My wife and I will be in Chamonix June 4-11. We have lodging at an Airbnb near the center of town. We will be 76 and 74 at the time. We were in Chamonix about seven years ago and loved it, but two gondolas were down, one for maintenance and one because of a fire. We were never able to go up to the base of Mt. Blanc or over into Italy. This time we would like to do both those things and do some day hikes. I would like to do an overnight hike to a hiking lodge then return to Chamonix the next day. My wife will remain in Chamonix while I spend the night away. I am wondering if it is possible to connect with a group of hikers also going to the closest hiking lodge. So, what recommendations do you have for our week in Chamonix, including favorite hikes and restaurants. Also, is there someone or group to connect with to join a small group of hikers for an overnight hike?
Posted by
Chicago
1573 posts
You might reach out to one of the guiding companies to see what they offer.
Here's one....
It's not clear from your post whether you are an experienced hiker, accustomed
to altitude, and more expert vs intermediate. But I would consider going with
a guided hike. Chamonix is not for the faint of heart and not having someone
who knows the terrain would be a concern if you ran into bad weather or
something like that.
In June, the Panoramique should be open and I would definitely plan to take
that route into Italy/Coumayeur.
Posted by
OP
St. Paul, MN
62 posts
Thanks, shoeflyer. We are active walkers and have enjoyed hikes in the Lauterbrunnen area. Your recommendations are helpful. I will contact the guide service.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32795 posts
David,
I would highly recommend having a chat with your doctor regarding altitude sickness, especially given your ages. I was there a few years ago and made the trip to the Italian side on the Panoramic lift, but shortly after returning to the Aguille du Midi, I had significant problems with the altitude and had to make a quick descent. Also, be sure to check the elevation of the overnight hiking lodge that you plan to stay at.
Posted by
Annecy
36 posts
maybe check with Steph from Run the alps, she is a pro organizing hike in Mont Blanc, a few people I know used her services and were delighted!!!
Posted by
Moncton NB
1593 posts
In June, the Panoramique should be open and I would definitely plan to take
that route into Italy/Coumayeur.
Ditto Shoeflyer: this cable car trip was one of the highlights of our many European adventures. We did it one way. From Aosta, we took the coach to Courmayeur and then a local bus to the cable car station in La Palud. From there it was one cable car up to Hellbronner (the French/Italian border), another across the Mer de Glace glacier to l'Aiguille du Midi, and a third down into Chamonix. If I were you, starting in Chamonix, I would make it an overnight and stay in Courmayeur, Italy; but you could do it as a day-return trip. Its amazing up there!
Posted by
OP
St. Paul, MN
62 posts
Thanks, darrenblois. I love the recommendation of entering Italy and taking the lifts back to Chamonix. Staying in Courmayeur sounds like a great option, too. With Ken's concern for altitude sickness, I do think I will check with my doctor. I didn't realize altitude was an issue with the gondolas. Thanks again.
Posted by
OP
St. Paul, MN
62 posts
Ken, really appreciate your concern regarding altitude sickness. I did not realize the gondola trip would get you so high into the Alps. I will check with my doctor. She is an avid biker and hiker (biked for a year around the world with her husband), which is a reason my wife and I have her as our primary. I feel very healthy for 75, but . . . I hope I am not in denial about my limitations! Thanks for your advice.
Posted by
Upstate NY, USA
1182 posts
https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/en - these folks operate the lifts. There are even fabulous webcams of all the sites.
Don't go up the AdM unless the weather is nice. Regular wx channels won't give you the best info, local wx is best - https://chamonix-meteo.com/ or https://www.meteoalpes.fr/bulletin/alpes-du-nord
I had a fabulous breakfast at Chalet 4810 upstairs. 191 Rue Joseph Vallot.
Have a great time!
Posted by
OP
St. Paul, MN
62 posts
Thank you Skunklet1771. I appreciate the weather concerns and the restaurant recommendation.
Posted by
Chicago
1573 posts
If you are in Chamonix for a week and want to do day hikes as well as the possible overnight
hut stay, I would recommend getting the Mont Blanc Multipass. It's really not that much more
than the cost of a single trip up the AdM and gives you access to the buses, rail within the
valley and all the gondolas and lifts that are open in the summer. With regard to the Aiguille
du Midi, you can go up as much as you want so much less concern about hitting the weather
just right.
The Chamonix website has webcams. Combined with the weather forecasts, you can get a
pretty good idea of what it's like at the top. Last year, we were there in August. It was
snowing at the top.....
Re altitude, the valley is at ~3500' elevation, so no big deal. The top of the AdM is at ~12000
feet, so the rapid altitude gain on the gondola is huge. I think the guiding services would be
able to provide input on elevation at the huts you might stay at on possible overnight hikes.
Posted by
OP
St. Paul, MN
62 posts
Excellent advice, shoe flyer. Thanks. We will get the pass, and I am in conversation with mountain guides in the area.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1593 posts
Re altitude sickness, the highest point on that trip is l'Aiguille du Midi at 12,605 ft. We did feel a mild euphoria, but nothing at all concerning. YMMV.
Posted by
OP
St. Paul, MN
62 posts
Very encouraging, darrenblois. Thanks.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32795 posts
David, as a previous reply mentioned, the Aguille du Midi is at an elevation exceeding 12,600 feet and spending any amount of time at that elevation may be a problem for people who aren't accustomed to it. Some pre-existing conditions may affect the situation, especially in the elderly. In my case, the altitude didn't affect me for a few hours, but when it did it was very sudden. Getting to the cable car station involved stairs and I had a difficult few minutes, but when I got to the bottom I felt much better.
This provides some information - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-to-high-altitudes .