Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

The little red cog train of 1908 climbs in 20 minutes to the Montenvers balcony, 1,913 m above France's largest glacier. Leashed dogs are allowed on board and across the site; skip the openwork metal stairs to the ice cave, hard on paw pads.

The most vertiginous cable car in the Alps leaps to 3,842 m facing Mont Blanc, but animals are banned from both sections (only certified assistance dogs are admitted). Book a pet sitter for the half day or take turns going up.

A rolling forest trail running the whole valley on the sunny side, below the Aiguilles Rouges reserve boundary: dogs are allowed along the entire route. Multiple access points from Chamonix, Les Praz and Argentière, with bus or train rides back.

A small mirror lake west of town, famous for its Mont Blanc reflections and its historic climbing crag. Dogs can take a dip on the quieter wooded far shore, away from the picnic lawns and anglers; leash up near families.

The gondola from the town centre lifts leashed dogs to Planpraz (2,000 m), the classic balcony facing the Mont Blanc massif; in summer the Brévent cable car takes them on to 2,525 m. Note the Index chairlift above La Flégère stays closed to dogs.

An intermediate forest hike (2 h return) from the edge of town to a thundering waterfall with a seasonal refreshment hut. It features on the tourist office's official dog-friendly hike list; leash advised on the narrow upper section.