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It’s time to don your walking boots and follow your guide up to the summit of the Grande Motte glacier in Tignes (3550m), or up the Vallée Blanche in Chamonix (3850m) . It’s the perfect opportunity to discover the incredible joys of mountaineering which will happen at your pace and fitness.
As with Tignes (below) there’s two good options for a self guided walk or a guided walk in Chamonix. Morzine guests can easily get over to Cham’ for the day (1hr+ drive) and buy a ticket for the glacier train. At the top, use the metal ladders to access the Mer de Glace (sea of ice) and stomp around to your heart’s content, with crampons, which can be rented locally.
For a paid for ‘real mountain’ experience then hire a guide and try the Vallee Blanche Traverse. Ride up the famous Aiguille du Midi lift to 3800m and your guide will help you cross the (equally famous) Arête ridge so you can access some amazing hikes at this incredible altitude.
Take advantage of this magical setting to indulge in hiking, but not just any old hike! It’s more of an adventure on the Grand Motte glacier and all those of an average fitness can join in. You can self guide your own walk if you stick close to the Panoramique restaurant (at the top of the funicular railway) but if you want to summit the Grande Motte then a qualified mountain guide will help you avoid the crevasses. You’ll learn techniques for using picks and crampons. It’s a fabulous opportunity to learn more about glacial formation and mountaineering.
As an alternative, you can hike or walk to the glacier which requires no guide. In Tignes, you can hike to the base of the glacier from Val Claret in about 1 hr 45 mins, via the Toviere Express cable car. Then retrace your steps back down. Or, take the funicular railway for direct access to the snowline at 3,100m as in the section above: ‘Hikes on the Tignes glacier’.
In Val d’Isere (a short drive from Tignes) we love the Refuge walk, but mainly for the authentic mountain refuge in which you can have a proper filling lunch. Our Active Team can help you book the Refuge in advance. Simply drive to the start point (car park in Val D) and start the walk up. After lunch at the refuge - which is an experience in itself - return back to base or, (if you’re keen), continue up to the snow line for 1 hr 30 mins. Stunning views guaranteed!
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