Latest news & conditions reports for Chamonix Rock Climbing

Chamonix Rock Climbing Courses

Suggested Climbs & Venues

Chamonix Rock Climbing Reports

Chamonix Rock Climbing Guide Books & Topos

Chamonix Rock Climbing

Chamonix Granite is rightly famous throughout the world for the quality of rock climbing it offers and the amazing alpine scenery in which the climbing takes place. There really is something for everyone here from the rock 'Grande Courses' in the Mont Blanc chain, the mid-mountain gneiss of the Aiguille Rouges and quality valley sport climbing in and around the Chamonix Valley.

Our Chamonix Based Rock Climbing Training & Guiding

Whilst there are many extreme rock climbing ascents to be made on the high altitude granite of the Mont Blanc massif do not let this put you off if you are new to rock climbing. There are many easily accessible beginner and family friendly crags which provide superb rock climbing experiences.

In short we can use the many crags around the Chamonix Valley to provide you with an enjoyable, tailor made training and / or guided rock climbing experience. Contact us to discuss your aspirations. We will happily put together a specific itinerary to help you get the most out of your trip.

Our Chamonix Based Rock Climbing Courses

Chamonix Intro Rock

There can be few better places to start your rock climbing career than the beautiful and inspiring Chamonix Valley in the French Alps. Our introductory rock courses are suitable for people with no climbing experience and for those who want to develop their skill and confidence h... more>

Chamonix Alpine Rock

Chamonix is a world Mecca for high mountain rock climbing. The Mont Blanc Massif is brimming full of perfect granite cliffs set in a stunning alpine & glacial environment. On the other side of the Chamonix Valley, the 'Aiguilles Rouges' provide some brilliant, sunny and easi... more>

Rock Climbing Styles & Suggested Routes for Chamonix Based Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing in Chamonix (but out of the valley and away from the crowds)

Below is a list of possible option to help you plan your rock climbing trip in and around the Chamonix Valley. They are in an approximate order of commitmentso whilst the technical difficulty may be high early in the list the overall commitment will be low. Conversely later in the list the technical difficulty may be low but overall mountaineering commitment high.

• Bouldering - There is lots of good bouldering in the valley. Try the Col des Montets for starters. Then the woods in Les Bossons, large boulder of 'La Pierre d'Orthaz'

• Single Pitch Sport Climbing - on the fine valley crags of both the Chamonix and Arve Valleys e.g Les Gaillands, Servoz, Les Chavants, Coupeau, Le Fayet, La Joux

• Mult Pitch Climbing on the Valley Sides - e.g Les Cheserys above Argentiere, La Duchere above Contamine, The excellent 'Via Corda Alpina', Montenvers. There is a huge amount of good limestone sport climbing too in the Arve Valley between Geneva and Chamonix. Try the South pillar of the Croix de Fer for a real big mountain feel....out of the big mountains!

Voie Caline, 350m, F4a, Les Bois

Jenny Uses Alpine Craft & Cunning to Find the Bottom of the Route

Jenny Leading the Well Protected (By Many Bolts!) Voie Caline

Pleasant Easy Rock Climbing on the Voie Caline

• Multi Pitch Mountain Sport Climbing, Aiguille Rouges e.g via Brevent, the classic 6a 'Frisson Roche' or, a bit harder, Poem A Lou (6b+). Hundreds of routes from 4-7 accessible from Flegere e.g Piano Forte 6C+, Tour des Crochues

Piano Forte, 180m, F6c+, Tour Des Crochues

The Great Position Climbing on the Tour des Crochues, Aiguilles Rouges, Chamonix

Tim Climbing in the Rain on the Excellent Wall, Pitch 3, of Piano Forte (6c)

Approximate line of Piano Forte, Tour des Crochues, Aiguilles Rouges, Chamonix

• Classic Rock Ridge Traverses - More scrambling than rock climbing e.g the Traverse of the Crochues in the Aiguilles Rouges, Les Perrons above Vallorcine

Aiguilles Crochues (2840m) Traverse

Wintery Mid July Conditions on the Aiguilles Crochues Traverse

On the Summit of the Aiguilles Crochues after an Ascent of the South Ridge

The Eastern End of the Fine Traverse of the Aiguilles Crochues

• Multi Pitch Granite Rock Climbing above the Plan de l'Aiguille - Lots of fine granite mountain routes from 1-2 hours walk from the mid-station on the Aiguille du Midi. For starters try the Papillons Arete or Lepidopteres on the Aiguille du Peigne, or for something harder in the same area, 'Le Ticket, Le Carre, Le Rond et La Lune....

Le Ticket, Le Carre, Le Rond et La Lune, 250m, VII+

Tim Engages the Famous Tricky Crux of Le Ticket, VII+

Rob Tackles One of Several Steep Diedres on the Upper Half of the Face

Perfect North Facing Granite Slabs in the Chamonix Aiguilles

• Classic Granite Multi Pitch Sport Routes above the Envers Hut - Lots of real Chamonix granite classics like 'Amazonia' (6a+). Sport climbing in a high mountain setting with a glacial approach and mountain hut as a base.

• High mountain Rock Routes Accessed from the Aiguille de Midi or Punta Hellbronner Telepheriques - Grades range from the relatively friendly 'Pyramide du Tacul' at F5a (but still no pushover) to some of the worlds most cutting edge hard mountain rock routes on the Gran Capucin. The common themes are a snow covered glacier approach, beautiful golden granite and climbing in a stunning but serious environment.

La Dame du Lac, 180m, VII, Aiguille du Midi South Face

The Easier First Pitch of Dame du Lac Leads to the Imposing Slabby, then Steep 2nd pitch (VII)

Tim styling the easier but excellent start to Pitch 5 before the tough thin crack above

Tim Enjoying the Quality Granite Crack Climbing on Pitch 4 of Dame du Lac (VII)

Chamonix Rock Climbing Reports

Rock Climbing in Chamonix

Guidebooks & Topos for Chamonix Based Rock Climbing

Some of these French & Italian guide books are available in an English version

• Crag Climbs in Chamonix, Vamos, Francois Burnier & Dominique Potard
• The Aiguilles Rouges 1, Michel Piola
• Mont Blanc Massif - Envers des Aiguilles, Michel Piola
• Escalades Choisies - Mont Blanc & Aiguilles Rouges, Montagne Evasion, Jean Louis Laroche & Florence Lelong
• '6a Max', Savoie et Haute Savoie, Oros, Philippe Brass & Guillaume Vallot
• Schweiz Plaisir WEST, Edition Filidor, Jurg Von Kanel
• Vallee de l'Arve, Gilles Brunot
• Escalade Massif Bornes Aravis,
• Arrampicata Sportiva Valle d'Aosta, Mani Nude

Chamonix Rock Climbing Gallery

South Face of the Midi, Chamonix

Rock Climbing in the Aiguilles Rouges

Jenny enjoying the superb limestone of the Col de la Colombiere

Chamonix Rock Climbing News & Conditions

Please check below for up any up to date news or posts on rock climbing conditions around the Chamonix Valley. Please add your own relevant comments via the 'New comment' button at the base of this page.