It's true - on a clear day you can see forever and other Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France Things to Do Tips

Do this ONLY on a clear day! Going to the top of the Aiguille du Midi is not cheap, but it is the closest many people will ever be able to come to a real 'mountain top' experience.

You will be up at altitude (3842m) quickly, and be able to feel the difference as you start huffing and puffing going up and down the stairs at the top of the tower.

Why a must see? The views are absolutely stunning. You can see Switzerland and Italy from here, the Mont Blanc Massif, with various Aiguilles and even on occaision you can see the Matterhorn in the far distance.
A few tips to make the most of this pricey gondola ride -

1. Go EARLY in the morning. Often in the afternoon it can get cloudy, spoiling views into Switzerland and Italy. Tour groups start to queue around 9:30-10am.

2. Bring a hat and gloves and coat, even if it is broiling hot in Chamonix. At the top it will be windy and close to or below freezing.

3. Bring water and a snack with you. That way you will avoid paying silly prices for food in the cafes on top.

4. If you go 'off season' the extra charge to go to the tippy top 'needle' is often waived. Otherwise if they are trying to take more money from you for that extra elevator ride, just skip it. It's just one more viewing platform a little bit higher than the others, and you will queue a long time in high season.

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Address: Cham Sud - Aiguille du Midi lift station
Directions: Follow the signs to the Aiguille du Midi lift station, and be prepared to pay alot for passes - possibly a long wait in summer. The web site will tell you if the lift is running and the current fares.
Website: http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr

Hiking on the Mer de Glace is a very interesting experience if you have never been on a glacier before.

Be sure to go prepared - this means crampons, ice axes, harness, ropes and with knowledge of crevasse rescue techniques! (Or hire a mountain guide).

Beautiful hikes are accessible from here, to reach the Grand Jorasse, the Dru and other famous mountains in the Alps.

Comfy mountain refuges such as the Couvercle Hut can be booked in advance for accomodations, or you can bivvy outdoors.

See further details under Sports tips and photos in the Travelogue section.

Recommend a mountain guide take you if you have no experience, as inexperienced people can and do die on this glacier every year.

A list of qualified guides can be found on the link below on the Chamonix.net website.

You will need to negotiate several ladders to get down. Where there are 2 ladders side by side one set is for ascending and one is for descending - don't muck up the system or you will be glared at or yelled at (likely by me! :-)

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Address: start from trail head at Montenvers Train station
Directions: Take the Montenvers train and get off at the top. Walk past restaurants & alpine museum downhill and find the marked trail head. Put crampons on after ladder descent.
Website: http://www.chamonix.net/english/mountain_guides/guide_intro.htm
Other Contact: Office de Haute Montagne

Multi-day hiking adventures on the famous Tour du Mont Blanc trail can start from Chamonix or nearby Les Houches. This trail is over 165km (100 miles) long and holds many breathtaking mountain views as it circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif, and passes through three countries - France, Italy and Switzerland.

If you do not have time to do the full tour, you can walk (in either direction) to Courmayeur Italy (1/2 way) and take a bus back through the Mt Blanc Tunnel, or take the lift from Entreves to Pt Helbronner, and across to the Aiguille du Midi and back down to Chamonix for a more breathtaking finish to the journey.

You can find out more information about this route on many web sites such as starting with this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_du_Mont_Blanc and this one http://www.walkingthetmb.com/

The main season for doing the Tour du Mont Blanc is late June until early September. Before and after this time, the huts will be closing. Always check ahead to find out which huts will be open when you are planning to do the trip. Peak time on the trail is July and August. Snow can be found on the trail in June and September, depending upon weather conditions, and be prepared with enough layers in your backpack for cold wet weather or even snow on the high cols at any time of the year.

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Directions: Walk 100 miles circumnavigating Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland.