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# Vallée Blanche
- URL: https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/vallee-blanche/
- Published: 2015-08-15T18:23:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-04T15:48:39.000Z
- Description: I had read somewhere that the Vallée Blanche Traverse is one of the most spectacular day hikes in the Chamonix area or indeed anywhere in the world. And spectacular it is.
- Author: Ivar Hagendoorn
- Tags: Photography

I had read somewhere that the Vallée Blanche Traverse is the most spectacular day hike in the Chamonix area or indeed anywhere in the world. And spectacular it is. The trek starts at the summit of the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842m. From there it descends to the glaciated valley at the foot of the Mont Blanc du Tacul and the Gros Rognon at about 3,180m. The route continues to climb up to Punta Helbronner on the Italian side of the Vallée Blanche at 3,460m. From Punta Helbronner a cable car leads back to Aiguille du Midi offering stunning views of the Mont Blanc range and the Glacier de Géant. I didn't quite know what to expect and sometimes that's the best preparation.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-3.jpg)

The trek starts early in the morning. I took this photo upon return to Aiguille du Midi when the light was better.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-4.jpg)

Depending on the direction you hike you have to either descend, like I did, or climb this exposed ridge

![Aiguille du Midi ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-5.jpg)

Looking back up to the Aiguille du Midi

![Vallée Blanche](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-6.jpg)

The Vallée Blanche

![Vallée Blanche](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-7.jpg)

I wonder why it's called Vallée Blanche

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-8.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-9.jpg)

At this point I didn't know we would have to cross this section of crevasses

![Vallée Blanche](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-10.jpg)

![Vallée Blanche](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-11.jpg)

![Vallée Blanche](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-12.jpg)

It was above zero all day at an elevation of 3,000m (!) and the snow was melting

![Vallée Blanche](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-13.jpg)

![Vallée Blanche](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-14.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-15.jpg)

![Vallée Blanche](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-16.jpg)

![Vallée Blanche](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-17.jpg)

This is why it's called Vallée Blanche

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-18.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-19.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2019/09/vallee-blanche-20.jpg)

Left: looking back, in the distance the Mont Blanc; Middle: view from Pont Helbronner with Mont Blanc; Right: view from the cable car. 

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**More French Alps!** [Refuge Albert 1er and the Glacier du Tour](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/refuge-albert-1er-glacier-du-tour/). [Grand balcon du Sud](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/grand-balcon-sud/).