Lac de Pormenaz from Lac Vert and via Souay

A superb walk with views of the long ridge of the Rochers des Fiz (or the Fiz range – Platé Massif, Haut Giffre), in an exceptional setting, with a section of the route running alongside the Souay torrent. When the sun is shining, the reflections on Lake Pormenaz are truly beautiful.
Please note => A few tricky sections with safety equipment (ladders and chains)
This hike may be classified as difficult due to these few equipped sections.

Details

n°10648

Creation:
04 Sep 2012

Last update:
–

Last review:
04 Sep 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.02 mi
Average duration: 4h 50
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 2,388 ft
Descent: - 2,388 ft
Highest point: 6,440 ft
Lowest point: 4,154 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Giffre, Aiguilles Rouges
City: Passy (Haute-Savoie) (74480|74190)
Start/End: N 45.94874° / E 6.75362°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3530ET, 3530ETR, 3531ET, 3531ETR
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

Via the Plateau d’Assy, Plaine-Joux, where you parked.

(S/E) Head towards the Châtelet d’Ayères mountain hut.

(1) Carry on to Ayères du Milieu. Head up towards the Chalet du Souay, then continue to follow the signposts for “Lac de Pormenaz”.

(2) Cross the small bridge over the Torrent du Souay, head up to the left and reach the first fork.

(3) Turn right, following the “La Chorde” signposts. There are a few tricky sections with fixed aids (ladders and chains), after which you’ll reach a flat area before quickly arriving at Lac de Pormenaz.

(4) Walk round the lake on the left-hand side. Before reaching the far end of the lake, take a path that branches off to the left and climbs slightly; the view is superb. You then descend a little, cross a river and come to a fork marked “Les Argentières”.

(5) Turn left; the path is quite steep. The slope then levels out and you continue downstream along the torrent. The path climbs slightly and continues along the side of a lovely slope. You eventually rejoin the path you took on the way up.

(3) Continue along this path in the opposite direction to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,154 ft - Car park at > - Lac Vert (Passy)
1 : mi 0.67 - alt. 4,639 ft - Refuge du Chatelet
2 : mi 1.87 - alt. 5,089 ft - Small bridge over the Torrent du Souay
3 : mi 2.11 - alt. 5,492 ft - Junction: turn right, signposted ‘La Chorde’
4 : mi 2.74 - alt. 6,414 ft - Lac de Pormenaz
5 : mi 3.1 - alt. 6,339 ft - Junction, turn left, signposted ‘Les Argentières’
S/E : mi 6.02 - alt. 4,154 ft - Lac Vert car park

Notes

There are ladders and cables on the way down; those prone to vertigo should take care.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Réserve naturelle nationale de Passy - more information

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 56 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5

Route interest
4.9 / 5

Marc GUIGNARD

04 Sep 2026 at 14:49 7200

Yes, that seems useful, especially when it’s raining.

Machine-translated

lemarcheur65

04 Sep 2026 at 14:40 7200

Hello

Thank you for your comments regarding the difficulties encountered.

A warning about the equipped sections has been added to the introduction, along with a note regarding the difficulty.

Machine-translated

Marc GUIGNARD

04 Sep 2026 at 14:22 7200 • Edited: 04 Sep 2026 at 14:38 7200

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that whilst this walk is classified as moderately difficult, the section via La Chorde (between points 3 and 4), with its numerous chains and ladders, is quite challenging: it’s enjoyable for those who are fit and/or experienced, but may prove difficult for others.
The solution is to take the alternative route (between points 3 and 5) to reach the lake, which is magnificent, as is the area as a whole, with its predominance of pastures – something not often seen in the Mont Blanc region.
If you wish to descend via a different route, you can join the GRP Tour du Mont Blanc further up by continuing on to the Moëde Antrene refuge, or take a shortcut beforehand via a small, unmarked path with a few rough and stony sections.
All in all, a lovely hike that’s well worth the effort!

Machine-translated

rabedroc 1

20 Jul 2026 at 15:04 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A route offering magnificent and varied scenery.
However, a large part of the route is difficult (rocky sections with chains and ladders) in sweltering heat.
It should be classified as ‘Difficult’ rather than ‘Moderate’.

Machine-translated

User 21643309

11 Nov 2025 at 23:25 3600 • Edited: 11 Nov 2025 at 00:06 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
This is a superb trail, but it is important to note that this hike is classified as difficult (steep inclines and multiple cliffside passages) and that you should not venture onto the path leading to the left after point number 5 (Le Souay) from October/November onwards. This route is covered in snow and ice, and there is a high risk of slipping and falling on the descent if you are not equipped with crampons, gloves and walking sticks at the very least.

I did it today and many people, like me, were stuck and had to turn back or go around by climbing to the right after the high-altitude lake (frozen) to the Moëde Anterne refuge, which considerably lengthens the route! Fortunately, there were locals who were familiar with the route to guide and dissuade the more reckless among us from taking the risky snow-covered and icy part of the Souay.

Enjoy your hike.

Machine-translated

User 10795951

31 Jul 2025 at 09:26 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike last Tuesday. Thank you, Visorando, for this suggestion.

Machine-translated

Linefred

27 Jan 2025 at 14:38 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This was a first for us, coming from flat country, so we can tell you that the itinerary was just perfect. We were blown away despite the unpredictable weather. Thank you for the detailed route information.

Machine-translated

Chrystel74

04 Nov 2024 at 12:08 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, but avoid the Chorde section when it is too wet, especially on the descent. Magnificent views of the Fiz and the Mont Blanc massif if you climb to the Pointe Noire above the lake.

Machine-translated

FlickaPatsy

31 Aug 2024 at 18:59 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

In summer, the departure point is Plaine-Joux because access to the Lac Vert car park is for pedestrians only (approximately 3 km round trip). Magnificent view of Mont Blanc.
You can also climb from Lac de Pormenaz to Pointe Noire (4 km round trip and a little over 350 m elevation gain).
The entire hike is 17.5 km long with 1,200 metres of elevation gain.
It is a bit crowded up to the lake, but very quiet after that.

Machine-translated

glieres74

05 Aug 2024 at 23:26 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

one or two slightly tricky sections, but a lovely walk. Thank you

Machine-translated

marullaz sylvie

15 Jul 2024 at 10:08 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
Great hike, we climbed up to the Moede Anterne refuge, which is 25 minutes from the lake, with a view of Mont Blanc at the summit.
However, on the way down, we took the path via Les Argentières and, at the Souay chalet, turned right to make a detour via the Ayères des Perrières chalets.
A very beautiful 19 km hike there and back.
Thank you for this route.

Machine-translated

3974

18 Jun 2024 at 19:20 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, a little technical but not difficult.
We did it in early June, unfortunately the lake was still frozen and there was still snow, so we had to search for the path a bit, but with the GPS app it was no problem.
We saw ibex and marmots.
At La Plaine de Joux, there is a sign saying not to drive to Lac Vert, so you have to add 1.5 km twice.

Machine-translated

Antoine_01

16 Oct 2023 at 09:33 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful autumn colours on arrival at Lake Pormenaz. Not many people around as it was a Monday in October.
The climb up to the pass via ladders and cables is not easy. A beautiful sequence of steps to reach the top.
This hike makes you want to continue on to the Moede refuge or return via the Servoz loop.

Machine-translated

Djulzzz

09 Oct 2023 at 14:48 7200 • Edited: 09 Oct 2023 at 14:49 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done with my 7-year-old son, camping out. We took the shuttle from the ESF car park to avoid a 30-minute walk on tarmac and get to Lac Vert.
A superb hike, even if Mont Blanc played hide and seek with the clouds.
We climbed up via Argentière, a beautiful mountain trail with a few chains and bridges that my son enjoyed, and no major difficulties to report.
We arrived at the lake around 6pm, alone with just us and the Fiz mountains in the background – magical.
As my son wasn't very sure-footed on the descent, we took a detour via the Moëde Anterne refuge to get back to the road. It's less fun, but there are no difficulties and it's easier on the knees . The marmots were there but wouldn't let us take any photos, the cheeky things.
We didn't go via La Chorde, so we can't comment on the potential difficulty of that path.

Machine-translated

randonneurdstclair

11 Sep 2023 at 09:29 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 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. I don't think it's too crowded in September. Be careful, there are two options for this hike: take the descent towards LA CHORDE and don't go up, because the lake is indicated at the top. Be sure to park at the Plaine de Joux car park.

Machine-translated