Walking tours in France
Hiking Weekend in Chamonix
Technical lev. : 2.5 / 5
Physical lev. : 3.5 / 5
This program is perfect for those who would like to have a good time over 2 days for a mountain weekend, at the heart of Europe's Mountaineering Capital!
If you come from further away you can go on a 3-day break in Chamonix.
Dates & Prices
Trip
The Lac Blanc is one of the most famous panoramas in the Alps, with its perfect view of Mont Blanc. We will also discover the lakes of Chéserys along the descent to the Buet village. The night at the Pierre à Bérard refuge, at the feet of the Aiguilles Rouges, will be a good time to share and meet other hikers.
Program
Vertical Drop: + 1100 m and - 1000 m
Walking time: 6 - 7 hours approximately
We will meet at 8:30 am at the new Flégère gondola, which replaces the old cable car, we get to know each other and we will take a little time to have a look at your backpacks. We do not need to take a big backpack for two days only, spending one night in the Refuge Pierre à Berard. This would be the perfect chance in case it is your first time sleeping in a mountain hut, the Refuge de Pierre à Bérard is located in a very wild valley where there is no artificial lights coming from the city: we will be able to observe the stars in a privileged way. You will surely see shooting stars in August. It is a small refuge nestled under an enormous block of granite which protects it from avalanches in winter.
Vertical Drop: + 1100 m and - 1700 m
Walking time: about 7 hours
We enjoy breakfast at the refuge before leaving for the ascent of Mont Blanc des Dames - Mont Buet: it is a great summit, which was climbed very regularly by the Mountaineers Women in the 19th century, that's where the name of this pretty summit comes from. The climb is steady and quite quick, walking up by a path at first, then along a rocky area where your Guide will show you the way and give you some advices to improve. Towards the Col de Salenton we will find a small path to continue our climb. Mont Buet is not far from Switzerland and overlooks the Cirque du Fer à Cheval towards Samoens. The view on Mont Blanc is magnificent, Switzerland and Grand Ruan, the ascent and descent are quite fast despite the significant elevation.
We eat at the top to enjoy the view, on the way down we will stop at the refuge to nibble a piece of Gateau or other for those who are greedy!
On the descent we may do an initiation to Mountain Trail Running, some parts of the path are an ideal playground for mountain running.
The descent takes us to the Buet station, to return by train to Chamonix and find our starting point again.
End of the Week End.
See you soon for new good times in the mountains!
Materiel
If possible, take a bag that is light enough to be carried well, and no heavier than 1.5 kilos.
Your rucksack should have 10 to 15 litres of space for the food you will be carrying for lunch and sometimes the next day, which the mountain huts or guides will give you.
Kilos to carry - it's better to wash than to carry :
Allow 2 litres of water and 500 grams of food for the day.
Your guide will have a more comprehensive first-aid kit in case of a major accident.
A small book or card game (weighing less than 150 grams)...
Weight is the hiker's enemy, but a frozen or soaked hiker is a hiker without pleasure!
So take the time to prepare your rucksack well and weigh it before you set off, to check that without water or food your rucksack weighs 6 to 7 KG, but no more !
IMPORTANT: if a person is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow him/her to take part in the climb. We ask you to read carefully the equipment list provided in the programme PDF and to call us if you have any doubts.
Level
CONFIRMED MOUNTAIN HIKE
Mountain hiking for experienced people, you have experience and skill in the mountains.
Some passages are vertiginous and it is sometimes necessary to put the hands to help the progression.
Learning about the weather and mapping experience, the Guide can take you to the map to learn how to manage a route if you wish!
CONFIRMED COURSE
Effort corresponding to about 1000 - 1400 m of ascent in hiking per day.
You like endurance sports and do them about twice a week.
Useful infos
Cancellation and repatriation insurance is mandatory, as is mountain search and rescue insurance (minimum cover of 10,000 Euros).
Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com.
The meeting on Saturday morning is at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Flegère Cable Car station.
End of the trekking weekend: at the flégère gondola at 6 p.m. at the latest, the day wiil be quite long to go to the top of Mont Buet. You can pick up your car after we have returned by train from the Buet village.
When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to take part in the car-sharing scheme to get to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your booking, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of the other participants who are interested in car-sharing, so that you can contact them directly.
. Assistance of a certified UIMLA Trekking Guide from our Team;
. Half board accommodation as described in the program;
. Mandatory cablecars tickets;
. Picnics, every day;
. Mandatory transports along the program.
. Cancellation / interruption of stay / luggage loss and accident insurance;
. Drinks and personal expenses;
. Additional nights outside the program;
. Drinks;
. Out-of-program visits and transfers;
. Tips;
. All that is not indicated in the section "The price includes".
Photo gallery
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The Mont Buet hike is a route that is considered to be fairly difficult. As it is a high mountain hike (3096 metres altitude), you need to be in good physical condition and have good hiking experience at a technical level. It's also important to be properly equipped and aware of the weather conditions before setting off, especially if you're going at the start of the season. It's best to do this with a guide, as you'll be going through some tricky sections. Make sure you bring some warm clothes, as the summit is at altitude and you could get cold very quickly, which would spoil the descent...
Lac Blanc" is a popular high mountain lake in the French Alps, more specifically in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc region. It takes its name from the snow-capped peaks and glaciers that surround it, giving it a stunning and picturesque setting.
The lake is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. Once you arrive at Lac Blanc, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers, making it an ideal place for photography and relaxation.
Chamonix, officially known as Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, is located in the French Alps. It is in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Chamonix is renowned for its stunning alpine scenery, world-class skiing, mountaineering opportunities and lively atmosphere! ?We can advise you to spend a few days in Chamonix before doing the Le Buet - Lac Blanc weekend, to take advantage of this warm mountain atmosphere.?You'll be in the constant motion of city life before moving on to the tranquillity of the high mountains and the traditional immersion of the Pierre à Bérard refuge.
Now you're ready for this great alpine trek!
