Climbing to the Argentière Glacier is a superb hike to do in case you are in search of a simple tour with lovely views of the French Alps. The path results in an energetic glacier, the place you possibly can stand in entrance its frigid wall and pay attention for chunks of ice breaking off in the summertime solar.
A cable automobile whisks hikers up into the mountains, eliminating an enormous chunk of elevation achieve. From the cable automobile, it’s a comparatively simple out-and-back hike to viewpoints of Glacier d’Argentière, with the choice to detour to Chalet Refuge de Lognan.
Find out how to Get to Argentière from Chamonix
To succeed in the city of Argentière, we took the practice from Chamonix. Trains run each half-hour to 1 hour, relying on the time of day. By practice it takes roughly 20 minutes to journey to Argentière from Chamonix. We bought our practice ticket within the Chamonix practice station and boarded the subsequent practice.
For practice timetables and pricing, click on right here.
You even have the choice to take a bus, taxi, or drive your self to Argentière. Personally, we suggest the practice, because it was a soothing and satisfying trip.
Argentière Cable Automobile
In Argentière, there are two cable automobile stations that sit side-by-side.
Le Grand Montets is a cable automobile that runs to the Lognan station. In 2022, after we did this hike, this cable automobile was closed. We spoke to a employees member who stated that the cable automobile is present process a significant renovation and should not open till 2024.
Sitting subsequent to the Le Grand Montets station in Argentière is the Telecabine de Plan Jordan. This gondola runs on an virtually parallel monitor because the Grand Montets cable automobile, and it will get you to roughly the identical level on the mountain.
To get to the Telecabine de Plan Joran station, it’s a few 5-minute stroll from the Argentière practice station. Exit the practice station and switch left on Rue Charlet Straton. There will probably be indicators directing you to Grands Montets. The Telecabine de Plan Jordan is positioned to the left of the Grands Montets station.
Vital Word: You even have the choice to hike to the Argentière Glacier from the city of Argentière, however this may be an extended and steep climb. We suggest taking the gondola or cable automobile (as soon as it’s renovated).
Find out how to Hike to the Argentière Glacier from Joran
Argentière Glacier Climbing Stats
Beneath are the mountaineering stats from the Joran gondola station out-and-back to the perspective of the Argentière glacier.
Distance: 4.7 km (2.9 miles) out-and-back
Complete Ascent: 250 meters (820 toes)
Lowest Elevation: 2,130 meters (6,990 toes)
Highest Elevation: 2,185 meters (7,170 toes)
Time: 1.5 to three hours
On this hike, there are a number of non-compulsory add-ons: hike greater alongside the glacier for higher views and hike to Chalet Refuge de Lognan. These extra distances, and the way to do that, are talked about later on this information.
Step-By-Step Path Information
Joran Gondola to Viewpoints of Glacier d’Argentière
When you step off the gondola, the path is true earlier than you. Comply with path indicators for Level de Vue Glacier d’Argentière.
Climbing signal subsequent to the Joran gondola station.
The hike to the glacier is simply somewhat greater than a mile lengthy (about 1.6 km) and it stays comparatively flat, with a number of ups and downs alongside the best way. Looking, you get a really good view over Argentière and the mountains on the alternative facet of the valley. You additionally get a view of the Lognan cable automobile station (La Croix de Lognan).
Listed here are views of the path to Glacier d’Argentière in images.
Looking over the Lognan cable automobile station from the path.
Views of Glacier d’Argentière
When you attain the glacier, you have got an superior view of its icy towers and deep crevices. You too can see the valley that the glacier carved out throughout its recession.
Argentière glacier
When you attain the glacier you have got a number of choices for the right way to proceed the hike.
- You’ll be able to climb up the ridge to see the highest of the glacier.
- You’ll be able to hike all the way down to Chalet Refuge de Lognan to get a snack or refreshment.
- You’ll be able to hike all the way down to the decrease viewpoint of the Argentière glacier (you’ll go this viewpoint on the best way to Chalet Refuge de Lognan).
- You’ll be able to hike again the best way you got here to return to the Joran gondola.
We hiked greater alongside the path for extra views of the glacier after which headed to the Chalet Refuge de Lognan earlier than returning again to the cable automobile.
Extra Views of Argentière Glacier
From the perspective on the finish of the gravel street, there’s a steep, rocky path that heads uphill to a ridgeline. From this a part of the path, you get nice views over the glacier.
From the perspective, hike up this path to proceed up the ridgeline.
Path alongside the ridgeline.
The view of the Argentière Glacier.
From the highest you possibly can see how massive the glacier is because it stretches endlessly again in direction of distant mountains. The floor of the glacier is surprisingly flat however dotted with crevices.
When you attain the path signal within the picture beneath, you have got a option to make. It’s a 10-minute stroll to the next viewpoint over Glacier d’Argentière or you possibly can proceed on the path that runs nearer to the glacier (the path to Refuge d’Argentière).
We selected the decrease path to Refuge d’Argentière. We solely hiked alongside this part of path for about 10 minutes, however you possibly can proceed strolling subsequent to the glacier for so long as you like.
For those who do that, you’re including roughly 1 km (1.6 miles) out-and-back with 140 meters (460 toes) of whole elevation achieve.
Glacier d’Argentière
As soon as you’re prepared to show round, backtrack the best way you got here. Then, you possibly can both head to the Chalet Refuge de Lognan or return to the cable automobile.
This a part of the hike is properly value it. You get a decrease view of the Argentière Glacier (la langue du glacier d’Argentiere on Google maps), and we thought it was among the best of the day.
From this viewpoint, it’s a 15-minute downhill stroll (about 1 km/0.6 miles) on the gravel street to Chalet Refuge de Lognan.
We loved having a relaxation at this refuge. We ordered two beers and a meat and cheese platter. Scrumptious!
Return to the Joran Gondola
From the refuge, hike again up the gravel street and observe the path indicators in direction of La Croix de Lognan.
You’ll come to a path cut up and after we did this, there was no path signal right here. For those who go left, it’s a beast of an uphill hike to get again onto the filth path you began on earlier within the day (that is what we did).
For those who go proper, it’s a simple stroll all the way down to the Lognan cable automobile station (be aware, this cable automobile will not be operational till 2024, however as soon as it’s, that is the BEST method down the mountain). From the Lognan cable automobile station, it’s a neater uphill stroll to the Joran gondola, in comparison with what we did.
I like to recommend you go proper at this path cut up, except you want the thought of an exhausting, steep, uphill hike. As soon as we had been on the higher path, we might look down on the route that connects the Lognan cable automobile with the Joran gondola and it appears like a a lot better method to go.
Tim is standing on the path cut up. Keep proper to proceed to the Lognan cable automobile station. For those who go left, it’s a steep uphill stroll.
Right here is the hill. It doesn’t look too dangerous on this picture however it’s difficult!
The Joran gondola station is off within the distance. On the fitting hand facet of the picture is the broader, simpler path between the Lognan station and the Joran station.
As soon as on the Joran cable automobile, trip it to Argentière after which return to Chamonix (if that’s the place you’re staying).
Climbing Route Modification
As soon as the Grand Montets cable automobile reopens, the perfect route is to take this, moderately than the Joran gondola. From La Croix de Lognan (the higher cable automobile station), it will likely be a shorter hike and the additional quantity of path that you simply hike from Joran doesn’t add any additional views which can be definitely worth the extra distance.
What to Deliver on the Hike
Strolling footwear or mountaineering footwear. I like to recommend carrying mountaineering footwear, since you can be mountaineering uphill and downhill on uneven surfaces.
Water. Not less than 1 liter of water per individual. It’s not an extended hike, however it may be heat in the summertime, and it is perhaps good to have some cool water to drink throughout the hike.
Sunscreen, hat, and sun shades. Many of the path is totally uncovered to the solar.
You probably have any questions on the right way to hike to Glacier d’Argentière or if you wish to share your expertise, tell us within the remark part beneath.
Extra Data for Your Journey to Chamonix
CHAMONIX: Driving the cable automobile to Aiguille du Midi is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Chamonix. Additionally, discover ways to hike to Lac Blanc, among the best hikes in Chamonix.
WALKER’S HAUTE ROUTE: The Walker’s Haute Route is a spectacular multi-day trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. Study extra about this superb journey our our Information to the Walker’s Haute Route.
THE ALPS: Within the Swiss Alps, study one of the best issues to do in Zermatt, Switzerland and the right way to plan a visit to the superb Bernese Oberland. In Italy, hike one of the best trails within the Dolomites.
MORE GREAT HIKES IN EUROPE: From thrilling trails within the Alps to simple walks alongside the coast, learn our article 20 Greatest Hikes in Europe for some lovely mountaineering trails to place in your journey want listing.
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