Hiking
There are some 350km of well-maintained hiking trails in the Chamonix valley, with 160 different itineraries, from lower valley trails in scented pine forests, to challenging high mountain trails with breathtaking views. The haunting Mer de Glace glacier is still one of the big draws. For the hardy and experienced hill-hiker, there’s the 200km, 10-day Tour of Mont-Blanc hike staying in mountain huts.
autourdumontblanc.com
Climbing
Chamonix confidently calls itself ‘the World Capital of Mountaineering’, with some 20,000 people a year summitting the 4,810 peak of Mont Blanc alone. At the extreme end there is world class ice climbing, with more accessible yet no less stunning via ferrata routes across and above the Mer de Glace and Chamonix valley. For the latter, check out the Via Ferrata School of Chamonix for tours and instruction.
chamonix-sport-aventure.com
Biking
In the summer months, the ski shops and outfitters switch over to mountain bike hire and sales to cater for the huge trail riding scene. There are two dedicated downhill MTB centres in the valley with Green, Blue and Expert routes, as well as over 20 marked tracks though hamlets and villages such as Servoz, Houches, Chamonix and Vallorcine. Many of these routes benefit from chairlifts and other uplifts to the top of the slopes, so that you can enjoy the descents to the max. For routes and itineraries, see Chamonix’s site
chamonix.com
Whitewater sports
Rafting, canyoning and hydrospeed – where you shoot the rapids in the water, hanging onto your own foam ‘riverboard’ – are all popular in Chamonix valley and nearby rivers and gorges.
The best time to go is in the mid to late summer when the water has warmed and levels dropped after the spring melt. Rafting excursions on the River Arve last from two hours to all day and are suitable for all abilities. For canyoning see oxo-canyoning.fr,
for other water sports around Chamonix see chamonix.com
