In the foothills of the Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi sits an ice lake called Lac Bleu (Blue Lake in English). This natural treasure delights those who walk there or reach it by cable car between June and November.
LAC BLEU HIKE: A 6-HOUR WALK STARTING FROM THE MORGANE HOTEL
From the 1st of June to the 31st of October, hiking season is upon the Valley of Chamonix. Anyone wanting to go on an adventure to discover the Lac Bleu can look forward to a beautiful 6-hour walk there and back. Your starting point is the Morgane hotel. Before you go, we recommend you wrap up warm even during the summer. The weather in the mountain is prone to change and can sometimes be unpredictable. A 2299-metre (7542.6-feet) climb awaits you there.
While hiking to the Lac Bleu, you will get to observe unique examples of local flora and fauna. Marmots and cornflowers offer the most adorable sight until you lift your gaze towards the sky, where it will be met by the beauty of the Mont Blanc (4696 m / 15,407 ft), the Aiguille du Midi (3842 m / 12,605 ft), or the Aiguilles Rouges massif (2965 m / 9728 ft). These feature some promising waypoints: The Cascade du Dard, the Glacier des Bossons, the Chalet du Plan de l’Aiguille. The trail is perfectly marked and suitable for hikers of all levels. One word of caution, though: it may not be as ideal for children under 4.
A CABLE CAR JOURNEY TO THE LAC BLEU IN CHAMONIX
For those with less time to spare or if you cannot hike for that long, the Lac Bleu can be admired after a short 15-minute walk. Upon leaving the hotel, head to the Aiguille du Midi cable car. Instead of going up all the way until you reach a height of 3842 m (12,605 ft), hop off when it first stops at the Plan de l’Aiguille. From there, the Lac Bleu is just a few minutes away. Not only will you admire some of the most breathtaking vistas for 10 whole minutes, but you won’t need more than 15 to get to Chamonix’s Lac Bleu. The path is open to all and easy to access. At the Plan de l’Aiguille, you can take a break and enjoy some refreshments, stop at the panoramic terraces, or even head all the way up to the Aiguille du Midi to complete this unforgettable climb.
- Aiguille du Midi Cable Car (Chamonix – Plan De L’Aiguille)
- Opening time: 6:30 a.m.
- Closing time: 5 p.m.
- Cable car available every 15 to 30 minutes
- Ticket prices: One-way adult (€17.50)
- Ticket Prices: Return journey adult (€33.50)
- Ticket Prices: One-way Children (5–14) & Seniors (65+) (€14.90)
- Ticket Prices: Return journey Children (5–14) & Seniors (65+) (€28.50)
FAMILY PASSES TO DISCOVER THE LAC BLEU TOGETHER
To take your little gang along with you on your discovery to the Lac Bleu, an Aiguille du Midi cable car family pass may offer the best value. Passes are available whether you choose to do the climb on foot and get back down using the cable car or to use it to get there and back. For a price of €291.40, up to 5 people can enjoy this unique expedition together and take in all the beauty of the Lac Bleu in Chamonix. As always, the journey begins at the Grépon parking lot based on the timetable we shared above. Do note it is also possible to make a reservation for a specific time so you can enjoy the rest of the das as you see fit. Whether you want to go from Chamonix to the Plan de l’Aiguille du Midi or all the way to the top of the Aiguille du Midi, you may otherwise have to wait for a while.
