Hiking - Lakes Circuit: a tranquil waterside walk
A pleasant stroll through a managed landscape. The itinerary offers breathtaking views of the valley as the natural lakes of the Combe de Thorens are gradually revealed.
“It was on a beautiful autumn day, still warm for the season, that the alpine lakes caught my eye. The chirping of crickets hidden in the lush meadows accompanied my steps, leading me peacefully to the narrow-leaved bur-reeds colonising Lac de Thorens, then to the rocky Lac de la Portette, and finally to the secluded Lac de Tête Ronde, nestled in a hollow on the mountainside.” Karine Renaud, a ranger at Vanoise National Park.
From the car park at an altitude of 2320 m, take the gently sloping path across the ski slopes to a footbridge over the Torrent de Péclet. Continue straight ahead on the stony path that heads towards the back of the Combe de Thorens and joins a small tarmac road. Cross it and, on the other side, slightly further up, take the path that goes down towards the Torrent de Thorens. After the footbridge (the current can be strong, be careful with young children), the path zigzags back up to Lac de Thorens at 2377 m. Go between Lac de Thorens and the small artificial lake and rejoin the path that climbs in a series of switchbacks. You will soon reach a wide track. Cross it and take a stony path starting on the other side. Follow it until you once again reach a track suitable for vehicles. Cross this track and continue on the path until you reach a fork. Take the right path for the variant leading to Lac de la Portette. Continue straight on, crossing several streams before rejoining some ski slopes, then a hairpin bend on a gravel track. Follow this track uphill to the intermediate Lac de Tête Ronde. Junction with the Lac de Portette variant. Take the path that runs alongside the lake. Then descend on the path that slopes down to the left to the lower Lac de Tête Ronde, known as "Lac des Grenouilles" (Frog Lake). At the end of the lake, find the path that leads directly back to the resort.
Be careful with young children when crossing the footbridges, especially the one over the Torrent de Thorens, as the current can be strong. The upper part of the variant via Lac de la Portette may be snow-covered
“It was on a beautiful autumn day, still warm for the season, that the alpine lakes caught my eye. The chirping of crickets hidden in the lush meadows accompanied my steps, leading me peacefully to the narrow-leaved bur-reeds colonising Lac de Thorens, then to the rocky Lac de la Portette, and finally to the secluded Lac de Tête Ronde, nestled in a hollow on the mountainside.” Karine Renaud, a ranger at Vanoise National Park.
From the car park at an altitude of 2320 m, take the gently sloping path across the ski slopes to a footbridge over the Torrent de Péclet. Continue straight ahead on the stony path that heads towards the back of the Combe de Thorens and joins a small tarmac road. Cross it and, on the other side, slightly further up, take the path that goes down towards the Torrent de Thorens. After the footbridge (the current can be strong, be careful with young children), the path zigzags back up to Lac de Thorens at 2377 m. Go between Lac de Thorens and the small artificial lake and rejoin the path that climbs in a series of switchbacks. You will soon reach a wide track. Cross it and take a stony path starting on the other side. Follow it until you once again reach a track suitable for vehicles. Cross this track and continue on the path until you reach a fork. Take the right path for the variant leading to Lac de la Portette. Continue straight on, crossing several streams before rejoining some ski slopes, then a hairpin bend on a gravel track. Follow this track uphill to the intermediate Lac de Tête Ronde. Junction with the Lac de Portette variant. Take the path that runs alongside the lake. Then descend on the path that slopes down to the left to the lower Lac de Tête Ronde, known as "Lac des Grenouilles" (Frog Lake). At the end of the lake, find the path that leads directly back to the resort.
Be careful with young children when crossing the footbridges, especially the one over the Torrent de Thorens, as the current can be strong. The upper part of the variant via Lac de la Portette may be snow-covered