Hiking: Lac Vert from the Ardent cable car

This easy and accessible hike, with almost no elevation gain, offers an ideal route for a relaxing outing in the mountains.

From the shaded trail leading to Les Brochaux to the spectacular views from the Mossettes chairlift, the route alternates between cool forests and breathtaking views. As you descend towards Lac Vert, the majestic Dents du Midi mountains reveal themselves in all their splendour, inviting you to enjoy a sunny picnic by the water's edge. The rest of the walk is just as gentle, following a panoramic path facing the Roc d'Enfer, with the added bonus of peaceful cows dotting the alpine landscape.

Departure from the upper station of the Ardent gondola. The lower station, which has a parking lot, can be reached via the D228 from Montriond, passing the lake.

1/ Head east-south-east, following the gondola line. After approx. 200 m, come to a crossroads.

2/ Follow the path to the right (south). Soon turn south-east and cross a river on a wooden bridge. Follow the river on your left, and the line of the Lécherette chairlift on your right. Pass under the chairlift line and cross the river again. Immediately reach the bottom station of the Mossettes chairlift.

3/ Take the chairlift, which takes you into Switzerland, a short distance from the Pointe des Mossettes.

4/ At the end of the chairlift, turn left. Join a carriage track and follow it to the right, skirting to the left the upper station of a gondola that rises from the Swiss side. Follow the signs for Lac Vert. At a crossroads, continue straight ahead (east) to reach Portes de l'Hiver.

5/ Turn left onto a slope leading down to Lac Vert. Take a left turn, then a right, and you'll soon come to an intersection.

6/ Take a path on the left. Descend across the scree-strewn alpine meadows.

7/ Reach Lac Vert and follow it on the left to the Refuge de Chésery.

8/ Turn left towards Col de Chésery, leaving the refuge on your right, and head due west to the pass.

9/ At the Col des Chéserys, continue west-north-west and follow the GR®5 (red and white markings) towards the Col de Bassachaux. N.B. Two parallel paths at the start lead to the same spot: take the one on the left, reserved for pedestrians (the one on the right is for mountain bikes). Pass under the Pointe de Chésery and join a fork.

10/ Take the left-hand path down to Les Lindarets, still on the GR®5. Reach a crossroads on a flat area.

11/ Continue downhill north-north-west on a carriageable track (leave the GR® to the right). Pass under the Chaux Fleurie chairlift line and continue West-North-West.

12/ Exit onto a carriage road and follow it to the left, towards Plateau de la Lécherette and the Ardent Télécabine (upper station). Turn left in a hairpin bend, continue downhill, passing once again under the Chaux Fleurie chairlift line and returning to a crossroads used at the very start of the hike.

13/ Turn right to quickly reach the top station of the Télécabine d'Ardent (D/A).