Le Lavancher to Refuge Buvette du Chapeau

• Drive to hamlet of le Lavancher
• Continue driving up the road until you can’t drive any further … park your car [here]
• Then walk up and back on same track to the refuge buvette du Chapeau .. approx 45 mins each way
• The refuge is open for refreshments and is also a good spot for lunch / dinner with great views over Chamonix Town (reservation recommended).
• Option to continue to a viewing platform of Mer du Glace (approx. 15 mins past buvette).
• Check the following links – Instagram 1 | Facebook | Instagram 2

(For a longer option, you can also take the walking track Petit Balcon Nord from Argentiere to le Lavancher … plan for 1hr extra each way from Argentiere to le Lavancher and back to Argentiere again)

Les Nants Chamonix to Refuge Floria

• Start in Chamonix in the hamlet of les Nants – google maps coordinates [here]
• Look for hiking track to chalet de la Floria
• Nice, easy and scenic walk up and back on same track … approx 45 mins each way … incredible panoramic views along the track with lots of shade for hot sunny days … refreshments and lunch options available at chalet de la Floria
• Check the following links – Instagram or Facebook

Le Buet to la Cascade de Berard

• Drive or take train to hamlet of le Buet (over col des Montets)
• Park at le Buet train station – google maps coordinates – [here]
• Walk up the Berard valley approximately 15-30 mins until you reach the scenic waterfalls – la cascade de berard
• You will also find the buvette de la cascade de berard for refreshments and food options [here]
• Historical cave to visit behind the buvette de la cascade
• Via Ferrata de la Cascade de Berard is also located here – very scenic and highly recommended.
• Check the following links – Instagram or Facebook

(From the cascades you can return the way you came or you can complete an easy scenic route as explained below)

• Continue past the cascades and go up the Berard Valley approximately 15 mins before crossing the river at trail point marked Fontana Freda alt 1518m.
• After crossing the river bridge, loop back down the valley and follow hiking trail signs to hamlet of Sur le Rocher
• At Sur le Rocher you can descent back to le Buet or continue a little higher to hamlet of les Granges before heading back to le Buet again.
• Upon return, take a beer or snack/meal at the iconic Le Buet Hotel … this historical hotel dates back to days when there were no roads but only a hiking trail that connected Le Buet to the Chamonix Valley (ask back tender for a look at the photo album that outlines history of the hotel). The outdoor beer garden is a fantastic place to have a small relax after your hike.  A chosen destination of Anthony Bourdain in his visit to Chamonix.

Argentiere – le Planet – Argentiere

• Start point … chemin du vieux four, Argentiere … begin hike by walking in the direction of Chamonix
• Turn left at chalet le Marti into chemin de la moraine
• Continue straight ahead about 500m’s and continue under train bridge onto chemin des Rambles (gravel road)
• Go up track and take the walking track (behind the 2nd chalet on the left)
• Follow hiking trail signs and continue to the hamlet of le Planet in direction of le Tour
• At le Planet, go down thru the residential part of the hamlet and follow the hiking trails signs that take you back into Argentiere whereby you return in a loop manner via chemin du vieux four.
• Check following link for hiking route – Argentiere -> le Planet -> Argentiere– approx 40mins

(For a picturesque extension, take the route ‘Randonne de Peclerey’ to ‘Le Tour’ and then loop back on the petit balcon to le Planet and then onto Argentiere).

I hope this helps … HAPPY ADVENTURES!!!!!!

Click [here] for Best Hiking Trails in Chamonix and Argentiere

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

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

The post Four Easy Hiking Trails in Chamonix appeared first on Marmotte Mountain.

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

The post Best Hiking Trails in Chamonix appeared first on Marmotte Mountain.

Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve – Lac Blanc

If you’re looking for stunning summer views then this walk should be top of your list. From the Flegere cable car lift, the hike to the lake is around two hours and manageable for most levels. On reaching the lake you’ll enjoy breath-taking views of Mont Blanc, Aiguille du Midi and it also overlooks the Mer de Glace. It’s a fantastic spot for a picnic, or alternatively there is also a hut to buy food and refreshments.

Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve – Lac des Cheserys

Another beautiful lake trail, this one is accessible from Argentiere. Take the right-hand path towards the Bois du Plagnolet, and then follow the steep uphill trail into the forest. It takes two hours and a half to reach the lake with panoramic views of Mont Blanc.

Tour du Mont Blanc

The ultimate hiking tour of the Mont Blanc massif, this 170km trek takes a number of days to complete. Hardcore hikers can finish the tour in four days if pressed for time, but if you want to take a slower pace and really enjoy the scenery – perhaps you’re a hobbyist photographer – then you can spend 9-11 days on the TMB. There are two options – you can do the trails self-sufficiently, with camping gear and your own food, or you can choose to stop off at mountain huts. If you’d like mountain hut accommodation then it’s advisable to book a bed during the busy season of July-September.

Mont Blanc Summit Climb

If taking in the Alpine trail of Mont Blanc isn’t enough, and you want to reach the summit, then you’ll need to be extremely fit and have mountaineering experience. There are two ways to climb Mont Blanc – the Cosmique route or the Gouter hut route, which is the most popular.  Choose which route you’d prefer to conquer the highest mountain in Europe, and reserve a spot at the refuge hut.

If you’d like to relax in luxurious accommodation during your hiking holiday in Chamonix, take a look at our range of beautiful mountain chalets.

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