What to do in the Chamonix valley?

The Chamonix Mont Blanc valley offers endless experiences for nature and mountain lovers: skiing, hiking, trail running, cultural discoveries, or simply breathtaking panoramas… Each season has its own charm; the hardest part will be choosing. I've selected 16 activities for you and would be happy to advise you.

The must-see activities in the Chamonix valley:

1) Ski areas
2) A hiker's paradise in all seasons with over 500 km of trails
3) The Aiguille du Midi cable car (3842m) and the Step into the Void
4) The Mer de Glace, the Montenvers Train, the Ice Cave
5) Le Brevent in Chamonix, the best view of Mont Blanc

Activities worth visiting (Chamonix valley and surrounding area):

6) The Mont Blanc Tramway
7) Crystal Museum in Chamonix
8) VerticAlp Emosson, Amusement Park in Châtelard (15 minutes from Vallorcine)
9) Chamonix Amusement Park - Les Planards (including luge on rails): not to be missed with children!
10) Merlet Animal Park (Les Houches): a must-see with children! (35 minutes from Vallorcine)
11) Suspended path of the Diosaz Gorges (35 minutes from Vallorcine)
12) Alpine Zoo and swimming pool of Les Marécottes (45 minutes from Vallorcine)
13) Champex-Lac (45 minutes from Vallorcine)
14) Verbier: the 4 valleys (45 minutes from Vallorcine)
15) Montreux, the Rocher des Nayes (cog railway) and the Charlie Chaplin Museum in Vevey (1 hour from Vallorcine)
16) Great St. Bernard Pass (1 hour from Vallorcine)
 

1) Ski areas

The Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley offers all types of slopes, elevation changes and orientations.
🔗 Refer to the Ski Areas section for more information

2) Hiking paradise

The Chamonix valley is an exceptional playground all year round, with nearly 500 km of trails offering hiking, snowshoeing and varied landscapes depending on the season.
Renowned as the world capital of trail running with events like the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, it also offers routes for all levels, between mountain huts and wildlife observation in the Aiguilles Rouges reserve in Vallorcine.
Each season reveals its treasures:

• Summer : Summits accessible via ski lifts, long hikes

• Autumn : Vibrant colours and peaceful paths

• Winter & spring : Snowshoeing or walks at lower altitudes to enjoy the snow in a different way

3) Aiguille du Midi cable car (3842m) and the Step into the Void

The Aiguille du Midi cable car whisks you up to 3,842 meters in 20 minutes, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Alps and Mont Blanc from the summit. The Step into the Void, located at the top of the Aiguille du Midi, is a suspended glass cage offering breathtaking views of the Alps and the Bossons Glacier.

4) Mer de Glace, Montenvers Train, Ice Cave

The Mer de Glace is the largest glacier in France, accessible via the Montenvers train from the center of Chamonix. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. In summer, magnificent hikes are possible from the Plan de l'Aiguille.

5) Le Brévent

Le Brévent offers one of the best views of Mont Blanc. From Chamonix, take the gondola lift to Plan Praz (1999 m), then the cable car to Brévent (2525 m). At the summit of Brévent, enjoy sunny terraces and restaurants with panoramic views of Mont Blanc.

6) The Mont Blanc Tramway

The Mont-Blanc Tramway, the highest train in France, connects Saint-Gervais-les-Bains to the Nid d'Aigle in summer or to the Bellevue plateau in winter, offering an exceptional panoramic journey at the foot of Mont Blanc.
Accessible to hikers, skiers and mountaineers, it allows you to discover spectacular landscapes and access legendary routes leading to high mountain refuges.

🔗 Official website of the Compagnie du Mont Blanc: Here

7) Crystal Museum in Chamonix

The Crystal Museum offers a fascinating journey through mineralogy, from alpine treasures of the Mont Blanc massif to iconic stones from the five continents.
Renovated in 2021, it offers a modern scenography with an exceptional collection of crystals, precious stones and metals, as well as tours and activities for all audiences.
Average visit duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
🔗 Official website of the Crystal Museum: here

8) VerticAlp Emosson, Amusement Park in Châtelard (15 minutes from Vallorcine)

Open from late May to mid-October and accessible from Vallorcine, VerticAlp Emosson takes you from Châtelard to the Emosson dam at 1965 m, with spectacular views of Mont Blanc.
Thanks to its three rail installations, the site offers a unique experience between magnificent alpine landscapes and access to numerous hikes around the dam.

🔗 Official website of the VertiAlp Emosson amusement park: here

9) Chamonix Amusement Park - Les Planards (including luge on rails): not to be missed with children!

The Chamonix toboggan run is a fun and accessible activity for everyone, ideally located near the town centre and the Montenvers train station.
This leisure park offers many activities for young and old (sledding, trampolines, games, electric motorcycles), as well as relaxation areas with food and picnic areas.

10) Merlet Animal Park (Les Houches): a must-see with children! (35 minutes from Vallorcine)

Perched 1500m above the Chamonix valley, the Merlet alpine pasture offers an exceptional panorama of the Mont Blanc massif as well as an immersion in nature in the heart of a vast animal area.
Merlet Park offers an easy way to discover the mountains through an accessible hike between forests, meadows and semi-free animals, in an authentic alpine setting.
🔗 Official website: Merlet Park: here (please note that reservations are required)

11) Suspended path of the Diosaz Gorges (35 minutes from Vallorcine)

Open from the end of May to the end of September: a curiosity of the Chamonix valley, the suspended path of the Diosaz gorges offers, in a wild and natural setting, a magnificent and unusual spectacle.
🔗 Official website: Gorges de la Diosaz here

12) Alpine Zoo and swimming pool of Les Marécottes (45 minutes from Vallorcine)

The Marécottes Zoo, the highest zoo in Europe, allows you to discover alpine fauna all year round in a natural setting in a larch forest, with emblematic species such as bears, lynx and marmots.
🔗 Official website of the Marécottes Alpine Zoo and Swimming Pool here

13) Champex-Lac (45 minutes from Vallorcine)

In Champex - Lac , discover unspoiled nature above the crystal-clear waters of a mountain lake . Hikers will find their paradise here.

14) Verbier: the 4 valleys (45 minutes from Vallorcine)

Verbier offers numerous activities in the region, both summer and winter. There's something for everyone. The hardest part will be choosing.
🔗 Official Verbier 4 Valleys website here

15) Montreux, the Rocher des Nayes and the Charlie Chaplin Museum in Vevey (1 hour from Vallorcine)

Montreux is a jewel of the Swiss Riviera with its palm trees and magnificent views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. It appeals to nature lovers and those seeking relaxation, and is worth a visit in every season.
- In Montreux, embark on a unique experience on the Rochers-de-Naye cog railway which climbs to over 2000 meters altitude, a magnificent spectacle awaits you: Lake Geneva in all its splendor, surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
- In Vevey, you will discover Chaplin's world. During the 2.5-hour visit, you will experience a unique emotional and cultural adventure, where Chaplin's humor and emotion come to life.
🔗 Official Chaplinsworld website here

16) Great St. Bernard Pass (1 hour from Vallorcine)

The Great St. Bernard Pass, culminating at 2,469 m, is a mythical passage in the Alps linking Switzerland and Italy, marked by a rich history of pilgrims and travelers.
The site is home to the historic Great St. Bernard Hospice and its museum, which recounts the history of the pass, the hospice, and its founders. During the summer months, the famous St. Bernard dogs are present at the pass. The landscape itself is a major attraction, featuring the Great St. Bernard Lake, a glacial lake whose waters mark the border between the two countries. The alpine setting of the pass lends itself to numerous outdoor activities, especially in summer.
In July and August, the Barry Foundation organizes dog-assisted hikes, offering a unique experience to visitors.

🔗 Discover our three accommodations here (photos, amenities, availability, rates and direct booking at the best price)

Chez Charles**** | Vallorcine Viachamonix
Apartment rentals**** in Vallorcine in a residence with indoor pool, sauna and hammam, at the Les Portes Du Mont Blanc Resort