Included: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area Mer de Glace day tour Add-ons Safety equipment rentals (helmet, ice axes, shoes and compatible crampons, poles) — $10–$20 Not included: Transportation to and from Chamonix Accommodations Meals Chamonix – Montenvers train ticket Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — optional

How fit do I need to be?

To enjoy this Mer de Glace day tour, you’ll need a solid fitness leve l. You’ll hike from 1 to 3 km (0.5 to 2 miles) with up to 300 m (1,000 ft) elevation gain . Depending on the weather report and your fitness level, you’ll spend up to 6 hours exploring Mer de Glace. Beginners are welcome, but you should be able to hike 1.6 km (1 mile) in the rocks or in the snow to make the most out of this day tour. For more hiking adventures in France, click here !

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Backpack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Waterproof pants and jacket Warm down jacket Warm gloves (two pairs) Hot water Safety equipment: helmet, ice axes, shoes, compatible crampons, poles — can be rented at checkout Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. It takes a minimum of 1 person for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 4 participants. The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family! A Mer de Glace day tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Mer de Glace day tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Mer de Glace day tour is Chamonix. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport (GVA) . Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make airport transfers hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop Offs —they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount! Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at a predetermined time in Chamonix to board the Chamonix – Montenvers train. More details will be provided after booking.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection . To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner ! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

CHAMONIX | FRANCE

Mer De Glace Day Tour: Hike on France’s Largest Glacier

Hikers smiling on the Mer de Glace day tour

Hikers in the ice cave on the Mer de Glace day tour

Glacial landscape on the Mer de Glace day tour

Glacial formations and mountain landscape on a sunny day at Mer de Glace

Panoramic view of the mountains and a valley at Mer de Glace on a sunny day

Hikers and the train to Montenvers at Chamonix train station

From $480 ()

Book now

Duration

1 day

Season

Year-round

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Things to know

Ice caves, crampons, and a glacier that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie? Yeah, this one’s a must. We’ll start our day hike in Chamonix, hop on a classic red train straight out of a postcard, and before we know it, we’ll be hiking on the legendary Mer de Glace. Expect towering ice formations, deep crevasses, and some hands-on action with an ice axe. And just when you think it can’t get cooler—literally—we’ll head inside a frozen cave full of ice sculptures and crystals. If you’re up for a day of pure alpine adventure, you’re in the right place.

Adventure highlights

Ice Ice Baby

Strap on your crampons and hike the largest glacier in France
Frozen kingdom

Step inside a glowing ice cave straight out of a winter fairytale
Above the clouds

Hike surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dramatic landscapes

Itinerary

Download itinerary

Step into a frozen world of adventure on this Mer de Glace day hike! Starting with a ride on the historic Montenvers train, we’ll climb high above the valley to reveal jaw-dropping glacier views. From there, we’ll gear up for a guided trek across the icy expanse. Our professional guide will help us navigate glacial formations, teach us mountaineering skills, and we’ll even explore an ice cave carved deep into the glacier. We’ll spend up to 6 hours in this icy landscape (the last gondola leaves at 4pm), so make sure you dress warm!

Mer De Glace Day Tour: Hike on France’s Largest Glacier

Adventure Brochure

Brochure sent, check your inbox

If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guide

5.00

Laurent Zemmour

It's been 24 years since Laurent discovered climbing and his passion never left. This allowed him to discover mountain climbing and skiing, which he practices as much as possible in Chamonix. He guides beginner adventures and discovery activities in English and Spanish. Apart from guiding, he is a physiotherapist and still works in the beautiful Chamonix valley. He’s happy to introduce adventurers to the Mer de Glace on hiking, snowshoeing, rock or ice climbing (on single-pitch and beginner) and via ferrata adventures in the beautiful Chamonix valley

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Mer de Glace day tour
Add-ons
- - Safety equipment rentals (helmet, ice axes, shoes and compatible crampons, poles) — $10–$20
Not included:
- - Transportation to and from Chamonix
  - Accommodations
  - Meals
  - Chamonix – Montenvers train ticket
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — optional
To enjoy this Mer de Glace day tour, you’ll need a solid fitness level. You’ll hike from 1 to 3 km (0.5 to 2 miles) with up to 300 m (1,000 ft) elevation gain. Depending on the weather report and your fitness level, you’ll spend up to 6 hours exploring Mer de Glace. Beginners are welcome, but you should be able to hike 1.6 km (1 mile) in the rocks or in the snow to make the most out of this day tour.

For more hiking adventures in France, click here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Backpack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Waterproof pants and jacket
  - Warm down jacket
  - Warm gloves (two pairs)
  - Hot water
  - Safety equipment: helmet, ice axes, shoes, compatible crampons, poles — can be rented at checkout
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 1 person for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 4 participants.
  - The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!
A Mer de Glace day tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Mer de Glace day tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Mer de Glace day tour is Chamonix. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport (GVA).

Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make airport transfers hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!

Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at a predetermined time in Chamonix to board the Chamonix – Montenvers train. More details will be provided after booking.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
To secure your spot, you’ll be asked to pay the full amount upon checkout.
- - Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
  - Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
  - Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.
Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.