Bossons Glacier Hike: Route, Map & Viewpoint
The Bossons Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in Chamonix, descending from the slopes of Mont Blanc towards the valley below. You can see it from several places around Chamonix, but there’s also a relatively short hike that takes you to a viewpoint overlooking the glacier.
The trail climbs from the hamlet of Le Mont through forest to Chalet du Glacier des Bossons, a small mountain restaurant with views of the glacier’s lower ice formations. Along the way, you’ll gain around 270 metres of elevation, so although it’s not a particularly long hike, there’s still a decent amount of uphill walking.
I hiked this trail on a rather grey day, after a night of heavy rain. It was still a nice walk, although I imagine the scenery would be prettier in the sunshine! Much of the route passes through forest, so it’s a good option if you want to see a glacier without committing to several hours of hiking at high altitude.
Bossons Glacier hike at a glance
| Start/end | Le Mont, Les Bossons |
| Distance | 2.6 km |
| Elevation gain | 268 metres |
| Highest point | 1,505 metres |
| Time | ~ 1.5 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Route | Out-and-back |
| Chairlift required | No |
| Best time to hike | Late spring to autumn |
❄️ A word of warning: the Bossons Glacier has receded considerably in recent years, thanks to global warming. It still looks cool, but it’s sadly a shadow of its former self.
Bossons Glacier hike route overview
I’ll go into the route in more detail further down, but here’s a quick overview of what to expect.
The hike begins above Les Bossons, in the hamlet of Le Mont, where the trail follows Chemin du Chens before entering the forest.
From here, the path climbs steadily through the trees towards the Bossons chairlift and Chalet du Glacier des Bossons. Most of the elevation gain comes during this wooded ascent, which is fairly short but steep enough to get your legs working.
At the top, you’ll reach the chalet and its nearby glacier viewpoint. From here, you can see the lower section of the Bossons Glacier, including its broken ice formations and the surrounding mountains.
There are also information panels explaining the glacier’s history and how it has changed over time.
After visiting the viewpoint, return to Le Mont along the same trail.
Bossons Glacier hiking map
The hike is super straightforward to navigate, as you’ll just be following signposts to Chalet du Glacier des Bossons the entire way. You’ll be winding your way up through the forest, and signposts are frequent, so you shouldn’t get lost.
That being said, I’d recommend having a map saved, just in case. I used this Glacier des Bossons route on AllTrails.
How to get to the trailhead
The hike starts in Le Mont, a small hamlet above Les Bossons, approximately 4 kilometres southwest of Chamonix town centre.
Les Bossons is easily reached from Chamonix by public transport, although you may need to walk uphill a little way from the bus or train stop to reach the starting point.
By bus: Take the number 2 bus towards Les Bossons and get off at Glacier des Bossons. From here, follow the roads uphill towards Le Mont and the hiking trail. I had to use AllTrails to get to Le Mont from the bus stop.
By train: Les Bossons has a station on the Mont Blanc Express railway. From the station, you can walk towards Le Mont or the Bossons chairlift, although this adds some distance and climbing to the hike.
By car: Parking is available around the Bossons ski jump and chairlift area. From there, you can follow the signed walking paths towards Chalet du Glacier des Bossons.
If you’re driving, I’d recommend checking the map carefully before leaving the car park, as the official short route begins higher up in Le Mont.
Bossons Glacier: Step-by-step hiking route
1. Le Mont to the forest trail
From Le Mont, follow the signs towards Chalet du Glacier des Bossons.
The route initially passes through open ground above the village before entering the forest. It’s a relatively straightforward trail to follow, although the path begins climbing quite quickly.
The ascent is mostly shaded by trees, making it a good option for hiking in harsh sun or drizzle. However, there are some steeper sections, and the climb can feel harder than you might expect from such a short route.
Continue following the established footpath uphill.
2. Forest ascent towards Chalet du Glacier des Bossons
The path continues through forest, steadily gaining elevation towards the Chalet.
Underfoot, expect a mixture of dirt paths, stones, and exposed roots. The ground can become slippery after rain, so I’d recommend wearing proper hiking shoes with good grip. I sure slipped a couple of times!
The forest means you won’t have continuous mountain views during the ascent, but the surroundings become more open as you approach the Chalet.
The trail eventually reaches the upper section of the Bossons chairlift, where you’ll find signs towards Chalet du Glacier des Bossons.
3. Chalet du Glacier des Bossons and the glacier viewpoint
Chalet du Glacier des Bossons sits at approximately 1,425 metres, just a short walk from the upper chairlift station.
The Chalet has an outdoor terrace overlooking the glacier and serves food and drinks. It’s a particularly nice place to stop after the climb, especially if you’d like something to eat before heading back down.
Nearby, there’s a viewpoint overlooking the lower Bossons Glacier, with views towards the jagged ice formations and the Aiguilles de Chamonix.
The Bossons Glacier is particularly interesting because of how far it descends from Mont Blanc. Unlike glaciers that remain high in the mountains, Bossons has historically reached much lower elevations, making it visible from the Chamonix valley.
You’ll also find information panels explaining the glacier’s movement, history, and retreat. In the past, ice was even extracted from the glacier to supply hotels and cafes in the valley.
4. Return to Les Bossons
After visiting the glacier viewpoint, return along the same forest trail towards Le Mont.
The descent is fairly straightforward, although some sections are steep enough that you’ll want to take your time, particularly if the ground is wet.
If you’ve parked at the Bossons chairlift station or travelled by public transport, continue downhill towards your original starting point.
Alternatively, if the chairlift is operating, you may be able to descend by lift with a suitable ticket.
Can you visit the Bossons Glacier without hiking?
Yes! If you’d rather avoid the climb, you can take the Bossons chairlift from Les Bossons to the upper station.
The chairlift starts near Route des Tissières and takes approximately 15 minutes each way. From the upper station, it’s only a short walk to Chalet du Glacier des Bossons and the glacier viewpoint.
An adult return ticket is listed at €17, and the chairlift is included in the Mont Blanc MultiPass.
You can check the official Bossons chairlift prices and opening times before visiting.
Unlike the enclosed gondolas used at many of Chamonix’s other mountain attractions, this is an open chairlift, so you’ll be sitting outside throughout the journey. I saw some people using the lift and they looked pretty cold, so keep this in mind.
Optional Extensions for your hike
If you’re looking for something more challenging than the short hike to the Bossons Glacier, here are a couple of options:
Pyramides viewpoint
The Pyramides viewpoint is a higher viewpoint above Chalet du Glacier des Bossons, reached by continuing uphill through the forest.
The trail climbs steeply on a series of switchbacks before emerging above the trees, where the terrain becomes more exposed and rocky.
From the viewpoint, you can see further up the glacier towards its distinctive ice formations and surrounding peaks.
La Jonction
For experienced hikers looking for a much bigger challenge, the trail continues on towards La Jonction, a high viewpoint between the Bossons and Taconnaz glaciers.
This is one of Chamonix’s more demanding hiking routes, involving a sustained climb, steep rocky terrain, and some exposed sections.
The official route from the valley is approximately 13 kilometres return, with 1,433 metres of elevation gain and an estimated walking time of eight hours.
At around 2,589 metres, La Jonction offers views of both glaciers and the surrounding Mont Blanc Massif.
It’s a completely different undertaking from the short Bossons Glacier hike described in this guide, and I’d only recommend it to hikers who have experience in alpine conditions.
You can check the official La Jonction hiking route for details.
Best time to hike the Bossons Glacier
The most straightforward time to hike to Chalet du Glacier des Bossons is from late spring through autumn, when the lower trails are generally clear of snow.
The forested route sits at a much lower elevation than many of Chamonix’s popular hikes, so it can become accessible earlier in the year. However, conditions still vary depending on snowfall and weather.
If you’re planning to continue towards the Pyramides viewpoint or La Jonction, I’d be much more cautious. These higher routes can retain snow and ice well into summer, and the exposed terrain becomes considerably more challenging in poor conditions.
I’d avoid any of these hikes during thunderstorms or severe weather, and check current trail conditions before setting off.
For up-to-date advice, contact the Chamonix High Mountain Office.
How difficult is the Bossons Glacier hike?
I’d rate this Bossons Glacier hike as moderate, primarily because of the climb through the forest.
At just 2.6 kilometres return, it’s a relatively short walk, but you’ll gain approximately 270 metres in elevation on the way up. That makes it steeper than the distance alone might suggest.
The terrain is mainly forest paths, with some rocky and uneven sections. I’d be careful on the descent — I slipped a couple of times as it was wet!
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About The Author
Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger who writes about active adventure travel. She’s been blogging for almost 10 years, and has written for publications such as Lonely Planet, World Nomads, and Southeast Asia Backpacker.
