Hike to Lac de Pormenaz & Col d'Anterne

At the end of the summer of last year, I went on a hike to Col d’Anterne and Lac de Pormenaz, in the Giffre mountains not far from the Mont Blanc. I basically followed this itinerary (in the other direction).

Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):

I arrived in Sallanches by train from Annecy in the morning, then took a LIHSA bus to Passy Plaine-Joux, a ski resort in the mountains. There was a great view on the Mont Blanc from there. I took a trail towards Lac Vert (Green Lake) then followed an access road until the Chalets du Souay. At that point, I left the road and started on a trail called “La Chorde” on the way to Lac de Pormenaz: The trail was very steep with multiple ladders and chains. I ate lunch at the lake then continued towards the Refuge de Moëde Anterne, an emergency hut below the Col d’Anterne. When I arrived, I was surprised by the quantity of snow in the area. With the sun showing up, it was starting to melt though, which made the trail up to Col d’Anterne very slippery. At the pass, it was very cold but there was a great view on the surrounding mountains: Pointe d’Anterne, Rochers des Fiz and Tête de Villy on one side, Massif des Aiguilles Rouges and Mont Blanc on the other. I then went down the Col using the same path as on the way up. Finally, I walked on the “GR de Pays Tour du Pays du Mont Blanc” road back to Passy Plaine-Joux in order to take, first, a LIHSA bus to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, then, from there, a OuiBus to Annecy.

Above, Passy Plaine-Joux in the morning.

Above, Mont Blanc from the takeoff area for paragliders.

Above, Pointe d’Ayères Sud in the Rochers des Fiz.

Above, tree house on the way to Lac Vert.

Above, Lac Vert.

Above, road to Chalets du Souay.

Above, Refuge Le Châtelet.

Above, at the Chalets du Souay.

Above, Les Jumelles.

Above, La Chorde.

Above, view of Ayères-des-Pierrières.

Above, herd of sheep.

Above, Lac de Pormenaz.

Above, Pointe Noire de Pormenaz towering above the lake.

Above, on the trail to Refuge de Moëde Anterne.

Above, Aiguille de la Glière.

Above, lost sheep.

Above, the Refuge.

Above, on the trail to Col d’Anterne.

Above, Mont Blanc and Pointe Noire de la Pormenaz.

Above, trail repair.

Above, at the Col d’Anterne, looking at the other side towards Lac d’Anterne (not visible).

Above, Rochers des Fiz.

Above, Mont Blanc.

Above, Massif des Aiguilles Rouges.

Above, Refuge de Moëde Anterne below.

Above, Tête à l’Ane.

Above, Tête Noire de Pormenaz and Lac de Pormenaz.

Above, Mont Buet.

Above, on the way down.

Above, on the GR towards Passy Plaine-Joux.

Above, Rochers des Fiz.

Above, Ayères des Pierrières.

Above, back at Passy Plaine-Joux.

Above, Autoroute du Mont Blanc in the valley.

Above, Saint-Gervais train station.