Mer de Glace through the forest

_ Start_: Park in the car park on the right as you reach the Drop Zone du Bois (PGHM Chamonix).

(S/E) Cross the bridge over the Arveyron and turn left along the torrent. Pass farm buildings and a sheepfold.

(1) A few dozen metres further on, take a smaller path rising to your right (Chemin de la Filiaz).

(2) At the intersection, continue on the smaller path in front of you, leaving the downhill path on your left.

(3) At the Caillet snack bar, take the path on your left. This follows a series of sharp switchbacks, crosses the Montenvers railroad line and then veers left alongside it.

(4) Ignore the path leading down on your left: ''from here you can admire the Mer de la Glace train. Continue until you reach the Grand Hôtel du Montenvers.

(5) Keep right towards the Bar des Glaciers, pass this bar and the Mer de Glace train station, and continue straight on towards Les Echelles.

(6) Turn right at the hairpin bend and continue up to the large ladders giving access to the Mer de Glace.

(7) Make a U-turn.

(6) Don't go back up towards the Montenvers station, but continue straight ahead on the path that runs under the infrastructure. Go down to the Mottets junction (buvette).

(8) Take the path on your left, which joins the uphill path.

(2) Turn right and follow the outward route in the opposite direction back to the car park (S/E).

_ Start_: Park in the car park on the right as you reach the Drop Zone du Bois (PGHM Chamonix).

(6) It is possible to descend to the Mer de Glace cave.

Mer de Glace