Lessy Lake from Cullaz

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There is an alternative route to the "classic" route to Lac de Lessy, which is much less frequented.
No particular difficulties (no ladders).

Technical sheet

n°77635
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 851 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 842 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,836 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,441 m
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Photos

Lessy Lake
Jalouvre, Pointe Percée, Mont Blanc
Reflection of the Aiguille Verte
Roc des Tours

Description of the walk

From Le Grand Bornand, take the Col de la Colombière road from Chinaillon. In the village of Les Faux, take a small road on the left (just before the iron cow sculpture).
Take thesecond road on the right and continue to the car park.

(S/E) Above the car park, take the path on the right (follow the sign for "Lac de Lessy").

(1) Take the path on the left that climbs into the forest.
Then just follow the path (no forks).

(2) Go over thefirst pass.

(3) Be careful, there is a steep section during the descent.

(4) When you reach the Mayse chalets, take the main path on the right.

(5) Pass thesecond pass (Col de la Forclaz) and descend to the lake and the chalets of Lessy.

(6) To return, follow the same route in the opposite direction.
You can also do a loop via Chinaillon, but this is much longer (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,441 m - Above the car park, take the path on the right
  2. 1 : km 0.31 - alt. 1,450 m - Take the path on the left that climbs into the forest
  3. 2 : km 1.33 - alt. 1,697 m - Le Planay
  4. 3 : km 1.39 - alt. 1,674 m - Steep section
  5. 4 : km 2.5 - alt. 1,503 m - Chalets de Mayse
  6. 5 : km 3.82 - alt. 1,836 m - Col de la Forclaz (1844m)
  7. 6 : km 4.76 - alt. 1,765 m - Lake and chalets in Lessy - Chalets de Lessy
  8. S/E : km 9.51 - alt. 1,441 m - Parking at the start

Practical information

Refreshments and cheese for sale halfway (Mayse chalets (4)) and at the lake (Lessy chalets (6)).
Numerous streams along the way.
Herds of animals (mainly cows but there are also sheep).

In the nearby area

There is a small climbing site at the start.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 43 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 27000680

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant, varied and fairly easy walk, even with children (aged 7 and 10)

If you set off in the morning, half of the walk is through the forest and therefore in the shade. This route means you don't have to climb all at once, which is ideal for children in both directions.

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Choupette5
Choupette5

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent hike with a frozen lake in April

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DURIVAL
DURIVAL

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : No

Hello,
I made a mistake in my previous description! This hike was quite disappointing, especially from the Mayse chalets: a rocky 4x4 road, in full sun even early in the morning, and a lake with nothing of particular interest...

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DURIVAL
DURIVAL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

No difficulty finding the starting point with GPS, good directions thereafter.
A very beautiful walk with stunning views. Following the blue trail on the way back is no longer and much more comfortable!

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Harper
Harper

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Difficulty finding the starting point. No iron cow and junction not easy to find. Quite tough climb up to the Col de la Forclaz on the track, same for the descent.

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dedetoine
dedetoine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

With GPS, there's no problem finding the starting point. The section described as steep isn't very difficult.
The climb from the Mayse chalets to the Forclaz pass isn't great; it's on a stony track, which you have to take again on the way back. I'd recommend doing a loop. Apart from that, the scenery is beautiful.

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olivierb74
olivierb74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

The iron cow no longer exists. It took us two hours to get to the refuge. The return trip can be made via the green needle and pushed towards the rock of the tower. We returned via the blue trail and then back to La Culaz. In the end, it took us four hours to return, a great walk with very different landscapes. A little bit airy.

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pierre huraux
pierre huraux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike with no major difficulties.
The section marked "steep" in 3 is not difficult, but requires caution.
The climb from the Mayse chalets to the Col de la Forclaz is quite long and steep, but is on a stony track (the descent on the way back is quite tedious).
The round trip in 5 hours and 10 minutes is not overestimated, and this hike does require a good level of fitness.
the route is shaded at the start, then open (set off early on very sunny days) with lovely views. Definitely worth doing.

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mohammadarzi
mohammadarzi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

This is a very beautiful hiking trail. The entire first part is magnificent until you reach the Chalet de la Mayse. It's a shame that the climb up the Renier is in full sun. In fact, you need to plan this hike so that you do this climb when it's cooler.

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Max38
Max38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Start the hike at 11:30 a.m. We encountered many people on half of the route, but very few on the way back, which was in the late afternoon.
We saw sheep, cows, birds of prey and ibex.
Section 3 is indeed steep, so caution is advised, especially in bad weather.
The section between stages 4 and 5 is undoubtedly the most difficult part of the circuit. It took a lot of effort, as we weren't used to such a steep climb.
At point 7, there is a pleasant little refreshment bar with a lovely view.

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Sticot
Sticot
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Beautiful hike but very crowded.
Going to the Aiguille Verte is highly recommended.
No difficulties to report.
Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHADRutAWCE/

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glieres
glieres

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Parking too small or too crowded, very difficult to park

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saucissonrond
saucissonrond

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

a beautiful walk on 26 August 2020.

a superb lake awaited us upon arrival, with magnificent views of the mountains.

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supertoto
supertoto
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Difficulties finding parking. In fact, you just need to take the only road uphill opposite the "Les Faux" bus stop.
The first climb through the forest is very pleasant. We were eaten alive by horseflies when we reached the top.
Then a much steeper climb in the blazing sun, but the lake is just after that and it's beautiful.
It's a shame you can't really get in at the edge.
Nice, pleasant descent via the Aiguille Verte towards Chinaillon, recommended for those who don't want to tackle the climb back up

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boutte Ludovic
boutte Ludovic

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

very beautiful hike but very crowded.

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