This is a truly spectacular day with stunning and atmospheric views of the Mont Blanc Massif from the highly acclaimed Grand Balcon Sud and Lac Blanc.
The day is not long, four to five hours and nine kms. There is about 735m of ascent and 260m of descent so plenty of time for absorbing the views.
From Tré-le-Champ head back up the road towards the Col du Montets, joining the footpath on the left. You enter a section of flower garden, complete with ID tags on the plants in which the path forks left and starts to zig zag steeply up the hill side. If you stay on the road to the Col, you reach the Reserve Building, follow the path just before the building and reach the same junction.
At around 2000m the path starts to ease off and the Grand Balcon Sud starts in earnest with amazing views of the surrounding peaks. The path continues to gradually rise until a large cairn at is reached after about two hours.
At the cairn, follow the path for “Lac Blanc” up to the right, which climbs up to Lac Blanc via the equally picturesque Lacs de Chéserys. Its not hard find a comfy rock at the Lac and absorb the view!
If you have any spare days at all this is an incredible place to spend the night, just to see the sunset and sunrise. You would almost definitely need to book this though as it is a very popular hut.
The descent path is straight forward, exiting from the Lac towards the right (as you look towards Mont Blanc) and descends towards La Flégère in an hour.
Enjoy the views..........
Bad Weather Options
This stage is best done in good weather otherwise you will miss some of the best views of the Tour. Public transport can miss the day out.
Make the day easier
From the large cairn previously described, its easy to miss out the Lac Blanc section by continuing to traverse directly to the station at La Flégère. This path still gives you excellent views over towards the Mont Blanc Masiff.
Make the day even better!
Stop for a long lunch at Lac Blanc!
Enjoy.......