+ 194
Aiguille Verte et lac de Lessy
Hiking Trail
Hard
8.23 mi
3,485 ft
A classic lake and summit combination.
If you’re not a fan of out-and-back hikes, this off-the-beaten-track route taking you to Aiguille Verte via Lac de Lessy should definitively appeal to you.
After following a large dirt road for a while, a narrower and steeper trail will take you to Planay. Another short descent and climb later, you’ll reach col de Forclaz where you will be in view of Lac de Lessy.
You can either pass the lake by taking the left trail, should you want to visit the refuge, or take a shortcut with the right trail to immediately start your climb towards the col.
From there, the summit is reached by following the ridgeline on a trail at times technical and exposed. The final 10m of the climb are a bit trickier but can be avoided at no cost, since the view from the actual top is not that different from what it is just below.
From your vantage point, you’ll be able to take in the Aravis range on one side and the lake on the other, as well as the neighbouring peaks of the Bargy range.
The descent is initially quite steep but gradually eases off until you reach the pastures, at which point an easy walk will be all that’s left between you and your car. Written by Jerome Gaudin
If you’re not a fan of out-and-back hikes, this off-the-beaten-track route taking you to Aiguille Verte via Lac de Lessy should definitively appeal to you.
After following a large dirt road for a while, a narrower and steeper trail will take you to Planay. Another short descent and climb later, you’ll reach col de Forclaz where you will be in view of Lac de Lessy.
You can either pass the lake by taking the left trail, should you want to visit the refuge, or take a shortcut with the right trail to immediately start your climb towards the col.
From there, the summit is reached by following the ridgeline on a trail at times technical and exposed. The final 10m of the climb are a bit trickier but can be avoided at no cost, since the view from the actual top is not that different from what it is just below.
From your vantage point, you’ll be able to take in the Aravis range on one side and the lake on the other, as well as the neighbouring peaks of the Bargy range.
The descent is initially quite steep but gradually eases off until you reach the pastures, at which point an easy walk will be all that’s left between you and your car. Written by Jerome Gaudin
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapelle Chinaillon - Planay | 1.88 mi | 1,329 ft | 13.2% |
| HB TEAM🔸🔹RANDO MONTEE DU PLANAY 1690M | 0.59 mi | 600 ft | 19.0% |
| Montée du clos de la Forclaz par les chalets de Mayse | 0.96 mi | 1,053 ft | 20.4% |
| Lac de Lessy - bifurcation Aiguille Verte | 0.54 mi | 492 ft | 17.0% |