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About this place
Aiguille du Tour is a 3,540 m peak in the Mont Blanc massif, close to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. The French-Swiss border follows its ridge: Vallorcine lies on the French side, while the canton of Valais and the Trient valley lie on the Swiss side. It belongs to the Trient group and counts among the more approachable 3,000 m summits in the area, which makes it a favourite for climbers taking their first steps on glaciated terrain.
What makes this mountain worth the effort?
The peak rises above the Glacier du Tour, where neighbouring needles such as Aiguille Purtscheller and Aiguille du Chardonnet also stand. The normal route is graded F (facile, easy) on the alpine scale. It combines a glacier walk with a short rocky stretch just below the top. From the summit you look across the whole Mont Blanc range and into the Swiss valleys beyond the border.
How do you reach the summit?
The most common approach starts in the French village of Le Tour, at the head of the Chamonix valley. On day one you walk up to the Refuge Albert 1er (about 2,702 m), perched on the north side of the Tour glacier. Ski lifts can shorten the climb; without them the walk takes several hours. The direct path is steep, needs some light scrambling in its lower part and can be exposed to stonefall. A gentler alternative follows the lifts, passes a small lake and reaches the moraine.
The hut sleeps around 137 people and is staffed from mid-June to September. The summit day begins early in the morning and finishes with a descent by the same route back to Le Tour.
On the Swiss side the mountain is climbed from the Cabane du Trient, and the Cabane d'Orny is also named as a starting point.
When should you go and what should you carry?
The season runs roughly from June to September. Snow and glacier ground call for an ice axe, crampons and the skill to use them, and many visitors book a two-day trip with a mountain guide. Check the weather forecast, glacier conditions and hut status before setting out.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Aiguille du Tour?
It stands at 3,540 m above sea level.
Is it a technical climb?
The normal route is graded F, but it crosses a glacier, so you need equipment and experience, or a guide.
Where is the easiest place to start?
Le Tour near Chamonix, using Refuge Albert 1er as your base. On the Swiss side, start from the Cabane du Trient.
Do you have to stay overnight in a hut?
Usually yes. A two-day plan with a night in the hut lets you set off at dawn, when glacier conditions are at their best.
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