Book your summer day trip from Chamonix

1. Flegere -> Lac Blanc – Chamonix’s iconic mountain lake

Few options:

  • Catch la Flegere gondola and go on main well maintained walking track to lac Blanc and then return on same track – (approx 2hrs each way – easiest route)
  • Catch la Flegere gondola and then index chairlift and walk to lac blanc (a little scrambling involved) – then come back to la Flegere gondola on lower track (approx 2hrs each way)
  • Catch la Flegere gondola and go on main track or Index chairlift track to lac Blanc and then continue straight ahead via lacs des Cheserys and down to col des Montets and onto le Buet train station (approx 3hrs) – then take train from le Buet train station back to les Praz / Flegere to pick up car.
  • Catch la Flegere gondola and go on main track or Index chairlift track to lac Blanc and then continue to lacs des Cheserys and down to Argentiere (approx 3hrs) – this track requires a steady head as it involves downclimbing with ladders in parts.  Catch train/bus from Argentiere back to les Praz / Flegere to pick up car.

Note: continue 10 minutes from lac Blanc and you will find a quieter lake called lacs des Cheserys.  It is also very common to see many bouquetin on this hike.

Possible lunch spot:

*  Refuge du Lac Blanc

* Or better still, a picnic at lac Blanc or lacs des Cheserys

* Bottom of la Flegere cablecar at La Cabane

 

2. Aiguille du Midi mid station traverse to Montenvers Railway/Mer du Glace to Chamonix

  • Catch cable car to top of Aiguille du Midi – check out amazing views / step into the void
  • Download to mid station Plan de l’Aiguille and exit the cable car – do traverse walk to the top of the Montenvers Railway / Mer du Glace  – (approx 3hrs)
  • Catch cable car down to Mer du Glace and visit the ice grotto thru and under la mer du glace.
  • Catch Montenvers Railway train back to Chamonix

Full day – highly recommended that you leave early to miss the large queues at Aiguille du Midi (arrive 8am or earlier).

Possible lunch places:

* Refuge Plan de l’Aiguille – located just below mid station of Aiguille du Midi

* Or at top of Montenvers –  Grand Hotel Montenvers – Or Restaurant Panoramic

*Picnic on walking route or at lac Bleu

 

3. Le Buet -> refuge de la Pierre à Bérard (extension to summit Mont Buet)

  • Drive / Train to hamlet of le Buet
  • Park in train station of le Buet / opposite Hotel le Buet
  • Cross road and pass Hotel le Buet and continue up into the canyon and Berard valley
  • Pass Buvette de la Cascade de Berard – lovely spot for a refreshment
  • Continue up to Refuge de la Pierre a Berard
  • Approx 2hrs each way

*For those feeling strong and fit, there is the great possibility to continue the hike to the iconic peak of Mont Buet (3096m’s) – highest peak in the Aiguille Rouge – allow 8-12hrs round trip from le Buet train station to the summit of Mont Buet and back.

Lunch / Dinner spots

* Hotel le Buet – historical charming pub

* Buvette Cascade de Berard – lovely setting located at waterfalls

* Refuge de la Pierre à Bérard – beautiful mountain ambience

 

4. Le Brevent to lac Brevent and back to le Brevent via Refuge de Bellachat

  • Catch the le Brevent gondola up to Plan Praz and then continue to the summit le Brevent on the cable car located at Plan Praz.  Great photo opportunities await.
  • Walk down to lac Brevent – (approx 1hr15) – great spot to relax and refresh and picnic.
  • Then loop back via Refuge de Bellachat – (approx 30 mins) – possibility for lunch / small refreshment
  • Continue back along the ridge to the top of le Brevent (approx 45 mins) or make your way down to le Brevent parking (approx 3hrs).

Possible lunch spots;

* La Bergerie – Plan Praz

* Le Panoramique – Brevent

* Picnic at lac Brevent

* Refuge de Bellachat

 

5. Argentiere -> les Grand Montets -> Argentiere glacier -> Argentiere

  • Catch les Grands Montets plan joran gondola up onto les Grands Montets domain.
  • Traverse your way across the face of les Grands Montets in the direction of the Argentiere glacier (approx 1hr)
  • Spectacular glacier views await your visit.
  • Reverse your way back the same way that you came to the plan joran gonadola (approx 1hr) and download or take the walking path from mid staton of les Grands Montets back to Argentiere village (approx 2hr30).

Best lunch spot – Refuge de Lognan – spectacular views.

Or Cremerie du Glacier – best fondue in the Chamonix Valley.

 

Other topics of interest:

Click [here] for Four Easy Hiking Trails in Chamonix

Click [here] for The 5 Best Day Trips from Chamonix

Summer chalet accommodation options available here – Luxury Summer Chalets in Chamonix