Mountaineering opens the door to adventure and unparalleled freedom. Off the beaten track, it invites us to explore the high mountains in all their majesty. But when you're just starting out, two questions often arise: which summit should you choose to take your first steps at altitude? And how can you progress without encountering excessive difficulties? While the Alps abound with sublime summits , not all of them are suitable for learning. Here, I propose three accessible climbs to help you get started in mountaineering: the Dômes de Miage, the Breithorn and the Pyramide Vincent. Three mountains that offer both the exhilaration of the world above and a reassuring experience for beginners.
Traversée des Dômes de Miage: in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif
- Ratings : PD / II
- Altitude: 2580 m / 3670 m
- Difference in altitude: +1150 m / -1278 m
- Route length: 9 km
- Slope: 40°.
Not far from Mont Blanc rises a graceful mountain, like a wave frozen in rock and ice. The Dômes de Miage, with their harmonious succession of bumps, trace a perfect line between heaven and earth. Like pearls strung on a high-altitude necklace, these summits , rising to 3673 metres, are the perfect introduction to mountaineering. In fact, this ascent is often chosen as the ideal preparation for Mont Blanc. The view from the summit is sumptuous. To the east, the imposing silhouette of Mont Blanc reveals itself with majesty, while to the south, the Aiguilles de Tré-la-Tête carve out the azure with their slender forms. On a Light day, you can even see as far as the Italian and Swiss Alps, offering a panorama of breathtaking beauty. The view alone is worth the effort it takes to reach the Dômes de Miage.
The classic route starts in Les Contamines-Montjoie and leads first to the Conscrits hut (2602 m), where we spend a night acclimatizing. The following day, the ascent continues on the Tré-la-Tête glacier before tackling the Dômes traverse proper. This elegant ridge stretches from west to east, linking the Aiguille de la Bérangère to the Col de Miage.
This route, ideal for a gentle introduction to the use of crampons and ice axe, includes a few passages requiring vigilance and roping up, but remains perfectly accessible to beginners accompanied by an experienced guide. It allows you to progress at your own pace, learning the essential basics of high mountain climbing while immersing yourself in a grandiose setting. What makes this climb particularly suitable for beginners is its progressive nature. Combining an approach walk, glacier and ridge progression, it offers an ideal summary of fundamental mountaineering techniques.
Ascent of Breithorn via the normal route
- Ratings: F II 2.1 / E1 PD- / S3
- Altitude 3795 m / 4164 m
- Ascent: 370 m
Overlooking the Zermatt valley and facing the Matterhorn, Breithorn rises to 4164 metres, making it one of the most accessible 4000-metre peaks in the Alps. Its broad, rounded summit makes for a serene, reassuring ascent. At the summit, the view is breathtaking: your gaze plunges down to the Zermatt valley, then rises to the Matterhorn. On the horizon, the silhouettes of Mont-Rose, the Grand Combin and dozens of other Alpine summits .
The classic ascent begins at Klein Matterhorn, Europe's highest cable car station. It takes around 1.5 hours to reach the summit. After leaving the station at 3883 m, a traverse of the glacial plateau leads to the foot of the western summit . This is followed by a steady ascent on snowy slopes that gradually increase in steepness until you reach the beautiful summit ridge.
This mountain is perfect for beginners, thanks to its ease of access and the technical simplicity of its ascent. It offers a true high-altitude experience, enhanced by exceptional panoramic views.
What makes the Breithorn so unique is the rare combination of high altitude and technical accessibility. In just a few hours, you'll learn how to climb with a rope party, and master the use of crampons and ice axe on moderate slopes. This first approach to mountaineering will naturally pave the way for more ambitious summits . For your first ascents, I strongly recommend that you hire a mountain guide who will make your outing an unforgettable experience.
Pyramide Vincent: jewel of the Mont-Rose massif
- Ratings: F 2.2 / E1 / S3
- Altitude: 3275 m / 4215 m
- Ascent: 940 m
In the heart of the Mont-Rose massif, the Vincent Pyramid rises to an altitude of 4215 metres, on the border between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont. Its triangular silhouette, with its perfectly defined lines, is an irresistible eye-catcher. Located south of the Ludwigshöhe, the Vincent Pyramid is flanked on the east by the Piode glacier and on the west by the Lys glacier. Its name pays homage to Joseph Vincent de Gressoney-Saint-Jean, the visionary mountaineer who first explored this peak with his brother, Johann Nikolaus. Less famous than its neighbors, the summit is nonetheless a mountaineering jewel, imbued with a wild and authentic beauty.
From the summit, the panorama is grandiose. You can see the Mont-Rose massif, the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Grand-Paradis and beyond. Glaciers stretch as far as the eye can see, space seems infinite, time suspended.
The ascent of the Pyramide Vincent usually begins at the Gnifetti hut, where you acclimatize before setting off at dawn. The route continues via the Lys glacier before tackling the north-western slope of the Vincent Pyramid. The route, mainly glacial, presents no major difficulties, making it easy to learn some basic crampon techniques.
This summit is ideal for beginners, thanks to its Light , easy-to-spot route, combined with the singular experience of climbing above 4,000 metres. As an artist, the Vincent Pyramid has a very special significance for me: it sits at the heart of a massif that fascinates me and that I take great pleasure in photographing. The exceptional beauty of Mont-Rose's glaciers, the purity of its lines and the natural elegance of its summits create an ideal frame for contemplation and artistic expression.
These three summits reach out to you. They open the door to a world where the hustle and bustle of everyday life fades into the immensity of the mountains. As you climb these accessible peaks, you'll taste the freedom that fills your lungs with pure air and your soul with serenity. Up there, the scent of adventure awaits you.
Also worth discovering: the 3 summits to climb on ski touring to discover mountaineering: first steps at altitude.
