Chamonix Walking Holidays
Explore Chamonix, a charming resort town that blends tranquillity with thrill
Witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps
Discover the tranquil charm of Lac Blanc and Lac Cornu, nestled amidst rugged peaks
Tread along sections of the famed Tour du Mont Blanc, soaking in panoramic vistas
Challenge yourself with the Aiguillette des Posettes hike, a trail that rewards you with stunning views
Ascend to the 3,842-metre-high Aiguille du Midi with the Téléphérique de l’Aiguille du Midi cable car
Itinerary
Welcome to Chamonix, the picturesque resort town nestled in the heart of the French Alps. As you arrive, the majestic peaks of the Mont Blanc Massif will greet you, setting the stage for your walking holiday. Spend the day acclimatizing to the alpine environment, exploring the charming streets lined with quaint cafes and shops, and soaking in the vibrant mountain culture that makes Chamonix a world-renowned destination.
Hotel in Chamonix
Awake to the fresh mountain air and prepare for your first hike to the stunning Lac Blanc. As you ascend from the Flégère cable car station, you’ll traverse through lush alpine meadows, with the Mont Blanc Massif serving as your backdrop. The trail will lead you to the serene Lac Blanc, where you can admire the emerald waters in the hut nearby. The sight of the crystal-clear lake reflecting the snow-capped peaks is a memory you’ll cherish forever. On the route back, you’ll take the longer way around and descend past Lac Cheserys before circling back to the upper Flégère cable car station.
8.5 km; 600 m of elevation gain/loss
Hotel in Chamonix
Today’s adventure takes you to Lac Cornu, a hidden gem nestled high in the mountains. The trail, starting from the Planpraz cable car station, winds through rugged terrain, offering panoramic views of the Chamonix valley. The sight of Lac Cornu, a pristine alpine lake cradled by jagged peaks, is a reward worth the challenging hike. Cap off the day with a cable car ride to the top of Brevent, where the sunset paints the sky in hues of orange and pink.
7 km; 560 m of elevation gain/loss
Hotel in Chamonix
Enjoy a leisurely day in Chamonix. Take the Aiguille du Midi cable car and ascend to dizzying heights, where you can marvel at the panoramic views of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. There are also several restaurants, a gift shop, and a museum. Back in town, explore the local markets, savour the regional cuisine, or simply relax in a café and watch the world go by. This day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
Hotel in Chamonix
Your journey continues with a train ride to Montroc, the starting point for the circular hike to L’Aiguillette des Posettes. The trail, though challenging, offers fabulous views over the Chamonix and Vallorcine valleys. As you reach the summit, you’ll be greeted by a panorama of Mont Blanc, Le Tour Glacier, Le Buet, and Les Perrons. The sight of the setting sun casting a golden glow on the peaks is a fitting end to your last hike.
10 km; 800 m of elevation gain/loss
Hotel in Chamonix
As your walking holiday comes to an end, take one last stroll through the streets of Chamonix, soaking in the sights and sounds of this alpine paradise. As you depart, the memories of the stunning vistas, exhilarating hikes, and tranquil beauty of the French Alps will remain etched in your heart, beckoning you to return.
Pricing
Included in price
5 nights in a 3/4* hotel in Chamonix with breakfast included
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your hike
Tourist tax
Optional Extras
Description
You’re standing at the edge of a crystal-clear alpine lake, the cool mountain breeze rustling through your hair, the majestic peaks of Mont Blanc mirrored in the tranquil waters. It’s not a dream, but a journey waiting to unfold, a journey that promises to etch unforgettable memories into the canvas of your heart.
Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, Chamonix is a charming resort town that serves as your base for this adventure. Here, the air is crisp, the vistas breathtaking, and the vibe is a harmonious blend of tranquillity and thrill. As you explore the town, you’ll be greeted by the sight of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, standing tall against the azure sky.
The serene Lac Blanc and Lac Cornu, cradled by rugged mountain slopes, offer a tranquil retreat, their beauty amplified by the reflection of the surrounding peaks. And then there’s the Aiguillette des Posettes, a summit that rewards you with panoramic views of the Chamonix and Vallorcine valleys.
This walking holiday is not for the faint-hearted. The hikes are demanding, requiring a decent level of physical fitness and hiking experience. Though well-trodden and well-marked, the paths wind through rugged terrain and ascend steep inclines.
But fear not, for they are shortened by scenic cable car rides, and the stunning vistas that greet you at every turn make every step worth the effort. You will even tread along sections of the famed Tour du Mont Blanc.
At Walking Holidays France, we take care of all the logistics, from booking your accommodations to providing a detailed day-by-day itinerary and a user-friendly GPS navigation app. We also include local recommendations in our self-guided handouts to ensure you experience the best of Chamonix.
Our goal is to ensure that all you need to worry about is lacing up your hiking boots and immersing yourself in the beauty of the French Alps.
If the mountains are calling, it’s time to answer. Lace up your boots, pack your spirit of adventure, and join us on this unforgettable journey. After all, life is too short for ordinary holidays. Let’s make it extraordinary, one step at a time.
Map
Start planning today!
Things to know
The weather in the mountains is very changeable. Even if it is +25°C in the valley, it much colder on the mountain passes, especially if cloudy and windy. That’s why you should take clothing in layers, along with with a windproof and waterproof jacket (could be two), and waterproof trousers (in case of rain). You should also have a separate set of clothes for chilling in the refuges.
Check out our full packing list here.
Even though the views on the Tour du Mont Blanc are scenic and wild, the trail itself never goes more than a day of hiking away from the nearest road or civilization. In case you decide to stop hiking, you can always get to the nearest village or town, and use public transportation to get to your desired destination. If that happens during the hike, we are also here to help you plan this.
Should there be an emergency situation on the trail, you will always have access to the local rescue services on the number 112. We provide more information on that in our self-guided handouts.
Although it’s not the only one hikers decide to take, it is the best. The main advantage of that is that you’ll always have the view of the Mont Blanc massif in front, and not behind your back. There will also be fewer steep downhills (saving your knees) than otherwise.
Yes, but it is not recommended if they are too young (younger than 10). Either way, they need to have some previous experience with mountain hiking and know what it takes to complete a full day on the trail.
You should do it as early as possible because the spots at the accommodations along the trail usually run out fast. That means the longer you wait, the fewer options there are.
Yes, public transportation is available in most of the valleys, which can shorten some flat sections of the hike. Additionally, there are some cable cars that can take you up the mountains, reducing the amount of ascending you do on some stages.
Yes, but only through the valley. That means that it will be waiting for you at your next accommodation on the valley floor, be it a hotel or a chalet. If you are staying a night in between in a mountain hut, you have to take enough with you in the backpack to make it an extra day.
Some parts of the trail are exposed to thunder, so hiking them in that kind of weather is heavily unadvised. Still, you can make up for that lost time by taking public transportation when possible.
Most of them do not, which is why you should always have enough cash to pay for anything extra than what is included in our tours. Only one hut needs to be paid on the spot, of which we inform you in advance. Do not worry about the hotels and other private accommodations though — they mostly accept them. Still, it is recommended you always have some extra cash with you in case something goes wrong.
You’re going to be traveling through three countries — Italy and France use Euros (EUR) while Switzerland has Swiss Francs (CHF).
Some of them offer showers, but there might not be any hot water. In most, you need to buy a token to get a minute of hot water (if it didn’t run out already).
No. All of the huts have blankets, bedding, and pillows, but it’s nice to bring your own silk or cotton sleeping liner.
We can arrange it in the hotels and other accommodations in villages and towns along the way. As for the mountain huts, a rare few have that option, but it is usually the first one that is sold out, so you need to be really early if you want us to get it.
There isn’t in most of them. Enjoy the opportunity of disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature. But if you really need it, you can try to get some signal outside or wait until coming back to the valley. There, you should have no problem getting to the internet.
Vegetarian meals are readily available in most accommodations. On the other hand, vegan options are harder to be found, especially in the huts. But if you tell us enough in advance, we’ll contact the huts for you and try to accommodate you to the best of our abilities.