Grand Balcon Nord: Plan de l'Aiguille du Midi-Montenvers

About trip

This hike is located on the northern side of the valley, in the middle of the mountain. The departure and arrival points are served by ski lifts. The route is described in the most pleasant sense : view, difference in level From the cable car station, go down towards the Refuge du Plan de l'Aiguille. Do not take the two paths going down to Chamonix by the Plan du Trois or the Pré du Rocher. Go right horizontally on the path that crosses the Tapia, the torrent and the bottom of the moraines of the Blaitière and Nantillons glaciers. At this point, leave the Chamonix trail on the left through the Alpages de Blaitière. Continue horizontally crossing the torrent of Grépon. Above Grand-Chalet, take a moment of rest to admire the impressive panorama of of the Aiguilles de Chamonix : I'M, the Charmoz, Blaitière, the Plan, the Aiguille du Midi... and the Mont-Blanc. Shortly after, at 2071 m, a fork in the road: on the left a steep shortcut leads to to the Montenvers by cutting steep corridors dangerous in case of snow (diff. : for experienced hikers). Take the panoramic path on the right by a winding ascent and a crossing that leads to the lower Signal des Charmoz, then to the Signal Forbes (2 198 m). The view changes suddenly: the Drus, the Verte, the Jorasses... Descend on the Mer de Glace side a large slope by big laces to reach the Montenvers, the hotel and the train station.