Chamonix in Summer

20 Best Things to Do in Chamonix, France in the Summer

Julie France 6 Comments

Chamonix is a picturesque town tucked away in the French Alps. Mont Blanc dominates the skyline, creating one of the most unique landscapes in Europe. Explore the hiking trails, stroll through the streets of Chamonix, journey higher into the mountains by train and cable car, and view the waterfalls of ice that pour down from the Mont Blanc massif. Here …

Grand Balcon Nord Hike

Grand Balcon Nord Hike: Best Direction, Hiking Stats, Photos & Tips

Julie France 9 Comments

The Grand Balcon Nord is a scenic trail that overlooks Chamonix and its surrounding mountains. From one end of the trail, you can see the white peak of Mont Blanc emerging from the clouds. At the other end lies Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France. The Grand Balcon Nord hike is one of the best things to do …

Walkers Haute Route Planner

How To Plan Your Walker’s Haute Route Experience

Tim France, Switzerland 4 Comments

The Walker’s Haute Route is a 14-stage trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. It is a tough yet rewarding experience through the French and Swiss Alps that crosses 10 mountain passes and offers incredible scenery along the way. It is a beast of a trek! It took us 13 days, averaging 16 km (10 miles) with 1,140 meters (3,740 …

Haute Route Photos

Walker’s Haute Route in Photos

Julie France, Switzerland 4 Comments

Hiking the Walker’s Haute Route is more than putting one foot in front of the other on a hiking trail for panoramic views of the Alps. This journey takes you to remote mountain huts, to tiny hamlets on the mountainsides, and small villages in the valleys. We tried new foods (lots of cheese, meat, potatoes, and bread), did our best …

Walkers Haute Route

Walker’s Haute Route: 21 Important Things to Know & FAQ

Julie France, Switzerland 11 Comments

The Walker’s Haute Route is one of the most rewarding and memorable multi-day walks in Europe. On this journey, hikers will cross 10 of the highest mountain passes in the Alps, while walking from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. It’s an extraordinary journey but not without its challenges. With 14 stages, multiple variations to the route, and a narrow window …

Walkers Haute Route Trail Sign

Walker’s Haute Route Stages: An Overview of All 14 Stages

Julie France, Switzerland 23 Comments

The Walker’s Haute Route is a multi-day trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. On this walk, hikers will cross 10 mountain passes, walk through small towns and through rugged, remote landscapes, and get to experience a less touristy side of the Swiss Alps. There are several routes that take hikers from Chamonix to Zermatt. The “classic route” typically takes …

Aiguille du Midi Chamonix France

Aiguille du Midi + Panoramic Mont-Blanc: The Ultimate Guide

Julie France, Italy 33 Comments

One of the best things to do in Chamonix, France is to ride the cable car to Aiguille du Midi. Once here, visit the viewpoints and exhibits at the mountain station, or continue the journey by riding the Panoramic Mont-Blanc to Italy. We have ridden cable cars to many mountain peaks in Europe and this is one of the best. …

Chamonix France Summer

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 1: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to Argentière

Julie France, Switzerland 2 Comments

Stage 1 of the Walker’s Haute Route is the shortest, easiest day of the entire trek. It’s a mostly flat walk between Chamonix and Argentière and for most of this stage, you are either walking through town or through an evergreen forest. If you spent any time in Chamonix or Argentière prior to starting this trek, as we did, you’ll …