Summer Activities in Chamonix

Aiguille du Midi Cable Car

At 3842 m the Aiguille du Midi offers a 360 degree viewpoint over the French, Swiss and Italian Alps and is the highest point accessible by cable-car in the Chamonix valley. This high mountain area is fully equipped for your safety and comfort and offers breath-taking views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding massif. Access is by two cable car journeys, each taking 10 minutes.  The Aiguille du Midi is well known as the start of the famous Vallee Blanche off-piste ski run over the glaciers; and is also one of the access routes to climbing Mont Blanc (4811m).

The cable car ride is easily planned and is suitable for all ages (except for those who are advised to avoid altitude, and children under two years of age). It is advisable to book in adavnce during the high tourist seasons. You will be given a departure time for which you should arrive 10 minutes beforehand. If you are doing a return trip, you will also be given a boarding card specifying your return cabin number.

At the top of the cable car, there are number of viewing terraces, a cafeteria and a souvenir shop. Wrap up warm – even in summer, the temperature at the summit can be as low as -10 C. Sunglasses and sun cream are also recommended.

From May until the end of September, it is possible to extend to this trip by taking the Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola from the top of the Aiguile du Midi, to Helbronner in Italy. This amazing 5 kilometre gondola journey passes over the Geant glacier, giving you spectacular views over ice-falls, crevasses and the Mont Blanc massif. A one-way trip takes 30 minutes in a 4-person gondola. The operation of this line is very weather dependant – if the wind is too strong, or if there is poor visibility, the gondola will close.

Aiguille Rouge Nature Reserve

The Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve is an easy stroll amongst mountain flowers with spectacular views of the Col de Montet. There is an information centre where you can find out about the animals and plants of the area and buy a drink or snack.

The nature trail is very easy to follow and the route is marked by numbered granite blocks. The whole circuit takes no more than 45 minutes at a leisurely stroll; to find out more please read our article on Short Family Hikes in Hiking in the Chamonix Valley.

This is a summer only activity, should you wish to discover the area in winter you can book a snowshoe tour with a number of local mountain guide companies.

Arbre Aventure

Swing through the trees high above the mountains on a circuit of zip lines, monkey bridges, ladders and ropes. You can travel through the forest without touching the floor, safely strapped into a harness and attached to a secure safety line.

These eco-friendly adventure parks are created around the trees without damaging them in any way and can be dismantled if necessary, leaving the forest as though untouched.

There are adventure parks at Les Houches and Les Planards; both are open throughout the summer and have different circuits for adults and children.

Archery

Practice your Robin of Sherwood skills in a tranquil alpine setting. Beginners can learn from scratch and those with more experience can put their skills to the test with a variety of courses. The Coupeau area of Les Houches has a trail running through it equipped with archery courses of varying difficulty. Access is free to anyone registered with the FFTA.

Canyoning

A not-so-gentle but extremely refreshing summer activity is one way to describe canyoning! Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides – just make sure you choose a warm day!

You will make your way along rivers and rapids, using the river bed as a natural obstacle course. Not suitable for very young children, but anyone over the age of about 8 can take the (very cold) plunge and try canyoning. With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades, splash into pools and ride the river rapids. You can choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous.

Hydrospeed is an alternative to rafting where you shoot down the river on a kind of inflatable body-board. Half-in half-out of the water you are closer to the action and guaranteed a soaking!

Different companies will have their own policies on age limits but usually, unless they are booked onto a children's activity course, anyone under the age of about 14 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult. A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety reasons. There are a number of local companies that offer guided descents down the local waterways.

Fishing

Within a 20 minute drive from Chamonix you can reach 2 groups of lakes, both of which you can fish in certain areas. Lac Passy is a popular picnic and sunbathing spot with a children’s play area, so you may not find the tranquillity you are looking for by the main lake. If you carry on though there are smaller, less frequented lakes where fishing is permitted. Enquire at the main lake for details. To reach Lac Passy you drive towards Geneva, turning off at Le Fayet. Turn left at the traffic lights towards Sallanches. Look out for the Intermarche, 2km later there is a signposted right hand turn for Lac Passy. Lac des Ilettes is a quieter group of 3 lakes, where fishing is permitted. You can find it by beginning the same journey as above, but continuing on to Sallanches. Once you reach the traffic lights in the town centre, turn right and continiue until you cross the River Arve. You then turn left and follow signs for ‘St Martin’ and ‘Lacs des Ilettes’.

Closer to Chamonix is Lac des Chavants in Les Houches; apparently a good spot for catching some tasty trout, which you pay for by the kilo. You can also hire rods and purchase bait. Permits are available from the Saint Antoine tabac or from the Les Houches Tourist Office.

Closer still is Lac Gaillands, by the large climbing wall on the road out of Chamonix just before you reach Les Bossons. Fly fishing only is permitted and permits can be bought from the small chalet serving snacks and drinks.

Remember that before fishing any area you must ensure that you have the correct permits and are aware of the local regulations.

Glacier Walking in Chamonix

For a truly unique experience, clamp on your crampons and go hiking up the stunning Mer de Glace, Argentiere or Le Tour glaciers.

The Mer de Glace is one of the longest and deepest glaciers in the Alps, moving at a comparatively rapid 120 metres a year. To get onto the glacier you'll have to clamber down long steel ladders which are scary enough in themselves but you'll quickly forget about that once you start admiring the breathtaking views and spectacular crevasses below. (If you're quiet you can even hear the ice shifting.)

To read more about glaciers and the environment please go to our Glacier Meltdown article.

We strongly advise booking a mountain guide for this activity.

Golf

Chamonix has one of the most beautiful 18 hole golf courses in the Alps. Situated in Les Praz, less than five minutes drive away from Chamonix town centre, the par 72 course is overlooked by some of the biggest peaks in the Alps - the Aiguille du Midi, Les Drus, La Verte and of course the biggest of them all, the Mont Blanc. Private lessons and week long courses in English are available for all levels of player. 

Gorges de la Diosaz

The Gorges de la Diosaz are a series of natural waterfalls that gush down through a deep gorge in Servoz. By  following a man-made footpath you can walk along the side of the gorge, learning about the geology and the remarkable history of the gorges as you go.

To walk all the way along and back takes around an hour and a half at a gentle pace. This walk is suitable for children of all ages, but the path is not suitable for pushchairs and although there are safety barriers you are advised to keep hold of small children by the hand.

The gorges are open from June through until September, the most impressive time to visit is after heavy rainfall when they are at full flow. Although outdoors the walkway is sheltered by trees and overhanging rock, so this a great activity for wet weather days.

Children under 5 go free and there are reduced rates for children under 16, seniors and groups of ten or more people. Servoz can be accessed by train from Chamonix, the Gorges are just a 5 minute walk from Servoz train station.

Guest Card (Carte d’Hôte)

In 1997, the villages of Chamonix, Les Houches, Servoz and Vallorcine established a Guest Card system, whereby every visitor to the area is given a card on arrival. The normal method is to ask at your hotel reception, or request one from your chalet/apartment provider.

The card is valid in summer and winter (for the duration of your stay) and entitles you to free travel on the buses and trains between these resorts (with the exception of the Chamo’nuit night bus). If you wish to take the train all the way through to Martigny in Switzerland (which is well worth it) or down to Le Fayet and St Gervais, you just need to pay the difference from Vallorcine or Servoz.

The Guest Card also entitles you to various discounts throughout the valley, such as discounted entry to the swimming pool, Alpine Museum, cross country skiing and more. So, ask for one at the Tourist Offices of Chamonix, Les Houches, Servoz and Vallorcine if you do not receive one when you check into your accommodation.

Hiking & Walking the Chamonix Trails

As the snow disappears after winter, the valley gradually reveals its 600kms (400 miles) of well-maintained, signposted hiking trails. Whether you prefer gentle walking along the valley floor or making a day of it, scaling some of the high altitude routes; Chamonix has something for you to enjoy.

read more in... Hiking in Chamonix

Horse Riding

The Chamonix Valley has a multitude of trails that can be explored on horseback; you can cover more ground than on foot, get an elevated view of the scenery and hopefully get a closer peek at the wildlife! Evolution 2 organise a variety of treks for all ages and abilities.

The Paradis des Praz play area has a 'mini-ranch' where children can go on short accompanied treks through the woods on small ponies.

Hot Air Ballooning (Vol en Montgolfiere)

Hot air ballooning looks serene, but there are moments of excitement; once the creaking wicker basket rises off the ground you are uncomfortably reminded that you are suspended hundreds of metres above the ground in a small twig structure! The views are stunning, and as you glide over the forests you may see deer and other animals normally hidden from view. The pilot controls the height but the wind determines which direction you take, so the flight can take anything from one to two hours, depending on when a suitable landing site comes into view.

The take-off point is in nearby Praz-sur-Arly, less than an hour's drive from Chamonix. There are a number of local companies that can arrange your ballooning trip.

Hydrospeeding

Hydrospeeding is one of the newer 'extreme' water sports to hit the market. Using a large float, which bears resemblance to a bodyboard, be ready to cling on for dear life as you send yourself hurtling down the rapids!

There's plenty of protection from the icy water elements as you'll be given a wetsuit, safety helmet and flippers. Guides will brief you with a safety demonstration at the beginning and there’s a vehicle to meet you at the end of the rapids that will shuttle you back to your starting destination.

Indoor Climbing Walls in Chamonix

The Chamonix valley is home to one of the largest indoor climbing walls in France. The Mont Blanc Escalade is located in Les Houches and is open all year, with 1250m sq. of climbing surfaces, and more than 100 routes to the roof, ranging from 16 to 21 metres in height. There is a beginners wall, a kid's wall, and even a cafeteria. All necessary equipment is available for hire. Complete beginners can make a first ascent of the indoor climbing wall with instruction from local guides from 35€ - book in advance. Open to adults and children 5 or over.

In Chamonix town, there is a good sized bouldering wall in the Sports Centre (Centre Sportif Richard Bozon). There is another climbing wall at the ENSA - you need to be a member of the local Club des Sports to gain access.

Language Courses in Chamonix

The INSTED language school in Chamonix is an alpine branch of the Université Stendhal in Grenoble and offers high quality French language courses for all abilities. ...read more

Mer de Glace & Montenvers Train

Ever since two English explorers, William Windham and Richard Pocock, first discovered the Mer de Glace (“Sea of Ice”) in 1741, it has become one of the world’s most visited natural sites and is a huge draw of visitors to the Chamonix Valley. The area became accessible by mule from 1802, but it was the opening of the Montenvers Train in 1908 that really opened the site up to the masses.

Mountain Biking in Chamonix

Chamonix offers some of the best terrain for mountain biking in Europe. There are hundreds of kilometres of fast, smooth and rocky trails available all under the backdrop of Mont Blanc. If you’re not a fan of the uphill, then you can always take the stress out of it all by taking any of the main lifts up and enjoying the descent. Mountain biking in Chamonix has something to all riders, from beginners right up to the more technically advanced.

read more in... Mountain Biking in Chamonix

Mountaineering

Chamonix is quite simply the Mecca of Alpine Climbing. Whether you are a rock climber, ice climber, ski tourer, or just enjoy being in the mountains, Chamonix really is the place to be. The glaciers and icy slopes of the Mont Blanc Massif offer a massive number of climbing routes for alpinists, while the world famous Chamonix Granite is extremely popular with rock climbers. For beginners, or those in need of a practise, there are the indoor climbing walls in Les Houches or the sunny rock face of the Les Gaillands outdoor wall. Argentiere is the place to head for a spot of bouldering.

read more in... Mountaineering in Chamonix & the Mont Blanc Valley

Paintball

This exciting activity offers fun for groups of all ages. A variety of scenarios are offered at the beginning of all games, with each game lasting approximately 2 hours; the ultimate aim is to shoot your oppenents with paint pellets and capture their flag before they get hold of yours. The site is spread over a hectare of woodland with lots of natural obstacles to dive behind, jump over and fire from!

All equipment is supplied by Paint Ball Cham, and a referee is constantly on site. The activity takes place in the Bois du Bouchet, near the main parapente landing area on the road to Le Praz. It is necessary to make reservations. Players must be 12 years and over.