Lac Blanc hike
Lift accessed hike from Flégère up to the lake in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges
This beautiful lake (which is often snow covered) offers an extraordinary vantage point over the Chamonix Aiguilles, Les Drus and the Verte.
Lac Blanc is a high altitude mountain lake, surrounded by rocks and accessed by a number of different hiking trails. The calm clear waters create the perfect mirror image of Mont Blanc and the snowy peaks on the opposite side of the valley.
Lac Blanc is a particular favourite of ours as it offers so many different perspectives of the Mont Blanc Massif and demonstrates some of the most beautiful alpine colours, changing all year round. At the tail end of summer a few seasons ago we hiked up to Lac Blanc in the late afternoon staying overnight in the refuge. That evening we saw the most amazing sunset over the Mont Blanc massif. We were lucky enough to have a clear day the following morning and were able to watch the sun rise over the range again. It was a truly amazing sight with rich autumnal colours on display against the stunning Mont Blanc backdrop.
The mountain refuge on the edge of the lake was destroyed by an avalanche and re-built in the 1990’s but it has proven to be such a popular stop over with walkers (being on the Tour de Mont Blanc) that it was further extended in 2005 to offer more beds.
What to bring
You'll need to buy a lift pass for the cable car and/or chairlift.
The hike is exposed with no shade, so wear sunglasses and a hat if it's sunny.
If you wish to take a map, the IGN3630 map is recommended.
What to see
This area is in the nature reserve of the Aiguilles Rouges and it's not uncommon to see wild animals such as bouquetin (also known as ibex), chamois, marmots and deer.
Sights in Chamonix
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La Flégère, Chamonix - Le Praz
In summer the cable car at Flégère and the Index chairlift operate, taking you up to an altitude of 1,894m and then on to 2,396m at the top of the Index.
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Municipal library
The main central library for Chamonix which houses the occasional exhibition and lectures.
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Maison de la Memoire et du Patrimoine, Chamonix- Centre
This museum houses exhibits of Chamonix's past.
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Alpine Museum
The museum is currently closed for renovations
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Mer de Glace and Montenvers cog railway
No trip to Chamonix should be complete without a visit to the legendary Mer de Glace, the longest and arguably the most impressive glacier in the Chamonix valley. It is also the largest glacier in France.
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Espace Tairraz Crystal Museum
Discover the minerals from the Mont Blanc Valley, famous throughout the world, and learn more about the art of mountaineering.
Where to lunch
The refuge at the lake serves meals, snacks and drinks. There is also a canteen-style restaurant at the cable car station. The lake is a perfect picnic spot if you wish to bring a packed lunch.
Restaurants in Chamonix
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Restaurant Refuge de la Flégère (winter only)
A lovely restaurant located in the Chamonix valley, the Refuge de la Flégère is a true haven for culinary delights in the heart of the mountains.
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La Piazza Restaurant
Italian restaurant next to the Savoy nursery ski area with an outdoor terrace and fantastic views.
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The Dainty Pizza Restaurant
Great quality ingredients lovingly prepared.
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Pointe Isabelle Bar and Bistro Restaurant
This tastefully refurbished restaurant and bar are right in the heart of Chamonix on the popular Avenue Michel Croz, close to the train station.
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Bighorn Bistro Restaurant
Bighorn Bistro in Chamonix Sud is known for its homemade American-style comfort food, from stacked burgers to freshly baked desserts. You can pair your meal with a craft beer or one of their creative cocktails. With friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s a favourite with both locals and visitors.
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Stories & Beer
Stories is a local craft beer bar and taco restaurant in Chamonix. Enjoy a slice of Mexico in France.
Directions
Starting at the top of the Flégère cable car, you have two options to get to the lake:
- Take the Index chairlift up (you can walk it but it’s a 4x4 track with large, rough stones and isn’t very pleasant) and traverse across the base of a rocky spur before climbing up a scree slope into the Aiguilles Rouges Reserve.
- Descend the combe of la Chavanne and follow the path on the left that climbs upwards from the vicinity of the old stables. The route is signposted either way and is not difficult to find, especially if you look out for splashes of paint on the rocks.
