers. It’s not as hard as you’d think it would be- just a bit of climbing, and the views at the top are worth it.
The Grand Balcon Nord trail below Signal Forbes
From the junction, I continued along the direct path to Montenvers, skipping the climb to Signal Forbes.
Though it doesn’t have any elevation gain to it, this path was certainly the more rugged of the two. In fact, the trail sign at this junction describes it as “Passage delicat”, which I didn’t even notice at the time! It’s really not terrible, but it definitely has its moments.
One thing I did like about this part of the Grand Balcon Nord trail, though, was that it was completely empty! I didn’t see a single person here, as most people do take the Signal Forbes route, so it was a nice way to get some solitude on the trail. That said, it was a bit more of an eerie feeling being totally alone out here because the trail did get more rugged and exposed, so I do suggest having a hiking buddy with you.
From the junction, this part of the Grand Balcon Nord trail starts heading more into the woods, but still skirts along the slope with intermittent views of the valley below. The trail does get noticeably more rugged and rocky. The trail also does have a few pretty narrow sections that have more of a drop-off along the left, so it definitely can feel a bit more harrowing through here.
The Grand Balcon Nord gets noticeably more rugged, rocky, and narrow under Signal Forbes
The trail gets quite narrow at times as it heads to Montenvers!
An interesting trail feature along the Grand Balcon Nord
There’s one brief section along the trail that has a chain and metal bridge to help you descend down some rocks and across an eroded section of trail.
Just a few minutes past this chain section, you’ll round a corner and you’ll get your first epic views into the glacial valley, with tall peaks and a couple of beautiful waterfalls. I was getting excited both for the views ahead and also because I knew that meant the end of the hike was near!
The final push into Montenvers!
The trail starts descending a bit. You’ll pass by an old stone structure before navigating down through a small boulder field and stone steps. It’s a rocky final descent into Montenvers from here.
The rocky descent into Montenvers on the Grand Balcon Nord
The Montenvers Refuge at the end of the Grand Balcon Nord hike in Chamonix
As you get closer, you’ll see the Refuge du Montenvers and the beautiful mountain backdrop come into view. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing I was going to make the final train down!
While here, you can visit the Glaciorium (a museum about the Mer de Glace) and have a bite to eat at the hotel’s restaurant if you have time.
To get to the Montenvers train station, walk past the refuge and continue along the path that runs alongside the train tracks further into the valley. At the end of this path, you’ll find the train station, a small shop, another restaurant, access to the gondola that heads to the ice cave, and a set of large viewing terraces over the Mer de Glace. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it in time to visit the Mer de Glace ice cave, but if you plan your day so that you get a very early start, it may be possible for you to do this (we’d say to have an extra 1.5 to 2 hours for this). Instead, we simply enjoyed the views of the glacier, valley, peaks, and waterfalls from the terraces, which still makes the journey to Montenvers, whether by train or by hike, well worth it.
Taking in views of the Mer de Glace in Montenvers after the Grand Balcon Nord hike
The Montenvers train station
Kevin came down from Signal Forbes just shortly after I did and we were able to take the last 5 pm train from Montenvers to Chamonix.
Our total time to hike from Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers was about 2 hours and 15 minutes or so, which isn’t bad considering the sign at the trailhead projects it to take 2 hours and 50 minutes. If we hadn’t done Lac Bleu and had the navigation issues trying to connect back up with the main trail from there, it probably would have taken us about an hour and 45 minutes just doing the Grand Balcon Nord straight to Montenvers. We were going at a fast pace, though, so we suggest planning for a bit longer for a more relaxed hike.
Best Time to Hike the Grand Balcon Nord Trail in Chamonix
Beautiful late summer views on the Grand Balcon Nord in Chamonix
We’d say the best time to hike the Grand Balcon Nord is from late June through October. Based on recent reports, there can still be snow on the trail in June, but at this point in the season it’s likely still possible to hike without special winter hiking gear. Be sure to check recent reviews before heading out this early in the season. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/france/haute-savoie/grand-balcon-nord
The peak months of July and August are probably the absolute best time to hike the Grand Balcon Nord, particularly if you’re looking to also do the Aiguille du Midi and the Mer de Glace in the same day. While peak season can be a bit more crowded, you can make the most of your day in Chamonix and on the trail by getting earlier lifts in the morning like we talked about above. Having a few extra hours can make the difference of being able to add on the Mer de Glace or not after your Grand Balcon Nord hike!
As you head into fall, September and October weather can be more unstable and unpredictable. Historically, September weather is generally nice, but when we visited in early September, we had a spurt of particularly bad and unusual weather, which included a heat wave with stormy weather, and then freezing temperatures with snow at the higher elevation trails. So just be prepared for anything in the mountains!
More Tips for the Grand Balcon Nord Trail in Chamonix
Here are some final tips we have for hiking the Grand Balcon Nord in Chamonix:
Make sure to wear a good pair of hiking shoes or boots- The trails in Chamonix in general can get rocky and rugged. Trekking poles can be a good idea to have for some of the rockier and steeper terrain.
Have sun protection- The entire Grand Balcon Nord trail is exposed to the sun, so be sure to have sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
Check the weather- This can be tricky, as the weather can be so unpredictable in the mountains and changes daily, but in general, checking the night before your Grand Balcon Nord hike will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. 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, including at Montenvers and the Aiguille du Midi. It gives 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 in the mountains due to an inversion. Or, some parts of the range may be socked in with clouds while others aren’t.
Staying at the Refuge du Montenvers- If you want to spend the night near the Mer de Glace, be sure to book a bed in advance!
Grab a quick breakfast- Near the bottom station for the Aiguille du Midi cable cars is a great little bakery called Le Fournil. This seemed to be the place to go before people started their daily adventures in Chamonix. We grabbed a quick breakfast here, and also grabbed some sandwiches for lunch that we could eat on the trail, saving us time and money.
More Chamonix Guides
Planning a visit to Chamonix and looking for other things to do besides the Grand Balcon Nord hike? Be sure to check out all our Chamonix guides to help you plan your trip!
Things to Do in Chamonix + A Complete Guide to Chamonix in the Summer
Chamonix Itinerary for 1 to 4 Days
9 Amazing Day Hikes in Chamonix
How to Visit the Aiguille du Midi- One of the Best Things to Do in Chamonix
How to Hike to Lac Blanc- Chamonix’s Best Day Hike!
How to Hike to the Albert Premiere Refuge and the Tour Glacier in Chamonix
Are you planning to hike the Grand Balcon Nord trail in Chamonix? Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below, and as always, happy hiking!