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Mer de Glace

Glacier

Contributors:

9

Our Rating

Exceptional

The Mer de Glace and the Montenvers mountain train are one of the main attractions of the Chamonix Valley. The Mer de Glace, or Sea of Ice, is a gigantic glacier moving at a pace of around 120 meters per year. One of the main attractions of the Mer de Glace is the Grotte de la Mer de Glace. This is a large man-made ice cave with carvings, statues and light effects. This is a very unique experience that should not be missed. There aren't many places in the world where you can enter into a glacier after all. 


In winter, the Mer de Glace is part of the very famous Vallee Blanche skiing route starting off at the Aiguille du Midi and ending at the bottom of the Mer de Glace. Unfortunately, with global warming, the glacier is retreating at a rapid pace. Markings on the rock walls on the side of the glacier show the level that the glacier used to be in years past. It is shocking how fast the level is getting lower and lower and the ice cave and its entrance have had to be moved lower and lower as well as a consequence. 


The Montenvers mountain train gives easy access to the Mer de Glace. From there is easy to continue onward and do one of the most popular trails in Chamonix: the Grand Balcon Nord to Plan de l'Aiguille. If you don't want to take the train then the Montenvers mountain station and the Mer de Glace can be reached using a trail from Chamonix

Nearest town to this point of interest

Nearest Town

Chamonix

Altitude of this point of interest

Altitude

1650m

Capacity for this point of interest
Accommodation Type
Phone number for this point of interest
Website for this point of interest

Capacity

Accommodation

Phone

Website

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Linked Trails & Points of Interest

These are the trails and points of interests linked to this glacier.

Chamonix Montenvers Loop

7

Our Rating

Good

Loop Trail:

View on Map

This trail takes you to Montenvers via de Buvette des Mottets and then down via de Buvette Caillet. A nice way to get up to Montenvers if you don't want to use the train

Trail Length

Length

11.34km

When is the best time to go on this trail

When to Go

Start Jun - Mid Oct

How long does it take to hike this trail

Hiking Time

4.0 - 6.0 Hours

Elevation gain and loss for this trail

Elevation +

+855m / -855m

How old do kids have to be to go on this trail

Kids

12+ Years old

How long does it take to run this trail

Running Time

2.0 - 3.5 Hours

The technical difficulty level of this trail

Technical Difficulty

Moderate (3/5)

Are dogs allowed on this trail

Dogs

Dogs Allowed

Nearest Town to this Trail

Nearest Town

Chamonix

Grand Balcon Nord - Montenvers to Plan Aiguille

9

Our Rating

Exceptional

Trail:

View on Map

Perhaps the most popular route in the Chamonix Valley taking you from the Montenvers station and the Mer de Glace over the Balcon Nord past the Lac Bleu to the Plan l'Aiguille lift station.

Trail Length

Length

8.17km

When is the best time to go on this trail

When to Go

Mid Jun - End Sep

How long does it take to hike this trail

Hiking Time

2.0 - 4.0 Hours

Elevation gain and loss for this trail

Elevation +

+614m / -231m

How old do kids have to be to go on this trail

Kids

7+ Years old

How long does it take to run this trail

Running Time

1.0 - 1.5 Hours

The technical difficulty level of this trail

Technical Difficulty

Easy (2/5)

Are dogs allowed on this trail

Dogs

No Dogs

Nearest Town to this Trail

Nearest Town

Chamonix

Grotte de Glace

10

Nearest Town

The Best

Ice Cave

Spectacular ice cave cut out in the Mer de Glace glacier

Nearest town to this point of interest

Nearest Town

Chamonix

The altitude of this point of interest

Altitude

1780m

View on Map
Chalet de Caillet

8

Nearest Town

Very Good

Snack Bar

Small Buvette halfway up to Montenvers which also offers dome accommodation

Nearest town to this point of interest

Nearest Town

Chamonix

The altitude of this point of interest

Altitude

1596m

View on Map
Buvette des Mottets

8

Nearest Town

Very Good

Refuge

Mountain refuge on the way up to Montenvers offering unique bubble tent accomodation

Nearest town to this point of interest

Nearest Town

Chamonix

The altitude of this point of interest

Altitude

1638m

View on Map

Location & Map

Below you will the location of this point of interest on the map. You can click the button to show the nearby trails and points of interests that are listed above on the same map. Another option is to visit our complete interactive map that shows everything that is listed on our website.

Longitude:

6.9232593485085046

Latitude:

45.93197614713803

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