Lac Blanc Hike: Col des Montets to Lac Blanc, Chamonix

Is the Col des Montets to Lac Blanc Hike One of the Best Hikes in Chamonix?

The payoff is extraordinary: alpine ibex, glacial viewpoints, the mirror-like Lac de Chéserys, and finally Lac Blanc at 2,352 m (7,717 ft) with the full Mont Blanc massif reflected in the water. Read my firsthand account of why this a hike that you will not want to miss! Check out this hike’s rating on AllTrails(opens in new tab) and you will see the step by step details for wy this is one of the best hikes in Chamonix.

 

Sometimes in life, the best comes last. Serendipitously, this proved true on our very last hike of our intergenerational do-it-yourself Tour de Mont Blanc (TMB) (opens in new tab). After ten glorious days of hiking the TMB – from the stunning Val Ferret(opens in new tab) and Val Vény in Courmayeur(opens in new tab) to our hike above the gorgeous Champex-Lac in Switzerland(opens in new tab) and finally to a variety of different hikes in Chamonix-(opens in new tab)  our hike to Lac Blanc proved to be the one hike that had us wondering when on earth we’d ever be able to come back to this magical place. The hike to Lac Blanc reminded me exactly why I hike in the first place: To feel utterly, insanely alive. And, there is nowhere I feel more alive than outside. The pure, raw beauty of the Alps and the Tour de Mont Blanc itself can all be captured in this one hike. It is a must-do for anyone in Chamonix and anyone hiking the TMB.

We had heard about Lac Blanc from our hotel and had desperately wanted to hike there earlier but the gondola lift to La Flégère was closed. So instead, we filled our first two days with a hike to the top of Le Brévent that affords stunning panoramic views of Mont Blanc,(opens in new tab) and we did an incredible hike along the Grand Balcon on Mont Blanc to the Mer de Glace.(opens in new tab) While both hikes are exceptionally stunning for some reason I had to see Lac Blanc. I had this nagging, unexplainable urge to do this hike so I persisted. Our hotel manager told us we could reach Lac Blanc a different way – albeit a bit longer of a hike – if we drove past Argentière and parked at the Col des Montets located in the Réserve naturelle des Aiguilles-Rouges. It was rated a difficult hike but was doable in anywhere from 4-7 hours depending on level of fitness. I got my dad and son to agree and on our last day in Chamonix we set off for what would be the greatest hike of the entire trip.

We arrived at the trailhead shortly after ten. There were plenty of parking spots remaining, which was of course a good sign that this beloved hike was not too busy yet. It was an absolutely perfect day for hiking, with a few scattered powderpuff clouds, brilliant sun, and a glorious blue sky. We could not have asked for a better day for our last hike.

Trail at a Glance: Col des Montets to Lac Blanc

Before you lace up your boots, here is what you need to know about this route.

This route is the alternative to the La Flégère gondola approach. If the gondola is running, you can also access Lac Blanc from the La Flégère lift station and hike along the Grand Balcon Sud. The Col des Montets start adds distance and elevation gain but rewards you with a quieter, wilder approach through the heart of the Aiguilles-Rouges nature reserve.

The hike starts behind the reserve center and follows a pretty path through wildflowers and placards talking about the flora and fauna of the reserve. Shortly, you reach the beginning of a long series of relatively steep switchbacks leading you up the side of the mountain. I won’t lie, it is a bit tiring; however the higher you climb, the more sensational the views become. I knew we were heading into a hiker’s paradise. I could feel it in my bones.

After an hour of hiking, we began to see less people and more wildlife.  In all my years of hiking, I have never seen so many Ibex before. An alpine ibex is a species of wild goat that lives throughout the mountains of the European Alps. The males have large curved horns, while the females have shorter horns like pictured below. The males use their horns to fight during breeding season for the females. One look at the male’s horns, and we made sure to stay clear.

As you head towards Lac Blanc, you pass a series of glaciers that look like they are dripping down the side of the mountain while far below you can see little towns nestled within the verdant green foothills.

After an hour and a half of walking, you reach a completely different landscape. It is cooler and there are few trees. Soon you begin to pass by the stunning alpine lakes which make this hike so memorable.

If you have a sunny or party cloudy day, you can see the mesmerizing reflections of the clouds and the Alps upon the surface of the water. It is truly a sight to see!

After over two hours of hiking, we finally saw the Chalet du Lac Blanc (2352 m/7717 feet) nestled up in the Alps. We knew once we reached the Chalet, we’d be in for the most stunning view of the entire hike. The photo my dad showed me months before that lured me to do this hike.

As soon as we reached the Chalet, our mouths gaped in awe. The utter beauty of the high alpine lakes was surreal! Here is the famous Lac de Chéserys. I could hardly get over the magical reflections in the brilliant blue water. It was breathtaking.

As we ate our lunch looking down at this view, we wondered when we would ever be able to return to such a magical place. I close my eyes and I can see her beauty now. The mountains are calling and I must go.

Want to go? Visit this detailed guide from the Chamonix Valley website.(opens in new tab)

Like it? Why not PIN for later?

Author’s note: All of the above content is my own experiences and written by me. The bottom content is AI-assisted to edit and organize my notes and all final editing is done by me. 

When to Hike to Lac Blanc

The Col des Montets to Lac Blanc route is a summer and early autumn hike. The trail is typically accessible from late June through mid-October, though exact conditions depend on snowpack each year. Mid-July through September gives you the best combination of clear skies, wildflowers on the lower slopes, and stable alpine weather.

I hiked it in the last days of summer and the conditions were close to perfect: brilliant sun, powderpuff clouds, and still water on the alpine lakes that made the reflections of the Mont Blanc massif almost painfully beautiful. Go early in the morning to beat afternoon cloud build-up, which is common at high elevation. The parking at Col des Montets fills up on weekends, so an early start pays off twice over.

Winter hiking to Lac Blanc is possible for experienced mountaineers with the right equipment, but it is a completely different undertaking. If you are searching for Chamonix winter hikes, the valley trails lower down are a safer and equally rewarding option.

Other Best Hikes in Chamonix Worth Your Time

The Col des Montets to Lac Blanc route is the crown jewel, but the Chamonix valley has no shortage of extraordinary trails. I have personally hiked several of them during my time on the Tour de Mont Blanc, you can read about what a taste of the Tour de Mont Blanc(opens in new tab) feels like across ten days in the valley, and these are the ones that stayed with me.

Le Brévent(opens in new tab) is the hike that gives you a front-row seat to the entire Mont Blanc massif f(opens in new tab) at 2525 meters from the opposite side of the valley. The ascent is relentless but the panorama at the top is one of the finest in all of the Alps. I have a full account of that hike if you want the details before you go.

The Grand Balcon Nord runs above Chamonix town toward the Mer de Glace(opens in new tab) and offers a completely different perspective: you are hiking alongside the glaciers rather than looking up at them. It is more accessible than Lac Blanc and still jaw-dropping.

Both hikes are part of the same TMB universe as the Col des Montets route, and together the three of them form a near-perfect Chamonix hiking itinerary for anyone spending three or more days in the valley.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most beautiful hike in Chamonix?

The Col des Montets to Lac Blanc hike is widely considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Chamonix(opens in new tab), offering alpine ibex encounters, glacial viewpoints, and the stunning reflections of the Mont Blanc massif in the high-altitude Lac de Chéserys and Lac Blanc at 2,352 m. Le Brévent and the Grand Balcon Nord are close runners-up for pure panoramic drama.

When is the trail accessible to hike?

The trail is accessible from late June to mid-October to hike. (opens in new tab)

How do I get to the Lac Blanc trailhead without the cable car?

Drive past Argentière and park at the Col des Montets in the Réserve naturelle des Aiguilles-Rouges. The trail starts directly behind the reserve center. This route is longer than the La Flégère gondola approach but is fully hikeable and does not require any lift. Parking at Col des Montets is available on site and fills quickly on weekends, so arrive early.

How difficult is the Col des Montets to Lac Blanc hike?

The Col des Montets to Lac Blanc hike is rated difficult. The route involves a long series of steep switchbacks from the trailhead, rocky alpine terrain in the upper section, and a total elevation gain that puts you at 2,352 m (7,717 ft) at the Chalet du Lac Blanc. Allow 4-7 hours depending on your fitness level. Good hiking boots and layers are essential.

What is there to see on the hike from Col des Montets to Lac Blanc?

The hike passes through a wildflower meadow trail in the Réserve naturelle des Aiguilles-Rouges, then climbs steep switchbacks with expanding views over the Chamonix valley. Higher up you encounter alpine ibex, a series of glaciers dripping down the mountainside, and the high-alpine lakes of Lac de Chéserys before reaching Lac Blanc itself. On a clear day, the Mont Blanc massif reflects perfectly in the water.

What not to miss in Chamonix for hikers?

For hikers, do not miss Lac Blanc via Col des Montets (the standout high-alpine lake hike), Le Brévent (best front-row panorama of Mont Blanc), and the Grand Balcon Nord toward the Mer de Glace. Together these three trails give you a complete picture of the Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc massif from every angle.

When is the best time to hike to Lac Blanc?

Late June through mid-October is the best window for the Col des Montets to Lac Blanc hike, with mid-July to September offering the most reliable combination of clear skies, wildflowers on the lower slopes, and stable alpine weather. Go early in the morning to beat afternoon cloud build-up at high elevation and to secure a parking spot at Col des Montets, which fills quickly on weekends.