Aiguille du Midi

There is a cableway (5.4km/3.5mi) from the Praz- Conduit station (1,040m/3,412ft), on the southwest side of the town of Chamonix, by way of an intermediate station at Plan de l'Aiguille (2,308m/7,573ft), with fantastic views en route, to the upper station (3,790m/12,435ft; 20min.), under the summit of the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m/12,606ft; chair-lift to top), with a view of Mont Blanc.

From the upper station there is a cabin cableway (5km/3mi; 20min.) by way of the Gros Rognon (3,533m/11,592ft) and the Punta Helbronner (3,462m/11,359ft; passport control) to an Italian mountain hut, the Rifugio Torino (3,322m/10,899ft; views), below the Col du Géant (3,369m/11,054ft); then a third cableway leading down by way of the Pavillon del Monte Frety (2,130m/6,989ft) to the Italian town of Entrèves (1,306m/4,285ft; station in La Palud district). The whole trip from Chamonix to Entrèves (century 15km/9mi) takes about 1.5 hours and offers a memorable experience.