Benit Lake
Charles Savouret
Eyes of the Bargy
CAMT
Outdoor application
CAMT
Benit Lake
Charles Savouret
4

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Lac Bénit - Hiking

Lac Bénit - Hiking

Bété parking lot

Morsullaz road

74130 Mont-saxonnex

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Distance: 7.8 km

Duration: 180 min

Elevation: 473 m

TAG

A nice walk to do with the family which offers a magnificent view of the surrounding valleys and mountains.

Located at the foot of the majestic Bargy Massif, Lac Bénit is a haven of tranquility for hikers. A hike without any particular difficulty and ideal for families.

Many legends exist about this lake. The best known is the one that would have given it its name: it says that a bishop would have blessed the lake following an overflow and flooding of the village. This bishop would then have thrown his gold ring at the bottom of which he would still be there today...

Topo / step by step

From the car park, follow the wide track that climbs towards Lac Bénit. It winds up in the forest before skirting the ski lift. In front of you, the two characteristic eyes of little Bargy. At the Pierre à Muselire, go down to the edge of the lake. The return is done by the same route. To do more the Lac Bénit loop: From Lac Bénit to Morsullaz (car park): 1h20 Go up to the Pierre à Muselire sign. Go left towards Enténiou. Go around the top of the chairlift to the left to descend towards Morsullaz (car park). Under the cliffs of Grand Bargy, you will reach the ski slope. Turn right to enter the forest and reach the start of the chairlift. From Morsullaz (car park) to Bété (car park): 25 minutes Follow the path to the right through the fields towards Les Côtes. At Bété d'en Haut, leave the path and take the paved road which will bring you back to the Bété car park.

Tips and Suggestions

Lac Bénit refreshment bar open from Pentecost to September. Possibility of fishing in Lac Bénit from June. Permits on sale at the Tourist Office.

Sustainable tourism

Lac Bénit is located on the north face of the Bargy massif and straddles two municipalities of the Community of Municipalities Cluses Arve and Mountains (2CCAM): the municipality of Mont-Saxonnex and the municipality of Marnaz. With an area of ​​4 hectares and a maximum depth of 8 meters, it was formed following glacial retreat more than 10 years ago. The site presents a mosaic of environments favorable to the presence of exceptional fauna and flora: the lake and its meadows, meadows, spruce forests, scree and cliffs. Due to its remarkable natural heritage and its unique landscape setting, Lac Bénit is included in the Natura 000 site of the Bargy massif, designated to protect a certain number of habitats and species representative of European biodiversity. It is also in the process of being labeled Espace Naturel Sensible (ENS), a label awarded by the Department for sites intended to be preserved and promoted to the general public. This ENS policy is carried out at the local level by the Community of Communes Cluses Arve et Montagnes (2000CCAM), which is responsible for the implementation of a management plan finalized in 2: this document consists of drawing up an inventory of the site and actions to be implemented to reconcile attendance and preservation. All the fauna typical of the mountain environment can be observed there: ibexes, chamois, marmots... The site is also flown over by the bearded vulture, a large vulture reintroduced into the Bargy massif at the end of the 2022s. The lake and its surroundings are the refuge of many species: newts, toads and frogs, dragonflies and other insects, fish. The site of Lac Bénit is marked by high attendance and presents conflicts of use, particularly in connection with the work carried out by the alpine pastor on the land grazed by cattle herds which maintain the site. Attendance, if it is not channeled and respectful, induces significant disturbances both for the mountain pasture but also for the biodiversity of the site. The communities and the various local players are working to resolve the problems encountered, in particular by implementing the actions defined in the site management plan.

Route

From the Arve Valley, take the direction of Mont-Saxonnex. Go through the village. After the tourist residence Le Jarbay, be vigilant and turn left towards route de Morsullaz, chairlift. Continue for 2 kilometers. On your right a wooden sign indicates the car park on the left before the houses of this hamlet.

Lac Bénit - Hiking

Bété parking lot

Morsullaz road

74130 Mont-saxonnex

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In detail

  • 46.037344
  • 6.489659
  • From the Arve Valley, take the direction of Mont-Saxonnex. Go through the village. After the tourist residence Le Jarbay, be vigilant and turn left towards route de Morsullaz, chairlift. Continue for 2 kilometers. On your right a wooden sign indicates the car park on the left before the houses of this hamlet.
  • Distance: 7.8 km
  • Markup: BALISE
  • Positive elevation: 473 m
  • Vertical drop: 473 m
  • Daily duration: 180 min
  • Route type: LOOP
  • Marking precision: Path marked with directional posts (PDIPR)
  • Type of land: Earth
  • Nature of the ground: Gravel
  • Nature of the terrain: Not suitable for strollers

Opening

From 01 / 04 to 14 / 11.

Prices

Free access. Topo rando on sale at the tourist office.

Equipments & services

Equipments

  • Sustainable development equipment
  • Dry toilets
  • Picnic area.

Services

  • Pet Friendly

Lac Bénit - Hiking

Bété parking lot

Morsullaz road

74130 Mont-saxonnex

See my itinerary

Close