Mount Péclerey as seen from the village of Le Tour

From Chamonix, drive past Argentière and, before the series of hairpin bends leading towards Vallorcines, turn right and head up the Arve valley, passing through Montroc, and park in one of the large car parks at the entrance to the village of Le Tour.
The car park is generously sized to cope with the crowds during the winter sports season, so its capacity is more than sufficient in summer.

(S/E) Cross the Arve via the large bridge at the bottom of the car park, and take the Chemin du Rocher Nay, which passes in front of a chapel with a wooden bell tower and a pyramidal slate roof. At the start of the street, you’ll see a sign for the Chalet Alpin du Tour. Follow this street straight on, passing the Chalet Alpin du Tour, then cross a dirt and grassy car park where a few vans or motorhomes are often parked.

(1) Continue towards the stream. First, cross a small wooden footbridge over the little Ruisseau du Picheu, then, after a bend to the right, you’ll come to a lovely footbridge with railings that crosses a larger stream. This is the Misme stream, fed by the Tour glacier.

(2) Cross it and join the well-marked path called ‘Petit Balcon Nord’. Shortly afterwards, another path branches off to the right, following the course of the stream. Ignore this turn-off and stay on the path that leads away from the stream. You’ll reach another junction where the ‘Petit Balcon Nord’ signpost indicates ‘Le Planet – Argentière’ straight ahead, and ‘Le Péclerey’ up to the left.

(3) Follow the signs for Le Péclerey, ascending a narrower path which soon winds its way upwards in hairpin bends, with beautiful views of the Tour Glacier always visible in the foreground to the left.
Shortly after reaching the 1,800-metre mark, the path turns sharply to the right. Climb through a landscape of scree and rocks, covered in blueberry heath dotted with scattered small conifers. You’ll reach a dry-stone hut situated at the Tête du Grand Chantet.

(4) Shortly after the hut, continue along the path ascending to the left, which brings you closer to the foot of the Tour Glacier. Carry on straight ahead towards the south, climbing gently towards Mont Blanc. Soon the path becomes almost level as you approach the junction with the path leading left to the summit of the Bec de Lachat.

(5) Leave this path and begin the descent to the right. A series of short, very tight bends takes you down a drop of about 300 metres, all through woods of tall conifers (mainly larch). Reach the final hairpin bend on the right.

(6) You’ll reach a gentle slope again; cross a very steep valley floor – this is the Grand Chantet couloir. Continue down a moderate slope until you reach a junction of paths near a spring.

(7) Keep to the right and continue until you reach the junction with the Petit Balcon Nord. Turn right onto this path and follow it. You’ll come back to the junction where the circular path begins.

(3) Follow the same route as on the way out until you reach the first crossroads.

(1) To cross the village by a different route to the outward journey, turn right before the Chalet Alpin. Take the Chemin des Clusettes, which is initially unpaved but then tarmac-surfaced. You will pass another church, of modern construction. After crossing the Arve and passing the cable car station, you will reach the car park (S/E).

Although this walk is short – just over 7km – you still climb more than 550m, so it’s quite steep, with a particularly rapid descent over 300m. You’ll therefore need sturdy footwear and, ideally, walking poles.
It’s best to go in dry weather, as the ground can be slippery, especially on the descent.

One of the highlights of this walk is that it offers beautiful views from north to south, passing along the sunny side of the Chamonix valley opposite, where you can clearly see the paths leading up to La Flégère or Lac Blanc.
A possible variation involves adding a return trip to the foot of the Tour Glacier from the Péclerey hut: 3 km return, with an additional 200 metres of elevation gain.
From the same starting point, you can also climb to the Bec de Lachat: 2 km return and an additional 400 m of elevation gain.