Swim, fish, eat or chill | Medium return & loop hikes (T1 & T2) | Take a taxi instead of walking |
The Lac de Taney hike is a steep 1.5-hour climb, but well worth the effort. Beautiful turquoise waters await you, surrounded by forest, flower-filled meadows and majestic mountains. The lake is also accessible by taxi, making it a family-friendly destination across all ages and walking abilities.
There’s plenty to keep both adults and kids occupied: take a stroll around the lake, swim in the refreshing waters, or even catch your own fish. Eating opportunities abound too: stop for a picnic on the grassy lake shores, claim a grill for a BBQ, or sit back at one of the two restaurants at Taney village, whose sunny terraces are particularly popular.
If you’re feeling more active, then continue on to the summit of Le Grammont for an unparalleled view of Lake Geneva — or even walk all the way to St Gingolph.
Note that parking at the trail head is a major issue due to the hike’s popularity. New measures were introduced in 2021 to limit traffic in the area; see “Getting there & away” for more information.
Two routes to Lac Taney are described below:
►Return hike from Le Flon | 4.6 km on the trail | 5.4 km on the road | 410 m ↑↓ | T1–T2
►Loop hike from Miex | 10 km | 640 m ↑↓ | T2
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Practical info – Lac Taney
Getting there & away
The Lac de Taney (also called Lac de Tanay) is located in the Savoy Alps in the Lake Geneva region, in the Swiss canton of Valais/Wallis.
Access from Le Flon & Miex
The most popular Lac de Taney hike starts in Le Flon, a small village above the town of Vouvry. You can also walk to Lac Tanay from Miex, which is just before Le Flon on the same road.
You can reach both villages by bus or car. If you plan to come by car, then be aware that:
- The road from Vouvry is narrow and not suitable for large vehicles
- The parking area in Le Flon has only 80 places, which can fill up by 10-11am on a sunny day … after which the road is closed. See below for details on new parking measures introduced in 2021.
►Directions to Le Flon on Google maps
►Directions to Miex on Google maps
Lac de Taney parking
From 3 June – 27 September 2021, the road to Miex and Le Flon will be closed once the Le Flon car park is full.
If the Le Flon parking is full, then you have two options:
- Park at the power plant in Chavalon (la centrale thermique de Vouvry), where 140 places are available. From here you can walk to Miex (1 hour) or Le Flon (1 hour 15 min) or take a shuttle bus to Le Flon, which costs CHF17 for the return trip.
- Park at the Parking du Gros Large in Vouvry. From here you can walk up the old road to Le Flon (an additional 1,000 m climb requiring around 3 hours) or take the bus to Le Flon. Note that the bus service only runs a few times per day.
These new measures provide parking for a maximum of 300 vehicles during the most popular hiking season. The measures may change in 2022.
►Directions to Chavalon parking on Google maps
►Directions to Parking de Gros Large on Google maps
Lac Taney taxi
In summer you can take a taxi from the parking du Flon to the Col de Taney, just above the lake. Certain four-wheel drive vehicles are also allowed to drive up — but cannot go past the col without written permission from the commune. From the col it’s a 10 minute walk down to the lake and small hamlet of Taney, on a wheelchair- and stroller-friendly path.
►Lac de Taney taxi contact details
What to bring
You don’t need any special equipment to do the walks described here in spring, summer or early autumn. You may need snowshoes or mountaineering skis in winter and early spring when there is a lot of snow. Whatever the season, be prepared for sudden changes in weather, take enough to eat and drink, and don’t forget sun protection.
Facilities
There are no facilities at the parking area in Le Flon; I couldn’t find any information on restaurants or shops in Miex.
The small hamlet at the lake offers two restaurants where you can also sleep, another auberge where you can sleep, and a small shop. There are also two public toilets and a BBQ area.
►Tourist map of the Lac de Tanay
►Tourist map of Miex & Le Flon
►Refuge du Grammont website (English, French, German, Italian)
►Auberge Refuge La Vouivre website (French)
►La Petite Auberge Baabuk (English)
Fishing
Fishing in the Lac de Taney requires a permit, which you can buy in Vouvry or online.
►Lac Taney fishing permit info
►Buy fishing permit online (French & German)
Dangers & annoyances
The Lac de Tanay hike is not dangerous. Nevertheless, guard against:
- Sunburn
- Heat stroke/dehydration
- Stomach bugs & parasites in lake and stream water
Trail descriptions and maps – Lac de Taney hike
Return hike from Le Flon
The hiking (randonée) trails to and around the Lac de Taney are well maintained and well sign-posted. The climb up from le Flon is a little steep; be especially careful in wet conditions. There are no restaurants or shelters until you reach the Col de Taney.
Way points
- Le Flon
- Col de Taney
- Taney village & Lac de Taney
- Col de Taney
- Le Flon
Follow the trail from the parking area at Le Flon. You can either walk up the hiking path or the gravel road; the road is a little easier but longer, and both options are steep in parts. After the Col de Taney, keep to the left path to reach the restaurants / auberges / refuges at Taney village. The BBQ area is a little further around the lake from the village of Taney.
You can walk all the way around the lake; note the southern side is suitable for strollers while the northern (Grammont) side is a hiking trail.
Loop hike from Miex
The hiking trails to and around the Lac de Taney are well maintained and well sign-posted. From Miex there are no restaurants or shelters until you reach Taney village. The path down from the Col de Taney to Le Flon is a little steep; be careful in wet conditions.
Way points
- Miex
- Vesenand
- Prélagine
- Lac de Taney
- Col de Taney
- Le Flon
- Miex
Trail details
- Distance: approx 10 km
- Highest point: 1,500 m (above Prélagine)
- Height gain: approx 640 m
- Trail level: T2
- Technical details: Steepish in parts
From Miex, follow the trail marked “216 Chemin du Lac de Taney” through Vesenand then up to Prélagine, a small alpine pasture. The trail climbs a little more before descending to the Lac de Tanay.
Walk along the northern side of the lake to the village of Taney, where the BBQ area, restaurants and auberges are located. Continue around the lake then up to the Col de Taney. From here you can take either the hiking trail or gravel road down to Le Flon, then follow the road back to Miex.
Nearby mountain fun
Eating & sleeping
You’ll find eating and sleeping options Vouvry, as well as closer to Lake Geneva in Villeneuve, Montreux and Vevey.
Other hiking options
For other trails in the area, see SwissMobility.
One trail of note is the long-distance national “6 Alpine Passes” trail, which includes a section along the Lac de Taney.
Mountain fun near or like the Lac de Taney hike
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3 options for the Lac de Louvie hike | Fionnay, Switzerland
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Le Grammont hike above Lake Geneva
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Daffodils & stars at Les Pléiades, Vevey | Switzerland flower fields
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Three trails for the Grosser Mythen hike