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).

Details

n°77635
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 851 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 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

Notes

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).

Worth a visit

There is a small climbing site at the start.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 44 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 8434060

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but we had to cut it short due to severe knee pain.
Beautiful panoramic views on the way up and a lovely lake. We would have liked to continue past the lake to see the 360° panorama, but it was too difficult for us as we weren't fit enough.

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User 27000680

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike with a frozen lake in April

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DURIVAL
DURIVAL

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : 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 your route : Aug 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Sep 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Sep 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Sep 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Aug 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Jun 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Sep 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Parking too small or too crowded, very difficult to park

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saucissonrond
saucissonrond

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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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