Hiking - Lakes Circuit: a beautiful variation via Lac de la Portette
Longer and more varied than the traditional Lakes Circuit, this route through a developed area is a testament to the valley's significant winter activity. This superb loop has some beautiful lakeside surprises in store.
This variation of the Lakes Circuit takes you up into the heights of the Val-Thorens ski resort. It is an opportunity to admire numerous high-altitude lakes and discover, in particular, the glistening waters of la Portette and Tête Ronde. This secluded route offers magnificent views of the Aiguille de Péclet, as well as a high probability of spotting families of marmots.
From the car park at an altitude of 2320 m, take the gently descending path to cross the ski slopes and reach a footbridge over the Torrent de Péclet. Continue straight ahead on the stony path that leads towards the back of the Combe de Thorens and meets a small paved road. Cross it and, on the other side, take the trail slightly upstream that descends towards the Torrent de Thorens. After the footbridge (the current can be strong, be careful with young children), the path switchbacks up to Lac de Thorens at 2377 m. Pass between Lac de Thorens and the small artificial lake and rejoin the path that climbs in switchbacks. You will soon reach a wide track. Cross it and take the stony path on the other side. Follow this until you reach another vehicle track. Cross this track and continue on the path until you reach a junction. From the junction (the start of the variation itself), the path climbs in switchbacks up to Lac de la Portette at an altitude of 2627 m, crossing the track again. In the rocky section, follow the trail markers carefully as they indicate the best route. From the lake, take the path on the left that descends along the slope towards the track. Cross it and take the path opposite which continues downhill. The route levels out and you will cross several small valleys (and ski slopes) via a series of wooden footbridges. After crossing a flat area with a wetland, the path passes the foot of the Tête Ronde summit to meet a wide track. A detour to the right allows you to discover the upper Tête Ronde lake (10 min). Follow the track downhill. You will soon reach another track that leads to the middle Tête Ronde lake (where it joins the main route). Take the path that runs alongside the lake. Then descend via the path bearing left to the lower Tête Ronde lake, known as the “Lac des Grenouilles”. At the far end of the lake, spot the path that leads directly back to the resort.
Be cautious when crossing the footbridges with young children, especially the one over the Torrent de Thorens, as the current can be strong. The upper section of the Lac de la Portette variation may be snow-covered.
This variation of the Lakes Circuit takes you up into the heights of the Val-Thorens ski resort. It is an opportunity to admire numerous high-altitude lakes and discover, in particular, the glistening waters of la Portette and Tête Ronde. This secluded route offers magnificent views of the Aiguille de Péclet, as well as a high probability of spotting families of marmots.
From the car park at an altitude of 2320 m, take the gently descending path to cross the ski slopes and reach a footbridge over the Torrent de Péclet. Continue straight ahead on the stony path that leads towards the back of the Combe de Thorens and meets a small paved road. Cross it and, on the other side, take the trail slightly upstream that descends towards the Torrent de Thorens. After the footbridge (the current can be strong, be careful with young children), the path switchbacks up to Lac de Thorens at 2377 m. Pass between Lac de Thorens and the small artificial lake and rejoin the path that climbs in switchbacks. You will soon reach a wide track. Cross it and take the stony path on the other side. Follow this until you reach another vehicle track. Cross this track and continue on the path until you reach a junction. From the junction (the start of the variation itself), the path climbs in switchbacks up to Lac de la Portette at an altitude of 2627 m, crossing the track again. In the rocky section, follow the trail markers carefully as they indicate the best route. From the lake, take the path on the left that descends along the slope towards the track. Cross it and take the path opposite which continues downhill. The route levels out and you will cross several small valleys (and ski slopes) via a series of wooden footbridges. After crossing a flat area with a wetland, the path passes the foot of the Tête Ronde summit to meet a wide track. A detour to the right allows you to discover the upper Tête Ronde lake (10 min). Follow the track downhill. You will soon reach another track that leads to the middle Tête Ronde lake (where it joins the main route). Take the path that runs alongside the lake. Then descend via the path bearing left to the lower Tête Ronde lake, known as the “Lac des Grenouilles”. At the far end of the lake, spot the path that leads directly back to the resort.
Be cautious when crossing the footbridges with young children, especially the one over the Torrent de Thorens, as the current can be strong. The upper section of the Lac de la Portette variation may be snow-covered.