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Montenvers Train

The Montenvers mountain train runs from the ground train station near the center of Chamonix (1030m) to the Montenvers mountain station (1913m). It is one of the most popular tourist sites perched on the cliffs above the Mer de Glace glacier with incredible views of the glacier and a small gondola providing access to the Grotte de Glace, a large man-made ice cave inside the Mer de Glace. Montenvers also has the Montenvers Hotel and it also has a panoramic restaurant and a gift shop with a snack bar. There are multiple viewing decks for the Mer de Glace glacier and surrounding peaks. At the time of writing (2023), major works are under way to create a new access gondola for the ice cave and to remove the old one which required hundreds of steps before reaching the ice cave. Much of the current infrastructure will be renovated too. During this work the main sights of Montenvers, except for the panoramic restaurant, remain open.


The very popular trail to the Plan de l'Aiguille using the Grand Balcon Nord starts at Montenvers. It can be done in oppossite direction for less elevation gain but the views are better if done in southward direction towards the Plan de l'Aiguille. We also have a trail for the ascend to Montenvers from Chamonix. That would enable you to use the train one way.


The ground station is located very near to the Chamonix train station in the center of Chamonix. You can buy your tickets directly from the ticket office. For exact operating dates, ticket prices and to buy your tickets online, visit the official website.


The Montenvers train and mountain station have an incredible rich history dating back to 1741 when two British travelers climbed to the current site and told about its incredible beauty thereby starting tours to the site. In 1795, a Temple of Nature, was built which remains till today. In 1820, tourism to the site really kicked of when a mule track was established. In 1840 the Montenvers hotel was added. By 1885, the site already welcomed 12,000 visitors per year. Mostly transported by mules and their guides. In 1892 the project was launched to build a cog rail way. It was inaugurated in 1909, replacing the mules and enabling much easier acccess.

Montenvers Train
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Type:

Mountain

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Length:

Children:

All Ages

Elevation:

1030m - 1913m

Website:

Nearby Trails & Points of Interest

Montenvers à Plan de l'Aiguille avec Lac Bleu
Map Preview

Le Montenvers à Plan de l'Aiguille avec Lac Bleu est peut-être l'itinéraire le plus populaire de la vallée de Chamonix, vous emmenant de la station du Montenvers et de la Mer de Glace sur le Balcon Nord, en passant par le Lac Bleu jusqu'à la station de téléphérique du Plan de l'Aiguille.

Length

Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

7.35km / 4.56mi

Chamonix

Gare du train du Montenvers

Avec téléphérique

Elevation Up

Elevation Up

471m / 1545ft

103m / 338ft

Difficulty

Hike Duration

Run Duration

Beauty

2-3.5 Hours

1-1.5 Hours

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Tags

Big Views, Refuge, Snack Bar, Family Friendly, Lake, Glacier, With Lift

Boucle Chamonix Montenvers
Map Preview

Ce sentier vous mène au Montenvers via la Buvette des Mottets, puis redescend via la Buvette Caillet. C'est une belle façon de monter au Montenvers si vous ne voulez pas utiliser le train.

Length

Nearest Town

Starting Point

Route Type

11.34km / 7.04mi

Chamonix

Les Planards

Boucle

Elevation Up

Elevation Up

855m / 2805ft

855m / 2805ft

Difficulty

Hike Duration

Run Duration

Beauty

4-6 Hours

2-3.5 Hours

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Tags

Glacier, Snack Bar, Refuge, Big Views, Dogs

Grotte de Glace

Spectacular ice cave cut out in the Mer de Glace glacier

Nearest Town

Chamonix

Altitude

Show on Map
Mer de Glace

Iconic glacier with a man-made ice cave accessible using the Montenvers mountain train

Nearest Town

Chamonix

Altitude

1650m / 5413

Show on Map

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