Grand Balcon Nord was one of my favorite hikes ever and definitely makes my top ten list. It also doesn’t hurt that it starts in Chamonix, which is one of the greatest places ever. It’s picturesque, charming, and has the best outdoorsy vibe. It’s almost tragic that we almost didn’t do this hike!
I had originally planned to do a completely different hike, but it ended up being difficult to access and, ultimately, not worth the effort. Sometimes things really do work out for the best!
We started our day by taking the cable car to Aiguille du Midi, which sits at 12,605 feet near the top of Mont Blanc. The ride takes about 20 minutes and stops midway, where you can hop off for a different adventure or board a second cable car to continue to the top.
Once you reach the top, there are multiple viewpoints, loads of interesting information, and incredible views of the surrounding Swiss, French, and Italian Alps, as well as Chamonix and far beyond. There’s also a glass cube experience called “step into the void” for those who enjoy taking in spectacular mountain views while standing on a transparent floor. A very cool or a terrible idea, depending on how you feel about heights. For me it was both but totally worth the photo op!
There are several ways to tackle the Grand Balcon Nord. Because of how our timing worked out, we opted to start our hike at the first cable car stop. There are other hikes that begin there as well. From there, we hiked toward the Mer de Glace viewpoint and then took a train from the Montenvers station back down to central Chamonix.
This worked out perfectly for us, especially since we weren’t really prepared for a longer or more intense hike. In fact, we had done quite the opposite and over-prepared for the cold weather at Aiguille du Midi. The weather up there can be unpredictable, so we brought plenty of layers and then discovered that we had more layers than we had places to put them once things warmed up.
You can access the Grand Balcon Nord by hiking up from Chamonix, or you can take the train partway up and hike in the opposite direction. Some people choose to do a round-trip hike from either direction, so there are plenty of ways to customize the experience depending on your timing, energy level, and desired amount of climbing.
Our hike covered about 4.5 miles on a combination of packed dirt and rocky trail. There were some steep sections and a few switchbacks, but for the most part, it was rolling terrain with quite a bit of downhill. The total ascent was around 850 feet, while the descent was around 2,000 feet. Fortunately, most of that descent was gradual and not too hard on the knees.
The scenery gradually changes as you hike, starting with the dramatic peaks around Mont Blanc, then opening up to views of the Chamonix Valley before eventually bringing you toward the glacier. It’s one of those hikes where you keep thinking, Surely this must be the best view, only to turn a corner and get another one.
At the Montenvers station, there’s also an option to take a train or access the area around an ice cave. We were running short on time and didn’t want to risk missing our train back to Chamonix, so we decided to play it safe. I would definitely plan to leave a little extra time for that on our next visit.
And yes, I would absolutely do this hike again. And I think my family would too (though I think they are grateful I didn’t plan the entire trip around hiking).
I’m also starting to look into going bigger and tackling the Tour du Mont Blanc, which includes the Grand Balcon Nord and covers roughly 100 miles through three countries over about 10 days.
I’m thinking it could be the perfect way to celebrate turning 50.
The only question is: Do those views ever get old?
I honestly don’t know. Is it too much of the same? Do you eventually stop being impressed by yet another ridiculously beautiful mountain?
All Cedars and Sunsets adventure posts are meant for inspiration only. Always consult a proper map, tell someone where you are going, and check up on current weather and trail conditions. Be aware of potential dangers or wildlife threats and always pack extra water.
Be safe, have fun and keep adventuring!
XOXO,
Jennie B.