Grandes Jorasses

Grandes Jorasses rises to 4,208 meters and features a granite north wall approximately 1,200 meters tall within the Mont Blanc massif. The mountain comprises multiple peaks with steep rock faces forming one of the Alps' most imposing formations.

Horace Walker reached the summit of Pointe Walker, the highest peak, with three guides on June 30, 1868. This ascent marked a key moment in the exploration of the Mont Blanc massif and early Alpine mountaineering.

Several peaks carry names honoring European royalty and climbers such as Princess Elena and Queen Margherita of Savoy. These names reflect the mountain's ties to the early explorers who shaped mountaineering in this region.

From Chamonix, climbers access the mountain via Walker Spur, while the Italian route uses the Boccalatte cabin in Val Ferret as a base. Both approaches demand serious Alpine experience and proper equipment for safe passage on rock and ice.

The north wall ranks among the three greatest north faces in the Alps, joining the Eiger and Matterhorn in mountaineering legend. This trio remains deeply embedded in the identity of extreme climbing across the continent.

Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Location: Courmayeur

Elevation above the sea: 4,208 m

Part of: France–Italy border, drainage divide between the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas

Address: Grandes Jorasses

GPS coordinates: 45.86667,6.98333

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:02