Lago di Loie

Route Description for Lago di Loie

The Lago di Loie hike starts from the town of Lillaz. Park your car at the car park and cross the river towards the town. Follow the trail to Lillaz Cascades.

The trail begins as an easy walk close to a river. Soon you will see route 12, leading you to Lago de Loie. You will need to go right, following the trail that ascends onto the mountain slope. Just after the first switchback, you will be able to get a glimpse at the picturesque Lillaz Cascades. Don’t worry, you will have a better opportunity to enjoy it on your way back. Continue up.

After hiking to a higher elevation, be sure to look back. On a clear day, this is the view a lot of hikers come to Lillaz for - the famous Mont Blanc (or Monte Bianco in Italian) which is 4,808 m, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Monte Bianco will stay behind you for most of this trail up to the lake, and you will also be able to see it on your way back. So don’t worry if it’s cloudy when you start, the weather might change, and you still might have a chance to enjoy the beautiful view.

Continue switchbacking further as the ascent increases. You will enter a pine forest.

2.2km into your hike you will ascend into a meadow where you will see a signpost. Keep an eye out for ibexes and marmots. If you look to the northeast, you will also see the beautiful peak of Mount Nery. And if you go right from the signpost, you will get to a beautiful overlook where you can see the stunning Mont Blanc, Monveso di Forzo and Punta delle Sengie mountains. Go back to the signpost and continue left, towards Lago di Loie.

After hiking about3.35 km, you will reach the crystal-clear Lago di Loie. The area is very peaceful and is a perfect place for a break.

While some hikers return from Lago di Loie on the same path they came up on, we suggest completing the circuit. After the break, ascend the last section to another signpost. Continue following route 12 to Lillaz. You are on your way to the beautiful Bardoney Valley.

Follow the slowly descending trail. The descent increases after you see the Bardoney Valley. Descend into the scenic valley and continue along the clear trail towards the Bardoney River. Look out for marmots - there are dozens of them on this part of the hike.

Just by the river, you will see a crossroad and a signpost. Follow route 13G towards Lillaz. Further down along the river you will also see the Bardoney Waterfall and its turquoise water basin.

You will reach another signpost. Continue on route 2 to Lillaz. At around 8 km into the hike, you will descend into a beautiful pine forest.

After descending to another crossroad (this is at roughly 8.9 km), look for wooden signs on the trees. One says Lillaz and leads to your left. Continue along that route. After a long descent through a beautiful forest, you will have some more opportunities to glimpse the amazing Mont Blanc and other snowy mountains in the area. The trail will cross a dirt road, and quickly go down another hill. The trail is clear until the town of Lillaz.

Just before the end of the trail you will see a signpost with signs to Lillaz or the Lillaz Cascades. If you have some time, you can go and get a better look at the stunning waterfalls.

Insider Hints for Lago di Loie

• There are 3 car parks for this hike. The middle one is free of charge. We recommend parking your car there if it’s not full. You can distinguish it by the white lane markings. The markings in the paid car parks are blue.
• La Maison du Gout Café, just by the car park, offers great refreshments and snacks if you want to get a bite after the hike.
• Bar Anais is a great little cafe-bar that offers amazing coffee.
• This hike is great for families with older children that do not mind the intense switchbacks on the way up.