Lac Bleu | Hiking to a Secret Lake Above Chamonix

Last Updated on January 26, 2026 by Charlotte

View of Lac Bleu reflecting jagged peaks and snowfields under a moody sky.

Lac Bleu was my favorite lake that we stumbled upon during our time in Chamonix. What makes this lake feel truly “hidden” is that you can’t see it from Plan de l’Aiguille. If we hadn’t had our map, we might never have stumbled across it at all. Compared to the bustling crowds along the trail to Lac Blanc and Lacs des Chéserys, we had Lac Bleu entirely to ourselves. In this blog post, I’ll share some of my favorite photos from our day at Lac Bleu, along with practical trail information in case you’d like to see it for yourself.

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Our Morning at Lac Bleu

We’d spent the early morning at the summit station of Aiguille du Midi, where we enjoyed the lookouts, an impromptu snowball fight, and the Step into the Void without any of the crowds.

The Aiguille du Midi gondola at the mid station at Plan d'Aiguille in front of blue skies and puffy clouds

It was only around 11 AM that we descended to Plan de l’Aiguille, the mid-station at the Aiguille du Midi Cableway, which is also the start to the short 0.5 mile (0.8 km) trail to Lac Bleu.

A traveler gazing at the Aiguille du Midi peak from a bench with a beautiful view at Plan d'Aiguille

From the Plan d’Aiguille station, the trail immediately opened up to jaw-dropping views of the Bossons Glacier and the jagged peaks across the valley.

High above us, the Aiguille du Midi played peek-a-boo with the passing clouds. Glowing white one second and completely shrouded the next. With Aiguille du Midi to our backs, we started the hike along a spiderweb of well-trodden dirt paths.

Dramatic ridgeline view of the Grand Balcon Nord trail cutting across alpine terrain with shifting clouds overhead.

We visited in mid-June, when the air was still cold enough to nip at our cheeks, and snowpack was still calf-deep, encrusting the northern-facing slopes and trails. In our rush to make it to our lift reservation that morning, I’d forgotten my microspikes, and was solemnly regretting it. At times, each footstep felt more like figure skating than walking!

Hiker crossing a snowfield near Lac Bleu coming from Plan d'Aiguille

On the last ascent before the crest to the lake, the snow was soft but not mushy, and there was no safe way to traverse around it. We followed the established trail and other hikers’ footsteps, being careful not to venture into untouched snow where hidden holes or melted ravines might be lurking beneath.

Hiker crossing a snowfield near Lac Bleu, surrounded by rocky alpine terrain and soft clouds.

When we finally reached the lake, I couldn’t believe my eyes! The water was an otherworldly shade of blue, and when the winds paused between deep breaths, the surface was so perfectly reflective it was like a mirror.

Hiker standing at the edge of Lac Bleu, gazing at the still, reflective water and misty mountains.

We sat on a rock, as if in a trance together, just watching the clouds roll in like a creamy veil, and then leaving just as soon as they’d arrived.

A traveler standing in a misted over lake at Lac Bleu

It was so incredibly peaceful that even today, I find myself yearning to return to this moment, this memory. What I would give to be on the lakeshores of Lac Bleu once again, without the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Back view of a hiker sitting beside Lac Bleu, watching the mirrored mountain reflection in the lake.

So if I can impart one thing to you, regardless of whether you do this hike, it’s this: the happy days are happening right now. They’re the small moments between the chaos that shimmer, the moments when you’re sitting on a rock, with someone you love, watching the clouds go by. Be present, and soak it all in. Enjoy your life!

Lac Bleu shrouded in clouds, with a traveler in the foreground

I am a hopeless nostalgic, and for half an hour, I got to slip back inside this memory’s skin. To feel the cold sunshine caress my cheek, and the slightly damp socks from all the snow falling into my shoes. So thank you, dear reader, for sharing this moment with me <3

How to Hike to Lac Bleu

The hike to Lac Bleu starts and ends at the Plan de l’Aiguille cable car station. To ride the Aiguille du Midi Cableway, you will need a reservation. You can learn more about how reservations for Aiguille du Midi work in our full Aiguille du Midi Guide.

Trail Stats

Distance: 0.5 mile (0.8 km)
Elevation Gain: 164 ft (49 m)
Trail Type: Out-and-back
Best Season: Late June through September
Trail Difficulty: Easy (but not accessible).
AllTrails Map

**** If you’re looking for a longer hike, it is also possible to connect this trail with the Grand Balcon Nord, as we did.

Ready To Plan Your Trip To Chamonix?

If it’s your first time in Chamonix, be sure to check out our full Chamonix Travel Guide. If you’re curious about the character of the little villages in the valley, we also have a full guide on Where to Stay in Chamonix. And if you’re here for the hiking, be sure to check out our blog post on our favorite hikes in Chamonix.