Lac Blanc and Cheserys lakes from La Flégère

Hiking facing the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix peaks.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 564 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 563 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,353 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,849 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start___: Les Praz de Chamonix Téléphérique de la Flégère.
Start the hike from the arrival point of the Flégère cable car (stop at the 1st section).

(S/E) From the cable car exit, follow the path towards Lac Blanc.
Start with a short descent along the carriage road that passes under the Trappe chairlift.
At the next junction, turn left towards Lac Blanc. Towards the La Chavanne building.

(1) Turn left, and the climb begins. The path immediately becomes quite steep, leading to an escarpment that can be crossed without difficulty (signposted GR® de Pays du Tour du Pays du Mont Blanc).
All the way up, the panorama of the Mont Blanc massif, the Aiguilles, the glaciers and the sea of ice is breathtaking.
The path is quite steep in places, but never dangerous. A few steps can be high for children.
The first lake appears, and after a final effort you arrive at Lac Blanc (some snow may be present).

(2) After the lake, continue to the Refuge du Lac Blanc.

(3) For the descent, take the path behind the refuge towards the Cheserys lakes, about 45 minutes away; the descent is fairly steep, but well equipped (carved steps and logs). As you approach the lakes, the last hurdle is crossed using metal ladders: one for climbing up and one for descending.
After the lakes, take the first path downhill to the right and join a junction 300 m further on.

(4) Turn right onto the GR® TMB (Red and White markers).

(5) Reach the tête aux vents junction and continue straight ahead to return easily to La Flégère, enjoying the magnificent panorama. Ignore the two paths on either side and return to the junction you passed on the outward journey.

(1) Turn left to take the cable car back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,888 m - Departure - Refuge la Flégère (1807m)
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 1,866 m - La Chavanne
  3. 2 : km 2.95 - alt. 2,353 m - Lac Blanc
  4. 3 : km 3.03 - alt. 2,352 m - Chalet du Lac Blanc
  5. 4 : km 4.48 - alt. 2,133 m - Carrefour - Lac des Chéserys
  6. 5 : km 4.75 - alt. 2,128 m - Head to the wind
  7. S/E : km 8.05 - alt. 1,889 m - Arrival - Refuge la Flégère (1807m)

Practical information

Start___: Les Praz de Chamonix Téléphérique de la Flégère.
Start the hike from the arrival point of the Flégère cable car (stop at the 1st section).

Refreshments: At waypoint (3) drinks and food available at the Refuge du lac Blanc and de la Flégère.

Alternative: Option to walk around Lac Blanc. (Lake)

In the nearby area

If you stay at the Lac Blanc refuge :

  • From 5pm onwards, the chamois come to drink in the lake (after the day's tourists have left).
  • In the morning, enjoy the sunrise and take a postcard photo of Mont Blanc reflected in the lake.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 54 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
phdorando
phdorando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Magnificent hike, a real feast for the eyes. Lots of people up to Lac Blanc, and it gets a bit bumpy on the way up. Then it gets quieter again on the descent to the Chezerys lakes. A short section with ladders requires caution. There was still some snow below the refuge, which was quite fun to descend.

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stephcarine74
stephcarine74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk facing the Mont Blanc massif
Made mid-October, a little crowded despite the period

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Kinou7495
Kinou7495

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

As the signs were no longer posted in October, we took the wrong route. We need more signs because following the white lake sign is not valid.
Otherwise, it was a lovely hike with magnificent scenery.

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lionel38-69
lionel38-69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

beautiful hikes, easy level +, taking the flégère cable car

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Flomartin6
Flomartin6

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very nice hike, a must if you're going to Chamonix.
I didn't take the 2nd cable car so I could do a loop with a bit more difference in altitude.
Lots of people were there that day for the Lac Blanc, but fewer for the Lac de Cheserys.

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Sébastien Lesné
Sébastien Lesné

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Magnificent hike with a beautiful view of Mont Blanc

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Djano31
Djano31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A great walk in a magnificent setting!
Very well signposted trail.
Between Lac Blanc and the Cheserys lakes, there are some tricky sections for small children.

Option to eat at the Lac Blanc refuge.

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Wazi_2019
Wazi_2019
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : Yes

Great weather but huge crowds. We weren't expecting this. A rocky and rocky route. No shade, little or no vegetation and patches of rhododendrons and bilberry bushes. The route is worth it just for the view of the impressive and beautiful peaks of the mountain ranges on the other side of the valley.

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patricia barbe64
patricia barbe64

Very nice walk. Not always easy with ladders along the way, but safe and fun to do.

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kaolak1
kaolak1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A very accessible hike, but far too busy. However, the scenery is pleasant and the lake is magnificent, so I would still recommend it, but only at the beginning or end of the season.

It's much more interesting to do the loop as indicated rather than the same route back and forth.

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patricia barbe64
patricia barbe64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk. Not always easy with ladders along the way, but safe and fun to do.

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FLGrenoble
FLGrenoble

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Take the Flégère cable car up the mountain and then follow the crowd! We were lucky enough to spot an ibex just before the Lac Blanc. To avoid the crowds, we headed back down via the Chéserys lakes, where we spotted a very friendly ibex. The start of the descent is quite steep, with ladders and steps nailed to the rocks. It takes longer but there are far fewer people.
We pass by a beautiful waterfall.

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PERRARD
PERRARD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

magnificent view of the Mont Blanc massif
A little more snow on arrival at the Lac Blanc refuge

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Meganecafe
Meganecafe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Magnificent walk

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CHATELET Pierre
CHATELET Pierre

On 17/09/23, the last day of the ski lifts, we did the hike to Lac Blanc via La Flégère and the Index without any problems. However, having had a picnic on the banks of Lac Blanc we foolishly followed the crowd to start the descent and two hundred metres down found two signposts: La Flégère and Chalet du Chéserys. As we wanted to go by Lac de Chéserys, we took the left-hand path towards the Chalet but missed the right path, which goes much higher up by Lac de Chéserys. We would have had to pass through the Refuge du Lac Blanc to be able to take the right path through Lac de Chéserys, which I don't think was sufficiently noted in the description. Shame!!! Nevertheless, the descent was interesting, thank you.

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