Loisirs

Why Not Do It?

Lac Cornu and the two Lacs Noirs

André Rotach

I am proposing a few small hikes of varying degrees of difficulty, to let you see new things, get some fresh air and relax a bit. Don’t forget: doing nothing is bad for your health. Here’s hoping you have fun hiking in pleasant and sunny weather.

Take the autoroute to Chamonix; there is a parking lot at the base of the Brévent télécabine lift. Take the lift up to the midway station, Pranplaz (1,999 metres), the starting-point for the hike. To the Northwest, follow the signs for Lac Cornu and the two Lacs Noir; the path is well marked. Go by the Col Cornu (2,406 metres), which offers a great view over the lake of the same name and over the Aiguilles Rouges range. Then cross the Col de la Glière (2,461 metres) and finally you arrive at the summit for a view of upper Lac Noir and, a bit further, lower Lac Noir. Marmots are sometimes visible along the path.
The way up takes 2 and a half hours; you can return by the same way in 2 hours, for a total of 4 and a half hours and a change in altitude of 551 metres.

For more details, see Chamonix, les plus belles randonnées pédestres accessibles à tous.
Also indispensable, an IGN 3630 OT Chamonix map.

Translation by David Winch.