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: Best Direction, Hiking Stats, Photos & Tips
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 …
How To Plan Your Walker’s Haute Route Experience
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 …
Walker’s Haute Route in Photos
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 …
How to Hike to Argentière Glacier | Chamonix, France
Hiking to the Argentière Glacier is a great hike to do if you are looking for an easy excursion with beautiful views of the French Alps. The trail leads to an active glacier, where you can stand in front its frigid wall and listen for chunks of ice breaking off in the summer sun. A cable car whisks hikers up …
Walker’s Haute Route: 21 Important Things to Know & FAQ
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 …
Walker’s Haute Route Stages: An Overview of All 14 Stages
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 + Panoramic Mont-Blanc: The Ultimate Guide
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. …
How to Hike to Lac Blanc, Chamonix (Photos, Stats & Map)
There are several reasons why the hike to Lac Blanc is one of the best in Chamonix. For one thing, this alpine lake is beautiful. A series of gondolas and chair lifts lop off the first big climb, making this hike doable for most ages and ability levels. But one of the best reasons to do this hike is for …
Walker’s Haute Route Stage 1: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to Argentière
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 …