Chamonix, just feel the word. What does it starts for feeling in you? If you haven’t been there probably nothing. But if you have been there excitement, expectations, grandeur and so on. Chamonix is a smock of adventures and activities. Just sitting in the middle of the Centre and sipping of a coffee, and soak up the atmosphere is a great feeling. With Mont Blanc’s ridge in the fund just relax and enjoy. What to avoid though will be the tourist traps. So I will have some hidden pearls here for you. They will take some more time and due to that some more planning. But it will be worth it. A good alpinism day should begin or end up with a nice cup of coffee, that for sure. So why not start with one at Moody coffee at a side street in the center of Chamonix. 

So now you got the coffee inside and the body is starting up. What about a hike? So take a transport to Lignon car park. and goes first to the Cascades de la Pleureuse and Sauffraz. Then, the tour continues towards the Collet d’Anterne and the Refuge d’Anterne Alfred Wills before reaching Lac d’Anterne after a rather challenging ascent of the eponymous mountain. Then, the course ends at the Col d’Anterne after a final climb. The hike is classified in the “Hard” category because of the length of the route (17.4 km round trip) and some passages requiring significant effort.

In order to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes discovered in the nature reserve, I recommend camping at Lac d’Anterne and climbing the Col the next morning. On a clear day at sunrise, Rochers des Fiz adorn itself with a beautiful orange dress. If you wish to camp, remember that it is only allowed to pitch your tent between 7pm and 9am in the nature reserve.

Important note: remember to come early in the morning (before 7:30 am), because the Lignon car park is very quickly saturated and it becomes impossible to park.

Next suggestion will be a hike to Lac de Pormenaz. In the heart of Passy National Nature Reserve, the Lac de Pormenaz, overlooked by the imposing eponymous Pointe Noire and Rochers des Fiz, is a must-see summer outing.
The route quickly leads to the Torrent du Souay to finally rise more frankly once arrived at La Chorde where cables and ladders will help pass a few difficulties.
The Aravis Range and the Fiz Massif will appear as a permanent backdrop throughout the ascent. Swimming in the Lac de Pormenaz can be a refreshing break before the descent towards Argentières locality and the Chalets d’Ayères.
For people prone to fear of heights, it is possible to avoid the passages with cables by leaving on the right the trail of La Chorde at the junction.

So there you got three different places to visit in Cham. Facts you might did not know; Mont Blanc speed record is 4 hours, 57 minutes and 34 seconds. this is from the church to the peak and back…The Compagnie des Guides des Chamonix was established in 1821 so early guiding in Cham. Edward Whymper the first summiteer of Matterhorn died in Chamonix, and he is buried here