Chamonix Routes

The French Alps in the area near Chamonix encompass the highest concentration of quality alpine routes in the world. There are classics here at every technical level, and at each of those levels there’s a choice of rock, snow and ice, or mixed climbing.

Guided climbing had its birth here during the quest for the first ascent of Mont Blanc (Western Europe’s highest peak at 15,771′) which began in the late 1700′s, and since then these peaks have drawn people from throughout the world to enjoy their beauty, challenge, and variety.

Of the countless fine routes in the massif, we list only a sampling of the possibilities, but they represent some of the very best in the region. Although listed singly, many climbs are accessible from the same hut or high camp and can be efficiently combined. When you give us a call, we’ll be happy to discuss route selections and combinations with you. If you don’t already have routes in mind, we can help you design an itinerary of any length. You can join us for as little as a day or two, but especially if you have your sights on one of the high peaks or big routes, we suggest beginning with at least one preliminary climb to tune your skills and to acclimatize.