15 - Le Prarion and Mont-Lachat

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Take a round trip ski lift ticket (one way: Prarion; return to Bellevue).

Once you arrive at the top, the view of the Chamonix valley and the Mont-Blanc mountain range is beautiful. You can see the trace of the route at the top of the Mont-Blanc by the normal route which starts from the refuge of the Goûter.

Take the path on the right called the path of the “Tête du Prarion” that goes up the ridge through a sparse forest. It takes you up in 30 minutes to an exceptional view with a 360 ° panorama described as the “most beautiful overview in Europe”. Viewpoint, views of the Mont-Blanc and Aravis massif, the Fiz limestone cliffs, the valley of the Arve, the Contamines-Monjoie valley, etc.

Go back on your steps by the same path to the Prarion Hotel-Cottages (15 minutes).

The hotel has a terrace facing the Mont-Blanc, where you can have lunch, there are also nice deckchairs for a coffee or drink.

Then follow the path to the pasture of La Charme leading down (20 minutes) among the rhododendrons and heather to the farm (goat cheese). At La Charme (1,799 m), head to the Voza pass (20 minutes), the path crosses the forest and then goes down a rocky path to the Voza pass (1,653 m).

At the Voza pass, you can walk along the right of the railway track after crossing it, to get to Bellevue (35 minutes) or take the Mont-Blanc Tramway to get to a station. If time allows, I recommend the latter solution because the climb to Bellevue along the railroad is not of much interest.

Once at Bellevue, take the path behind the terrace of the cable car snack bar. The overhanging path on the Chamonix valley offers a permanent view of the Aiguille du Midi and the Aiguilles de Chamonix. It takes you within an hour to the summit of Mont-Lachat where the dominant view extends to 360°. 200 m before the Mont-Lachat pass and its derelict station, turn right to reach a grassy plateau. There is a superb view on the Bionnassay glacier and its valley.

Return via the same pathway (30 minutes). Take the Bellevue gondola up to Les Houches. You can reach Les Houches Prarion cable car parking lot in 10 minutes by following the road on the left. If you wish to go back down to Les Houches from Bellevue by the Grand-Bois path in the forest, add one hour.

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