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Chamonix Trails with Big Spectacular Views

Big Mountains, Big Views! Many people come to Chamonix because it has the Mont Blanc and some of the highest peaks in Western Europe. The trails we list here have been hand picked for reaching View Points, Cols and Summits in and around Chamonix that provide spectacular views. We present two ways of findings these trails. Below we feature some pictures with nice big Views. If you see one you like, then click on it and it will show you where the picture was taken and which trails pass by that location.

Trails with Great Views in and around Chamonix

It is not hard to find amazing views in Chamonix. In fact the views from the Chamonix town center are already pretty breathtaking with the glaciers and the snow covered peaks all around you. The views get even much better once you gain some altitude and reach some of the plateaus around the valley floor. To appreciate Mont Blanc it is sometimes better to gain some more distance from it and see it from the peaks outside of the Chamonix valley. On this page we are featuring trails that we feel give the best views. Often these trails reach summits, ridges and/or cols that open up an amazing view of the mountains around you. We hand-picked these trails and we hope you will have a great time enjoying them.

Merlet to Bellachat and Aiguillette des Houches
Map Preview

Spectacular views on this one! The walk over the crest from Bellachat to Aiguillette des Houches is absolutely spectacular. Merlet makes for the easiest access without lifts.

Length

10.49km / 6.79mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Les Houches

Park Merlet

Loop

Elevation +

1005m / 3297ft

Elevation -

1005m / 3297ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

3-5 Hours

2-3.5 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Refuge, Big Views

Loriaz to Mont Buet via Cheval Blanc
Map Preview

A challenging route that takes you to the summit of Mont Buet at 3096m passing by the Refuge de Loriaz, the Col de la Terrasse and the Cheval Blanc

Length

23.31km / 14.48mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Vallorcine

Le Buet Train Station

Loop

Elevation +

2048m / 6719ft

Elevation -

2048m / 6719ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

8-13 Hours

5-8 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Lake, Snack Bar, Refuge, Big Views

Bellevue to Les Contamines via Tricot
Map Preview

Fantastic route with so much to offer and a great diversity of scenery and views. This trail can be done with children as long as they can handle the significant amount of downhill.

Length

10.99km / 6.82mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Les Houches

Bellevue Lift Station

With Lift

Elevation +

651m / 2135ft

Elevation -

1278m / 4192ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

3.5-6 Hours

2-3 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Family Friendly, Snack Bar, Big Views, Glacier, Refuge, With Lift

Index to Lac Blanc with Lifts
Map Preview

The easiest way to reach Lac Blanc using the Flegere and Index lifts and then travers to the Lac Blanc before heading back to Flegere. A Family friendly way of visiting Lac Blanc

Length

6.21km / 3.85mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Argentiere

Index Lift Station

With Lift

Elevation +

178m / 583ft

Elevation -

667m / 2188ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

2-3 Hours

1-2 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Big Views, Lake, Family Friendly, Refuge, Snack Bar, With Lift

Vallorcine to Loriaz and Lac Emosson
Map Preview

A beautiful loop in the Montagne de Loriaz and the Montagne de Barberine taking you from Vallorcine to the Refuge de Loriaz and then traversing to the big Lac d'Emosson lake.

Length

13.25km / 8.23mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Vallorcine

Vallorcine Train Station

Loop

Elevation +

1022m / 3353ft

Elevation -

1022m / 3353ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

4-6 Hours

2.5-4 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Refuge, Big Views, Lake, Dogs

Grand Balcon Sud - Flegere to Planpraz
Map Preview

Beautiful family friendly trail at 2000 meters of altitude with amazing views of Mont Blanc with easy access thanks to the Flegere and Planpraz Gondolas.

Length

5.64km / 3.50mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Chamonix

Flegere Gondola

With Lift

Elevation +

314m / 1030ft

Elevation -

191m / 626ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

1.5-2 hours

45-75 Mins

Beauty

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Tags

Big Views, Family Friendly, Snack Bar, With Lift

Lac Blanc to  Lacs Noirs and Lac Cornu
Map Preview

A tough but beautiful trail that takes you from the Col des Montets upto Lac Blanc and from there you traverse the Aiguilles Rouges and visit Lacs Noirs and Lac Cornu

Length

16.45km / 10.22mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Le Tour

Col des Montets

With Lift

Elevation +

1552m / 5091ft

Elevation -

1011m / 3320ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

7-12 Hours

4-6 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Refuge, Snack Bar, Lake, Big Views, With Lift

Col des Annes to Pointe Percee
Map Preview

A bit far from Chamonix and not easy to get to but I had to explore this iconic rock peak towering above Sallanches that you pass by on your way to the Chamonix Valley

Length

9.48km / 6.11mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Sallanches

Col des Annes

Point to point

Elevation +

1038m / 3405ft

Elevation -

1038m / 3405ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

4-8 Hours

3-5 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Refuge, Big Views

Le Buet to Servoz via Pormenaz
Map Preview

An amazing route that takes you deep into the nature reserve of Passy and the Vallon de Berard. There are no towns or paved roads in these valleys so its a pure natural experience.

Length

25.66km / 15.94mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Vallorcine

Le Buet Train Station

Point to point

Elevation +

1489m / 4885ft

Elevation -

2105m / 6909ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

7-11 Hours

4-6 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Refuge, Snack Bar, Lake, Big Views, Waterfall

Bellevue to Mont Lachat Loop
Map Preview

This is a short route starting at the top of the Bellevue lift and traversing Mont Lachat till you reach its summit. Nice views of the entire Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc

Length

3.88km / 2.41mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Les Houches

Bellevue Lift Station

With Lift

Elevation +

311m / 1020ft

Elevation -

311m / 1020ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

1.5-2.5 Hours

45-75 Mins

Beauty

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Tags

Snack Bar, Big Views, Family Friendly, Dogs, With Lift

Tour des Fiz
Map Preview

A well-known classic route for exploring the Fiz mountain range. The trail offers a nice variation in scenery with great views of the Mont Blanc and multiple valleys and well-known peaks.

Length

31.5km / 19.5mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Servoz

Plaine Joux (Passy)

Loop

Elevation +

2076m / 6811ft

Elevation -

2076m / 6811ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

9-14 Hours

5-7 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Lake, Refuge, Snack Bar, Big Views, Waterfall

La Jonction
Map Preview

One of the classic routes in Chamonix which takes you to the junction where the glaciers of Bosson and Taconnaz split. Fantasic up-close views of Mont Blanc

Length

14.98km / 9.30mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Chamonix

Les Bossons

Out and Back

Elevation +

1561m / 5121ft

Elevation -

1561m / 5121ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

7-9 Hours

3-5 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Snack Bar, Big Views, Glacier

Argentiere Glacier and Refuge Lognan
Map Preview

A wonderful exploration trail getting up close with the Glacier d'Argentiere and a visit to the Chalet Refuge de Lognan. Amazing views and a spectacular glacier.

Length

6.3km / 3.91m

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Argentiere

Plan Joran Lift

Loop

Elevation +

474m / 1555ft

Elevation -

474m / 1555ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

2-3 Hours

1.25-2 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Refuge, Glacier, Dogs, Big Views, With Lift

Le Tour to Refuge Albert 1er
Map Preview

This route takes you from the village of Le Tour to the high altitude refuge Albert 1er, right next to the Glacier du Tour

Length

9.31km / 5.78mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Le Tour

Le Tour

Out and back

Elevation +

862m / 2828ft

Elevation -

862m / 2828ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

3-5 Hours

1.5-2.5 Hours

Beauty

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Tags

Refuge, Glacier, Big Views, With Lift

Montagne de Peclerey
Map Preview

A little off the beaten track with nice views and towards both sides of the valley. Trail starts and ends at Le Planet near Argentiere.

Length

7.54km / 4.68mi

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Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

Argentiere

Le Planet

Loop

Elevation +

612m / 2007ft

Elevation -

612m / 2007ft

Technical 

Hike Duration

Run Duration

2-3 Hours

1.5-2 Hours

Beauty

Tags.png

Tags

Big Views, Glacier

The Best Trails in Chamonix in other categories

We have many other categories for our selection of the best hiking and trail running trails in Chamonix. Just like this list, all these categories feature hand-picked trails which we feel are the best for that specific category. Have a look at any of these to find your perfect trail.

Lastly, we also have a page that showcases all the trails in our database in text format. This enables you to quickly compare trails and order them by length, elevation gain, name and starting point.

Got something to add?

We got started in the spring of 2023 and we are working hard on making this site as complete and accurate as possible. We need your help! If you got anything you would like to add then please reach out to us.

Chamonix360 is a not a company or a commercial organization. The site is managed by a group of trail enthusiasts in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

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