Lac Blanc (lake) from La Flégère

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with stunning scenery; it’s quite busy up to Lac Blanc, but after that it’s quieter and more peaceful.
Please note that the estimated time is based on very fast and agile walkers tackling difficult terrain. We aren’t particularly fast, but we usually complete Visiorando routes within the estimated times. In this particular case, it took us almost twice as long. To clarify, the paths are mountain trails with lots of stones and sections that are tricky for beginners.
It’s magnificent.

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Date of your route : Aug 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with magnificent views of the Mont Blanc massif. It’s a bit like a motorway during the summer months.
Remember to ask for a special ticket for the cable car/chairlift, as this isn’t available on the website or issued automatically (go up to Index and then come back down via Flegeres)
Very easy going to Lac Blanc (stunning but very crowded). We didn’t take the path to Lac des Cheserys due to a lack of time, but the start of the trail from the Lac Blanc refuge is really very steep and not very safe for a hike that turned out to be ‘suitable for the general public’.
A long descent in single file towards Flegeres, which was moderately pleasant.
Summary: splendid scenery and a very pleasant first section up to the magnificent Lac Blanc, but very crowded and lacking in that typical hiking atmosphere. Worth doing once, though, or you might regret it.

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

A magnificent walk with exceptional views!

The walk is particularly busy, but it’s definitely worth the trip. The path is very well signposted and, despite the crowds, I was lucky enough to spot a ibex just off the path in the middle of the afternoon, after the Lacs des Chéserys.

The route is relatively easy going despite a few rocky sections, particularly compared to the path leading to the Lacs Noirs. There’s also a ladder and a few wooden steps built into the rocks. Closed-toe shoes are therefore essential.

Please note: there is no drinking water along the route. You can stock up on water at La Flégère (credit card payments accepted) or at Lac Blanc (credit cards not accepted).

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Date of your route : Aug 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lac Blanc as seen from the top station of the Index chairlift. Return via the same route.
As the description mainly covers the section beyond Lac Blanc, I’d rather not go into detail.
To get to Lac Blanc from the Index, the route is very well signposted.

Please note that, right at the start, a sign indicates that dogs are not permitted on this route.

Stunning panoramic views, with the added bonus of a ibex that seems indifferent to the hustle and bustle around it.
The route is indeed very busy, especially from the junction with the path leading directly up from La Flégère. This path accounts for three-quarters of the footfall.

Despite the crowds around the lake, it’s easy to find nice spots to settle down.
No credit cards accepted at the refreshment stand.

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Date of your route : Jul 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A fairly easy route to begin with (wide path) that climbs steeply at the foot of the lake.
As the path is well-used, the route is easy to follow.
For my part, I set off from the village without taking the ski lifts. This adds 2 hours 30 minutes to the route (depending on your pace). To get back down, I took the path and the Planpraz cable car.
The view of the lake and, from the lake, towards the glaciers and Mont Blanc is as beautiful as ever.
A lovely hike.

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Date of your route : Aug 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

One of the three most beautiful walks around Chamonix – absolutely stunning!!... but very well-known, so... the lake is absolutely heaving with people (it’s a bit like the Côte d’Azur at altitude!) and you can’t see any wildlife because of all the tourists... To really enjoy the place, you really do need to get there as early as possible!

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Date of your route : Jun 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

What a beautiful spot, with stunning scenery all round: Lac Blanc in all its splendour, partly encased in ice, sunshine and blue skies – what more could you ask for? The hike was made a little tricky by the numerous snowfields we had to cross on the way to the lake (we didn’t carry on to the Lacs de Chézerys, as the locals advised against it: too much hard snow to get through).
This Saturday saw the opening of the La Flégère cable car, so there were quite a few people… some tourists (many from Asia) taking risks, dressed inappropriately (trainers, no rucksack – so no water? no provisions? no warm clothes?… utter nonsense): in the event of a storm, there would certainly be major problems…Someone carrying a child on their shoulders whilst crossing difficult sections; a couple with a child straying off the path onto a sloping scree slope? It’s easy to see why there are so many mountain rescue operations. But we’ll take away wonderful memories of this route from our holiday in Haute-Savoie.

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Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The tour and the surroundings are truly fantastic. However, it is very crowded. I am uncertain whether the altitude information is accurate, and even though the route from the Index chairlift is certainly less strenuous, at least half of the hike involves walking over rocks and stony paths. I wouldn't do this with children and definitely not with dogs. The trail is strenuous and the times indicated on the signs are not accurate. So be sure to allow an extra hour. The location at Lac Blanc is very beautiful and it's worth staying overnight at the refuge, as the magic of the place really comes out in the evening and early morning hours. Unfortunately, the prices at the refuge are very high, as everywhere in the French Alps. But the quality is good. The way back down is no problem, but about half of it is rocky paths, which get better after half of the descent. At the end, it is an easy hiking trail.

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Date of your route : Jun 23, 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 hike, with less elevation gain if you take the "L'index" chairlift after the Flégère gondola lift.
Quite busy at the end of June, so it's best to set off early when there are fewer people and it's cooler.
No particular difficulty except for a short section with a ladder.
If you want to have a drink at the Lac Blanc bar, bring cash.

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Date of your route : Jun 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I was already familiar with this destination, but from a different starting point.

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Date of your route : Jul 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's worth taking the chairlift from the top of the gondola and following the route up the mountainside. Allow between an hour and a half and two hours, depending on your (normal) walking pace. The direct option from Flégère is full ascent or full descent (be careful with your knees). Superb views and a very nice hike, accessible but still physical. You need a minimum of equipment...

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Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk with magnificent views that are well worth the effort. Note that there's no shade the whole way, so it's best to do it outside the hottest hours. Some people wore light sneakers or sandals, but due to the many rocky sections, I wouldn't recommend it.
At the top there is a hut where you can eat and a takeaway bar. Payment is in cash only. Prices are fairly high, as everywhere else in the Chamonix area.

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Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, accessible hike with beautiful views. The lake is very busy (lots of people at the finish). Something to bear in mind for those who prefer a quiet picnic.

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Take the ski lift from Chamonix Les Prae.

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how do you get the phlegm? thank you

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