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Climbing in Chamonix

Introduction to Climbing

If you’ve never tried climbing before or if you’d like to get your children interested in rock climbing, you can join a group to literally learn the ropes! Groups of 4-6 people will be taught about ropes, knots, belays and abseils on one of the easily accessible climbing walls, normally at Les Gaillands or Les Houches. Helmets and harnesses are included. Contact us for more information and how to book. 

Bouldering in Chamonix

There are a great variety of bouldering problems in Chamonix to discover, from the high mountain to the valley floor. Popular spots include Grands Montets, the Col des Montets, Plan d’Aiguille, Coupeau and Le Pierre d’Orthaz. To discover more, pick up a bouldering guide book or book yourself a holiday here and a climbing guide who can help you find the seemingly never ending blocks and challenges that can be found here. 
 

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is a sport that’s available to all ages and experience to enjoy, and here in Chamonix there are literally hundreds of Trad climbing and Sport climbing routes to discover, plenty of which you can accomplish in one day. 
 
Test your mettle on some of the long alpine routes on Chamonix’s iconic towers and spikes, which will involve an overnight stay in a mountain refuge, or one of the more accessible multi-pitch routes that you can reach via the lifts or trains in the valley. There are plenty of crags for sport climbing along the length of the valley too, which are typically snow free from May onwards. They tend to be lower in elevation from a few hundred metres to 2000m elevation. 
 
If you’re relatively new to climbing or wat to develop more autonomous climbing skills, then hire a local guide and learn from their vast experience of the local area and mountain knowledge. Contact us to find out more. 

Via Ferrata

You’ll need a head for heights for this activity, as you climb the iron hand and feet holds, balance across wire walkways, planks and ladders. You’re clipped onto a safety cable the whole way round, as you climb and work your way up and around the rocks. This is something that demands a good level of fitness and good nerves, as you’ll be using your balance and strength a lot!
 
There are two via ferrata routes in the Chamonix valley, one at Flegere ("Evettes" the easier route) and one in Passy (more difficult route). You can hire equipment (harness, lanyards and helmet) from one of the local sports shops or take a guide with you if you’re not sure what to do. Participants must be at least 12 years old and you must all wear good grippy shoes and sports wear. Contact us for more information.
 
   

Mountaineering & Mont Blanc

   
       
For the more experienced climbers and alpinists, Chamonix offers some incredible big wall climbing on granite slabs and fissures and of course, the chance to summit western Europe’s highest mountain - Mont Blanc. Find out more. 
   

Come and discover for yourself why Chamonix is known as one of the world’s best climbing destinations. Not only do we have incredible crags that are easily accessible on foot but thanks to the high altitude, you can also climb on snow and ice all year round.