Refine your search for walks in Refuge du Col de Balme (2190m)
Refuge du Col de Balme (2190m) walks
Les Sources de l'Arve
Visorando Member
6.75 mi
+2,615 ft
-2,585 ft
5h 25
Moderate
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
With a group of senior hikers from the Arve Valley, we set off down the Arve River from its source at La Jonction, Geneva, to its confluence with the Rhône.
A short one-day circuit, ascending via the balconies and descending as close as possible to the river, the SM3A path.
TMB 2011
72.58 mi
+24,705 ft
-26,109 ft
7 days
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie)
Completed from 27 June to 4 July 2011, with 4 hikers, 2 tents, in almost complete autonomy (food provided for 7 days, only bread and a few items were purchased along the route).
The cable car and bus were used to shorten some stages and we needed about a day more to complete the Brévent balcony opposite the Mont Blanc massif.
The return to the starting point will be by public transport, bus or train...
Chamonix - Col de Balme
10.38 mi
+4,137 ft
-315 ft
8h 20
Very difficult
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
This first stage of the long route starts gently, facing the Mont Blanc massif, and ends at the hamlet of Le Tour. The climb to Col de Balme offers superb views of the Glacier du Tour. You will cross the French-Swiss border on the first day, just before arriving at the refuge. From Col de Balme, you can also admire the Emosson lakes.
Chamonix - Zermatt
117.22 mi
+43,812 ft
-41,965 ft
14 days
Difficult
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
This legendary route connecting these two resorts renowned for skiing and mountaineering is very demanding. It requires excellent physical condition. You will hike through spectacular scenery, starting at the foot of Mont Blanc and ending opposite the Matterhorn. You will pass numerous peaks over 4,000 metres high, such as the Weisshorn and the Dent Blanche d'Hérens.
Walks near Refuge du Col de Balme (2190m)
Col de Balme - Champex-Lac
10.94 mi
+4,327 ft
-6,673 ft
8h 50
Very difficult
Departure from Haute-Savoie
This second stage begins with a pleasant trail towards the "Des Grands" mountain pasture. Once you reach this chalet, the trail descends to the torrent, which you must cross at the Chalet du Glacier (1583 m). The view of the nearby Trient Glacier is magnificent. The long climb to the Fenêtre d'Arpette begins just after the Chalet Buvette. The landscape is chaotic at the pass and in the Arpette valley. The landscape becomes greener again from the Arpette refuge. The path then follows a bisse (irrigation channel) to Champex.
Col de Balme - Source de l'Arve - Col des Posettes from Le Tour
2.88 mi
+82 ft
-1,204 ft
1h 25
Easy
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
A short summer hike with exceptional panoramic views over the Chamonix valley and its massifs. There are several ways to approach it from Le Tour: the one shown is from the East, using the Charamillon cable car and the Autannes chairlift. The return journey is via the Charamillon cable car.
Refuge Albert 1er - Glacier du Tour
5.15 mi
+1,939 ft
-3,048 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Located above the Tour glacier, on its right bank, it is the only refuge managed by the Chamonix CAF that can be reached without crossing a glacier in summer. Its location is ideal, with views over a wide range of peaks: Aiguille du Tour, Chardonnet, Aiguille d'Argentière, la Verte and les Drus, les Aiguilles Rouges. It was named after Albert 1st, King of the Belgians. Considered the only high-mountain refuge accessible to families.
Trient to Tré-le-Champ - Tour Monte Blanc
Association / Club / Walk leader8.54 mi
+3,760 ft
-3,392 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from Valais
This 9th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) offers three options, the North-West one that climbs up almost to the summit of Carraye (t 2,132m) and drops down to Valorcine, the South-West past Col de Balme (at 2,191m) then drops to Le Tour or the middle option that goes over Col de Balme and Aiguilette des Posettes (at 2,210m) to drop down to Tré-le-Champ. Here's the description of the classic middle option. Let's do it!
The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
Couteray - Refuge du Vieux Emosson
7.45 mi
+3,753 ft
-1,053 ft
6h 40
Difficult
Departure from Vallorcine (Haute-Savoie)
A pretty route, with views of the Tour and Argentière glaciers, which passes through the Refuge de Loriaz to reach the Barrage d'Emosson via a balcony path and finishes at the Refuge du Vieux Emosson.
La Boerne Refuge – Lac Blanc Refuge
3.43 mi
+3,294 ft
-33 ft
4h 25
Difficult
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Stage8: from the Refuge de la Boerne (Tré Le Champ) to the Refuge du Lac Blanc via the Aiguillettes d’Argentière.Stop off at the refuge to admire the magnificent panoramic view of Mont Blanc.
⚠️ This route passes through the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. Please respect the regulations in force. See practical information.
Tré-le-Champ to Lac Blanc - Tour Mont Blanc
2.73 mi
+3,228 ft
-62 ft
4h 05
Difficult
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
This 10th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) normally runs along the high ground above the L'Arve valley to La Flègere but here's the description of the variant to Lac Blanc. A shorter stage but full of excitement and challenges. Let's do it!
The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
Ascending journey to the heights of Vallorcine
5.59 mi
+961 ft
-2,986 ft
3h 25
Difficult
Departure from Finhaut (Valais)
An easy hike overlooking the Trient and Vallorcine valleys, with superb views of the surrounding mountains such as the Mont Blanc massif and the 4,000-metre peaks of Valais. Caution for those prone to vertigo or fear of heights: there is a section with handrails, which is not dangerous but requires particular attention
Emosson Dam - Auberge de Salanfe
8.25 mi
+4,167 ft
-4,711 ft
7h 25
Difficult
Departure from Finhaut (Valais)
For this first stage, after skirting Lake Emosson opposite the Mont Ruan massif, the Col de Barberine and Col d'Emaney passes will take you to the shores of Lake Salanfe. You will appreciate the contrast between the Ruan massif and the Dents du Midi massif.
Forest and alpine pastures on the heights of Argentière
8.92 mi
+3,734 ft
-4,337 ft
7h 20
Difficult
Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
Outward journey from Argentière via Aiguillette d'Argentière and Lac Blanc, then down via Flégère to Les Praz de Chamonix.
Return to Argentière by train from Les Praz station. Otherwise two cars are required for arrival and departure.