Chamonix, France is the perfect place for all outdoor enthusiasts. Nestled in a stunning valley on the borders of Switzerland and Italy, the area is rich with outdoor activities like hiking, trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing, paragliding and even mountaineering. Chamonix is best known for its proximity to Mont Blanc (the tallest peak in the Alps at 4,808m/15,774 ft) and the infamous Tour du Mont Blanc backpacking trail. 

If you are up for a demanding physical challenge, then the Tour du Mont Blanc is definitely the best hike to do in the Chamonix area. However, if you don’t have 10 days to spare or prefer not to sleep in mountain hut bunk beds, then you’ve come to the right place! In this post, I’m going to highlight my favorite day hikes in the Chamonix area that will get you up to the best viewpoints and back to town to enjoy dinner and your comfy hotel beds. Before we dig into the hikes, I have a few helpful tips for your visit to Chamonix:

When is the best time to visit Chamonix for hiking?

The best time to visit Chamonix for hiking is between the months of June to September. While you run the slight risk of running into some late/early season snow in June and September, I personally think these are the two best months to visit to avoid some of the summer crowds while still enjoying good hiking weather. 

‍How to get to Chamonix?

The closest major airport to Chamonix is Geneva Airport (GVA). From Geneva Airport, you can catch a direct bus to downtown Chamonix. This is the fastest and cheapest way to get to Chamonix! When I visited in June 2024, the bus ticket only cost about €30. The alternative (and more expensive) way to get to Chamonix is by rental car. I would forgo this option unless you plan to road-trip to areas far outside of Chamonix. The Chamonix area has a great public transportation system that connects the nearby towns and allows easy access to all of the major hiking destinations and sites. 

Should you buy the Mont Blanc MultiPass?

Yes! Whether you plan to spend one day or a week in Chamonix, I highly recommend you get the MultiPass. You can purchase the pass for the exact amount of days you plan to stay in the area. The MultiPass gives you unlimited access to all of the major cable cars, mountain trains and public buses in the area. Whether you plan to hike or just ride the cable cars up to the peaks for the views, the pass will pay for itself in just a couple of rides. You can buy the pass online (https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/en/montblanc-multipass) or at the base of the Aiguille du Midi cable car. 

Do I need any special equipment for hiking in Chamonix?

If you plan to visit in the spring or fall, I recommend carrying a set of microspikes on your hikes in the higher alpine areas. If you don’t own a pair you can rent them from the gear shops in town for around €10/day. We ran into quite a bit of snow on our hikes in mid-June and were glad we had microspikes with us to prevent falls. Like on all hikes, also make sure you have plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks and clothing layers to keep you comfortable along the trail!

Now to the good stuff! Here are the best day hikes in Chamonix:

‍

Plan de I’Aiguille - Mer de Glace 

Distance: 5 mi  |  Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft  |  Avg. Time: 2h 30min  |  Trail Type: Linear

AllTrails Link: Plan de I'Aiguille - Mer de Glace

The Mer de Glace (glacier) is one of the most breathtaking sites in all of the Chamonix Valley, and this hike is the perfect way to see it! Begin the hike at the mid-station of the Aiguille du Midi cable car, called Plan de l'Aiguille. In order to ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car you must make a reservation. During peak summer season, the tickets can sell out several days in advance so best to reserve ahead of time! When you exit the cable car mid-station follow the signs towards the Refuge du Plan de l'Aiguille. The trail begins just past the refuge and leads you across the side of the mountain with only minor elevation gain. As you near Mer de Glace, the trail changes to a steep but short set of switchbacks that get you up to the main viewpoint overlooking the massive glacier! Definitely break out your snacks and spend some time taking in the stunning views up here. When you’re ready to head back down, continue along the trail to the Montenvers - Mer de Glace Train station where you can catch the picturesque cogwheel train back to town and save your knees from an extra 3000’ descent!

Extra Tip: Many trail maps will direct you to begin at the Montenvers station, but I recommend beginning at Plan de l'Aiguille above so you end your hike with the breathtaking views of the Mer de Glace!

‍

Lac Blanc via Grand Balcon Sud

Distance: 5.3 mi  |  Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft  |  Avg. Time: 3h 30min  |  Trail Type: Loop

AllTrails Link: Lac Blanc via Grand Balcon Sud

Beginning at the top of the La Flégère cable car, follow the trail signs for the Lac Blanc. The trail will lead you up the mountain and into the Lac Blanc valley along a consistently steep trail with several sets of switchbacks. If you visit in June or earlier, I recommend bringing a set of microspikes with you in case you encounter snow. We ran into a lot of snow in the higher alpine areas around the lake and refuge. Lac Blanc was actually almost entirely still frozen and covered with snow when we visited in late June 2024 so if you want to see the lake defrosted you should visit in later summer! Stop by the refuge for a refreshing beer or snack and take in the beautiful views of the lake. To return, follow the trail past the refuge, continuing in the direction you were hiking and follow the trail until you come to the crossroads sign that indicates the return to the La Flégère cable car.

Side note: While this hike can definitely be done as a day hike, to make it extra memorable, I highly recommend spending the night at the Lac Blanc Refuge. Spending a night in a mountain refuge is one of my favorite things to do in the Alps! It’s the perfect way to get a taste of the backpacking life without having to carry a ton of gear or spend days on the trail. There is something so magical about getting to watch the sunset and rise from a beautiful remote destination up in the mountains. The Lac Blanc Refuge requires a reservation in advance and typically fills up in peak summer season so make sure to book in advance on their website (https://refuge-lac-blanc.fr/en/home/). Also to save you some translation confusion, when you translate their overnight instructions it will say you need to bring a “meat sack” with you but it just means a sleeping bag liner! 

‍

Aiguillette des Posettes

Distance: 6 mi  |  Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft  |  Avg. Time: 4h  |  Trail Type: Loop

AllTrails Link: Aiguillette des Posettes

This hike is a bit further outside the main Chamonix valley compared to the others I’ve suggested in this article but it’s worth the bus ride! To access this hike, you’ll need to catch the Number 2 bus from downtown Chamonix in the direction of “Le Tour” and ride it to the final stop at the Le Tour Col de Balme cable car. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes and is free if you have the MultiPass. From here, you can either begin the hike from the base of the cable car or ride it up to cut out some of the major elevation gain. If you’re up for the workout, the hike up from the cable car base is through some beautiful alpine meadows that are very picturesque especially during the wildflower season in June. From the top of the cable car, follow the signs for “Aiguillette des Posettes”. The trail will take you through the beautiful alpine meadow before leading you up a rocky chute that will require a small bit of scrambling. When you reach the peak, again break out those trail snacks and take in the spectacular 360-degree views! Continue along the ridge trail that leads off of the summit and follow the signs for the Le Tour Col de Balme cable car. Again, you can opt to take the cable car down to cut off some elevation descent or you can hike all the way back down to the base. 

‍

Aiguille du Midi

While it’s not a hike, taking the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi is a can’t miss activity when in Chamonix, so I couldn’t leave it out of this guide! The Aiguille du Midi station is located at 12,605 ft (3,842 m) above sea level. The ride up to the peak is an event in itself as Aiguille du Midi holds the record for being the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world. While you definitely won’t be alone in this endeavor, the views are worth the crowds! On a clear day, you get stunning views of the Mont Blanc peak and the beautiful mountains surrounding it. I recommend making a reservation for the earliest ride up possible to avoid some of the crowds and to have a better chance of clear skies! This cable car is also where the MultiPass really helps to save you money. A single ride up and down costs around €80 without the MultiPass. 

I hope this guide helps to inspire your next adventure in Chamonix! It is truly a hiker’s dream location and I can’t wait to go back in the future to explore more.