Lac Blanc
Alpine lake mirroring the Mont Blanc massif, Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve, Lacs des Cheserys; one of the most photographed viewpoints in the Alps
The route
The line through Aiguilles Rouges, France - waypoints, elevation and the day-by-day shape of the walk.
Waypoints
- 1Les Praz / Flegere baseJunction
Cable-car base; park or bus 'La Flegere'
- 2Flegere mid-station (cable-car top)Trailhead
Hike start; saves ~800 m / 2.5 h
- 3Chalets & Lac de la FlegereJunction
Trail junction; Grand Balcon Sud links here
- 4Lacs des CheserysVariant split
Natural shorter turnaround; swimming banned
- 5Lac Blanc & Refuge du Lac BlancSummit
Mont Blanc massif reflection; refuge meals/beds
recommended · late Jun-Sep
Season & conditions
Late June to September (once snow clears and lifts run); July-August for wildflowers, autumn for colour
Afternoon thunderstorms, full sun exposure/no shade, wind on the exposed traverse; snow patches early season
Mont Blanc massif mirrored in the lake; wildflowers (Jul); ibex/chamois/marmot common in the reserve
Snow-free and lifts running ~late June to late September (Flegere/Index roughly late June to end Aug/Sep - confirm current lift dates); off-season the path holds snow
On the trail
Mountain path, scree, metal steps near the lake, rocky
Non-technical from Flegere (well-signed, secured path) with some metal steps near the lake; the Index route has loose scree and a rocky spur; exposed with no shade
Well-signposted with paint splashes; easy to follow; solo fine; popular
Not wheelchair/stroller; family-friendly from ~8-10 with the cable-car start; dogs NOT permitted in the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve
Ibex (bouquetin), chamois, marmots, deer (likely in the reserve)
Alpenrose, bilberry, alpine reserve flora
Very popular; busy midday in summer; early start or shoulder season quieter
Cable car (Flegere) then optional Index chairlift shortens/varies it; Lacs des Cheserys just below make a natural shorter turnaround; links into the Grand Balcon Sud and the TMB; Refuge du Lac Blanc at the lake is the rest point/destination
Getting there & staying
Flegere cable car from Les Praz de Chamonix (park at the gondola lot; bus stop 'La Flegere'); optional Index chairlift higher
Not required (out-and-back); Chamonix valley bus + cable car
Refuge du Lac Blanc at the lake (meals/overnight in season; rebuilt after an avalanche, a popular TMB stop - book ahead for overnight); no wild camping in the reserve
Sun protection, layers, sturdy shoes, water (none on the trail); decent cell coverage; carry IGN 3630
Refuge du Lac Blanc (food/drink) at the lake; cafe-restaurant at the Flegere top station; toilets at the lift stations; nothing on the trail itself
None; self-guided
Permits & safety
No hiking permit; pay the Flegere cable-car / Index fare; swimming banned at Lac Blanc and Lacs des Cheserys by decree; dogs banned in the reserve. Confirm lift fares/dates before booking.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Storms and sun exposure; steep steps near the lake; loose scree on the Index approach; do not swim (banned and cold)
Return to the Flegere lift is the exit; Chamonix mountain rescue (PGHM) via 112; busy, well-covered area
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand trail report. Coordinates are approximate.