Hiking Itinerary: Petit Balcon Sud

Trail Description

This well maintained, easy trail snakes down the valley giving hikers a great introduction to the type of low alpine terrain that is common in the . The trail is undulating and mostly in the shade with the forest canopy overhead, and tree roots Key Hiking Stats and rocks underfoot. Without having to climb too far up, the Petit Balcon Sud provides wonderful views of Chamonix, Les Bossons and the massif. As the trail stays above the valley floor, there aren’t any services along the way (restaurants, toilets etc) without detouring off the trail. Make sure to bring water and snacks with you. Metric (km/m) Imperial (mi/ft) Total Distance: 13.5 8.4 Shortcut Options: Throughout the whole trail there are options to cut the hike short by taking one of the many downward trails to a village along the way (i.e La Joux, Les Tines, , Les Nants and Chamonix). All of these villages are connected by bus and train. Total Height Gain: 431 1414 Total Height Loss: 662 2172

Logistics Estimated Time (Hrs): Elite Speedy Steady Wanderer Start Location Argentiere (excludes breaks) 3.4 3.8 4.3 4.7 End Location Les Bossons Water availabililty Yes - Start/End Locations Only Food availability Yes - Start/End Locations Only Shortcut Options Yes - by leaving trail at one of the junctions Toilets Available Yes - Start/End Locations Only

Refer to the mobile map for trail markers: Blue = Water refill locations Purple = Food options Pink = Toilet locations Green = Transport schedule and prices Image: Mobile Map for Petit Balcon Sud hike on Maps.Me Red = Trail section details

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Tips - Transport: If you are staying in the Chamonix Valley, you receive free transportation within the area. The local bus service is available to the start/from the end locations. - Direction: The trail can be hiked in either direction, however by starting at Argentiere you enjoy the views as you walk towards Mont Blanc and Les , as well as benefiting from it having a net elevation loss - Snack Break: Les Bossons Viewpoint is the best spot to stop for a break. There are some chairs that overlook Les Bossons glacier on the opposite side of the valley. For those willing to take a ~ 30min detour off the trail, Chalet De La Floria is recommended

Trail Breakdown by Section Elevation Profile Distance Section Finish Elevation Section Elevation Gain Section Elevation Loss Hiking Time Est (decimal hrs) Section Start Section Finish (km) (mi) (m) (ft) (m) (ft) (m) (ft) *based on steady pace and excludes breaks Argentiere 1251 0 Argentiere La Joux Junction 2.4 1.5 1250 4101 50 164 49 161 0.8 1250 2.4 B3 S8F La Joux Junction Les Tines Junction 2.2 1.4 1100 3609 20 66 172 564 0.6 1100 4.6 S9F Les Tines Junction Les Nants Junction 2.5 1.6 1212 3976 132 433 20 66 0.8 1212 7.1 S10F Les Nants Junction Plan Praz Junction 1.9 1.2 1232 4042 102 335 51 167 0.8 Plan Praz Junction 1232 9.0 S11F Plan Praz Junction Les Bossons Viewpoint 1.8 1.1 1190 3904 75 246 148 486 0.6 Les Bossons Viewpoint1190 10.8 S12F Les Bossons Viewpoint Les Bossons Junction 1.4 0.9 1152 3780 52 171 90 295 0.5 1152 12.2 S13F Les Bossons Junction Les Bossons 1.3 0.8 1020 3346 0 0 132 433 0.4 1020 13.5 S14F

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