Chavanne Vieille
4
Overall rating
Below Average
Length
8.72km
Elevation + / -
736m / 736m
Trail type
Out and Back
When to go
Mid Jun - Mid Oct
Hike duration
2.0 - 3.5 Hours
Altitude Range
1007m / 1726m
Technical level
Easy (2/5)
Natural beauty
Nice (3/5)
Run duration
1.0 - 2.0 Hours
Families
9+ Years old
Dogs
Dogs Allowed
Provision Sources
None
Contributors:
The Chavanne Vieille lies in a wide gulley cut out by the Glacier du Bourgeat and at an altitude of 1726 meters there is an old hut with a nice view up the gulley to the glacier and down to the valley floor below. The trail marker on this hut says Chavanne Vieille making me uncertain on whether the entire gully or just the hut carries this name. The hut is quite charming and it was open the last time I visited it. This trail does not see a lot of tourists and even in the peak months of July and August you are unlikely to run into a lot of people. If you don't have much time in Chamonix then this would probably not be one of the trails I would recommend you do first, but if you know your way around Chamonix and think you have seen it all, then I challenge you to add Chavanne Vieille to your list! The trail starts at the Le Solerey Brewpub which is nice location to start and end your trail. I did this trail as a loop where I crossed the stream beyond the Chavanne Vieille and then went down via de Montagne de Taconnaz on the other side of the gulley. I believe an avalanche wrecked most of that trail though and I do not know if it has been cleared and rebuilt since. On the IGN map the option to cross the stream and go down via the Montagne de Taconnaz is no longer possible and without first hand knowledge I do not want to recommend doing this loop.
Photos of this Trail
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Trail Directions & Safety Considerations
Children
9+ Years old
Dogs
We recommend to keep your dog on a leash
When to Go
Mid Jun - Mid Oct
Risk Considerations & Difficulty Assessment
This route reaches an altitude of 1726m at the Chavanne Vieille hut. Because its orientation there will be snow cover till quite late in the year. The best time to visit is probably between mid June and mid October but check ahead of time and if there is snow then turn back in case you start feeling uncomfortable. The trail to Chavanne Vieille is well marked and there is only one trail heading there. Just follow the signs and use the same route to go back. The trail itself is not difficult
Trail Starting Point
The trail starts at Le Solerey Brewpub in Les Houches. You can park your car here or take the bus.
Trail Directions
From Le Solerey head left on the main road towards Les Houches town center. Take a left to go into Chemin des Longues which is long road that runs next the skiing beginner area right next to Le Solerey. Follow this road next to the river till you reach the end where the trail bends left. The trail goes into the forest. Follow the signs for Chavanne Vieille and there will be only one trail that takes you all the way to the hut. Once you are done having a look around inside and around the hut, simply take the same trail back to Le Solerey
Points of Interest for this Trail
Sorry, there are no Points of Interests currently linked to this Trail. Contact us to suggest one.
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.