From Lamoura to La Vigoureuse

Short, easy hike, mostly through forest, leading to La Vigoureuse (1,335 m) with views of the Valserine and Mont Blanc (on a clear day). On the way back, opportunity to swim in Lake Lamoura.

Details

2319070
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 270 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 267 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,333 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,145 m

Description of the walk

Parking in the village of Lamoura.

(S/E) Take the D292 south.

(1) At the end of the 90° left-hand bend, take the path cutting through the woods to the south for a few metres before reaching a crossroads and a tarmac road. Continue straight ahead, slightly to the left in the same direction, on the downhill path, following the markings.

(2) Cross the tarmac road at La Joux and follow it to the right for a few metres until you reach a car park. Take the forest path on the left (north-east direction).

(3) At the fork marked "Le Bas de Thoramy", follow the forest road on your right (eastbound) for a few metres. Quickly turn right again onto the hiking trail and follow the markings.

(4) At the crossroads, turn right heading south-east. About 300 metres further on, at the next crossroads, follow the signposted path on the left (eastbound) to reach the Sommet de la Vigoureuse.

(5) Then retrace your steps back to the crossroads.

(4) Continue along the path you took on the way up.

(3) At the fork, take the wide path on the right towards Lac de Lamoura (north-east). When you cross a fence, take the path downhill on your left.
Note: before descending, you can admire the view of the lake below.
Once you reach the lake, take the path on the left to the lake car park (alternatively, you can walk all the way around the lake on the right).

(6) Once you reach the D292E3, take a short detour to the right to find a marked trail ascending to the left with a sign for "Sentier des Amoureux - Lamoura 15min". Then join the D292 at the Le Versoix chalet. Follow the road opposite (westbound).

(1) Continue to the right along the same path until you reach your destination (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,150 m - Parking in Lamoura
  2. 1 : km 0.32 - alt. 1,168 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 0.83 - alt. 1,168 m - D292 crossroads - Car park
  4. 3 : km 1.32 - alt. 1,198 m - The Bas des Thoramys
  5. 4 : km 1.77 - alt. 1,248 m - Crossroads in the forest
  6. 5 : km 2.5 - alt. 1,333 m - Crêt de la Vigoureuse - Crêt de La Vigoureuse
  7. 6 : km 5.02 - alt. 1,156 m - Lake Lamoura - Lac de Lamoura
  8. S/E : km 6.32 - alt. 1,150 m - Parking in Lamoura

Notes

Good trainers are sufficient. The route is mostly shaded.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

(5) Beautiful view of the Valserine Valley - Picnic possible in the shade or sun.
(6) Swimming possible
You may spot wildlife (chamois - red ants with beautiful anthills near the summit between (4) and (5)).

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
JACOMO21
JACOMO21

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant route, muddy in places due to logging, two path entrances not very visible but two beautiful viewpoints in a forest as generous as ever.

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molisano
molisano

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Almost entirely in the woods. Very pleasant, especially on hot days (cool in the woods . The end of the hike leads to Lake Lamoura (very nice
thanks visorando

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palasse
palasse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike but very steep and difficult sections

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Brigitte54
Brigitte54

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We modified the route because we started from the lake (point 6) and did a circular loop via the Balise d'Amont, which took us to the other side of the lake.
It was a pleasant hike, mostly shaded, which was very welcome given the current hot weather. However, we were disappointed by the view from the top of La Vigoureuse. Lots of trees block the view, which is a shame.

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le saut de bonneille
le saut de bonneille

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

I say it's popular because we did it during the Whitsun holidays.
It's quite difficult because there are some steep climbs and the descent to the lake is slippery because it had rained the day before.
There's nothing interesting when you reach the sign at the top, nothing spectacular to see.

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le saut de bonneille
le saut de bonneille

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is popular because I did it during the holidays.
There are a few steep climbs, but I expected to find something more than just a sign at the highest point.
Nice descent to the lake

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GerLech
GerLech
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It's difficult for me to judge the hike; I made the mistake of setting off early in the morning when it's exposed to the north...
The result was that there wasn't a ray of sunshine on 80% of the route, which was also soggy. So it wasn't a very pleasant experience. I would therefore recommend (depending on the season, of course) doing the hike in the early afternoon instead.
The route is relatively demanding due to the slope but does not present any particular difficulties, except for the final descent to the lake. This path is very narrow and steep, and is not recommended for people with balance problems. As we did it in autumn with lots of wet, dead leaves, it was a bit of a challenge.

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BG30
BG30

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We started the hike at Lamoura Lake (point 6) to reach point 1, then followed the route to La Vigoureuse. For the return trip, rather than retracing our steps, we continued towards La Balise d'Amont, made a large arc and then joined the Visorando circuit's descent path towards the lake. Most of the hike is shaded.

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Alain et Hélène
Alain et Hélène

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike taken on 11 November in beautiful, cool weather.
Unfortunately, the ground was very wet and covered with lots of leaves.

The trail was very slippery in places.

On the descent towards point three, the parts that were constantly in the shade were icy.
Further down on the forest path along the lake, it was extremely muddy (we had to go through the forest along the path for a long distance).

The short steep slope down to the lake shore is very dangerous in these conditions.

In summary: Best done in dry weather and several days after rain.

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rahierchristian
rahierchristian

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very muddy route due to loggers
The descent to the lake is challenging and very muddy
No one at the start of the route, a few walkers around the lake
Christian Rahier

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Françoise P8.
Françoise P8.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good with children.

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