A few kilometers from Morzine, above the famous lac de Montriond, the Ardent waterfall is one of the natural sites not to miss in the Vallée d’Aulps. Easily accessible from the road or at the end of a pleasant family hike from the lake, this powerful waterfall offers a spectacular setting in the middle of the forest. Access, hike, parking, nearby activities: here is everything you need to know to discover the Ardent waterfall.
A spectacular waterfall above Lac de Montriond
Located in the municipality of Montriond, between the lake and the Lindarets area, the Ardent Waterfall is one of the emblematic natural sites of the Vallée d’Aulps.
The waterfall is located in a very narrow environment where the waters of the Dranse plunge between rocky walls before continuing their way towards Lac de Montriond.
The site is particularly impressive when the flow is high, especially in spring or after a rainy period. A wooden platform now allows for a better view of the waterfall, while the bridge located just above offers another viewpoint on the waters rushing into the gorges.
The waterfall is easily accessible, subject to snow conditions.
A lovely hike from Lac de Montriond
The best way to discover the waterfall is probably to leave the car at the lac de Montriond and continue on foot. The official hike starts from the parking lot at the end of the lake. A sign indicates the direction to the waterfall “through the forest.”
The path successively crosses clearings and wooded areas before reaching the hamlet of Albertans, with its traditional chalets. Along the way, you can also observe the cliffs where old galleries once used for slate extraction remain, an activity that continued until the 1950s.
The hike is about:
- 3.6 km round trip;
- 2 hours of walking;
- 158 meters of positive elevation gain;
- a level described as moderate by the Tourist Office.
The path is composed of earth, stones, and gravel. It is also indicated as suitable for all-terrain strollers, though good shoes are still preferable.
A particularly pleasant walk with children
The short distance and reasonable elevation make this walk interesting for a family outing. Children will especially enjoy the mix of forest, stream, chalets, and discovery of the waterfall. The objective is also spectacular enough to give real interest to the walk.
However, caution is needed once near the waterfall. As always near a mountain stream, the rocks can be slippery and the water flow can be strong. It is therefore preferable to stay on the designated paths and carefully supervise young children.
Can you access the waterfall directly by car?
Yes, almost. The waterfall is located very close to the road connecting Lac de Montriond to Ardent. The municipality has recently redeveloped the area: the parking lot and picnic area at the waterfall are now completed, and a pedestrian loop allows access to the site without having to walk along the departmental road.
This solution is particularly interesting for people who do not wish to hike from the lake.
In summer, the municipality nevertheless recommends favoring shuttles, which serve notably Lac de Montriond, the waterfall, and the Ardent cable car.
Enjoy Lac de Montriond on the same day
It is hard to come to the waterfall without also enjoying the lac de Montriond. Located just below, this large mountain lake surrounded by cliffs and forests is one of the most popular natural sites in the Morzine area.
An excellent option is therefore to combine the lake tour and the hike to Ardent waterfall. A route combining both is about 6.8 km for 2 hours 50 minutes of walking and 302 meters of positive elevation gain. This formula allows half a full day to be dedicated to the area.
In summer, it is also possible to enjoy the facilities around the lake before or after the hike.
Picnic near the waterfall
The Ardent area is also very suitable for a lunch break. A picnic area is now available near the waterfall. This allows, for example, to leave the lake in the morning, reach the waterfall on foot, then enjoy the site before heading back peacefully in the afternoon.
In hot weather, the forest and proximity to the stream make the walk particularly pleasant. However, beware: the freshness felt near the water does not exempt you from bringing enough water for the hike.
Continue to the Lindarets
The most motivated can extend their exploration toward the Lindarets, the famous “goat village.”
From Ardent, it is possible to reach the Lindarets on foot in about thirty minutes or by using the Ardent cable car.
During summer, the cable car operates daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the end of August. It welcomes pedestrians as well as mountain bikers and paragliders.
A day can therefore easily be organized around three sites:
lac de Montriond → Ardent waterfall → Lindarets.
This is a particularly interesting formula to discover several emblematic landscapes of the Vallée d’Aulps without undertaking a very difficult hike.
Many hikes from Ardent
Ardent also serves as an excellent starting point to go higher up in the Portes du Soleil massif. The cable car quickly gains altitude and reaches various hiking trails.
Among the possibilities is notably the hike to lac Vert, with beautiful panoramas of the Dents du Midi and the Roc d’Enfer. The official route proposed from the Ardent cable car is about 7.6 km and 3 hours 30 minutes of walking.
The area thus allows going from a small family walk to a full day of mountain hiking.
When to see the Ardent waterfall?
The waterfall varies greatly depending on the season and weather conditions. In spring, snowmelt generally increases the flow and makes the fall particularly impressive.
In summer, the interest lies more in the freshness of the forest and the possibility of combining the waterfall with Lac de Montriond and the Lindarets.
In autumn, attendance decreases and the colors of the vegetation offer a very different atmosphere.
The official access is indicated from May 1st to November 30th, but remains dependent on weather and snow conditions.
Beware around the waterfall
Even if the waterfall is easy to access, it remains a mountain natural site. Do not confuse ease of access with absence of danger. The stream can be powerful, the wet stones extremely slippery, and conditions can change quickly after heavy rains. It is therefore preferable to enjoy the designated viewpoints rather than trying to get as close as possible to the water.
For the hike from the lake, also plan suitable shoes, water, and check the weather conditions before your departure.
Practical information
Location: Ardent, 74110 Montriond
Situation: between Lac de Montriond and the Lindarets
Access to site: free
Indicative opening period: from May 1st to November 30th, 2026, depending on snow coverage
Parking: parking area near the waterfall or free parking at the end of the lake for starting the hike
Hike from the lake: 3.6 km round trip
Duration: about 2 hours
Elevation gain: about 158 m ascent
Difficulty: moderate
Facilities: picnic area, parking and toilets at the start of the route from the lake
Dogs: allowed on the route.
In summer, a free shuttle also allows reaching the end of the lake, which is an interesting alternative to the car when the area is very busy.
Our advice for discovering the Ardent waterfall
If you have enough time, do not just go directly to the waterfall by car. Rather, start at the end of Lac de Montriond and take the path passing through Albertans.
The walk remains accessible and allows you to fully enjoy the forest, the old landscapes linked to slate mining, and the stream before arriving at the waterfall.
And for a full day, continue then to Ardent and the Lindarets. You will thus gather in a few hours three of the most emblematic sites around Montriond and Morzine.