Arvouin Lake and Vernaz Pass

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An excellent family hike. You can go as far as the pass or stop at the lake, which is already a very beautiful setting. Beautiful views of the Dents du Midi (climb to the lake) and the Cornettes de Bise (from the pass).

You are in a protected area! See the regulations in the practical information section.

Details

n°77562
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 347 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 347 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,851 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,592 m
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Photos

Lac d'Arvouin under the snow
Lake Arvouin
Sevan d'en Haut
Arrival at Lake Arvouin

Description of the walk

Park in Sevan, at the end of a small road that winds steeply uphill from La-Chapelle-d'Abondance (follow the sign for "Lac d'Arvouin").

Directional signs at major intersections

(S) In Sevan, head west on a path towards Lac d'Arvouin. Climb gently through the pastures, pass behind a chalet and arrive at the Chalets de Sevan behind.

(1) Continue a few metres west, then head north on a path that enters the forest. After a few hundred metres, leave the forest. Continue roughly along the hillside until you reach Lac d'Arvouin.

(2) Continue north with the lake on your left.

(3) After passing the lake, continue along the wide path to the Chalets d'Arvouin.

(4) Pass the chalets towards the ridge above them to the west. Ignore a fork on the right and climb diagonally up the left. After a few final hairpin bends, you will reach the ridge.

(5) Take the path on the right towards the Col du Serpentin (sign). Reach this pass after 15 minutes of very pleasant walking along the ridge (heading north-west then north).

(6) At the Col du Serpentin, continue roughly opposite (north-northwest) and take a steep path downhill. Cross a small rocky area equipped with a chain (no difficulty).

(7) At the crossroads, leave the Col de Resse on your left and continue north-east, then north until you quickly reach the Col de Vernaz.

(8) Retrace your steps and, following the same route as on the way up, return to the Col du Serpentin.

(5) Descend directly to the Chalets d'Arvouin via a path that branches off to the left (east), which is steep in its first few hairpin bends.

(4) Descend towards the lake via the wide path taken on the way up.

(3) Turn right to go around the lake on the opposite side from the one you followed on the way up. At the end of the lake, rejoin the path you took on the way up.

(2) Take the path on the right (south) to reach Sevan behind you.

(1) Continue east to reach Sevan ahead (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,592 m - Sevan in front
  2. 1 : km 0.59 - alt. 1,632 m - Sevan behind
  3. 2 : km 1.53 - alt. 1,668 m - Lac d'Arvouin
  4. 3 : km 1.81 - alt. 1,679 m - Fork in the road
  5. 4 : km 2.12 - alt. 1,720 m - Chalets d'Arvouin (1720m)
  6. 5 : km 2.71 - alt. 1,837 m - Unnamed pass
  7. 6 : km 3.08 - alt. 1,831 m - Col du Serpentin (1832m)
  8. 7 : km 3.56 - alt. 1,799 m - Near the Col de Resse
  9. 8 : km 4.15 - alt. 1,810 m - Col de Vernaz
  10. S/E : km 7.98 - alt. 1,592 m - Sevan in front

Notes

Good sports shoes or hiking boots are recommended. In summer, bring suitable sun protection.

Water is available at the Chalets d'Arvouin (at least in summer). The Col de Vernaz and the shores of Lac d'Arvouin are ideal for a break or a picnic.

Lac d'Arvouin is easy to access and is therefore relatively busy at weekends and during school holidays (May to October). Parking is limited, so it is advisable to set off early. If there are no spaces available in Sevan, you can park further down the road.

A 1:25,000 map is required (at least the one accompanying this description).

This hike has been completed seven times by the author, with various variations, the first on 19 August 1999 and the last on 24 July 2015.

REGULATIONS:

This route crosses the Cornettes de Bise nature reserve. To avoid disturbing wildlife and preserve its habitat, please respect the regulations in force.

Authorised:

Dogs on a leash
Camping is tolerated from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Prohibited:

Picking
Picking plants
Littering
Motor vehicles
During your trip, you will also encounter herds of animals grazing in the summer pastures. Please respect the following rules of good conduct:

Close gates and barriers
Keep your dogs on a leash and pick up their droppings
Do not wash, bathe or clean any objects in the drinking troughs
Do not approach the herds
Stay on the paths
Here, as elsewhere, nature deserves your attention

More information: Protection Biotope (APPB) - Pays d'Evian Vallée d'Abondance

Worth a visit

Lac d'Arvouin, which is a great place to stop for a break.

Beautiful views of the Dents du Midi (to the south) and the Cornettes de Bise (to the north).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 35 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Teddy 67
Teddy 67

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with beautiful views and a very accessible route: the path to the lake and chalets is wide with little elevation gain.
Perhaps not recommended for those who tremble at the thought of walking among cows!

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User 14531382

a very beautiful walk that is easily accessible, with varied landscapes and a reasonable elevation gain.

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User 27434792

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk.
Please note that walking around the lake is prohibited, but this was indicated both on the app and by a sign.
There is indeed a section with a chain where you need to be a little careful, but otherwise it's nothing too difficult.
When we reached the end, we continued a little further up to La Calaz, north of point 8.
You can even continue on to Cornettes de Bise from there, but that's another hike altogether

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User 14531382
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful and varied route with a long path to the lake, followed by a climb to the Serpentine Pass, then a short chained section and finally the Vernaz Pass.
Return via the same route
Very nice

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stenzo
stenzo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike to warm up, as the climb after the lake is steep. There are some lovely views and a nice spot to take a break among the cows. Personally, I wouldn't rank it among the most beautiful hikes in the Hautes-Savoie region because of its out-and-back route. I would have preferred a loop to avoid seeing the same thing on the way back.

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sylvieare
sylvieare

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike. We left the car park at around 9 a.m. and were practically alone, apart from a few hunters, until we reached the lake. The view was magnificent, with a group of chamois on the peaks

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chantal42520
chantal42520

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Short, easy hike from the car park to Lake Arvouin. Very beautiful hike.
Access is a little difficult at the point where you have to use the chain, but this is
specified in the description.
superb 360° view.
We only went as far as Col de Vernaz.
Not recommended for those who are afraid of heights, and there are a few steep climbs.
We did it when it was 30 degrees.

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cmoifrancky72
cmoifrancky72

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy walk with beautiful scenery.
The tour around Lake Arvouin is now prohibited, as it is a "sensitive heritage area"
We found that on the way up, from 4 to 6, it was easier to go straight up than to descend via this passage. This meant that on the way back we did 6/5/4, as we found the descent to the chalets easier.
At point 6, the chain is helpful in the rocks for those who are more cautious, but the area is not difficult.

So, a very nice hike, thanks to Netra for posting it. What's more, as we started around 9:30 a.m., there was hardly anyone there, which was very pleasant.

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sab
sab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that you can do with your dog!
Easy access to parking.
Very good description. Plus, there are lots of signs along the way.
No difficulties except perhaps the short section with the chain on the way there (as mentioned in another review), but nothing too bad, just hold on tight and take your time.
At this time of year, there are a few slippery sections on the rocks above the steep slopes towards the pass, so it's a good idea to have walking sticks for support.

When we reached the pass, we wanted to continue and climb up to the Cornettes de Bise ;-) but we should have left earlier.
On the way back, we didn't follow point 5 because it was steep and too slippery (it had rained the day before).
The lake is worth a look at this time of year!

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Janouk
Janouk

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good description, pleasant hike, not difficult, highly recommended

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PAT007
PAT007

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We didn't complete the entire loop, but we descended back down to the Chalets de Chevenne.
A section (a snowmelt drainage channel) on the descent from the Col de Vernaz, despite being protected by a barrier, was too short and caused a fall that could have been very serious or even fatal.
I wanted to warn you about this passage, which does not appear to be dangerous.

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Claude41
Claude41

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with views of Mont Blanc from the Col de Vernaz. At the end of the route, the ridge marks the border with Switzerland. The trail is very busy until Lake Arvoin, but much quieter after that. It was pleasantly cool, even though the temperature exceeded 30°C in Abondance. The route is relatively easy except for the section with the chain on the way there, due to the steep slope. It's easier on the way back, but it's uphill. The path is narrow in places with some overhanging sections. Not recommended for those who are prone to vertigo. It is advisable to be in good physical condition.

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natdu
natdu
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I went with my 11-year-old son. I parked before the Devant-devant car park near the chairlift because the road was icy. It was snowing on Friday 5 November 2021. We went up to the Chalets d'Arvouin. I didn't want to take any risks with the snow and ice with a child. The spectacle was magical from start to finish with the snow. I recommend this hike. The scenery is magnificent. Bring walking sticks (they help you avoid slipping) and waterproof shoes in case of snow.

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Jjul23
Jjul23

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and gradual hike with magnificent views. The path is wide and the slope moderate until you reach Lake Arvouin. The climb to the top of the Avalanche is steeper (muddy and slippery in October) and there is a technical section with chains. This last section is fairly short and well equipped, but requires caution with children and may slow down those prone to vertigo. In this case, I recommend taking a detour by descending from the Col de Serpentin towards the Resse chalets and then climbing back up to the Col de Resse to continue towards the Col de Vernaz (a slightly longer route with more elevation gain, but no difficulty).

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les bubus
les bubus

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful hike, ideal for starting a hiking trip in the Abondance area. In good weather (which we had), the scenery is magnificent. It's true that the section after the lake is a little more challenging, but the slightly difficult passage is made easier by chains that prevent you from losing your balance on the small rocky area. For a family outing, I would recommend stopping at the lake.

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