Lac de Pormenaz from the mountain and via the Chalets de Pormenaz

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the route in reverse, passing through La Chorde.
i think it makes sense to do the hike in this direction, as the section between Souay and Lake Pormenaz is more difficult due to the slope and easier to do on the way up.

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Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the hike is located at the Chouay Bridge car park, which is now reopened
Once again, I note a significant difference between the data provided by Visorando and SUNTOO regarding the distance (V 11.2 and S 14.36) and the cumulative elevation gain (V 1066 m and S 1132 m)
The descent via the Argentiers path was quite difficult as it was very slippery in places due to the rain over the previous days
The best option, if you set off earlier than we did, is perhaps to combine it with a climb to the Moede Anterne refuge, then to the pass and descent to Lake Anterne, returning via the track to Les Ayeres des Pierrières and the Souay chalets
In any case, the climb is very pleasant, although sustained but steady between the start and the Pormenaz chalets
We crossed fenced pasture areas on either side of these chalets, but the sheep and sheepdogs were below the trail (which is just as well, given all the incidents currently being reported in both the Alps and the Pyrenees)

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Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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Date of your route : Sep 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that the return trail between points 13 and 2 is closed due to rockfalls. I therefore recommend starting from the Chouay Bridge car park to avoid an uninteresting round trip and a steep climb from the Chouay Bridge car park to the hamlet of Fieugerand. I would also advise the author to start his hike from this car park.
Otherwise, it is a very beautiful circuit, but only suitable for people who are not prone to vertigo.

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Date of your route : May 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, long hike in early May, and we suffered from the snow on the plateau. Just before the Pormenaz chalets, we had to cross a few snowfields. Then there was continuous snow on the ground from the chalets to the lake. It was difficult to follow the path in these conditions, but the snow was soft and we found passages without too much slope. This meant we had to walk an extra 2km across the plateau and perhaps an extra hour in the soft snow... When we arrived at the lake, other walkers told us that the route along the Souay had been affected by numerous snow slides and that they had arrived via the ridge. The descent is aerial with sections equipped with ladders and safety chains, but it's no problem. Crossing the torrent was more problematic because the bridge was not in place. The descent from the Souay chalets was very pleasant.
Despite our shortcut via La Chorde, we still covered almost 17 km with the extended section on the plateau. This is much more than the 13 km advertised, but it was very pleasant and we are glad we did it.
Thank you for sharing this route!

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Date of your route : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed today, 24 October, in beautiful weather.
Cool in the morning, with a few frozen puddles,
No problems with the terrain and a pleasant picnic at Lake Pormenaz.

We followed the route in the suggested direction.

The descent, starting on the right between the lake and the Moede-Anterne refuge, presented no difficulty, except for a little slippery mud at the beginning, which was avoidable. In addition, the path was well maintained (wooden logs). In the absence of snow, we did not have to use the handrails.
Note that there is no sign at the start of the descent. We followed the route using the app.
It is easier than the descent via La Chorde, although we did the latter three years ago with two septuagenarians who were not used to the mountains, and had no problems.

Not knowing that the Mont car park was accessible again, we parked as indicated in the description. That was fine too

About 5 hours and 45 minutes of walking at a moderate pace.

Only the area around the lake was quite busy (less so than in summer, however)

Thank you for the suggestion.

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Hello,
I know that the lake is divided between a nature reserve and a non-reserve area. Does this hike pass through a reserve or not, and can we bring a dog?
Thank you in advance for your answers
Kind regards,

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Date of your route : Jul 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Steep climb for the first 5 km, superb hike with chalets, a magnificent lake and lots of waterfalls, beautiful weather

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the circuit in reverse (it had rained the day before) because of the tricky section at Les Argentières. It went well. Then we climbed up to the Moëde Anterne refuge. Friendly welcome. Draught beer
We came back down via La Chorde. It's challenging but nothing exceptional. Go at your own pace, don't run, especially in wet weather. I wouldn't recommend it if it's your first time climbing or descending ladders with tricky sections. It can be daunting. Make sure you have good footwear and be patient, as you'll be passing people going up and down... But it's great fun.
At Barme Trappier, we went to Lac Vert.
Thank you, Zahl 21, for this magnificent route, which inspired me to improvise our own!

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Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant route, not very crowded except around the lake.
The closed car park is open.

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Date of your route : Aug 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The car park mentioned as being closed was open. After Pormenaz Lake, I went on to Lac Vert. A beautiful hike with rich and varied landscapes.

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Date of your route : Jul 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The lake is very beautiful and worth the climb. What's more, strangely enough, the lake water isn't cold. Bring your swimsuits! BIG PROBLEM!!_!!! The descent!!! Either we didn't take the right path or the person who wrote the guidebook is PARISH SPECIFIC TO BRETTAINE athletic! We turned left along the lake (maybe too early!?!) But we had to navigate a tricky section that took... 1 hour!! With multiple ladders, handrails, metal plates like via ferrata,!! So, either you have to try to continue on the left bank of the lake to take another path (because when we reached the stream, there was a path on our right that might be easier with just ONE tricky section as described in the guidebook), or you have to take it in reverse because ladders and cables are easier to climb than facing the void for some people.
Otherwise, well, at least we'll remember this walk! And we arrived at the bottom safe and sound, I can reassure readers! (!)!

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Date of your route : Jul 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This very pleasant hike was done in reverse from the car park indicated on the IGN map, which is once again easily accessible. The trail is currently closed between points 2 and 13 due to rockfalls. You must use the trail that runs closest to Le Souay stream.

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Date of your route : Jun 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It's a very beautiful hike. It was described by someone who was running. The start is very well marked. Just before the lake, we opted to climb to the black peak of Pormenaz. There are still a few snowfields, but they are not difficult. The descent via the ladders and cables at Le Chorde is covered with flowers and is easy, but not recommended for young children. It took us four hours from the car park to the summit; the path is very well marked. The descent from the lake can take two hours as it requires a certain amount of caution.
Jacques Obriot

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Date of your route : Aug 05, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike through very diverse landscapes.
An update: the car park marked on the map has been rebuilt and is accessible again. You no longer need to park at the reservoir at the exit of "Le Mont".

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