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

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Tandem Paragliding

Instructors will take you on a leisurely flight! Amazing scenery and a different perspective from anything else when flying out from the Brevent or Aiguille du midi take off areas – Unforgettable! As of 4 years old.

Helicopter Flights

Short on time? A helicopter tour of the Mont Blanc Massif is the quickest way into some of the most breath-taking mountain landscapes on the planet. In the Chamonix Valley, there are several panoramic routes with flight times ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. The flights can be booked in advance but please be aware that they are weather dependant.

Climbing

The solid granite rock makes Chamonix the centre of climbing from all over the world. From big boulders sitting at the bottom of the valley and hidden in forests, to accessible and picturesque learning walls and ultimately on to sheer and very technical faces. There is something for everyone here with kids’ classes starting at the age of 5 and plenty of easy routes to learn on this is a sport for all ages and levels.

Accro Park Gaillands

The best Accro branching park in the Valley with three levels beginner for the young ones, intermediate for everyone and expert for the really brave – finishing with a great zipwire across the lake!

Horse riding

Discover the valley in a completely unique way to discover the valley. The Centre Equestre du Mont Blanc offers different rides for all levels and timescales from 1 hour up to a several days. Lessons in an excellent location with stunning views also available.

Hiking

There are over 350 km of maintained walking paths with over 170 different routes of varying difficulties. In the base of the valley, at altitude, following rivers and round lakes the Panorama is dramatic and unforgettable.

White water sports

If you love fresh water and excitement, then this must be tried.

Varied ways of going downstream from laughter and fun in eight-man rafts (great for kids) to the adrenalin fuelled excitement of hydro speed sledges The L’arve river is not the hardest or the fastest in the world but snaking all the way down the valley from Chamonix it is a great river to be enjoyed by all.

Mountain Biking

Chamonix is a paradise for bike riding from leisurely rides along the river to psycho downhill tracks. The principal areas are Le Balme with rolling hills and varied difficulty levels at the very end of the valley. And the Les Houches Prarion lift with runs across open fields, through dense forests and prepared routes… this area is great fun!

The Adventure Park of Contamines Montjoie

30 minutes from Chamonix, in the neighbouring valley this is the largest activity park in the Pays du Mont-Blanc.

Scattered all around the lake are numerous adventure activities: tennis, driving range, mini-golf, archery, biathlon, adventure parks, trampolines, stables and donkey trails, climbing and boats on the lake as well as great restaurants – A day here is never long enough and the kids will come home happy and exhausted.

Parc de Merlet

Merlet hosts all the mountain species in a natural setting with exceptional views. You will meet the locals in their natural habitat from upclose. We are naturally talking about the animals like Chamois, bouquetins, marmottes and more

The Gorges de la Diosaz

A stunning walk and adventure on a sweltering day with beautiful waterfalls carved out of the mountain.

The téléphérique de l’Aiguille du Midi

Accessible from the centre of town, the Aiguille du Midi téléphérique whisks you at speed to the very top of the Alpes.

The viewing platform offers you an uninterrupted 360° view over the full range of the Alpes. The views are stretching through France, Switzerland and Italy.  There is a further lift to take you to the very top at 3842m. The highest point in Europe you can reach without a serious amount of walking!

Step into the void – Not for the faint hearted!!! This is a five sided glass cube stuck onto the mount with 1000m of nothing below!!! Very cool to walk (or crawl) on to and get the heart racing!

Montenvers cog train

This traditional cog train is in itself a wonderful experience taking you all the way up to 1913 Montenvers station. An amazing Panorama awaits you there. Overlooking the Mer de Glace, and dominated by Le Drus and les Grandes Jorasses.

The Tramway du Mont-Blanc

This is the second cog train in the valley (and separate) with spectacular views and an utterly charming ride running from the very bottom of the mountain. The train will take you from St Gervais, all the way to the Nid d’Aigle where the view dominates the whole valley, les Dômes de Miage and the Aiguilles de Chamonix. The added bonus is a high probability of seeing mountain goats, Bouqetin and Chamois deer along the way…

Chamonix adventure park

Bringing together a number of very different rides and activities including the mountain Luge roller coaster and lots more for the kids

Le plan d’eau Biotope de Combloux

Only 25 minutes from Chamonix, ‘le lac Biotope de Combloux’ is one of the wonderful places to go on a hot day. Basically, bit of genius bio engineering has created the perfect lake with a swimmable area that has a sand floor and a separate are where the plants continuously filter and clean the water – it is pure, natural and lovely with a large grass bank and a great restaurant showing off the amazing views it is a perfect spot for a day off.

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