http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34420 This is an energetic trek taking in the best of the French, Italian and Swiss alps, crossing three high mountain passes, sleeping in a variety of remote mountain huts such as Lac Blanc, Rifugio Elisabetta and Refugio Bonatti to boutique guest-houses in the busy towns of Chamonix and Courmayeur. Be flexible and organise your own trek using the cicerone guide written by Kevin Reynolds - he became a bit of a hero to us. Then to top it off, why not paraglide from the Aiguille du midi - I thoroughly recommend it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34420 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34372 Grand Balcon Nord 6.5 km – allow three hours.
Chamonix in the French Alps is one of the best known centres for walking in the summer and rightly so.
One of the most spectacular yet easiest walks is the Grand Balcon Nord which has you strolling through a veritable rock garden at 2000 metres and even offers the possibility of meeting a marmot or two.
From Chamonix take the Aiguille cable car to the half way point at Plan de l’Aiguille which is the starting point for your route - although it is spectacular, and literally breathtaking, due to the altitude, to take the cable car right to the top station – and then start your walk on the return journey.
The well signposted rocky mountain trail undulates north east, meandering through miniature rhododendrons, gentian and azaleas, with stunning views down to Chamonix and over the narrow valley to Plan Praz and La Flegere standing at 1877m - this is the Grand Balcon Sud and another fine walk affording views over Mont Blanc and Les Aiguilles (the needles).
As you reach the junction of the path to Montenvers mountain railway you can take the route directly there or turn right and zig zag easily up the extra 150m to grab great views of the stunning pinnacles of the Aiguille Vert at 4122m, Les Drus and the Mer de Glace (sea of ice).
Catch the picturesque little train from Montenvers back down to Chamonix. Remember to check what time the last train and cable car operate as it’s a long walk down!
This walk can be done in reverse and an early start will give you the opportunity to watch the sun come up from behind Les Aiguilles.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34372 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18716
Fortunately, I chose the right time to go (7.30am) as the light shone on Mont Blanc in just the right way and there were only six tourists on the highest terrace which looks over Mont Blanc, be warned though the cable car does get cramped with all of the skiers with their skis and poles taking up every inch

Note to parents - children under two are not allowed on the cable car.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18716 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18715 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18715 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6230 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6230 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2579
But if you're willing to wait for service and don't mind paying over the odds for Evian (water has to be hiked up the mountain), it really is a beautiful spot.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2579 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2501 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2501 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2348 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2348 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2347 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2347