Péclerey mountain from the Tour village

Moderator update as of 14/07/2020 : Warning! a review on this hike states that "this trail is currently closed since June 11, 2020. Rockfalls. Route closed by decision of the town hall"

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

(S/E) Cross the river Arve over the large bridge at the bottom of the car par, and take the Chemin du Rocher Nay, which leads past a chapel with a wooden bell tower and pyramid-shaped slate roof. At the entrance to the road is a sign for Chalet Alpin du Tour. Follow this road straight ahead, past the Chalet Alpin du Tour, then cross a grassy parking area where a few vans or motorhomes are often parked.

(1) Continue towards the torrent. First cross a small plank footbridge over the small Picheu stream, then after a bend to the right, find a fine footbridge with railings over a larger stream. This is the torrent du Misme, fed by the Tour glacier.

(2) Cross it, find the comfortable path called Petit Balcon Nord. Shortly afterwards, another path turns right to follow the course of the torrent. Ignore this departure and stay on the path away from the torrent. Reach a new crossroads where the Petit Balcon Nord signpost indicates Le Planet - Argentière straight on, and Le Péclerey at the top left.

(3) Follow the signs for Le Péclerey, up a smaller path that soon twists and turns, with beautiful views of the Glacier du Tour still in the front-left enfilade.
Shortly after 1800 m, the path veers sharply to the right. Climb up through scree and rocks, colonized by blueberry heath dotted with small conifers. Reach a dry-stone hut at the Tête du Grand Chantet.

(4) Shortly after the hut, follow the path up to the left, bringing you close to the foot of the Tour glacier. Continue south, slightly uphill towards Mont-Blanc. The path soon becomes almost horizontal as you approach the junction with the path leading left to the summit of Bec de Lachat.

(5) Leave this path to start the descent to the right. A series of short, tight bends takes you down some 300 m, through woods of tall conifers (mainly larches). Reach the last bend on the right.

(6) Return to a gentle slope, cross a very pronounced thalweg - the Grand Chantet couloir. Continue moderately downhill until you reach a trail junction at a spring.

Keep to the right and continue until you reach the junction with the Petit Balcon Nord. Turn right and follow it. Return to the loop junction.

(3) Follow the same route as before to the first crossroads.

(1) In order to cross the village differently from the outward journey, turn right before the Chalet Alpin. Enter the Chemin des Clusettes, first unpaved, then paved. Pass another modern church. After crossing the Arve and passing the cable-car station, return to the car park (S/E).

Start & Parking: From Chamonix, drive past Argentière and, before the series of hairpin bends leading towards Vallorcines, turn right and drive up the Arve valley, passing Montroc, and parking in one of the large car parks at the entrance to Le Tour village.
The car park is generously sized to cope with the influx of winter sports enthusiasts, so its capacity is more than adequate in summer.

Please note: Although this hike is short, just over 7km, it's still a steep climb of over 550m, with a rapid descent of 300m.

Gears: You will need very good footwear, and preferably poles.

Dry weather is preferable for completing the walk, as the ground can be slippery, especially on the descent.

One of the advantages of this walk is that it offers great views from North to South, passing through the Chamonix valley opposite, where you can clearly see the paths leading up to Flégère or Lac Blanc.
A possible variant is to add a round trip to the foot of the Tour glacier from the Péclerey hut: 3 km A-R, and 200m of additional ascent.
From the same starting point, you can also climb up to Bec de Lachat: 2 km A-R and 400m of additional ascent.