Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Centre Nautique de Chamonix —A large pool complex with a big waterslide, wa-
ter garden, Jacuzzi, and more (€7 for adults, €5.50 for those under age 18, open
June-early-Sept Mon-Sat in the afternoon and all day Sun, closed early Sept-May).
Parc de Merlet —Animal sanctuary with trails that let you discover mountain an-
imals (marmots, mountain goats, llamas, deer, and more). It's located in Coupeau
aboveLesHouches,andcomeswithexceptionalviews(soparentsgetsomescenery
while kids get to see animals). You can get there by car (20-minute drive) or hike
fortwobeautifulhoursfromChamonix(toomuchformostkids).Ifyoudrive,head
to the very top parking lot, as you'll be hiking uphill for 20-30 minutes just to reach
the entry. There's a lot more walking inside the park to find the animals—bring
good shoes and water (€6, €4 for kids ages 4-12, view café with salads and regional
dishes, no picnics allowed; May-June and Sept Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Mon;
July-Aug daily 9:30-19:30; tel. 04 50 53 47 89, www.parcdemerlet.com ) .
At Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix on the ground floor, you can hire a
guide to take you hiking (about €190/half-day, €310/day, less per person for groups), help
you scale Mont Blanc, or hike to the Matterhorn and Zermatt (open daily 9:00-12:00
& 15:30-19:00, closed Sun-Mon off-season, tel. 04 50 53 00 88, www.chamonix-
guides.com ) .
I describe three big hikes (Hikes #1, #2, and #3) and two easier walks (Hikes #4 and
#5); see the map on here . These hikes give nature lovers of any ability good options in
mostseasons.Startearly,whentheweather'sgenerallybest.Thisiscriticalinsummer—if
you don't get to the lifts by 8:30, you'll meet a conveyor belt of hikers. If starting later or
walking longer,confirm lift closing hours,orprepare foralong,steep hikedown.Nomat-
ter when you're here, come ready for a lot of hikers on the trails and be prepared to wait it
out if the weather gets rough—lifts don't run during electrical storms.
For your hike, pack sunglasses, sunscreen, rain gear, water, snacks, and maybe light
gloves. Bring warm layers (mountain weather can change in a moment) and good shoes
(trailsarerockyanduneven).Takeyourtime,watchyourfooting,don'ttakeshortcuts,and
say “ Bonjour!” to your fellow hikers. Note that there's no shade on Hikes #1, #2, and #3.
▲▲▲ Hike #1: Plan de l'Aiguille to Montenvers-Mer de Glace (Grand
Balcon Nord)
This is the most efficient way to incorporate a high-country hike into your ride down from
the valley's greatest lift, and check out a world-class glacier to boot. The well-used trail
rises but mostly falls (dropping 1,500 feet from Plan de l'Aiguille to Montenvers and the
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