Darbon Lake from Fontaine Lake

Departure from Lac de Fontaine, located on the edge of the Route de Bise from Vacheresse (D222a). Car park along the lakeside path.

Directional signs at major intersections + signposts at intervals

(S/E) Take the path to the north-east that climbs above the lake (keep the path that runs along the lake on your right).

(1) At a fork, take the left path towards Bouaz dessous and Chillon. This good path winds through a sparse forest, occasionally coming to a halt at the foot of rocky outcrops or scree slopes.

(2) At the Chalet de Bouaz dessous, continue right towards Bouaz dessus and Bénevent. The path climbs steeply through the mountain pastures, makes a large hairpin bend to the left and reaches the Chalet de Bouaz dessus.

(3) Then turn left towards Darbon. The path descends through the mountain pastures and goes around the unnamed peak at 1,854 metres to the south, then to the west. You will arrive at a small pass under the spruce trees.

(4) Head north-east and continue downhill. At the bottom, join the path coming from Vacheresse and follow it to the right. Cross a stream and you will soon reach the chalets of Darbon.

(5) Head north between the chalets, then turn right (northeast) towards Lac de Darbon.

(6) At an intersection, keep right and continue northeast (ignore the path on the left that leads to Col de la Case d'Oche). Cross a rocky area and reach Lac de Darbon.

(7) To return to Lac de Fontaine, there are two options:
- Follow the same route you took on the way there.
- For a loop, as shown on the map, climb up the southern slope of the basin where the lake is located. To do this, follow the trail that heads towards the Col de Floray (east, then south). Make a hairpin turn to the left and reach a ridge (the Col de Floray is incorrectly marked here by the IGN).

(8) Follow the ridge to the right (south) and you will quickly reach the Col de Floray.

(9) Descend to the left towards the Chalets de Bise. At first, the path is steep and rugged. Further on, the path turns south-east and becomes easier to walk on.

(10) At an intersection, turn right towards the Chalets de Bise. Cross a wet area on a flat section, then descend an alpine track to the chalets.

(11) Follow the access road to the chalets (D222a) on the right and walk along a marshy area on your left. Pass a car park on your right.

(12) At the end of a slight right-hand bend, leave the road and take a path on the left. Join the road a little further down and cross it twice.

(13) Join the road again and turn left and right to continue on a path. Descend gently, alternating between shaded and open sections.

(1) At a junction taken at the very start of the hike, turn left, follow Lac de Fontaine on your left and quickly return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Hiking boots are essential.

Water and food available at the Chalets de Bise.

Recommendations:

The Bouaz and Darbon mountain pastures are grazed by livestock: dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

Lac de Darbon is a very fragile natural environment. To avoid damaging this ecosystem and respect the tranquillity of the area, swimming and letting your dogs swim is prohibited. Here, as elsewhere, nature deserves your attention.

This route crosses the Cornettes de Bise protected natural area. The following are prohibited: picking and collecting plants; leaving any rubbish behind; motor vehicles; campfires; wild camping and bivouacking.

See detailed regulations: Biotope Protection (APPB) - Pays d'Evian Vallée d'Abondance

- A wild setting between Bouaz Dessous (2) and Lac de Darbon (7).
- Beautiful rocky chaos between (6) and (7).
- Lake Darbon (7) nestled in a rocky cirque.