Lac Blanc (lake) from La Flégère

A hike for those who want to enjoy the high mountains without too much elevation gain. It's ideal for children aged 8-10, to help them appreciate the mountains.
You'll enjoy a panoramic view of the Mont Blanc range from the Chamonix side.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 185 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 701 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,401 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,848 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: Go to Chamonix - Les Praz. Park in the Flégère lift car park.
Take the gondola lift, then the Index chairlift. In 30 minutes you go from 1000 m to 2400 m.

(S) When you get off the chairlift, turn right, then, opposite, join the path running North-East towards Lac Blanc (signposted). Head towards the former Index station (signposted), where you descend. There's no risk of getting lost.

(1) Round a rocky bar (the Tête d'Aubuy) to the right. No particular problem (although children should be supervised).

Continue North-North-East to Lac Blanc (lake).

For the return journey, walk down to La Flégère. There are two ways of doing this. As far as we're concerned, we advise you to take the slightly longer route, which passes close to the Chéserys lakes (indicated on the route). It poses no problems in terms of navigation.

(2) Leave Lac Blanc by taking the path below the refuge: signs "Lacs de Chezerys" then "sentier pédestre".

(3) After the refuge, heading East, it's very steep and chaotic at first. The path is marked with wooden bars set into the rock. Head towards the Chéserys lakes. There is a passage with two ladders (probably one going down and the other going up...).

(4) After the first lakes, you come to a crossroads. Turn right (there's a sign for "La Flégère").

(5) You come to the TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc), a GR® trail marked in red and white. Head South (right).

It takes you back along a comfortable, signposted path to La Flégère where you can take the gondola back to the car park. (E)

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 2,401 m - Arrival of the Flégère ski lift
  2. 1 : km 1.67 - alt. 2,276 m - Tête d'Aubuy
  3. 2 : km 2.58 - alt. 2,352 m - Lac Blanc
  4. 3 : km 2.64 - alt. 2,352 m - Chalet du Lac Blanc
  5. 4 : km 3.89 - alt. 2,175 m - Turn right at the >. - Lac des Chéserys
  6. 5 : km 4.13 - alt. 2,132 m - To reach the TMB, turn right
  7. E : km 7.61 - alt. 1,888 m - Refuge la Flégère (1807m)

Practical information

Start & Parking: Go to Chamonix - Les Praz. Park in the Flégère lift car park.
Take the gondola lift, then the Index chairlift. In 30 minutes you go from 1000 m to 2400 m.

Refreshments: There's a snack bar and refuge at La Flégère, as well as at Lac Blanc.

Lifts: Take a return ticket for the La Flégère gondola lift, and a one-way ticket for the Index chairlift. This is quite expensive (there is a "family" pass for 2 adults and up to 4 children).

Note: All in all, it's an easy trip. It's worth noting, however, that two-thirds of the way up is quite chaotic and can be quite strenuous. This explains its "medium" difficulty rating.
N.B. If the weather isn't clear, it's best not to go.

In the nearby area

If the weather is clear, you have a panoramic view of the south-west face of Mont Blanc: the Argentière glacier and Aiguille d'Argentière, the lower Mer de Glace, the Montenvers station, the Aiguille Verte, in the background, the Grandes Jorasses, Mont Maudit, the Aiguille du Midi, the summit of Mont Blanc, the Dôme du Goûter, etc.

 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

4.8 / 5
Based on 49 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 15471042
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful hike, with less elevation gain if you take the "L'index" chairlift after the Flégère gondola lift.
Quite busy at the end of June, so it's best to set off early when there are fewer people and it's cooler.
No particular difficulty except for a short section with a ladder.
If you want to have a drink at the Lac Blanc bar, bring cash.

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User 10144615

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I was already familiar with this destination, but from a different starting point.

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Chris de PLO
Chris de PLO

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It's worth taking the chairlift from the top of the gondola and following the route up the mountainside. Allow between an hour and a half and two hours, depending on your (normal) walking pace. The direct option from Flégère is full ascent or full descent (be careful with your knees). Superb views and a very nice hike, accessible but still physical. You need a minimum of equipment...

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Chicca
Chicca

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful walk with magnificent views that are well worth the effort. Note that there's no shade the whole way, so it's best to do it outside the hottest hours. Some people wore light sneakers or sandals, but due to the many rocky sections, I wouldn't recommend it.
At the top there is a hut where you can eat and a takeaway bar. Payment is in cash only. Prices are fairly high, as everywhere else in the Chamonix area.

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DUN
DUN

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A lovely, accessible hike with beautiful views. The lake is very busy (lots of people at the finish). Something to bear in mind for those who prefer a quiet picnic.

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Yannick_Josset
Yannick_Josset

Take the ski lift from Chamonix Les Prae.

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PARDON
PARDON

how do you get the phlegm? thank you

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Melshj
Melshj

Please note that the cable car is not open every day. You need to check the Chamonix town website before you go, as they have periods when they are closed (something I didn't know before, unfortunately 🥲).

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Dédélagruge
Dédélagruge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello.

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Yannick_Josset
Yannick_Josset

Hello,
I've just tested it on my phone. I didn't have any problems.
I'm sorry to hear that. It's a very nice walk.
Have a good walk.
Yannick

https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-le-l...
But this walk is only possible once the snow has melted. Allow for the month of June.
Good walks.
Yannick

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Jean-Paul Francesch
Jean-Paul Francesch

I must be rubbish at computers, which is no excuse! But I still can't do it! Could you send me the link to the reply to this message, that would be really nice.
Thanks Yannick

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Yannick_Josset
Yannick_Josset

Hello,
I've just tested it on my phone. I didn't have any problems.
I'm sorry to hear that. It's a very nice walk.
Have a good walk.
Yannick

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Jean-Paul Francesch
Jean-Paul Francesch

I'm really sorry, but I couldn't download the information sheet for this walk!

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anabanana
anabanana

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Beautiful hike with breathtaking views all the way. Total amazement.

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PhilFilou33
PhilFilou33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Beautiful hike, magnificent views of the Mont Blanc glaciers. Medium difficulty.
The lake is beautiful but small (make sure you can see the real lake behind the first one) but too busy for my liking.

Good footwear is essential, especially as the trail descends a lot and is VERY rocky.

Unfortunately, it's very busy in summer.

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