We will be staying in Chamonix in mid September and will have 2.5 days to sightsee. Will be relying on public transportation as will not have a car. Looking forward to moderate hikes (not too many steep exposed ledges please), mountain scenery and the surrounding area. Appreciate any suggestions you may have regarding specific hikes, transportation tips (which tickets, buy in advance or when we arrive), etc. Many thanks.
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Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1187 posts
We just visited Chamonix in July this year and loved the hikes. We did the Grand Balcon Sud and the Grand Balcon Nord - both sides of town. The vistas were spectacular and the hiking was not difficult.
After walking into the TI in town and being told that the Aiguille du Midi was sold out for the entire week, we walked directly to the lift to inquire. We were there at 5 pm and this was critical. The lift opens more spaces at the end of the day. We purchased the 2 day pass to ride all of the gondolas and were able to book the Aiguille for the day that would be a clear day.
Day 1 was Sud - we rode the bus to Les Praz to ride the gondola La Flegere up to the summit. We hiked across to Planpraz and rode the Brevent lift up to the top - the views of Mont Blanc across the valley were amazing! Then we rode the 2 gondolas back into town.
Day 2 was Nord - we rode Aiguille du Midi all the way to the top and then hiked across to the Montenvers train and rode it down into Chamonix. The last train departs there at 5:30.
We stayed at L'Oustalet - they had a delicious breakfast and it was just on the edge of town - easy walking and very quiet. And 3 minutes to the bus stop and the Aiguille du Midi gondola.
We explored Megeve and Annecy - great little towns.