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June 1st is ITRA’s Women’s Trail Day. Read Hillary Gerardi's blog, Go for it, ladies, and learn how you can take part!

Two runners Stop on Rocky Trail to look at the glacier at the mountains
Grand Balcon Nord. (Photo: Dan Fitzgerald)
to runners, stopped to have a snack with pointy Rocky Mountains behind
Photo - Dan Fitzgerald
to runners run uphill on Rocky Trail with pointy Rocky Mountain behind
Photo - Dan Fitzgerald
to runners run downhill on Rocky Trail, surrounded by boulders with Rocky mountain behind
(Running near Le Signal. Photo: Dan Fitzgerald)
to runners run, downhill with mountains above and valley beneath
Photo - Dan Fitzgerald
Two runners run around corner on high mountain traversing Trail with green mountains in the background
Photo - Dan Fitzgerald

Grand Balcon Nord

Region: Chamonix

Difficulty
2/3
Technicality
2/3
Popularity
2/3

This is a classic circuit with a beautiful high traverse. The route climbs up to the Refuge Plan de l’Aiguille before crossing under the towering Chamonix “aiguilles,” or needles. At Montenvers, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the Mer de Glace glacier, before finishing with a fast descent back to Chamonix.

Bonus KMs and Bailouts

The bonus kilometers offer big rewards, so try to include them if you have time!

Note that not every run has a bailout. But if a run does, we've included the download below.

Bonus KM GPX

Additional Information