Aiguille du Midi Hike
Panorama image of mountain peaks from Aiguille du Midi Hike
Guide helps hiker with crampons and safety ropes
Hikers stop to smile while wearing crampons
Snow on Aguille du Midi hike
Happy hiker celebrates while wearing crampons
Hikers enjoying the Alps on Aiguille du Midi Hike
Hikers descending the mountain to return to Chamonix
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Aiguille du Midi Ice Hike

Hike the Vallée Blanche and Géant glaciers from the Aiguille du Midi

Chamonix
1 day
French and English
Starts: From in front of Vertical Cafe near the Aiguille du Midi cable car departure station
Ends: To Aiguille du Midi cable car arrival station
Free cancellation!

Briefing

Marvel the French and Italian Alps from France’s biggest glacier with the Aiguille du Midi Hike. Explore Vallee Blanche and much more on your day at the top of Mont Blanc! Set off from Chamonix by ascending via cable cars up to Mont Blanc’s peak. With your guide explore the Vallee Blanche Glacier and walk along the seracs. Before heading back down, take a gander at the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa on the Italian side. Close out your day trip with a ride back down the mountain on the cable car to Chamonix. 

Are you ready to breathe the crisp air of the Alps?🏔️

Tour details

Included

  • Professional mountain guide
  • Safety equipment

Not included

  • Transportation fare (Aiguille du Midi roundtrip cable car fare)
  • Food and drink
  • Insurance
  • Technical equipment (crampons, walking poles, etc.)

Important information

🚫 NOT SUITABLE for children under 12 years old, due to the difficulty and demand of the hike.

Individual Insurance is strongly recommended. 

Remember to purchase round-trip train tickets before departing

Public transport in Chamonix is free with a valid Lift Pass or Guest Card.

Good physical condition is required (ability to hike at high altitudes for a full day). Mountaineering experience is not required for this excursion.

⚠️ The private tour is for a maximum of 4 people, in case of more people, another guide will be added.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellations!

If you cancel at least seven days before the tour begins, you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show, no refunds will be provided.

Tour itinerary

Aiguille du Midi Hike

Aiguille du Midi cable car

Begin your tour by meeting your guide at the Vertical Cafe which sits close to the Aiguille du Midi cable car departure station. Your guide will give you a quick introduction to explain the itinerary and answer any questions, for you to enjoy the activity in complete safety. Do not worry if you have not used crampons and ice axe before. Next you’ll take the cable car up the mountain to begin your Aiguille du Midi glacier hike, where you’ll reach a whopping 12,605 feet (3842 m) in altitude.

Aiguille du Midi cable cars carrying passengers

Hiking on ice in Aiguille du Midi

Now you’ve reached the top of the mountain! The fun begins after strapping on your crampons and getting roped in. Your guide will take you down the snowy ridge to cross the Vallee Blanche and Geant Glaciers. You’ll tread along the seracs (which is a block of glacial ice created from intersecting crevasses) and scale the Italian side of Pointe Helbronner. From there you can see the iconic Matterhorn and Mote Rosa. Take a breather before finishing up your day trip on the mountain.

Hikers posing in crampons at Aiguille du Midi

Return to Chamonix

After you’ve scaled the mountain, admired the seracs, and experienced a unique tour in front of Mont Blanc with your guide, your long day of adventure on the mountain will come to a close. After packing up your equipment, you will have time to visit the Aiguille du Midi facilities, which features viewpoints, mountaineering exhibitions and the famous “passage to the void”. Then, you’ll take the Aiguille du Midi cable car back to Chamonix.

Passengers return to Chamonix on Aiguille du Midi cable cars

What to bring to Aiguille du Midi Ice Hike

Keep in mind that the weather can be changeable, from rain to sun, so we recommend the 3-layer system so you can adapt to the conditions.

  • Technical equipment: crampons, walking poles, ice pick, climbing harness, and a helmet
  • 45 Liter backpack
  • Mountaineering boots
  • Hiking pants
  • Fleece or windproof jacket
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Food and drinks
  • Credit card and cash (EUR and CHF)

Where does the tour Aiguille du Midi Ice Hike start

The tour starts in front of Vertical Cafe near the Aiguille du Midi cable car departure station. 

Here are the best ways to get to Chamonix:

✈️ By plane: the closest airports are Geneva, Lyon, and Milan, and they are located less than two hours from Chamonix. The best option is to fly to Geneva airport.

🚂 By train: Chamonix is served by trains from Paris, Lyon, Annecy, Bellegarde, Geneva and Martigny.

🚗 By road: Chamonix is well-connected by road thanks to the Mont Blanc tunnel, in addition to direct access from Italy.

Questions & Answers

  • Where can I rent technical equipment needed for the hike?

    Technical equipment can be rented at the partnering sports store, follow this link for more information: Sanglard

  • Is lunch included?

    No, lunch is not included so you’ll have to bring your meals, snacks, and plenty of water to keep you hydrated for the day.

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