Lake Chilet (also known as Chiletto) is an alpine cirque lake formed by glacial excavation, situated in the beautiful Vallone della Legna. The lake is accessible by following Trail n° 4 to Saint Antoine/Maisons Vieilles, and then Trail n° 4E to the lake. This route is highly interesting from a naturalistic perspective, offering a glimpse into a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature that has lasted for centuries.
First Segment: Outre l’Ève – Alpeggio Ourty (Trail n° 4) The hike begins at the small hamlet of Outre l’Ève, located on the right bank of the Ayasse stream. After leaving your car in the parking area before Outre l’Ève, find the gravel road near the tourist information boards. You’ll encounter a first shrine, and shortly after, the road ends and a mule track begins, marking the authenticity of the valley. Follow this mule track to the alpeggio of Ourty (approximately 1526 m a.s.l.). In this initial part of the route, you can enjoy the unique beauty of the area, admiring old, abandoned houses and chalets (with a nearby monumental tree), the du Bois stream, and the mule track that ascends gently through the forest, small cleared areas, and large boulders now used for sport climbing. Stay on the old mule track until you reach a large alpine pasture where you should continue left (avoiding the right trail that climbs into the Vercoche valley). At the end of the large pasture, you’ll find the alpeggio of Ourty on the right.
Second Segment: Alpeggio Ourty – Saint Antoine/Maisons-vieilles (Trail n° 4) Cross the du Bois stream using a two-span wooden bridge, moving to the right bank of the valley. Continue ascending on Trail n° 4 to the area of Saint Antoine/Maisons-vieilles (1827 m a.s.l.). In this section, the trail climbs first near a large pasture and then through dense forest, eventually becoming a mule track again. You’ll pass various clearings with rhododendrons until you reach a large plateau with large rocks, where you’ll follow the stream with crystal-clear waters. At the end of the plateau, ascend for about ten more minutes on the trail/mule track until you reach the hamlet of Saint Antoine, characterized by some ruins and a shrine at the beginning of a flat valley with wide pastures.
Third Segment: Saint Antoine/Maisons-vieilles – Lake Chilet (Trail n° 4E) From Saint Antoine, take Trail n° 4E, which crosses the stream and moves to the left bank of the valley. Follow the trail that traverses the alpine pastures with several ups and downs. After a few minutes of walking, don’t continue in the main valley but climb the right side of the valley. As you approach the abandoned alpeggio of Maison-neuves, the trail sharply curves right, plunging into dense rhododendron underbrush. From here, the trail becomes steep until reaching the steep meadows below the alpeggio Peroisaz (2177 m a.s.l.). Ascend following the numerous paths leading to the recently reconstructed alpeggio of Peroisaz, from where you can enjoy a splendid panorama of the Monte Rosa massif. Head left along a contour path. Gradually, the mule track gives way to a narrower trail. Climb the grassy slope towards a prominent cross. Upon reaching a grassy saddle just below the cross, follow the cairns, and in a few minutes of gentle descent, you’ll arrive at Lake Chilet.
The descent follows the same route as the ascent.
Technical Notes: Medium-high difficulty hike.
