The Argentière Glacier
The Argentière Glacier is one of the most impressive glaciers in the Mont Blanc massif, reachable on foot from Argentière village in the Chamonix valley. This 12 km7.5 mi out-and-back hike gains 750 m2 461 ft of elevation to the Croix de Lognan viewpoint and the glacial moraine, giving you a direct line of sight to the glacier's snout and the seracs of the Aiguille d'Argentière. A worthwhile detour for TMB hikers based in the Chamonix valley.
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What you need to know
From Argentière village (1 252 m4 108 ft), the trail climbs steadily through larch forest before reaching the Croix de Lognan (1 972 m6 470 ft), the classic viewpoint for the glacier. From there, a moraine path continues to an upper viewpoint at around 2 000 m6 562 ft, where the glacier face is fully visible with its characteristic seracs and crevasses.
The terrain is well marked but requires solid fitness for the sustained climb from the valley floor. Allow 3 h3 hrs for the ascent and 2 h2 hrs for the descent. On clear days, the views toward the Aiguille Verte (4 122 m13 524 ft) and the Aiguilles d'Argentière are outstanding.
Access and transport options
The Grands Montets cable car serves the Lognan mid-station, cutting around 700 m2 297 ft of ascent from your day. Check current opening hours and fares with the Compagnie du Mont Blanc before setting out - the lifts do not operate year-round and schedules vary by season. If you are walking up from the village, take the path from the Argentière church and follow signs for "Lognan" and "Grands Montets".
A glacier in retreat
The Argentière Glacier has lost several hundred metres in length since the mid-twentieth century. Archive photographs and marker stakes on the moraine give a concrete measure of this retreat. That geological context adds a dimension to the hike that goes beyond the visual spectacle alone.
Accommodation in Argentière
Argentière has several refuges and hotels popular with TMB hikers. Book well in advance for July and August, particularly around the UTMB race at the end of August, which saturates accommodation across the entire Chamonix valley.
The Argentière Glacier is a half-day excursion from the village of the same name, 10 km6.2 mi from Chamonix. For TMB hikers based in the valley between stages, it is one of the most instructive outings in the area - as much for the raw beauty of the glacial landscape as for the visible evidence of climate change.
Where to sleep in Argentière?
- Hotels and gîtes in Argentière village
- Accommodation in Chamonix (regular bus service)
Practical info
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