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The Best Spots for Climbing & Mountaineering in Chamonix
Posted: Apr 29, 2017
To complete an adrenaline-fuelled summer, the Alps offer an array of activities, including climbing. In Chamonix, you can give mountaineering, bouldering, cragging and wall climbing a go. If you’re bold enough to take on the challenge, each of these different ascensions guarantees a thrill.
Mountaineering
What is Mountaineering?
Mountaineering is not for the faint-hearted. Said to be the most adventurous type of climbing, it’s also the most difficult. Combining walking and rock climbing, it involves a lot of skill. Don’t worry though – you can easily acquire the know-how with the help of a guide!
Go Mountaineering in Envers des Aiguilles
The Mont Blanc offers an abundance of mountaineering courses, but the best long multi-pitch Alpine routes can be found in Envers des Aiguilles (accessible from the Aiguilles du Midi cable car or the Montenvers Railway). With huge granite towers and spikes, you can really test your strength and stamina by climbing in Chamonix.
Bouldering
What is Bouldering?
Undertaken without a rope on large natural boulders, bouldering is another style of climbing. In Chamonix, the climbs tend to be quite short and there is a crash mat below in case anyone falls. Avid sportsmen will love the challenge of finding their own path and scrambling across the granite.
Go Bouldering in Medonnet
Boasting good quality rocks and excellent landing pads, Medonnet is one of the best bouldering sites. Its large boulders form a great natural climbing wall that will test both your physical agility and your quick-wittedness. Located in the Aiguilles Rouge nature reserve, it’s also in the shade of trees so you won’t be roasting in the sun.
Cragging
What is Cragging?
Cragging is a more challenging version of indoor wall climbing, as it involves scrambling over a steep and rugged piece of rock that juts out. The aim is to go up and down the rock face.
Go Cragging in Le Labo
Chamonix’s newest cragging spot is called Le Labo, boasting climbs of varying lengths. Start with an 18m climb, building up your confidence towards the mighty 30m route. Requiring determination and suppleness, it’s the ultimate test of prowess.
Wall Climbing
Go Wall Climbing at Mont Blanc Escalade
One of the largest indoor climbing walls in France, Mont Blanc Escalade features over 100 routes for all levels. With corners, slabs and a 9-meter overhang, you can really test your skills with this challenging vertical climbing in Chamonix. It is open daily from 10am to 10pm throughout the summer.
How to Get There
Travelling from Geneva to Chamonix is fast and efficient with Shuttle Direct’s transfers. Swiss, easyJet and British Airways all offer a direct 90-minute flight to Geneva from London airports (with prices between £40 and £110). If you book in advance, one of our drivers will then meet you outside the terminal. You could be climbing in Chamonix in just 75 minutes!
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct offers fast and convenient travel across Europe and North Africa at a fixed low price. This summer, use our easy online system to book a hassle-free transfer. Our friendly driver will safely get you from the airport to your climbing adventures.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private transfers to and from airports, cruise ports, train stations and hotels all over Europe and northern Africa. If you're planning a holiday to go climbing in Chamonix, pre-book your airport transfer before leaving home to ensure a smooth start to your stay.
Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.