What is Pointe Helbronner?
Pointe Helbronner, an emblematic peak on the border between France and Italy in the Mont-Blanc massif, reaches an altitude of 3,462 to 3,470 meters. It lies between the Grand Flambeau and the Aiguilles Marbrées, marking the water divide between Haute-Savoie and the Aosta Valley.
The name of this summit pays homage to Paul Helbronner, an eminent French polytechnician, mountaineer and geodesist. He is recognized for his major contribution to the cartography of the French Alps. Geographically, Pointe Helbronner stands out as the arrival point for the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car, which departs from Entrèves (near Courmayeur), and the Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola. The latter crosses the Vallée Blanche and the Géant glacier from the Aiguille du Midi in France. Near its summit, the Torino refuge welcomes visitors.
It is also the starting point for ski descents on the Glacier du Géant towards Montenvers or as far as Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, as well as for various hikes to the surrounding peaks. Pointe Helbronner offers spectacular views over the Aosta Valley and the whole of Piedmont.
The Helbronner cable car, a spectacular ascent
On the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massif, the Skyway Monte Bianco ropeway offers unique access at an altitude of almost 3,500 meters, from Courmayeur to Pointe Helbronner. Travelers can enjoy two intermediate stops, with attractions including a terrace with panoramic views, a botanical garden and a museum dedicated to crystals.
On the French border, this Italian ropeway offers a rapid ascent of almost 2,200 meters in just 15 minutes, from the south of the Massif du Mont-Blanc to Pointe Helbronner, a peak on the Franco-Italian border at 3,466 meters.
Gondolas depart every 15 minutes. Right from the start, they offer spectacular views of the massif and Pointe Helbronner. A first stop is at the Pavillon du Mont-Fréty (2,200 m above sea level), where you'll find a mountain cellar for maturing wines, restaurants, stores, a children's play area and a conference room. From late June to late September, you can also visit the Saussurea Botanical Garden, with its extensive collection of alpine plants.
The highlight of the ropeway experience is 1,300 meters higher up, at Pointe Helbronner. With its 14-meter-diameter round terrace and the Mont-Blanc Room, visitors can enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of Western Europe's highest peak, as well as iconic mountains such as the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and Gran Paradiso. An exhibition of Mont Blanc crystals is also on display. For adrenaline junkies, Sky Vertigo offers the vertiginous experience of walking above the void.
From Pointe Helbronner, it's also possible to embark on the Vallée Blanche route, a 24 km itinerary leading to Chamonix. More information on the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car's timetables and fares is available on the attraction's official website.
Pointe Helbronner - Aiguille du Midi: how to make the crossing?
Focus on the Aiguille du Midi
TheAiguille du Midi, which rises to 3,842 meters above sea level, dominates the Arve Valley and the town of Chamonix, a landmark formountaineering in France. Its summit is the site of France's highest television broadcasting antenna, and also marks the arrival point of the cable car from Chamonix. The considerable difference in altitude between Chamonix (at 1,035 meters) and the summit station of the Aiguille du Midi (at 3,777 meters) necessitates a change of cabin at Plan de l'Aiguille. The name "Aiguille du Midi" probably derives from its position in relation to Chamonix, with the sun at its zenith over the summit around midday.
Do the Aiguille du Midi - Helbronner traverse
The traverse between Pointe Helbronner and Aiguille du Midi connects these two legendary peaks, thanks in part to the spectacular Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable car. Alternatively, you can make the crossing on foot, offering direct access to the high mountains, with their breathtaking panoramas and the unique sensation of being suspended above the roof of Europe. Note, however, that this route carries its own risks, with a passage over a glacier.
As for the direction to take for the crossing between Helbronner and the Aiguille du Midi, several options are available.
- If you're in good physical condition, you can do the round trip from any starting point. Note that the positive difference in altitude is greater in the direction Helbronner towards the Aiguille du Midi, making this direction more physically demanding!
- If you'd rather make just one crossing, the Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable car can be used for either the outward or return journey.
From Italy's Pointe Helbronner, direct access to the Glacier du Géant is via the Grand Flambeau, at 3,559 meters. The traverse, which runs roughly north-west, begins with a descent to the Col des Flambeaux, where you can admire the Panoramic Mont-Blanc suspended magically in the air thanks to an incredible system of taut cables.
Heading for theAiguille de Toule, we then navigate through the crevasses formed by the junction of the Géant and Tour Ronde glaciers, before passing beneath iconic peaks such as the Grand Capucin, Pointe Adolphe Rey and Pyramide du Tacul. The climb continues under Mont Blanc du Tacul to the Col de Gros Rognon (3,400 m), before turning west towards the Col du Midi, then north to the Refuge des Cosmiques (3,613 m).
This route not only offers spectacular views of climbers in action, but also of bivouac areas in the snow, reserved for high-mountain adventurers. Following the well-marked trail, you'll reach theAiguille du Midi ridge, where the climb becomes steeper and steeper. Snow conditions can vary, making the track on the north-east ridge either well prepared and secure, or more difficult and challenging. Whatever the situation, the experience on the ridge is extraordinary and vertiginous. Once at the summit, enjoy the view before taking the cable car back down!
