Bionnassay Glacier footbridge - Col de Voza

This hike is not particularly difficult, despite one slightly steep section, and will take you to the foot of the terminal tongue of the Bionnassay Glacier, then to the Col de Voza. All along the way, you will enjoy magnificent views of the Bionnassay Glacier, then the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Massif.

Details

2269
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.54 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,391 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,391 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,866 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,596 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the Crozat car park, located just above the hamlet of Bionnassay.

(S/E) At the car park exit, turn left and then left again onto the path lined with a few houses (one of which has an oven on your left). At the track along the torrent, turn left and then right at the three-way junction. Continue to the Pont des Places bridge which crosses the Torrent de Bionnassay.

(1) At the intersection after the bridge, leave the main track and turn left. Ignore a path on the right and cross a stream.

(2) Immediately afterwards, take the path that climbs to the right. The slope becomes steep. Cross three small grassy logging tracks and continue to the foot of the cliff. The path turns left and follows the cliff.

(3) At the fork, continue straight ahead downhill and take the footbridge over the Torrent du Bionnassay. Once you have crossed, the trail climbs until you find the start of a small trail on the right (towards the lake).

(4) Continue climbing, taking the time to look back and see the lake at the foot of the moraines. Exit the woods and reach a fork just after the small stream.

(5) Continue left on the path along the mountainside.

(6) Ignore the path that descends to the left. After two passages with handrails (easy passages), you will reach a track that crosses the rails and the rack of the Mont-Blanc Tramway. The view then opens up towards the Chamonix valley and the Mont-Blanc massif.

(7) Do not cross the tracks and follow the track on the left that goes around the Bellevue building on your right. Continue along the tracks until you reach the Col de Voza.

(8) Then take the path that descends to the left and join the Crozat car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,642 ft - Crozat car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.86 - alt. 4,701 ft - Fork in the path, left
  3. 2 : mi 1.06 - alt. 4,744 ft - Path on the right
  4. 3 : mi 1.64 - alt. 5,600 ft - At the fork, continue straight ahead towards the footbridge. - Glacier de Bionnassay
  5. 4 : mi 1.8 - alt. 5,705 ft - Fork towards the lake, straight ahead
  6. 5 : mi 2 - alt. 5,827 ft - Fork in the path, left
  7. 6 : mi 2.17 - alt. 5,768 ft - Fork in the path, go straight ahead.
  8. 7 : mi 3.05 - alt. 5,814 ft - Track, on the left - Arrêt Bellevue
  9. 8 : mi 3.69 - alt. 5,430 ft - Col de Voza
  10. S/E : mi 4.54 - alt. 4,642 ft - Crozat car park

Notes

The route is not very well marked but easy to follow with numerous signposts.

Always take some water and provisions with you, even though you will certainly find places to refuel along the route, particularly at the Col de Voza.

Wear walking shoes.

(4) At this fork, you can reach the small glacial lake at the foot of the glacial moraines (the ice is no longer visible). To do this, follow a small trail that generally follows the foot of the slope on your left. Do not enter the vegetation, which consists of alder trees and is very dense.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 95 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 29847500

A lovely, very accessible hike; the footbridge and the return route via the Col de Voza are well worth doing. It’s sad to see the state of the Bionassay Glacier.

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picsaintloup
picsaintloup

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk; the slightly steep climb is the only challenging part of the route. A pleasant walk across the footbridge, accompanied by the symphony of the torrent. My Garmin, which isn’t usually very optimistic, shows a total elevation gain of around 600 metres.

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pascale Blosser
pascale Blosser
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

There are some lovely views all along the route. It’s worth following the recommended direction of the walk, as some sections are quite steep and would be more difficult if tackled the other way round. You can cross the Mont Blanc Train railway line to reach the Les Houches cable car, with a pleasant stop at the mountain hut right next to it.

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legendrb
legendrb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, ideal in hot weather as it’s mostly through the woods.

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Zoltic
Zoltic

As I pointed out in a comment, you have to take the second path on the left, otherwise you're off to a bad start.

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User 25909526

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

More information about the route would be helpful. Nevertheless, it was a very beautiful hike. Thank you for this discovery.

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Rodger0è
Rodger0è

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Wonderful hike
View of the glacier from start to finish. The little footbridge over the glacier stream is picturesque..
Magnificent
Thanks to the author
Roger

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fevre luc
fevre luc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike, lovely scenery, but a change in the route due to Patou was not signposted, which is a problem when hiking with dogs

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User 22799213
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk with varied views. The first hour uphill through the forest is invigorating, but it's hiking!

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pascale Blosser
pascale Blosser

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent route with beautiful views. You can stop near the railway line for a refreshing break.

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Jps69
Jps69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The start of the hike is quite difficult, with steep slopes and, above all, a newly constructed path that is rocky and very stony. It is not recommended for dogs. However, the rest of the hike after passing the footbridge is very pleasant. You arrive at a large mountain pasture with the glacier in the background and the sound of cow bells in the air.

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Zoltic
Zoltic
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

BE CAREFUL at the start: turn left when you leave the car park, then take the second path on the left and definitely not the first one (the description suggests taking the first path). It cost me quite a bit of extra elevation gain to get back on the right route!

The descent is along a forest road with some beautiful views. It is quick and easy to walk down.

The views are splendid. The route is mostly shaded, which is very pleasant in the height of summer.
There are places to eat at the Col de Voza and at the refuge below.

Access to the Crozat car park is via a steep mountain road. A little technical.
The car park is large (50 spaces advertised and probably a good 20 more at the side of the road) but it was very full. The area is clearly very popular.

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Dave07
Dave07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on 14/7.
A beautiful, varied route with a climb through the forest, a footbridge with magnificent views, and then a walk along a balcony.
The only downside is the descent, which is a bit disappointing as it's on a road rather than a trail.
I would still highly recommend it!

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tebon
tebon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with lovely forest trails and a few refreshing waterfalls. The footbridge is very stable, allowing for an easy crossing even though the sound of the torrent is impressive.

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LEDRU5
LEDRU5

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Interesting passages on the footbridge and beautiful waterfall in the forest!

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