There is no doubt that Lake Montriond is an awe-inspiring destination that brings both tourists and locals coming back time and again due to its incredible beauty. If you can be torn away from its shores though we highly recommend the following walks and hikes. If you re not already staying at Hotel du Lac (‘And why not?’ we ask!), during the season you can get the free M bus from Morzine to just outside the hotel. There is also public parking just before and after the hotel’s car park, by the park and by the snack hut.
The easy-peasy
The first, and easiest, walk and great way to enjoy the lake up close is simply to do a loop of the lake. Start from the Hotel du Lac end car park and walk the circumference of the lake, which should take about 45 minutes along the loose gravel path. This is an enjoyable flat walk affording incredible views throughout. It’s perfect for multigenerational families, young children, pushchairs, essentially all skill levels. you can even stop off at the children’s pool for a dip if you get a little warm!
The easy-peasy plus
The second option adds a walk up from the car park at the far end of the lake (the opposite end to hotel du Lac) through the hamlet of Les Albertans, up through the woods to the Ardent Waterfall, around 160m elevation gain. Be sure to look down on the waterfall from the bridge when you get there to watch the amazing power of Mother nature at your feet. There are also some shallow pools to cool your tired feet just the other side of the bridge and a great rock to sit on and gaze down just the other side of the bridge.
The animalistic
The third option crosses the road after you cross the bridge (and rock) at the Ardent waterfall and climbs, steeply at times, through the forest and across mini waterfalls. You cross these helped by fixed chains chains, so this is not for the feint-hearted. Don’t forget to bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet! When you come out of the forest you’ll be rewarded with another large waterfall cascading down the cliffs before coming to the goat village of Les Lindarets. Here you can buy feed and the goats will gladly come right up to you and eat out of your hand. It’s a great experience! You can also drive up to the goat village from Hotel du Lac in summer if you prefer.
The long one
If you’re looking for a longer walk, or if you drive as far as the goat village from the Hotel, continue up from Lindarets another 30-40 minutes along a very gradual, pretty, family-friendly path through pastures and along streams towards the huge Brochaux Waterfall, where you can tiptoe among the rocks at the base, another great photo opportunity (option 4).
The downhill one
Finally, if you’d like a downhill walk, then head left out of the hotel, continue past all of the parking bays adjacent to the road the cross the road at the fork and drop down onto a little path around 50m along the smaller road on your left hand side. This gradual walk (option 5), right alongside the stream that feeds out of Lake Montriond, is a far more enjoyable and safe way to reach the lake than by walking down the steep and narrow main road. Meander in and out of the dapple shade as you listen to the bubbling brook and take in all the shades of green from bright moss to deep pine. You will come out just above a little bridge. From here you can either turn around and come the way you descended, turn right and meander up the gentle backroads through the picturesque hamlet of Lavanchy, continue straight further down the river, or bare left and wander up to the roundabout where you turn right into the centre of Montriond. 20m down this road in the bus stop for the free M bus to take you back up to the doors of the hotel. If you choose to continue straight down the river to the main road, you can cross the road then cross the bridge in front of you and then join the gentle, shaded Dérêches river loop walk.
When you get back to the welcoming team at hotel du Lac, enjoy a refreshing drink, ice cream, empanada or bite to eat on our sunny terrace or have a massage booked ready to release any aches away.
Author: Tiny Travel Rebel