Peaks & Trails: Chamonix 2025
Share
by Elle Simms
This summer we ran our first French Alps trip in collaboration with Sidetracked Adventures to Chamonix, Mont Blanc. And I got to go as the Bird host for the week, bridging the link between the Bird community and our adventure hosts and mountain Guides. First of all, we arrived in Chamonix and were welcomed to our beautiful chalet for an introduction into the week plans, with a classic French-British ‘picky tea’ for a chance to get to know each other. With views up to the Aiguille du Midi from our dining table on a stunning chalet balcony, and the classic (first time seeing for me) Alpen glow on a snow topped skyline, we were all a bit overwhelmed with excitement and in awe of the beauty.
I recently read a bit about awe (ahem, watched on Instagram and followed up with a quick scan), and it turns out that feeling awe, can dissolve our sense of self, alter our ego, lower stress and help us feel creative. Studies have shown that when feeling awe we are more likely to drop our assumptions about the world and be more generous. This started me thinking about why connections and joy can be found so readily in a group of women who didn’t know each other 1 hour previously while sat on a balcony watching snow topped mountains glow in a colour I could never quite describe with words. Alpen glow was something new to me, and while we watched it unfold in front of us, we all became friends.
This was my first time in Chamonix and in the Alps. And it definitely sparked something for me. Being guided by our wonderful host Sophie, founder of Sidetracked, and International Mountain Leader Bex, the group got an incredible insight into life in the mountains. As the week progressed we had conversations about whether we could live out there and the general consensus was it’s beautiful but just for a holiday. For me, the trip feels like the beginning of something more, not that I’m packing up and moving to Cham any time soon, but definitely and 10000% more mountains please.
If you have ever felt like having more mountains in your life is of interest, I cannot recommend this trip enough. All your usual Bird Outdoors welcome and community feels, new friendships and a good laugh, but with snow topped peaks, mountains that glows like it’s on fire while the sun sets, guided hikes that offer a different view, energy, sense of achievement and approach each day, the most delicious homecooked and healthy food to enjoy, and most importantly a bucket load of awe.
Chamonix Peaks & Trails 2026: 20-27th June _ full details and how to book can be found on the Sidetracked Adventures website.
Sarah Hewitt Photography
"My confidence has increased so much and the week has inspired me to want to do more hiking, climbing and touring. I was sat at the airport googling ski touring courses! The hikes were a perfect balance between challenging and enjoyable and Becca's top tips (particularly on the first day) for how to use the poles and keeping a steady walking pace to tackle the steep inclines etc. really helped".
"Having never signed up for a group adventure trip on my own before, I was a bit nervous about what the week would entail, but as soon as I arrived I was made to feel welcome and everyone was lovely. It was such an inspiring and exciting week, led expertly by our host and guide. I feel like I've made new friends and have a new-found confidence in myself, as well as garnering a taste for more adventures! Thank you so much for such a fantastic week".