Chamonix Mountain Adventures

A guidebook to mountain activities in and near Chamonix in the French Alps. Walking, trekking, mountaineering including Cosmiques Arete and Mont Blanc, mountain biking, road cycling, via ferratas, rock climbing and bouldering routes, with clear advice for novices, and suggested levels of expertise required. Ideal for multi-activity holidays.

This guidebook shows the vast range of activities available in the mountains surrounding Chamonix. With routes for several different pursuits including walking, trail running, mountain biking, road cycling, via ferratas, rock climbing, mountaineering and bouldering, it is a comprehensive collection of everything this popular region has to offer.All the routes and activities range in difficulty, from easy strolls for all abilities to moderate rock climbs and glacier hikes, which require either technical skills or a professional guide. Families, groups of friends and mountaineers looking for a 'rest day' or a change to what they're used to will all find something to whet their appetites here.Chamonix has long been a dream destination for mountain adventures and its environment is ideal for such a varied list of activities. This guide allows you to enjoy its spectacular views and renowned summits in many different ways or by mixing and matching your favourites.

Map keyMap of walks and Alpine mountaineering routesMap of trail running, road biking and mountain biking routesMap of rock climbing, bouldering and via ferrata routesChamonix town mapIntroductionThe regionGlaciersFlowers and animalsHow it all startedMountain adventuresOther activitiesWhen to goGetting there and getting aroundAccommodationTourist informationLanguageHealth and safetyUsing this guide1 WalksClassic WalksRoute 1 Mont JolyRoute 2 Le PrarionRoute 3 Aiguillette des HouchesRoute 4 Montagne de la CteRoute 5 Lac Cornu and Lacs NoirsRoute 6 Plan de l'Aiguille to MontenversRoute 7 Grand Balcon Sud: La Flégère to PlanprazRoute 8 Aiguillette des PosettesRoute 9 Lac Blanc from the Col des MontetsRoute 10 Mont Buet by the Normal RouteFamily WalksRoute 1 Lac des IlettesRoute 2 Lacs JovetRoute 3 Chalets Miage and TrucRoute 4 CharousseRoute 5 Lac du BréventRoute 6 Argentière via the Paradis des PrazRoute 7 Le ChapeauRoute 8 Montroc-Col des Montets-VallorcineRoute 9 Bérard valley and Sur le RocherRoute 10 Dinosaur tracksHut WalksRoute 1 Refuge de PlatéRoute 2 Refuge de Tré-la-TêteRoute 3 Refuge Mode d'AnterneRoute 4 Refuge Bel LachatRoute 5 Refuge du Lac BlancRoute 6 Refuge Albert PremierRoute 7 Refuge de la Pierre à BérardRoute 8 Refuge de LoriazAdventure WalksRoute 1 Pointe PercéeRoute 2 The Dérochoir and Désert de PlatéRoute 3 Aiguille du BelvédèreRoute 4 Mer de Glace Balcony TrailRoute 5 Tré-les-Eaux CircuitRoute 6 Loriaz to EmossonRoute 7 Mont Buet by the North RidgeRoute 8 Cheval BlancTrail Running2 Alpine MountaineeringRoute 1 Champex to Le TourRoute 2 Grand Montets to LognanRoute 3 Aiguille du Midi to HelbronnerRoute 4 Petite Aiguille VerteRoute 5 Aiguille CrochuesRoute 6 Aiguille du TourRoute 7 The Cosmiques ArêteRoute 8 Mont Blanc3 Mountain BikingRoute 1 Les Contamines: Truc Miage circuitRoute 2 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains: Prarion circuitRoute 3 Pipeline descent: Saint-Gervais to Le FayetRoute 4 Tour des AyèresRoute 5 Promenade de l'ArveRoute 6 Petit Balcon Nord: Chamonix to Le TourRoute 7 Montroc to Chamonix along the ArveRoute 8 Col des Montets to the chocolate shopsRoute 9 Vallorcine-Col des Posettes-Le Tour-MontrocRoute 10 Vallorcine to MartignyDescents and airtime4 Road BikingRoute 1 Chamonix to SallanchesRoute 2 Col des MontetsRoute 3 Emosson LakeRoute 4 Col de la ForclazRides outside of the Chamonix valley5 Rock Climbing and BoulderingRock climbingArea 1 Les GaillandsArea 2 The IndexArea 3 La JouxArea 4 Les ChéserysArea 5 Aiguillette d'ArgentièreArea 6 Vallorcine Slab (Rocher de la Saix)Area 7 BarberineBoulderingArea 1 Col des MontetsArea 2 Pierre d'OrthazArea 3 Les BossonsArea 4 Le CoupeauArea 5 Le Médonnet6 Via FerratasRoute 1 Le Mont, Sixt-Fer-à-ChevalRoute 2 La Curalla, PassyOther routes in the Haute Savoie regionRoute 3 La Yves Pollet Villard, La ClusazRoute 4 La Roche à l'Agathe, ThnesAppendix A Useful contactsAppendix B Useful French words and phrasesAppendix C Further readingAppendix D Glacier travel and rescue techniques