Lac de Montriond
Just four kilometres north of Morzine, Lac de Montriond is a glacially carved lake that sits in a tight, forested valley and glows an impossible shade of turquoise-green depending on the light. It's one of the largest natural lakes in the Haute-Savoie and feels remarkably wild given how easy it is to reach.
The Lake in Summer
A flat, shaded 3.5 km trail circumnavigates the entire lake and takes about an hour at a gentle pace — ideal with children or after a hard day on the bike. The eastern shore has a small supervised swimming area with a grassy beach, and the water reaches a surprisingly pleasant 20 °C by mid-July.
Paddle-board and kayak rental is available from a small kiosk at the main car park from late June through August, and the glassy early-morning surface is perfect for a silent circuit before the day-trippers arrive.
The Cascade d'Ardent
At the southern end of the lake, the Cascade d'Ardent thunders down a 30-metre cliff face into the valley floor — a short 15-minute walk from the car park along a well-signed path. In spring snowmelt it's a roaring torrent; by August it softens to a photogenic silver ribbon framed by moss-covered rock.
The path continues beyond the waterfall into the Vallée de la Manche, a quieter hiking zone that sees a fraction of the foot traffic of the main Portes du Soleil trails.
Wildlife & Winter
The forested slopes around the lake are excellent habitat for roe deer, red squirrels and the occasional golden eagle riding thermals above the cliffs. Dawn and dusk in September are the best moments for wildlife spotting.
In winter the lake sometimes freezes sufficiently for ice skating — locals keep a close eye on the temperature and word spreads quickly on the village Facebook groups when the ice is deemed safe.
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