Le Chapeau via the Sources de L’Arveyron hike

Cross the level crossing and walk along the Route des Gaudenays for five minutes until you reach the helipad – this is for rescue services only – you may often see the brave mountain rescuers flying out or returning here.

Turn left at the helipad and walk by the river. At the top of the open area, bear towards the left and you will see signs for “Sources de l’Arveyron” and “Le Chapeau”. A wide track leads up through the forest, keeping the river on your right. After around ten minutes, you’ll see a small path signed to the right for “Sources d’Arveyron”.

This narrow, winding path twists up through a lovely shady pine forest, with the noise of the river always on your right. After around half an hour, you’ll come to a right turn, again signed for “Sources d’Arveyron”. After a short time, you’ll emerge at the viewpoint itself – a huge prow of rock juts out over the gorge, giving a spectacular view down to the river far below, over the valley in one direction, and the granite spire of the Dru in the other. It’s fenced, but definitely a place to keep an eye on kids and dogs.

Retrace your steps briefly to leave the viewpoint, and after a few hundred metres, you’ll see the sign you already passed – this time follow it to Le Chapeau. You’ll pass a climbing crag that rises on the right-hand side of the path.

The path turns twice more to the right, both are clearly signed to Le Chapeau, before beginning to climb up and start to open, giving views back down the valley towards Chamonix. From here, it gets more open and beautiful, winding around widely spaced larches and alpine roses that frame the Aiguilles du Chamonix and Mont Blanc exquisitely. You’ll sometimes see Chamois around here, and the path has lovely little bridges over the stream that flows around it.

Up to the left you’ll see a big waterfall – look out for the refuge overlooking it, just right of the top. The refuge, La Buvette du Chapeau, is a nice stop for a drink, but the path to the viewpoint bears right (clearly signed).

The trail ends here in a fenced area that gives you a wonderful panorama over the Mer de Glace with the blue-green glacial lakes forming at its snout. You can see the twin points of the Dent du Geant and the Grands Jorasses and the spiky ridges of the Aiguilles de Chamonix – it’s the most amazing viewpoint.

Turn and descend the same way – follow signs to Chamonix and Les Praz and they will take you a more direct route back, rather than via the Source de l’Arveyon.