Grand Balcon Nord - Montenvers to Plan de l'Aiguille and to Les Houches

Start : Montenvers station. To get to the start please read "Useful information" section.

(S) From the Montenvers station, head along the track to the Refuge du Montenvers and pick up the signs for the Grand Balcon Nord.

(1) Here the footpath slowly climbs from 1900m to 2200m before leveling out to go around the mountain.

(2) After about 2 Km there is a brief descent from 2150m to 2090m on a zig-zag path above the pine forest.

(3) The path levels out again, keeping to more or less the same altitude. There are a couple of streams to cross (notably the Torrent de Blaitière and the Torrent du Plan de l'Aiguille) before reaching the refuge at Plan de l'Aiguille.

(4) From here, ignore the path up the hillside but take the route under the ski-lift that heads up to Aiguille du Midi. Shortly after, the path begins the descent in a zig-zag fashion dropping from 2180m to 2030m before entering the woods.

(5) The path continues to descend along switchback tracks through the woods to drop down to 1230m and cross the Torrent du Dart and reach the café near the Cascade du Dart.

(6) From the café, the route continues in the woods to cross the Torrents des Favrands dit des Tissourds before continuing the descent to reach a tarmack road just below the toll station for the Mont Blanc tunnel. Follow the road South-West to go under the motorway and cross the Torrent de la Creuse.

(7) The path joins a local road on the other side that is also a parking lot and that then becomes a path to cross the Torrent du Cerro. Take the second path at an out-building to head downhill again and to cross the Torrent des Bossons.

(8) Continue round the hillside, once again in the woods, to drop down to a local road (Route du Monte). Cross straight over and keep heading down, crossing the road several times to eventully come out near the Camping GCU de Chamonix-Les Bossons.

(9) Go past the camping and head downhill along a footpath to join the road (Route des Tissières) bearing right to go under the motorway and along Route de Montquarts to reach a roundabout. Bear left then right to go under the railway and reach the river L'Arve.

(10) Cross the footbridge and turn left (South-West) long the track on the other side. This track follows pretty much the river as it flows west, sometimes in the woods and sometimes with clear views across the river and up to Mont Blanc. Keep going west to reach the trail Grande Traversée des Alpes, bear left towards the houses. Take a short-cut to reach the road Route de Coupeu, bear right and continue up to the Chalet Les Méandres (ex Tupilak).(E)

Start : Montenvers station

Parking & get to the start :
The Montenvers Station is half-way up Mont Blanc, overlooking the Mer de Glace. There isn't a road and all the visitors and supplies come up on the train from Chamonix. People can park down in the valley, outside Chamonix station or get a bus to Chamonix bus depot and walk 10mins to the station. The train takes about 20mins but walking would probably take a few hours. More info here.

Facilities : Food and drink is available along the route but make sure you have enough water, especially in summer.

Note : Wear a hat and use suncream. If it's winter, make sure you have strong boots and check the weather before venturing out on the mountains.

Enjoy the views and take your time. Take care of yourself and look out for wildlife along the way. Just enjoy the journey and make the most of the moment.