Mountain Adventure Holidays
A holiday spent hiking the best trails in Chamonix Valley. Spectacular scenery of snowy peaks, glaciers and granite spires. Chamonix is the mountaineering capital of the world, and home to Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak. Experience a journey of discovery on foot which takes in the history, culture, folklore and wildlife of the mountains. From remote farms and refuges, to ancient Roman towns and beautiful lakeside mountain villages - it's all here!
Our 5 day Chamonix walking break is designed for those wishing to explore those 'must do' Chamonix classic trails but at a pace that means you can also relax and be on holiday. Situated in the heart of the French Alps, sharing borders with both Italy and Switzerland, Chamonix has hiking trails for every level. The walks start within easy access of your accommodation visiting a different part of the valley each day.
Your trip starts in the world famous mountain town of Chamonix, in France. Chamonix has a rich history as a climbing and hiking destination having attracted mountain lovers for many centuries. It is perhaps most famous for its incredible mountain views of glaciers and summits which are dominated by the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc which today sits at 4810m (15,777ft). This evening your guide will meet your hotel at approximately 1830 hrs, here they can answer questions and brief you on the days ahead.
We start your trip with a morning journey on the historic Mont Blanc Express train to the village of Argentiere. For over a century the Mont Blanc Express has transported visitors between this part of France and nearby Switzerland. Today's hike is a great introduction to Chamonix Valley exploring the balcony trails along the Petit Balcon Nord and Sud. These trails date back to the Victorian era when tourists hiking across the mountainsides while enjoying the stunning views, hence the term Balcony trail.
Facing each side of the valley these paths wind through the pine forests and hamlets along the River Arve making only short climbs and descents en route. Enjoy excellent views of the Mont Blanc Massif from the sleepy village of Le Lavancher with its traditional chalets. You will feel the grandeur of the peaks as you pass the mighty Aiguille Verte, Drus and Aiguille Rouge whose summits line either side of the valley. Once we arrive back in Chamonix we will discover the history of this world famous town with a visit to the Alpine Museum. Learn about the first 'tourists' who visited the mountains and glaciers for science, through to the Golden Age of Mountaineering and the famous climbers who conquered the summits.
Distance: 15km (9.3 miles). Ascent: 350m (1,148ft). Descent: 400m (1,312ft). Walking time: 4-5 hrs
The hike to Lac Blanc is one of the most famous walks in the French Alps and should be on every hiker’s bucket list. The area is also home to the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve with its landscape of granite cliffs, wildlife, and glacial lakes. Our route begins at the Flégère cable car where we take advantage of a two stage ride up to our trail start. It's always wonderful to gain height with a little help! Our route is along a pleasant balcony trail high above the tree line which gives us impressive views along the Chamonix Valley. After a few hours of photos, snack stops and awe inspiring views we will reach Lac Blanc at 2352m (1470ft). Voted on numerous occasions as one of the top 10 hikes in the world and there is no wonder why! From here the views of the glaciers and mountains are simply incredible. We plan to have our picnic lunch at Lac Blanc by a mountain restaurant where you can try the local blueberry tart. There are a number of trails we can take to descend back to the Flégère cable car where we are always happy to accept the ride back to the valley floor to save our knees.
Distance: 10 - 12km (6 - 7.5 miles) Ascent: 310m (1016ft) Descent: 400m (1,312ft) Walking time: 4-5hrs
This is yet another brilliant day for Mont Blanc views. Our destination is one of the best places in the Chamonix Valley to capture images of the glaciers and peaks. We will take a taxi to the quaint hamlet of Le Bettey, with its traditional chalets and farms, and then begin our climb through the larch trees. The forest trail winds steadily uphill, passing ancient wooden chalets and offering up the aroma of wood smoke. We are in no rush, and we will take time to check out the views, and take photos. Eventually we arrive above the tree line and cross the summer pasturelands to the old Chalets de Chailloux 1923m (6309ft), a fabulous vantage point where sheep flocks graze in the summer. If we are lucky there will be a Buvette, a rustic mountain cafe, where you can enjoy a cold drink and the local tarte aux myrtilles. Although that depends on whether the 'staff' have made the hike up the mountain on that day!
Distance: 8.5km (5.3 miles). Ascent: 609m (1997ft) Descent: 598 m (1964ft). Walking time 4-5 hrs
Today's classic trail starts from Chamonix town centre. We begin with a ride on the two stage cable-car to visit the famous rocky spire of the Aiguille du Midi. The cable-car is an amazing feat of engineering. It is not only one of the longest and highest 'single cable' lifts in the world, but also offers unsurpassable 360 degree panoramic views of Mont Blanc. the Chamonix Valley, Switzerland and into Italy. We will ascend to the dizzy height of 3842m (12604ft), and when we arrive at the summit station you are free to wander around exhibitions, view the Vallée Blanche glacier and the surrounding peaks which are truly stunning. On a clear day it is possible to see the famous Matterhorn mountain, in Switzerland, from this amazing location. When we are ready to leave the summit station we will descend back down to the Refuge Plan d'Aiguilles at 2200m (7217ft) where we can enjoy a morning coffee while enjoying excellent views of the Chamonix Valley.
From the refuge we join the Grand Balcon Nord, a high balcony trail, and begin our hike. The walk is an undulating path beneath the massive granite rock spires. This trail traverses for 6.5 kilometres (4 miles) to reach Signal Forbes a viewpoint at 2198m (7211ft) of the iconic Aiguille du Drus and the largest glacier in France, the Mer de Glace. To descend we use the historic rack and pinion Montenvers Train. The train, which is a twenty-five minutes ride, follows the route of the old mule track to reach the valley floor.
Distance: 10km (6.2 miles) Ascent: 300m (984ft). Descent: 250m (820ft). Walking time: 3-3.5 hrs, but the trip will take most of the day.
The destination of our last walk is Refuge de Loriaz, a meadow situated at 2020m (6627ft). Loriaz is a collection of ancient farm buildings offering overnight stays and delicious traditional cuisine. We use the Mont Blanc Express to travel to Vallorcine and the 'valley of bears'. In the Middle Ages bears were such a common feature of the local nature, that the people paid their taxes in bear meat. Sadly there are no longer any bears in the region, but it's here that we start our hike up to Refuge de Loriaz and its alpage. An 'alpage' is a mountain meadow where animals graze in the summer months.
This circular route climbs and descends all on good trails, never feeling too steep. Starting through the pine forest gaps in the trees offer glimpses of the Aiguillette des Posettes opposite. As we reach the treeline the trail opens up to the high pastures where the spring flowers, bees and butterflies are in abundance. A 'cross' leads the way and signals that we are close to the farm buildings. This peaceful alpine setting is the perfect place reflect on an excellent week of walking in the Chamonix Valley. A traditional shepherds lunch at the Refuge is included in your trip fee.
Distance: 7.5km (4.6miles). Ascent: 600m (1968ft) Descent: 600m (1968ft). Walking time: 4-5hrs.
Today is departure day. Your trip ends after breakfast.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
The 3* Hotel Aiguille du Midi, is a traditional French mountain hotel perfectly situated at the foot of the famous Glacier des Bossons with stunning views to the mountain. The hotel, which has been run by the same family for five generations, is within easy reach of the centre of Chamonix with a bus and train stop just a few minutes away. The hotel has forty traditionally decorated rooms which reflect the alpine style. It has a spa area with jacuzzi and sauna, and in summer an outdoor heated pool in the garden grounds with a lovely terrace area to enjoy a drink while watching the mountains.
It includes a 3 course Dinner, Lunches, Bed and Breakfast and meals can be adapted to suit any dietary requirement. The hotel offers a spacious living and dining area, free wi-fi, spa facilities, massage room and garden with pool boasting wonderful views of Mont Blanc. Massages are available and can be arranged through your coaches and hotel reception.
Chamonix, France is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
If travelling by train we recommend booking through RailEurope or Trainline. The most direct route is taking the Eurostar to Gare de Nord and then use the TGV system via Gare de Lyon, Bellegarde Sur Valserine, St Gervais le Bains and finally to Chamonix Mont Blanc.
For coach travel we recommend using Flixbus. For more information on travelling by public transport, please see our travel blog.
If travelling by plane, Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1h15 by road which makes shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange.
A range of travel options to reach the Chamonix valley can be found on the Chamonix Tourist Office website.
Reaching Chamonix from Geneva airport is straightforward with many transfer companies operating this route throughout the day. Either consider a scheduled bus which will drop you at Chamonix Sud Bus Station, such as easybus.com, or use a private transfer company such as Haute Transfer, or Mountain Drop-Offs which will drop you at your accommodation. If booking with Mountain Drop-Offs you receive a small discount on the route by using our company code of TAT01. This code only applies to transfers in ’normal’ working hours. It does not apply to early morning, or late evening transfers.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:
Mountain Rescue Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
COVID-19 Insurance
As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.
Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
When packing for a hiking trip in the mountains it's important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. The single supplement for this trip is £340.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the countries that they work in.
Note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you will find that those listed below cover your itinerary:
IGN 3630 OT: Chamonix Massif du Mont Blanc 1:25,000
Or
IGN 89025: Tour du Mont Blanc 1:50,000
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card.
On many of our walks we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
We encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for traditional food.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance which will make you ill then the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you are vegetarian his is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet contact us.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
Due to rising temperatures in the summer months some mountain huts are having to restrict water usage. Which may mean that you are unable to shower in some mountain refuges.
At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway and Switzerland. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Sat 15 Jun - Fri 21 Jun Code: MBW1 |
Price: £1395 | Limited availability | Book |
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Sat 29 Jun - Fri 05 Jul Code: MBW2 |
Price: £1395 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 10 Aug - Fri 16 Aug Code: MBW3 |
Price: £1395 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 31 Aug - Fri 06 Sep Code: MBW4 |
Price: £1395 | Spaces available | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 14 Jun - Fri 20 Jun Code: MBW1 |
Price: £1445 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 28 Jun - Fri 04 Jul Code: MBW2 |
Price: £1445 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 09 Aug - Fri 15 Aug Code: MBW3 |
Price: £1445 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 30 Aug - Fri 05 Sep Code: MBW4 |
Price: £1445 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1395 |
| Holiday Type | Low Impact |
| Duration | 7 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 3842m (12604ft) |
| Countries Visited | France |
| Meet In | Chamonix, France |
