Lac de la Vogealle via the Pas du Boret

For someone who really suffers from vertigo... yes... the Pas du Boret can be terrifying, I think... (see the sign just before the climb). It's better to be safe than sorry

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Date of your route : Jul 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, Le Pas du Boret isn't as bad as it seems and the view from the Boret chalet is magnificent. The Vogeaille refuge is beautifully maintained. They have created a perfect lawn (almost like a golf course) where a few chickens graze. A family of ibex, which are not at all shy, roam around the area and all the hikers we meet are grinning from ear to ear.
On the other hand, the return trip via Le Bout du Monde is a bit long (constant ups and downs). If it weren't for the magical view at the end of the canyon (it almost feels like Angels Landing in Zion), I would have recommended going back down via Le Pas du Borêt.
In short, we don't regret the £7 we spent on parking.

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Date of your route : Jun 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that I did for the fourth time with friends, climbing up to spend the night at the Vogealle refuge.

The climb up the Pas du Boret is impressive and even impossible for those who are really prone to vertigo (I saw people crying on this section, or paralysed with fear...), so it is preferable for some to do the complete loop via the Bout du Monde, both on the way up and on the way back.

It is easy to find your way around this area as there is only one path and there are signposts.

The views are superb from start to finish. The lake was still frozen at the end of June last year (with snow from the refuge to the lake), whereas this year there was nothing left at the same time of year, and we were able to walk around it.

The welcome at the refuge is excellent every year and it's really nice to be able to relax there after this relatively demanding climb.

NB: parking is now paid with parking meters (there is no longer the small hut that used to serve as a cash desk) and if you are staying for two days, make sure you buy a 12 euro pass rather than paying by the hour or day.

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Date of your route : Jun 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route, challenging due to its elevation and length. We clocked up 19.9 km via the alternative route behind the Vogealle refuge. It's worth noting that the descent from here is easy to navigate (cross straight across the sharp limestone pavement), with a well-marked path on the ground (no cairns). Despite the winding path, it is quite steep and slippery due to the small stones that roll easily underfoot. We weren't lucky enough to see the lilies of the valley in bloom like Jean-Louis did. But the plants were there. Throughout the descent, the Boret chalet was in sight. The path was in full sun.
The GRP leading to Bout du Monde is very shady.
As for the climb via the Pas de Boret, it's very pleasant and not particularly difficult for experienced hikers.
There are splendid views all along the route. The waterfalls at Bout du Monde, like those at Cirque de Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, are impressive.
The Fond de la Combe trail is nice because you can get very close to the waterfall, and there are footbridges over the Giffre and a cave (almost at the Bout du Monde).
As for Lake Vogealle, it's worth the climb for its surroundings dominated by the Dents Blanches and Pointe de la Golette.
In short, I highly recommend it!

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Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for this route, which takes you all the way around the Cirque du Fer à Cheval.
The climb up to the lake is quite challenging. You need to be well equipped as it can become very slippery depending on the weather in the previous days.

I did the route that Jean-Louis mentioned, starting behind the refuge to go to "the end of the world". It's a very steep descent and not very well marked (probably because of the snow), but it offers magnificent views during the descent and it's always nice not to do the same route there and back. I also recommend it.

This hike is best done out of season as it gets very busy. Bear in mind that from July to September, there is a £7 charge per car to park.
Otherwise, you can park further away, but it's still an hour's walk there and back on flat ground to get to the start of the hike, which is itself on flat ground for quite a while, so...

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Date of your route : Jul 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done after heavy rain the day before, but no problem crossing the Boret Pass thanks to the presence of cables. The waterfalls were all magnificent given the high water flow. There was a herd of ibex on the path just before arriving at the Vogealle refuge, then a lot of snowfields after the Vogealle refuge on the way to the lake, but this was neither difficult nor dangerous. On the way back from the lake, to avoid going back and forth between the Vogealle refuge and the Boret chalet, we took the trail that starts behind the Vogealle refuge (there are cairns and the path is sometimes poorly marked) and joins the GRP shortly after the Boret chalet via a small valley (marked with black dots on the IGN map). This route takes you through a field of lily of the valley that was still in bloom!
A magnificent hike.

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Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the hike at the end of June. The end of the climb between the refuge and the lake was snowy, but the scenery was magnificent and, as a bonus, there were ibexes near the refuge.

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Date of your route : Sep 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Low traffic on the route up via the Boret pass, which is not recommended in wet weather for inexperienced hikers or those who suffer from vertigo.
The descent from the Boret chalet to the end of the world is much more popular.
This hike is not suitable for everyone, depending on how far you want to climb.
Breathtaking scenery, a real treat for the eyes!

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Date of your route : Oct 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this tour in October.
It was magnificent and spectacular.

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Date of your route : Aug 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely hike this summer.
There were lots of people at the start, but that's understandable given how interesting the place is.
However, if you go up via the Pas du Boret, you will encounter fewer people due to the nature of the climb (significant elevation gain, need to use cables at certain points due to the terrain, don't be too afraid of heights).
When we arrived at the Chalet du Boret, we decided to turn left towards the Chalet and Lac de la Vogealle. Apart from the fact that this return trip will give you a little more elevation gain (and loss), personally, we didn't find it particularly interesting. In our opinion, Lac de la Vogealle is just as good as some of the other high-altitude lakes. The environment is quite rocky.
The return trip along the path to Chalet du Boret is pleasant and easy.
Be sure to take the time to contemplate the view when you arrive at Bout Du Monde.
Thank you for this route.

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

Excellent hike on 12 October.
Magnificent and challenging. I am prone to vertigo, so the Boret Pass was a little stressful for me, but there are many sections where you can secure yourself with cables. Not to be attempted in wet weather.
You can go via Le Bout du Monde to avoid the climb to Boret, but this will make the hike a little longer.
The scenery is truly beautiful.
I had an excellent day.
Be careful, there are herds of cattle, so when I did it, dogs were not allowed, even on a lead.

Kind regards

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