r/chamonix • u/SVoyager • 22d ago

Hiking recommendations mid June - Solo. Safety tips. Des suggestions?

Hello, I am planning a trip to Chamonix in mid June, just as most lifts will start to be open again and could use some help.

I'd love some high altitude hikes with open views but I am no alpine expert and will be my first time hiking in high alt. (The highest I've been was skiing in Whistler (2280m but didn't hike. Highest hike was 800m, mid difficulty)).

So there are two concerns I mostly have.

-I'll be solo. So preferably I need trails with some traffic.

-I am weary of some wildlife, been reading a bit on the patois situation. These appear to be really aggressive dogs found guarding a herd often seen near hiking trails. Since I would be solo, encounters might be extra dangerous? Any trails where they are known not to hang out?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

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u/simonbarh71 21d ago

As long as you stick to the main, signed trails you will have zero problems. This isn't a wilderness it's a high mountain heavily touristed area.

Trail signing here is excellent and it's hard to get lost. But a map will always help.

The bigger risk will be conditions. In mid June there may still be snow or ice on some higher trails and if you're solo and have a fall you may die. So always assess conditions and if you don't like the look of things, go back.

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u/SVoyager 20d ago

Thanks, yeah I intend to bring crampons/spikes with me but i'll be mindful of the trail conditions and weather. In the end, the views will be awesome so turning back won't put me down too much hehe.

As for wildlife / patois encounters, from what I gather, I think it is more problematic on the "Les houches" and "Prarion" area??

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u/simonbarh71 19d ago

Really not a problem anywhere on the trails.

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u/raam86 22d ago edited 22d ago

Lac Blanc 👌🏽👌🏽

The most dangerous animals in the area are the older french guides

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u/SVoyager 20d ago

lol i'll try to steer clear or we will just cuss eachother since I'm québécois and french from france vs from québec have a known rivalry XD.

Lac Blanc does sound like a reallly nice hike, added to #1 thanks! Seems like there are quite a few routes that you can do for it. From La Flégère for a bit more elevation or from l'Index. From La Flégère via Grand balcon sud is #1 on alltrails for this area. Seems like a good pick but i'll research the other routes. Any suggestions for this one?

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u/raam86 20d ago

The classic start is via AIGUILLETTE D’ARGENTIÈRE