ATOL protected holidays
Chamonix
Summer holidays here are great for...
Walking
Cycling
Mountain biking
Swimming
Water sports
The French Alps summer holiday you’ll never forget. More hikes and bikes than you can shake a baguette at. Fondue sticks at the ready!
- Big peaks, buzzing mountain town vibes
- Activities for every age and pace
- Cheese, glaciers, and "alpine jazz"
With stunning summits stretched out before you (oh, hi Mont Blanc!) and the scent of pine on a warm breeze, swap your skis for hiking shoes to explore the French Alps paradise that is Chamonix in summer. This legendary mountain town is as lively in shorts season as it is when wrapped in thermals. You’ve got trails to conquer, glaciers to ogle, and terraces to relax on with a cold sunset spritz in hand. Whether you're here for hardcore hikes, high-altitude lounging, or just to see what “alpine jazz” sounds like, Chamonix offers UK adventurers the perfect combo of wow-factor wilderness and charming café culture.
Get ready for the alpine adventure of your dreams, all just a short transfer from Geneva. Plus, getting around Chamonix in summer is effortless. You can explore the whole region without a car, and save money while doing it with the free Chamonix Guest Card (Carte d’Hôte). Provided by most hotels (we’ll show you which ones), the card grants unlimited local bus and train rides, letting you hop between trailheads and towns with ease.
There’s also the Mont Blanc MultiPass, which isn’t free, but gives you access to almost all mountain trains and lift systems in the valley and beyond. Très bonne!
- Big peaks, buzzing mountain town vibes
- Activities for every age and pace
- Cheese, glaciers, and "alpine jazz"
With stunning summits stretched out before you (oh, hi Mont Blanc!) and the scent of pine on a warm breeze, swap your skis for hiking shoes to explore the French Alps paradise that is Chamonix in summer. This legendary mountain town is as lively in shorts season as it is when wrapped in thermals. You’ve got trails to conquer, glaciers to ogle, and terraces to relax on with a cold sunset spritz in hand. Whether you're here for hardcore hikes, high-altitude lounging, or just to see what “alpine jazz” sounds like, Chamonix offers UK adventurers the perfect combo of wow-factor wilderness and charming café culture.
Get ready for the alpine adventure of your dreams, all just a short transfer from Geneva. Plus, getting around Chamonix in summer is effortless. You can explore the whole region without a car, and save money while doing it with the free Chamonix Guest Card (Carte d’Hôte). Provided by most hotels (we’ll show you which ones), the card grants unlimited local bus and train rides, letting you hop between trailheads and towns with ease.
There’s also the Mont Blanc MultiPass, which isn’t free, but gives you access to almost all mountain trains and lift systems in the valley and beyond. Très bonne!
Chamonix
Activities
Hiking & Walking
Lace up those boots! Chamonix is a hiker’s haven, with trails that cater to ramblers, wanderers, and summit seekers alike. You’ll find yourself weaving through wildflower meadows, skirting glacier views, or ascending to lakes that look too blue to be real. With hundreds of kilometres to explore, you can do mellow or mega - your legs will thank (or curse) you either way. Well-marked routes starting from cable cars like Brévent, Flégère, and Aiguille du Midi are all included in the Mont Blanc MultiPass.
- Lac Blanc Hike - One of the most famous walks in the Alps. Turquoise lake, mirrored Mont Blanc, and photogenic mountain goats. Ideal for moderately fit adventurers and scenery-chasers.
- Petit Balcon Nord - A valley-level ramble through shady pine forests and quiet hamlets. Great for families and those easing into the altitude.
- Grand Balcon Sud - Panoramas for days. This route links the Brévent and Flégère cable cars with minimal ascent. Perfect for picnickers who appreciate a view.
Lace up those boots! Chamonix is a hiker’s haven, with trails that cater to ramblers, wanderers, and summit seekers alike. You’ll find yourself weaving through wildflower meadows, skirting glacier views, or ascending to lakes that look too blue to be real. With hundreds of kilometres to explore, you can do mellow or mega - your legs will thank (or curse) you either way. Well-marked routes starting from cable cars like Brévent, Flégère, and Aiguille du Midi are all included in the Mont Blanc MultiPass.
- Lac Blanc Hike - One of the most famous walks in the Alps. Turquoise lake, mirrored Mont Blanc, and photogenic mountain goats. Ideal for moderately fit adventurers and scenery-chasers.
- Petit Balcon Nord - A valley-level ramble through shady pine forests and quiet hamlets. Great for families and those easing into the altitude.
- Grand Balcon Sud - Panoramas for days. This route links the Brévent and Flégère cable cars with minimal ascent. Perfect for picnickers who appreciate a view.
Cycling & Mountain biking
If you're the type who loves two wheels and a good leg burn, Chamonix is your kind of playground. Road riders can chase Tour de France dreams over iconic passes, while mountain bikers will find dirt tracks, forest trails and lift-assisted descents galore. Rental bikes are available from one of the many local shops, and you can book guided tours. As for e-bikes? Treat yourself - they’ll help make “just one more climb” a reality.
- Col des Montets - A manageable mountain pass with postcard-worthy views. Ideal for newer riders or anyone wanting to ‘earn' their croissant.
- Le Tour to Vallorcine MTB trail - A flowy, lift-served trail through forests and meadows. Suits confident riders and families with teens.
- E-bike Glacier Tour - A guided glide through alpine scenery with glacier backdrops. Great for curious cruisers and easy-going explorers.
If you're the type who loves two wheels and a good leg burn, Chamonix is your kind of playground. Road riders can chase Tour de France dreams over iconic passes, while mountain bikers will find dirt tracks, forest trails and lift-assisted descents galore. Rental bikes are available from one of the many local shops, and you can book guided tours. As for e-bikes? Treat yourself - they’ll help make “just one more climb” a reality.
- Col des Montets - A manageable mountain pass with postcard-worthy views. Ideal for newer riders or anyone wanting to ‘earn' their croissant.
- Le Tour to Vallorcine MTB trail - A flowy, lift-served trail through forests and meadows. Suits confident riders and families with teens.
- E-bike Glacier Tour - A guided glide through alpine scenery with glacier backdrops. Great for curious cruisers and easy-going explorers.
Other things to do
Chamonix isn’t just about boots and bikes. This town does ‘mountain playground’ like nowhere else - with a little help from gravity, gears, and good old-fashioned fun. Whether you’re airborne, underwater, or upside down on a luge track, there’s always another way to get your pulse racing.
- Merlet Animal Park - Wildlife spotting with a Mont Blanc backdrop. Think ibex, marmots, and very cute photo ops.
- Paragliding - Tandem flights from Planpraz deliver unbeatable views and adrenaline kicks. No experience needed - just nerves of steel.
- Luge Alpine Coaster - A 1.3km mountain rollercoaster for thrill-seeking kids and nostalgic adults. Screams included at no extra cost.
Chamonix isn’t just about boots and bikes. This town does ‘mountain playground’ like nowhere else - with a little help from gravity, gears, and good old-fashioned fun. Whether you’re airborne, underwater, or upside down on a luge track, there’s always another way to get your pulse racing.
- Merlet Animal Park - Wildlife spotting with a Mont Blanc backdrop. Think ibex, marmots, and very cute photo ops.
- Paragliding - Tandem flights from Planpraz deliver unbeatable views and adrenaline kicks. No experience needed - just nerves of steel.
- Luge Alpine Coaster - A 1.3km mountain rollercoaster for thrill-seeking kids and nostalgic adults. Screams included at no extra cost.
Where to eat and drink
After all that fresh air and legwork, you’ll need fuel - and boy does Chamonix deliver on the foodie front. From fondue feasts to mountain terrace lunches, its dining scene is as varied as its terrain - whether you’re après-hiking, mid-brunching, or dinner-with-a-view-ing:
- La Calèche - Rustic, hearty, and fondue-fantastic, with a dollop of alpine ambiance. The perfect spot for cheese-lovers and hungry hikers after a big day out.
- Moody Coffee Roasters - Artisanal brews and flaky croissants. A go-to for early risers and flat-white connoisseurs.
- Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (“the MBC”) - House-brewed beers, live music, and a buzzing local vibe. Ideal for sociable evenings and casual eats.
After all that fresh air and legwork, you’ll need fuel - and boy does Chamonix deliver on the foodie front. From fondue feasts to mountain terrace lunches, its dining scene is as varied as its terrain - whether you’re après-hiking, mid-brunching, or dinner-with-a-view-ing:
- La Calèche - Rustic, hearty, and fondue-fantastic, with a dollop of alpine ambiance. The perfect spot for cheese-lovers and hungry hikers after a big day out.
- Moody Coffee Roasters - Artisanal brews and flaky croissants. A go-to for early risers and flat-white connoisseurs.
- Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (“the MBC”) - House-brewed beers, live music, and a buzzing local vibe. Ideal for sociable evenings and casual eats.
Chamonix
Maps
Chamonix
Weather average
Average daily high
May
20°C
tempJun
23°C
tempJul
26°C
tempAug
25°C
tempSep
22°C
tempOct
17°C
tempWhy book a mountain holiday with Heidi?
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All flight-inclusive holidays sold on Heidi are fully financially protected under the ATOL scheme (ATOL 11456)