The big loop trail of Lac d'Anterne and Lac de Pormenaz
All along your journey, the Passy nature reserve offers a magnificent view of Mont-Blanc and the peaks surrounding it.

View on Le Dérochoir
These various landslides created a passage making it possible to cross the Fiz ridge.

The mont Blanc before mountaineering

The Golden Eagle

The Hazel Grouse
It is much less known than the Black Grouse or the Rock Ptarmigan because it lives exclusively in the forest!
But it is as important as the others from a biological and scientific point of view: it is an indicator species of environmental changes. Its specific demands in terms of vegetation and diversity of tree species ask for an adapted forest management. Bad preservation management of this habitats is one of the main causes of regression of the species.

The Mountain Ash
The fruits can be used to make to make brandy, jelly or jam. But be aware that they are toxic at maturity, so you have to pick them earlier!
In the nature reserve, the Mountain Ash is part of a participatory science program intended to measure the impact of climate change on the ecosystems of the mountain.

The whistled language of groundhogs
Always vigilant, standing up, it surveys its environment to avoid to be caught. Thanks to a very wide field of vision, and excellent hearing and smell abilities, nothing goes unnoticed. In case of alert, it warns the others with an alarm call: very high-pitched and brief for a danger coming from the sky, whistled and repeated for a danger on the ground. And that danger may be you!

The alpine cabin

Livestock guardian dogs
When approaching the herd, it’s very important to observe carefully the dog’s behavior and to take it in account while respecting the following instructions:
- Stay away from the herd (bypass it if possible) - Announce your presence by speaking out loud to avoid surprising the herd and dogs
- Keep calm and avoid sudden movements, keep walking without running. Talk gently to the dogs so that they get used to your presence and accept it.
- Avoid looking straight into the dog’s eyes and hold an object between you and the dog.

The wolf
Since the summer of 2019, there is evidence of its presence in some of the nature reserves of Haute-Savoie, which explains the presence of livestock guardian dogs watching over several herds.
Indeed, the wolf is carnivorous. It feeds mainly on wild animals such as Chamois or Roe Deer. But it can also consume ewes or sheep, especially from unprotected herds.
So in order not to interfere with the work of the dogs, please follow the instructions!

The Great yellow Gentian
Used in phytotherapy, it should not be confused with the highly toxic False Helleborine – also called White Hellebore-, next to which it grows and which looks very similar!
Only the flowers are not alike, those of the Gentian are yellow. When not flowering, you can use the leaves to distinguish both species: Gentian is opposite-leaved, while the leaves of the False helleborine borne along the stem alternately (alternate-leaved plant).

The Alpine Choug
The Chough can be recognized by its black plumage, its lemon yellow beak and its red legs. It’s a fan of aerobatics and there is no doubt that their group movements will amaze you!

A Swiss hydroplane on the lake of Anterne

The "laouchets" of Pormenaz
Locally they are called "laouchets", which means "small bodies of water". Shallow, these bodies of water are home to a rare and protected species, the Sparganium or Narrowleaf Bur-reed, as well as to significant biodiversity. Eventually, these “laouchets” will fill in and become peat bogs.

The Narrowleaf Bur-reed

The mines of Pormenaz

Odonates
There are two stages in their lifecycle: a "larva" (or nymph) stage which is aquatic followed by a terrestrial stage, when the adults are grown to adults.
Dragonflies are predators: they are carnivores that feed on different types of prey depending on their stage. They eat other insects as well.
Their distribution is strongly linked to climate conditions and any change has a strong impact on their presence. Destruction of their wetland habitats is one of the main threats to dragonflies.

Lac Vert
There are several explanations for its emerald green color, including the surrounding vegetation consisting mostly of spruces, which are reflected in its waters. But the presence of blue algae or cyanophyceae in the lake is also a probable cause.
The water comes from sources providing the lake by its surface and underground.

The common Toad
But you can look it in the eyes to observe its horizontal pupil and its orange iris. You will also notice its parotid glands on the back of its head. They are used to secrete a venom, the "bufotoxin" intended to keep away any possible predator.
The toads and frogs are not the same species; toads live mostly in the forest, out of the water, joining it only during the breeding season !

The Common Minnow and the Common Chub
The Chub is a rather large fish, very widespread in France. It is an omnivore, which means that it eats everything. In many European countries, especially in the east, it is of highly culinary interest.

Golden Eagle cainism
This phenomenon is common for diurnal raptors, since it is part of the species survival strategy: selecting straight away the strongest in order to increase its chances of reaching adulthood. For the parents, it's indeed a great job to feed a voracious juvenile which, from 100g at birth, must reach 5kg by the time it starts flying!

La Maison de la Réserve

The placid Ibex
Unlike most other mountain species, it remains at altitude even when winter and snow arrive.
It then reaches ridges and snow-cleared areas where it will more easily find grass to feed on. This search for food costs a lot of energy. So, if you see it, do not approach and let it leave quietly in order to avoid wasting its precious energy, especially in winter.
Description
- Behind the restaurant "Lou Pacheran", take the track towards Col et Lac d'Anterne. Beacon 102.
- Continue straight ahead towards Col et Lac d'Anterne. Beacon 16.
- Turn right towards Col et Lac d'Anterne. Beacon 121.
- At the basin either stay left on the track or take the path straight ahead (pedestrian shortcut). Caution, aerial track. Beacon 134.
- Leave the track and take the path on the left towards Col et Lac d'Anterne.
- At Col d'Anterne go down towards the Lac d'Anterne. Beacon 100.
- Head back to Col d'Anterne.
- Turn left towards Moëde-Anterne refuge.
- At the Moëde-Anterne refuge, go straight ahead towards Lac de Pormenaz. Beacon 124.
- Direction Lake Pormenaz. Beacon 125.
- Turn left towards Lac de Pormenaz. Beacon 99.
- Return to the Moëde-Anterne refuge.
- Turn left towards Chalets du Souay - Plaine-Joux. Beacon 99.
- Go down to Chalets du Souay - Plaine Joux. Beacon 98.
- Turn left to Lac Vert Plaine-Joux. Beacon 97.
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Information desks
Plaine-Joux, 74190 PASSY
http://cen-haute-savoie.org
contact@cen-haute-savoie.org
04 50 90 23 07
Transport
Access and parking
Parking located at the entrance of the station.
The station is also served by bus line L85 (SAT Mont-Blanc).
Parking :
Report a problem or an error
If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: