Montriond Lake and Ardent Waterfall

A lovely walk starting from the car park downstream from Lake Montriond. Follow the path along the lake shore and through the forest to reach the superb Ardent waterfall. The surroundings are magnificent. As the site is very popular, it is best to start the walk early in the day.

Technical sheet

77047
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 137 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 137 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,189 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,061 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: from Annemasse (Geneva), take the A40 motorway towards Chamonix. Take exit 15, Vallée Verte, then follow signs for Taninges. Drive up to Les Gets and continue to Montriond. Then head towards Lac de Montriond and park in the first car park on the right at the start of the lake.

Route: from the car park, take the path on the right. Follow the lake to the end.
(1) Then follow the signs for "Cascade d'Ardent par la forêt" on the right, then turn left. You will walk on flat ground through a forest offering a breathtaking palette of shades of green with a variety of tree species and moss-covered boulders that harmoniously complete this superb setting. Pass "Les Echertons" and continue on, marvelling at the beauty of the surroundings.

(2) Once you reach "Les Albertans", continue straight ahead towards the waterfall. The path becomes slightly steep and you will soon reach the footbridge over the Ardent stream (3), which offers a beautiful view of the waterfall. It is worth walking a little way up the stream along its left bank to appreciate the beauty of the site (numerous small waterfalls).

Head back down to Les Albertans (2); turn right and enter this charming hamlet.

(4) Turn immediately left to return to the end of the lake. The return journey is along the right bank of the lake. The view of the cliffs of "L'Envers du lac" and "Les Combes" is impressive; there is a beautiful view of the Cascade du Nant de la Lapiaz waterfall. The mountains are reflected in the emerald green waters of the lake, the colour varying depending on the light. From the end of the lake, you can see the Roc d'Enfer, which is also reflected in the lake.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,066 m - Lac de Montriond
  2. 1 : km 1.49 - alt. 1,063 m - On the right at the end of the lake
  3. 2 : km 2.19 - alt. 1,104 m - The Albertans
  4. 3 : km 3.26 - alt. 1,182 m - Ardent Stream footbridge
  5. 4 : km 4.69 - alt. 1,100 m - The Albertans
  6. S/E : km 6.81 - alt. 1,066 m - Lac de Montriond

Practical information

IGN map 3528 E

In the nearby area

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 40 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 13748028

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent hike that is accessible to all. We did it in October (2025). Splendid autumn colours and few people, but I imagine it's different in the middle of summer. We followed the lake back and forth on the same sunny side. The climb to the waterfall is really worth it.
I've attached a few photos.

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User 1346616

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The lake walk is accessible for families with young children, but caution is advised as there are no safety barriers between the path and the water
The forest trail to the waterfall is more difficult due to the numerous roots, and the entire climb is at the end of the walk, making it more difficult for little legs
The waterfall is magnificent, with well-designed and secure footbridges
A must-do

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User 1971586

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful walk, best done in summer to make the most of the sunshine or seek shelter from it in the shade of the lake. The viewpoint overlooking the waterfall is very well equipped with large log tables and benches for picnics, which were recently installed.

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jean-66
jean-66

We didn't use the trail in the "through the forest" section, which is steep and rocky. But we went via the car park, which is certainly less pleasant but still worth it because the site is magnificent. The description is accurate. We did the circuit in the afternoon and it was indeed very busy.

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Cévenne
Cévenne

Montriond Lake and Ardent Waterfall

My photo was selected, but it does not appear in the article, and I cannot see it in the email I received.

Thank you for posting your photo entitled "Ardent Waterfall" on Visorando! It has just been selected by a moderator.
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Cévenne
Cévenne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Easy hike with a beautiful lake, a pretty waterfall and, between the two, a hamlet of old chalets.
Avoid in the height of summer!!!

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User 26621465

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The hike was as described and very easy to follow on the app
I will repeat the experience for my next hike

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User 21497386

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We had a lot of trouble finding our way through the forest at first, but once we got there, it was a really nice hike, easy even for families.
We arrived to discover a magnificent waterfall.

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Paradyse
Paradyse
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant walk around the lake, although quite busy
At this time of year, there is still snow and patches of black ice, which can make it difficult, especially on the slopes. Appropriate equipment is recommended
I had trouble finding the start of the path through the forest to reach the waterfall
It's a shame that the footbridge for a better view of the waterfall was closed

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Benoitxvii
Benoitxvii
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very pretty walk around the lake. The climb up to the waterfall may seem difficult for some, but the reward is worth it: the waterfall is magnificent
Took this walk in early May, not too crowded

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IDep
IDep

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful walk around the lake, which is magnificent. The walk to the waterfall is lovely. It's a shame that the footbridge was closed

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Roc d'Enfer
Roc d'Enfer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Great, stunts, amazing water feature.

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sab
sab

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

The lake is very pretty, but it was crowded on the way back.
Walk along the lake on the right, then when you reach the end, take a small path on the right that goes up into the forest. "Ardent Waterfall through the forest"
The climb is short. The walk, about 30 minutes, is very pleasant and really beautiful at this time of year. We didn't see anyone else and felt like we were in a magical place. Good shoes are recommended, as it is damp and there are lots of roots.
When you leave the forest, you rejoin the circuit from Les Albertans (the one you will take on the way back) towards the waterfall. There are a few slopes, but nothing impossible and it's short. You actually cross a hunting reserve.
When we arrived at the waterfall, we were quite disappointed, as noted in other comments: nets and construction work.
Continue further up and descend to the riverbank, which is very pretty and enjoyable.
The return journey is via the Albertans to the lake.
This hike is suitable for dogs, but they must be kept on a leash around the lake.
I think it's nicer to do this hike at this time of year, as in summer it must be very crowded. There are even car parks.
A nice, easy walk that took about two hours.
Thanks to Visiorando for the route through the forest, as it's much prettier!

dogs on a leash

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Nathsavoie
Nathsavoie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant hike, done early in the morning, so there were very few people.
Unfortunately, the waterfall is somewhat hidden by protective netting due to renovation work on the footbridge. However, it is still possible to walk down along the river.
The climb to the waterfall is steep
Walking around the lake is very pleasant

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Stéph1233
Stéph1233

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very pretty, easy hike. At the moment, the viewpoint of the waterfall is under construction and therefore inaccessible. You can stop above the waterfall on some rocks to enjoy the river.
To hide from the sun on the way back, I walked around the lake on the same side as on the way there, but to be a little closer to nature, you can take the path just above the lake's edge through the forest, which also offers a beautiful view of the lake.
Both ends of the lake are quite busy.

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