Chamonix is at its best in summer, and never more so than when you have climbed into the high mountains and you stop to take in the views while you catch your breath. The trails are well maintained and clearly signposted, so instead of keeping your head down over a map or compass, you can keep your eyes on the scenery.
The walking and hiking around Chamonix is wonderfully varied, with something for every age and ability. You can set off straight from your accommodation along the valley floor or through the forest, or take a cable car and walk among the high peaks at altitude.
Below are a few of our favourite summer walks and hikes, chosen to give you a flavour of the many things to do in Chamonix in summer. It is also worth picking up a good trail guide when you arrive. One we come back to again and again is Mont Blanc Trails: 183 Summer Walks and Hikes, available from the Chamonix Tourist Office for around €14. It describes many of the valley trails along with their variants and comes with a fold-out map, in both French and English.
Depending on your fitness and what you want from your stay, you might prefer to cover as much ground on foot as possible. If not, the lifts included on the Mont Blanc Multipass open up plenty of trails too, saving your heart and lungs on the way up, your knees on the way down, or both.
Must-do Chamonix summer hikes and walks
We have picked out a few of our perennial favourites. The ‘balcons’, or balconies, are panoramic trails with less height gain than many other routes in the valley. The ‘grands balcons’ sit at around 2,000m, while the ‘petits balcons’ run not much higher than the valley floor.
Top three Chamonix hikes to try this summer
For bragging rights
Try the KM Vertical. The route doubles as its own race during the Marathon du Mont Blanc and starts right from Chamonix town centre. It climbs steeply up under the Brévent and Planpraz lifts, so friends can wave from the cabins as they take the easy way up, and the final section turns sharp and rocky as it nears the finish at around 2,000m. It is a proper race against the clock, so see how your time stacks up against the leaders.
For the views
It is hard to beat Lac Blanc. You can reach it from the top of the Flégère gondola, take the Index chairlift to save your legs, add it to the end of the Grand Balcon Sud, or earn it the long way on a steady climb from Montroc train station and the Col des Montets. The lake looks across the valley to the tongue of the Mer de Glace, with the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc filling the skyline.
For sightseeing with your walk
The Grand Balcon Sud runs between the top of the Montenvers train and the middle station of the Aiguille du Midi cable car, known as the Plan de l’Aiguille. To make the most of it, set off early and ride straight up the Aiguille du Midi cable car to step out onto the famous Step Into The Void. Beat the later crowds by dropping back down to the Plan de l’Aiguille and following the panoramic path from there. You can hug the mountainside as the trail curves round towards Montenvers, or gain a little height up to the Signal Forbes for a wide view over the Mer de Glace before heading down to the station and riding the historic red train back into town.
Top tips for a great day walking and hiking in Chamonix
Be prepared
Check the forecast before you head out, as Chamonix summers can change quickly. Pack for all of it: sun protection alongside warm and waterproof layers, and plenty of water and snacks to keep you going. Bring a picnic, or plan a stop at one of the mountain restaurants, many of which open in summer as well as winter.
Get advice
The Maison de la Montagne can fill you in on the latest conditions up high, including snow cover early in the season. After a big winter the snow can linger into July, so it is worth asking the experts. You will find the Maison de la Montagne opposite the Tourist Office.
Poles might help
You will spot plenty of trail runners and experienced mountaineers carrying poles through town, but they are useful at any level. Telescopic poles come in handy early in the season if you need to cross lingering patches of snow, and right through summer they add balance, especially on the way down. You can hire or buy a pair from the sports shops along the high street.
Glacier hiking
Once the trails have whetted your appetite, glacier hiking is the natural next step. Our glacier discovery outing on the Mer de Glace is ideal if you have never set foot in a world of ice before. You will be shown how to wear crampons, rope up and even try a little ice climbing if you fancy it. The Vallée Blanche Traverse is a fine challenge if you already have some experience at altitude and on glaciers. Both need a head for heights for the sections that get you onto the ice. Read more about glacier hiking for a fuller idea of what to expect.
Stay with us in Chamonix
Once you have picked your trails, you will want somewhere comfortable to come back to. At Chamonix All Year we look after apartments and chalets across the valley, many of them an easy walk from the lifts and the paths. Take a look at our places to stay and start planning your summer in the mountains.
