La Clusaz is a great base for walking in the mountains. With well-marked mountain hiking tracks starting both in the village of La Clusaz and beyond, you’ll find hikes suitable for all abilities and all distances.
Many of our guests enjoy walking holidays in La Clusaz, because of the varied range of hiking trails. If you don’t want to carry a heavy picnic, you could always stop at one of the mountain refuges for a delicious lunch.
In this post, we highlight our favourite hiking routes in La Clusaz for different abilities. There’s also some information about Nordic Walking, so read on to find out more…
Easy Hiking in La Clusaz
Lac des Confins
Distance: 1.1km
Elevation: 35m
Duration: 20 minutes
This easy loop is a great walk with a young family – why not make an afternoon of it and enjoy a picnic at one of the picnic tables, or perhaps even a swim in the lake! It’s a great route for runners too.
Les Confins to the Tête du Danay
Distance: 5.5lkm
Elevation: 321m
Duration: 2 hours
This fairly easy out-and-back route will take you from Les Confins through the forest to the Tête du Danay viewpoint, where you can enjoy great panoramic views of the Aravis valley.
Confins – Chalet de Paccaly
Distance: 2.7km
Elevation: 79m
Duration: 45 mins
Another family-friendly route starting from Confins, this easy out-and-back route will take you to a delightful restaurant where you can enjoy a drink or a meal before your return journey. The path is clearly marked, with some great views.
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Intermediate Hikes in La Clusaz
© Aravis-TilbyVattard-, La Clusaz Tourist Office
La Clusaz to Belvedere-Merdassier
Distance: 8km
Elevation: 756m
Duration: 4 hours
You’ll need half a day for this fairly challenging route, which takes you from La Clusaz, through forests and mountain pastures to the pretty Etale reservoir. Enjoy a breather before following the forest path up to Belvedere and you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view over the valley, La Clusaz, the Col des Aravis, the Mont Blanc Massif and the Jura.
Cortibot, Lachat Reservoir, Lac des Confins
Distance: 12.1km
Elevation: 505m
Duration: 4 hours
Start this circular walk from the Cortibot tennis courts in Les Confins. The path takes you through the Merdassier wood and takes in the pretty Lachat reservoir and then to the Col des Mouilles, before returning to your starting point.
Advanced hikes in La Clusaz
© LCZ-Paysages-C.HUDRY, La Clusaz Tourist Office
The Trou de la Mouche and Comble de Paccaly
Distance: 9.3km
Elevation: 993m
Duration: 5 hours
This challenging route, with a significant climb, starts from the car park at Les Confins, and takes you up to the Trou de la Mouche, 2453 meters above sea level. You’ll skirt around the Paré du Joux, passing the Combe de Grand Crêt, the Passage du Père, the Comble de Paccaly and the Chalet de Paccaly, where you can stop to refuel.
Les Confins to Lake Tardevant
Distance: 9km
Elevation: 709m
Duration: 4 hours
This well-marked hiking trail in La Clusaz takes you from the Confins pass to Lake Tardevant. Keep an eye open for birds of prey above the water, as you pick your way through the sheep on the path and past some traditional wooden chalets. Take plenty of water and stop for a drink or a snack at the lake before tackling the peak, if you like, for a breathtaking view. Then you can follow the same path back to Les Confins.
To find out further details including maps and reviews, we recommend the All Trails app to discover more about your chosen route.
Nordic walking in La Clusaz
© Aravis-marchenordique-TVattard, , La Clusaz Tourist Office
If you haven’t tried Nordic walking, La Clusaz is the perfect place to give it a go.
The sport uses walking poles to combine hiking and arm exercise. The constant arm movement makes for a more energetic walk, and the poles provide extra stability during those steep downhill sections.
It’s easy to see why Nordic walking is growing in popularity in the La Clusaz mountains. There are breathtaking scenery in every direction, fresh mountain air, and your body benefits from the extra workout. In addition, you’ll have the safety of poles for support when you need it.
If you don’t already have Nordic walking poles, you can hire or buy them from one of the local sports shops.
If you’re heading to La Clusaz for your next holiday, there are plenty of other activities to fill your itinerary! Be sure to check out our archives where we have handy guides on summer activities, eating and drinking, mountain biking, events and more!
