Chamonix Montenvers Loop
7
Overall rating
Good
Length
11.34km
Elevation + / -
855m / 855m
Trail type
Loop
When to go
Start Jun - Mid Oct
Hike duration
4.0 - 6.0 Hours
Altitude Range
1064m / 1920m
Technical level
Moderate (3/5)
Natural beauty
Very Nice (4/5)
Run duration
2.0 - 3.5 Hours
Families
12+ Years old
Dogs
Dogs Allowed
Provision Sources
2 Snack Bars
Contributors:
This route is a great option if you want to reach Montenvers from Chamonix without using the Montenvers mountain train. The trail starts at Les Planards where you will find the luge and a little recreation park. From there its a pretty gentle hike up to the Buvette des Mottets where you can have a snack and a drink. This area is beautiful with nice rock formation and great views across the valley and towards the Aguille Vert. The hike up to Montenvers is beautiful with big boulders and pretty rough terrain. Once at Montenvers you can enjoy all the sights there: the Mer de Glace glacier with the Grotte de Glace ice cave, the Montenvers hotel, restaurant and snack bar and the spectacular views all around. Once you are ready to head back down, you can walk past the Montenvers hotel on the left side and you will find a trail towards de Chalet de Caillet. This is a little snack bar where you can a little break. From there its a steady downhill wooded trail back to Les Planards and your starting point.
Photos of this Trail
We have a large library of pictures from in and around the Chamonix Valley. All pictures are categorized and geo location tagged. These are the pictures we have for this trail. Click on any picture to view it's details and location.
Trail Directions & Safety Considerations
Children
12+ Years old
Dogs
We recommend to keep your dog on a leash
When to Go
Start Jun - Mid Oct
Risk Considerations & Difficulty Assessment
This route reaches an altitude of 1913. Check the snow conditions if you are planning to go outside of the peak season of June to the end of September. The trail is easy to find and easy to navigate. Your main waypoints are Buvette de Mottets, Montenvers, Buvette de Caillet and Chamonix. The trails are not difficult. The trail between Buvette de Mottets and Montenvers is very rocky and full of big boulders and the occasional small ladder.
Trail Starting Point
The trail starts at the Les Planards activity park, a short walk from Chamonix center and the Chamonix train station.
Trail Directions
From Les Planards follow the fairly steep path that takes you up the beginner ski slope area. Take a left turn to pass below the luge rails. Now follow signs for Buvette de Mottets and Montenvers. The trail is easy to follow and well marked. Once you reach Buvette de Mottets take a right and you will see the signs for Montenvers. You will reach a split where you can take either way to reach Montenvers. The left side is more scenic in my opinion. Once you reach Montenvers you can have a look around and enjoy its many sights and attractions. Once you are ready to start your descend back to Chamonix, head to the Montenvers Hotel and on the left side you will find the trail going to the Buvette de Caillet. Once at the Buvette follow the signs for Chamonix and it will take you back to the top of Les Planard and then you can take the same trail down to where you started.
Points of Interest for this Trail
We have a large database of all of the points of interests in and around Chamonix. These are the points of interest you will find along this trail:
3D Map & GPS
Trail Route Map & GPS
You can download the GPX file and load this route into your own GPS enabled device or application. If you are on Strava, then you can open this route in Strava and save it to your account.
3D Map of this Trail
FATMAP in an incredible website and mobile application that you can use to view the trail in full 3D, do a fly over of the route and get a detailed vertical profile. You can view the FATMAP of this trail below and use the 'View larger map' link to visit the trail on the FATMAP website.
