Lac des Confins at La Clusaz: a lake in the midst of Alpine pastures

A glacial lake 5km from the village

Lac des Confins is a small glacial lake, a legacy of the last glaciations that carved the Bella-Cha cirque. Positioned at approximately 1450m altitude, it occupies the bottom of a cirque formed by the surrounding summits.

The setting is one of the most prized in the Aravis:

The Aravis range in the background, which peaks at Pointe Percée (2750m).

Grand Bornand, visible towards the north.

Mont Lachat, a neighbouring summit that overlooks the lake.

Col des Confins, which opens towards the Bouchet valley on foot (former seasonal shepherds’ passage).

Access and parking

From the centre of La Clusaz, follow the Route des Confins (D16) for 5km, as far as the Bossonnet car park which marks arrival at the plateau. The lake is a few minutes’ walk from the car park.

Free parking outside peak season. Paid in high season (summer and winter) for a few euros per day. Plan to arrive early in July, August, as the car park fills up around 11am.

Access by bus is possible in season via shuttle services from the resort, which tour the valley.

Walking around the lake: easy and family-friendly

The lake circuit is a highly accessible walk:

Approximately 1.3km of complete circuit.

Elevation gain virtually nil (the lake sits at the bottom of the cirque).

Duration 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on pace and stops.

Accessible with pushchairs and wheelchairs for most of the route.

The path crosses Alpine pastures, small streams and offers several viewpoints over the lake and the Aravis. It is one of the simplest walks in the Aravis, perfect for a half-day family outing.

Two zip-lines above the lake

In the summer season, two zip-lines traverse above the lake:

A short zip-line (300m) at €5, accessible from age 2 and 10kg.

A long zip-line (700m) at €13, accessible from age 5 and 20kg.

The views from the long zip-line are particularly spectacular, gliding over the lake and part of the cirque. It is the flagship family attraction at the site.

Extended hikes

For walkers, several paths depart from the Confins car park:

The lake circuit in ~1 hour (easy, already described).

The Col des Confins loop, 2 hours, moderate elevation gain, allows you to climb to the pass which overlooks the lake.

Lac de Tardevant, a more demanding hike (4 hours round trip, ~600m elevation gain), reaching another glacial lake higher up.

The ascent of Pointe Percée (2750m), an alpine scramble taking a full day, technical, best undertaken with a guide.

When to visit

June to September: best season for hiking, lake clear, zip-lines operational.

Winter: the lake is frozen on the surface for long periods (December, March), the site remains accessible but on snowshoes. The road is cleared, but winter equipment is necessary.

Sunrise and sunset over the lake (June, August) are the best times for photography: perfect reflections in calm conditions, alpenglow on the Aravis.

Planning a stay in La Clusaz

AEC Collection selects and represents quality chalets and apartments in La Clusaz. Lac des Confins is accessible in 10 minutes by car from the centre of the village, to be scheduled as a half-day excursion combining a walk and a mountain meal.

Planning a stay in La Clusaz

Lac des Confins is 5km from our chalets and apartments in La Clusaz. To plan the rest of your season, our guide What to do in La Clusaz in summer brings together Beauregard plateau, bike park, Col des Aravis and major events.