Easy Hiking Chamonix, France

The Trip

Imagine yourself almost face-to-face with a mammoth glacier, admiring its azure beauty, unaware of its slow downhill creep. Surround yourself in formidable snow-covered peaks from your safe village haven, cosseted in a remarkable French inn. Here hospitable local hosts/owners share with you their love of this place, as well as attractive, comfortable accommodations. Think of leisurely walks along green paths, always with views of rugged mountains; all this followed by gastronomic feasts and picnics awaiting you in Chamonix, in the Arve River-centered valley of Europe's eastern France.

Dominated by the Mont Blanc massif, Chamonix is both cosmopolitan and rural, offering quiet corners as well as a bustling energetic downtown. Glaciers of this area feed the headwaters of the Rhone, one of France’s major rivers. Man has inhabited this region for centuries, creating a system of trails and customs throughout the area. We will note environmental concerns and sustainable tourism practices as we enjoy the brisk early fall beauty of Chamonix.

Please note that the itinerary below is tentative. We are planning a diverse itinerary featuring gentle mountain walks, using trams and chair lifts to gain elevation. The order may change depending on the weather, group desires, trail conditions, and safety concerns.

Day 1: We meet this evening at our hotel in downtown Chamonix. After introductions and a trip orientation, we will have dinner together. Early arrivals may enjoy exploring our local neighborhood and visiting the Tourist Information Center to gain more knowledge about the area.

Day 2: Today we bus to the headquarters of the Reserve Naturelle where an environmentalist will help us to better understand the region and the challenges facing this area. This headquarters offers historical information as well as an excellent display of animals of the mountainous region. After our picnic, we take a gentle forest walk down to the bus, which returns us to Chamonix. Today’s hike is about three miles, with an elevation loss of 500 feet.

Day 3: Taking a lift up, we reach the Gran Balcon du Nord route. This fairly level path has good views of the Chamonix Valley and the mountains north of the city. After a picnic with an expansive view of the valley, we return to the lift and descend to Chamonix. Alternately, we can walk down the five miles, with about a 2000-foot elevation loss.

Day 4: First, we take the local bus or train to La Fayet, then board the Mt Blanc Tramway for an amazing cog railway ride up the side of the mountain to Nid de Aigle. Short walks are possible there before returning by train. An excellent lunch at the refuge, manned by an energetic creative chef, is included in this day’s adventure.

Day 5: Taking the bus again, we head for Argentiere. From there we walk up to a beautiful view location of the Argentiere Glacier; a grassy knoll from which we can observe and admire this behemoth. This walk is about three miles, with an elevation gain of approximately 800 feet.

Day 6: Today, the local market in the center of Chamonix tempts us with produce, dairy products, pates, flowers, and an assortment of bric-a-brac, brought into town just for this market. Our afternoon is free, perhaps for a walk along the river or a swim at the local large multi-pooled swim center.

Day 7: We walk along the Gran Balcon du Sud with spectacular views of Mt. Blanc and the Aiguilles (peaks) across the Chamonix Valley.  A cabined lift at the begining and end of our hike will accomplish most of the elevation for us. We will walk about six miles, covering an elevation gain and loss of about 1000 feet.

Day 8: Going up, right from the heart of town, we ride the cable car to the top of Mt. Blanc, then another traversing the mountain into Italy. The passage across is stunning. The cable cars move slowly, allowing ample time for photography.

Day 9: Meeting with a local knowledgeable guide, we will tour the town of Chamonix, learning more about its intriguing history.

Day 10: After our hearty breakfast, we will bid “au revoir," pausing for last moments to enjoy the mountainous beauty that surrounds us before continuing our travels.

Getting There

The trip begins and ends in Chamonix, France. The nearest airport is in Geneva, Switzerland, about 1 1/2 hours away by shuttle van. Geneva is a major airport and can easily be reached by flights from the U.S. or hub airports in Europe. Details for the shuttle or taxis between Geneva airport and Chamonix will be sent to approved participants, but you are responsible for your own travel arrangement. Please do not purchase non-refundable travel arrangements until you have been approved by the trip leader.

Please make sure that your passport has four empty pages for immigration stamps, and is valid for at least six months past the end of the trip -- a requirement of many countries. You are responsible for having your own passport and obtaining any necessary visas or other travel papers. Trip cancelation/interruption insurance is strongly recommended. Sierra Club now includes some medical evacuation insurance in the trip price; details will be sent to participants. The leader will send out newsletters with additional travel information and ideas of things to do in the area before and after the trip. You are encouraged to arrive at least a day or two early to help overcome jetlag before we begin hiking. It would also help should your luggage be delayed in arriving.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We stay in a small family-run hotel in Chamonix. Our accommodations will be double rooms with bath. The leader will arrange roommates of the same gender for single travelers.

Our lodging in Chamonix provides a hearty breakfast of local cheeses, bread, fruit, and homemade yogurts. Our dinners will be taken at a variety of local restaurants; one dinner will be on your own and the rest are included in the trip price. Water is always available; other beverages are at individual expense.

Expect both hearty and tasty French food, with specialties of the region (Savoie) featured. Vegetarian dishes are available, although vegan cuisine is hard to come by. If you have dietary restrictions, please discuss this with the leader before signing up for this trip.

On most days, we will carry our lunches and have a group picnic, ideally with a view! Sometimes the leaders will ask for volunteers who enjoy grocery shopping in a new locale to help purchase our picnic supplies. Ah, the mustards, the cheeses, the bread, the chocolate… 

Trip Difficulty

‘Easy Hiking Chamonix’ is designed for those who enjoy hiking in an historic and beautiful area, as well as learning about and experiencing the culture of mountainous France. We plan to walk four to six hours a day, at a leisurely pace, with time for photos and general enjoyment of the area. These are moderate hikes, mainly on rocky, well-defined trails. Elevation gain/loss varies from about 500 to 1,500 feet. Our longest walk will be about six miles. You will be carrying lunch items, water, raingear, an extra polar fleece, and your choice of cameras, binoculars, or other equipment that helps you enjoy the day.

Preparing for this trip is best done with a regular exercise schedule; including day hikes in hilly terrain with altitude gain and loss, especially at elevation. While the Chamonix Valley is at 3,500 feet elevation, our travel at times will be higher but still below that of the summit of massive Mont Blanc (“White Mountain”) at 15,774 feet. Participants should be comfortable at altitudes of 3,500 feet and higher.

It's likely that the temperature during the day will be in the 60s, however it can get much warmer or colder. Rain is always a possibility; be sure your raingear is in good condition. Snow is also possible. There will be a noticeable drop in temperature when the sun sets. If the weather is inclement, our plans will change, as safety is always our highest priority.

Equipment and Clothing

Medium-weight well-broken-in boots, a day pack (with room for community lunch items, adding about two lbs. to your pack), water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and hiking poles are all essential. Rain gear and extra warmth clothing are also essential. A detailed list of equipment will be sent to participants.

References

Websites:

• http://www.chamonix.com/welcome,0,en.html

Maps:

• Institut Geographique National, 3531-ET and 3630-OT, 1:25,000 topo, available in Chamonix or at http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/france1.htm#p12
• Didier Richard, Pays du Mont Blanc, 1:50,000 topo; available in Chamonix

Books:

• Carles, Emile, A Life Of Her Own. Penguin Books. This autobiography describes turn-of-century peasant life in the region and the transformation of a peasant woman born into the rigidly conservative patriarchal world of the high Alps.

Conservation

Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers, aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward understanding parallel environmental concerns at home and abroad. On this outing, we will use the efficient public transportation available. We will also come to better understand French conservation policies and how the Chamonix area has been preserved over the centuries. As with all of the world's mountainous areas, Chamonix is experiencing the challenges of increased tourism. This area began with winter-oriented skiers; now it also attracts many summer visitors.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.