Rachel, one of our adventure travel consultants, has just returned from our Walking Trails of Chamonix adventure. She was over the moon to experience incredible Alpine views, at heights of nearly 4,000m, with minimal ascent thanks to the cable cars included in this grade 4 adventure. This trip packs in the very best trails of Chamonix and offers a truly unforgettable journey through stunning landscapes. Read on to discover more about Rachel's adventure and the moments that left her speechless...

In the heart of the French Alps, Chamonix is a true haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventures in the mountains. I was very excited to explore the Chamonix valley and it exceeded all my expectations.

From the moment I arrived, I was blown away by the surrounding mountain ranges and overall scenery. The town itself is a charming blend of rustic Alpine architecture and lovely cafes, bars and patisseries! Heaven! It also has a real buzz about it, with everyone bustling around in anticipation of their trek, run or climb ahead of them.

The highlight of my trip was undoubtedly our visit to the Aiguille du Midi. Towering impressively above the town, the Aiguille du Midi is part of the Mont Blanc massif and offers some of the most breathtaking views in the Alps. The journey up to there was a bit of an adventure in itself. The cable car ride takes just 20 minutes, transporting you from the heart of the Chamonix valley, straight to the summit at 3,842m. This is where we were left speechless! When we stepped off the cable car we were treated to panoramic views of Mont Blanc, the Grandes Jorasses and even the Matterhorn in Switzerland! I couldn’t believe that we were able to enjoy these incredible views without tackling the huge trek and climb below us! How lucky were we? Whilst up there we even saw a few alpinists heading out to conquer the Cosmique Arret. It really was such a special and unique experience.

Our guide Cam was a fountain of knowledge on the entire valley and surrounding areas. Sharing stories of the mountains and offering insights into the history of the region. His expertise really made a difference to the treks as he navigated us through the best trails, where we enjoyed the most spectacular views of the Mont Blanc Massif and the Mer de Glace glacier. It was incredible to be able to get to well over 2,000m and experience these views without needing to take all day to get there. The combination of walks, trains and cable cars for the climbs and descents meant we had a varied way of seeing the Alps from up high.

I enjoyed every aspect of the trip, from the wide variety of trails to our wonderful accommodation at the Aiguille du Midi Hotel in Les Bosson’s. It was fantastic getting to know everyone in the group as we all shared a love for the mountains and being outdoors. We spent each evening recounting the events of the day and discussing our own personal highlights. All whilst enjoying a glass of wine accompanied with the amazing local cuisine, which certainly was not in short supply at the hotel. A nice reward after each day’s exertions.

As I reflect on my time in Chamonix, I am filled with gratitude. Being so close to mountains that my Grandpa used to climb really inspired me to push myself out of my comfort zone and I overcame my fear of heights. In fact, I actually found the cable car rides quite thrilling! I hope that in the near future I will be back to tackle some of the summits in the Mont Blanc Massif myself.

For those looking to explore the wonders of Chamonix valley and trek the best trails with phenomenal views, look no further than this holiday! Take a look below.