Thrills and adrenaline highs in Chamonix
Chamonix is known as the adventure capital of the world for good reason.
The whole valley is one massive playground with limitless options of ways to get your kicks, whether you like water-based sports, gravity sports or air-borne adventures, there's something to suit people of every ability and level of experience.
Here are a few of our favourites.
From easy crags to high altitude multi-pitches, Chamonix has countless rock climbing routes. Once you’ve mastered the basics you can go into the high peaks of the Mont Blanc Massif with a mountain guide to scale the famous granite walls of Pointe Lachenal, Aiguille de la Blaitière, Eperon des Cosmiques, amongst others. Chamonix’s high altitude terrain means that you can also climb mixed terrain such as ice and snow all year round, using crampons and ice axes to cross glacial terrain. Find places to climb in Chamonix in our activity guide.
Via Ferrata was developed during WWI by Italian soldiers as a means of travelling quickly across mountainous terrain. It has since become a sport and is far more accessible than regular rock climbing as you do not need any experience at all. Often scary, you easily access much more exposed places with heart-stopping drops beneath your feet. You can do this at Flegere, on the Evettes course, or the one down in Passy. Pick up the equipment you need from one of the local sports shops, or your mountain guide can organise this for you.
These mountain guides are the perfect choice if you're staying in Vallorcine, Le Tour or Montroc and want to explore the valley off the beaten track.
At the summit of the Aiguille du Midi you will find the Vallée Blanche!
The winter Haute Route (or "high route") from Chamonix to Zermatt, is one of the most well know ski touring traverses in the world after Doctor Payot and his friends first skied the route in January 1924.
Join an award-winning photographer for a half-day course focused on improving your observation, exploring light, and developing your photographic eye. This workshop is suitable for all levels, ages, and equipment types.
Your holiday time in the Chamonix valley is valuable. Every day counts. Every moment should be a special one.
Explore the fantastic natural scenery around Vallorcine, Le Tour and Montroc by going off the beaten track on snowshoes!
Walking, hiking and running may seem like more of a fitness chore than an adventure sport to many people but then they’ve not seen Kilian Jornet (widely regarded as the GOAT trail runners) in action! Chamonix is the home of trail running, with countless high altitude paths and stunning ridges to traverse. There are a number of specialised trail running camps and retreats that you can join to get the benefit of coaching and guided runs. Be warned though, it’s addictive - next thing you know you’ll have added the UTMB to your bucket list. Have a look at our choice of routes on our guide and those listed below to see what to tackle first.
With having spent a few years exploring the trails of this valley, I thought I knew all the accessible routes so when someone mentioned one I’d never heard of I was excited to check it out - even more so when I was promised a good lunch along the way.
Chamonix is unique with some of its trails, in particular the 'Balcon' walks; two 'petit' and two 'grand'. They are all beautiful panoramic promenades with an almost constant level of altitude and can be done partially or in their entirety. The 'Petit Balcons' run around the lower valley floor (approx altitude 1,200m) and are named "Nord" (north) and "Sud" (south) after their directional compass bearing.
This full day hike offers some stunning panoramas of the Chamonix Valley as well as some challenging descents and ascents, depending on which way you choose to do this walking loop from Vallorcine.
This hike is a pleasant stroll through the bucolic high alpine meadows of Les Houches, making life easy by using the lift system at either end.
The walking route up to the old La Para mid station of Les Glaciers cable car via La Cascade du Dard Refuge is a popular forest route with stunning valley views towards Les Houches through breaks in the tree line.
Getting around the Chamonix Valley and up into its high mountain terrain is made easy thanks to the extensive transportation network available. The local buses that take you to all the main gondola and cable car stations are free with a Carte d’Hôte (guest card). You can get your card on arrival at your rental accommodation or hotel.
We might not have the wildest rapids here in Chamonix, but the fast currents of the River Arve provide plenty of thrills and spills. If you want to up the adrenaline factor then you can go through the Mont Blanc tunnel to the faster rapids of the Dora Baltea river in Italy, where you’ll be hurled along the rushing waters of some of the most exhilarating grade 4 and 5 rivers in the Alps.
Wading through fast flowing rivers, sliding over rocks into waterfalls and leaping off terrifyingly high ledges into deep plunge pools are all part of the canyoning adventure. You’ll get kitted out with a wetsuit and boots before following your guide into the waterways of Barberine and Vallorcine, at the north end of the Chamonix valley. You can make it as thrilling or as tame as you like, with all jumps and slides being optional.
Get up close and personal with the river on a hydrospeed board. You’ll be swept along on the fast currents, thrown about by the waves and buffeted from side to side like a piece of driftwood - but you’ll be screaming with laughter the whole time. This is especially popular on hot and sultry summer days, when all you want to do is cool off.
Experience the perfect way to see areas of the valley that are otherwise inaccessible with Evolution 2. Are you looking for the ride of your life? Because these beautiful alpine rivers will turn into exhilarating playgrounds for fun!
Experience the most aquatic all out activities with Evolution 2. Are you looking for the ride of your life? Because these beautiful alpine rivers will turn into exhilarating playgrounds for fun!
Enjoy an exciting introduction to white water sports this summer with Mickaël and the passionate team. Whether you are looking for adrenaline or a fun outdoor experience with friends or family, several activities are available on some of the most beautiful rivers in the region.
Chamonix's steep terrain lends itself very well to downhill mountain biking and there are two designated bike parks in Le Tour and Les Houches where you can practise your berms and jumps. For enduro riders there are so many natural trails you can ride here, with lots of tech to challenge even the most proficient of riders. Bikes and safety equipment can be hired from any of the numerous bike hire shops in Chamonix and most of them also offer mountain bike guides, who can show you the best trails and places to ride.
You can take the valley train between Chamonix and Servoz, particularly useful if you want to avoid the 300m height gain for the cycle back up, or there’s a few ways to cycle between them.
If you've ridden all the Chamonix trails, you can also access a large number of other bike parks and trails, some just a short drive away from Chamonix.
The rolling grassy slopes of Le Tour look more like the terrain around the Les Gets and Morzine resorts than the rest of the valley, so it’s no surprise that Le Tour has some of the most accessible mountain biking in Chamonix (1,264m to 2,270m).
Past the Col du Montets lies the small village of Vallorcine. The border with Switzerland lies just beyond and it feels very different to the busier Chamonix valley just a few km away.
Whatever your level of riding there are great trails along the valley floor that you can ride without needing a lift pass.
Trails here range from gentle intermediate to advanced tree and steep gradient runs.
Take a leap of faith and launch yourself off the top of a mountain into the clouds high above the Chamonix valley. Safely harnessed to a qualified parapente pilot, you’ll float, swirl and ride the thermals back down to earth. There are a number of take-off points in the valley, the most popular being Planpraz du Brevent. However, if you want to get a bird's eye view of the glaciers, you can also take flight from Aiguille du Midi mid station or Les Grands Montets. If you fall in love with the sensation of flying there are plenty of parapente schools in Chamonix where you can learn to pilot your own “wings”.
Take the ultimate James Bond challenge and leap from a helicopter, 5,000m above ground and higher than the summit of Mont Blanc. Free-falling at a speed of around 200km/h, it’s unlikely that you’ll have the presence of mind to notice the jagged mountain tops whizzing past, but once that chute opens and you’ve remembered to breathe again, you’ll be overwhelmed by the sight of the Chamonix valley beneath you. It's an unforgettable experience.
Adrenaline and adventure for the whole family, amongst the treetops at Les Gaillands. A network of rope bridges, swings, nets and pulleys run through the forest with courses marked green, blue, red and black like ski piste grades. The easiest ones are suitable for small children, while the harder ones will give even fit climbers a run for their money. Watch out for the long “death slide” that crosses the lake at the end.
An opportunity to get in the picture with Teresa Kaufman as your personal photographer, guide and story teller. This is the perfect activity accessible to everyone; children, adults, grandparents - easy walking, incredible scenery, a moment to share. Non-skiers will love it in the winter. An activity to experience with loved ones or to give as a gift.
Chamonix Mont Blanc Guides specialise in high mountain guiding, skiing and alpinism. Based in the Chamonix Valley, at the foot of the Mont Blanc range, they have all the experience and expertise to make your dream adventure become a reality.
Explore the fantastic natural scenery around Vallorcine, Le Tour and Montroc by going off the beaten track on snowshoes!
'The best photo class you will ever take', is Teresa's bold strapline for her unique photo walk classes, which take place in the incredible outdoors of the Chamonix Valley and offer an opportunity to photograph the major mountains and viewpoints.
Discover the unforgettable sensation of flying high above the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley on a tandem paragliding adventure. Whether it’s your first time in the air or you’re craving an adrenaline-fuelled experience, each flight is designed to showcase the Alps from their most spectacular angle.
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley on foot.
Find out all about what is happening in the Chamonix valley and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsChamonix hosts a wide range of sporting events throughout the year. The biggest ones include the Mont Blanc Marathon in June and the UTMB trail running race in August. In March, the Unlimited Festival brings ravers to the mountains while Musilac Mont Blanc takes place a month later. At the end of July, the Cosmo Jazz Festival hosts concerts all around the valley.
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