Mont blanc walks by Hilary Sharp

Author:Hilary Sharp
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cicerone
Published: 2018-03-17T16:00:00+00:00

Route

From the cable car Lac Blanc is signed – just follow everyone else (there is a short cut across the bouldery slope just after leaving the lift which avoids descending to reascend.) Listen out for the insistent screeching of marmots.

A wide track leads up past a junction with the Grand Balcon Sud (also the TMB trail) which goes off right, but our route stays on the higher well-made path which rises gently. A small lake at 2171m provides a good resting place and an opportunity to get a fix on the mountains opposite, before the final climb to the Chalet du Lac Blanc (2352m). The first building to be seen is an old shack, the original hut until it was largely destroyed by avalanche. The new refuge occupies a much safer perch on rocks just beyond. The main building is beautifully made, inside and out, with paintings and huge crystals decorating the interior, whilst the annexe, long a shell for lack of funds, is finally being completed.

To descend, return to the old shack and begin to descend the hairpins. Very shortly, take a path that goes off to the right (southwest), signed to the Index. It’s waymarked in red all the way as it undulates around the hillside, in and out of the rocky cwm of Courbe des Aiguilles Crochues. Keep your eyes open as the cliffs above are the playground of climbers and becoming increasingly popular.

The top of the Index chairlift cannot be missed, and if time is short this could be used for the descent. If not, continue on to the ridge just beyond the lift and follow the narrow path down to the Col du Fouet. A path heads off right to the Col Cornu, but our destination is straight ahead. Soon the path joins the ugly bulldozed ski pistes of La Flégère but every so often a footpath short-cuts so look out for these and take the most comfortable route down to the top of the cable car. There is a café here, but save some thirst for La Floria.

Descend the track to the Refuge de la Flégère just below the cable car station. The route to Chamonix is signed from here, heading southwest then in wide zigzags down through the forest. There are several junctions but if you follow the signs to La Floria you won’t miss it as the footpath goes right through it – one of the floweriest cafés around. The path goes on and down to the road linking Les Praz to Chamonix. Turn left to go back to the cable car car park.

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