Start at the tiny hamlet of Lavancher if you have a car, or you can start at Les Tines by taking the train and then hiking up to Lavancher though this does make the day a little longer.

From Lavancher the head hikes upwards through the pine and spruce forest steadily climbing up to the famous Lavancher 'bowl'. In winter skiers love this off piste section of the Grand Montets ski area as it often offers excellent 'free tracks' off-piste but still allows access back to the ski lifts. You will see ski lifts on this hike, but we like it because it can be done by using public transport to get to the start and finish. In spring and early summer the flowers once above the tree line are lovely, and you may see chamois feeding amongst the rocks high above you.

Once you are above the tree line you keep hiking on a traverse until you eventually see signs for Argentiere village and at that point the trail works its way down steeply to Argentiere village where refreshments are to be found!

A hike that is good on a hot day when shade from the forest is important.

Note there is one small section not long after Lavancher where it is a little exposed, but there are chains to hold on to. This does depend on which route you take as there are a number of junctions.