Refuge Albert 1er - Glacier du Tour

_ Start_: In the hamlet of Le Tour, a few kilometers from Chamonix, after Argentière. Large car parks are available, and the area is well frequented.

_ Transport_: use the cable cars. A lift pass is often more attractive than single tickets. Several
interesting offers are available.
Check the opening times of the Charamillon gondola and the Autannes chairlift.

Take the Charamillon cable car and then the Autannes chairlift, which will take you up to 1900m and then 2200m.

(S/E) The path heads due South, climbing gently through the mountain pastures. After about 20 minutes, at around 2275m, you'll see on your right the path leading straight up from the cable car arrival point, which we'll take on the way back.

(1) Continue, the path will take you around the Bec du Picheu. Without gaining altitude, you'll carefully cross a tricky passage.

(2) The steps are high, but a cable and a metal handrail are in place.

(3) Approach a scree slope, not slippery. The well-marked path will take you to the moraine.

(4) The rest of the ascent takes place on this moraine, from where you can quickly see the large refuge overlooking the glacier. 150 m of ascent, very well marked, fairly steep, but the view at the finish is well worth the hike.

(5) To return, take the path in the opposite direction.

(1) Go straight down to the left into the mountain pasture, in wide laces. Don't take any shortcuts - it's better for your knees and avoids erosion. You'll always have a view of the cable car, and if you look up, of the Aiguilles Rouges massif. Return to the top of the Charamillon cable car (S/E).

_ Start_: In the hamlet of Le Tour, a few kilometers from Chamonix, after Argentière. Large car parks are available, and the area is well frequented.

_ Transport_: Use the cable cars. A lift pass is often more attractive than single tickets. Several interesting offers are available.
Check the opening times of the Charamillon gondola and the Autannes chairlift.

Take the Charamillon cable car and then the Autannes chairlift, which will take you up to 1900m and then 2200m.

_ Refreshments & Facilities_: The Albert 1er refuge has toilets, drinking water and catering facilities.

_ Gears_: you'll need the usual equipment: preferably high-top shoes, sunglasses and cap, and a wind and rainbreaker, hat and gloves in your rucksack.
Poles are always welcome.
If there are children, 15m of rope is always a safety feature in the bag.

(1) Alternatively, you can return to the top of the Autannes chairlift (S) as you came.

At the start of the hike, you have a view of the Mont Blanc massif, the Aiguilles de Chamonix, and to the left, La Verte and Les Drus. Once you reach the refuge, you're treated to a truly high-mountain panorama.
On the way back, you can see the Aiguilles Rouges, then to the North (your right), Switzerland with the Col de Balme and Lac d'Emosson opposite.