A Winter Family Hike to Lac de Joncs and La Corbetta

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Overview

  • Starting point: Auberge du Lac de Joncs parking (1,230m)
  • Arrival: La Corbetta summit (1,401m)
  • Altitude gain: ~170m
  • Distance: ~3km
  • Duration: ~1h30 (with a child of 4)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Technical difficulty: Minimal (some icy sections in winter)

A Perfect Winter Walk

It was a sunny February day, so we decided to go on a family hike. Gaia, now almost four years old, can walk up to 4km on her own, so I chose a short but scenic route: Lac de Joncs to La Corbetta—just over 3km in total.

We started at the Auberge du Lac de Joncs parking. Before heading up, we walked around the frozen lake, writing words on the ice and enjoying the crisp winter air. On the far side of the lake, the trail begins. It was marked in pink as a snowshoe path, but the snow was hard-packed. Since we hadn’t expected snow at all, we didn’t bring snowshoes—but it turned out fine with regular boots.

The Climb to La Corbetta

The first part of the hike ascends alongside the ski slopes. There’s no technical difficulty, but in some steeper sections, the icy snow required a bit of extra care—especially with a child in tow. At times, we had to help Gaia together, ensuring she didn’t slip.

After about 30 minutes (though it took us nearly an hour with Gaia), we reached the ridge, where the ski lift ends. From here, we got the first views of Les Paccots (1,210m). It was the perfect spot to take a break—we ate nuts, chocolate, sipped tea, and took some pictures before continuing.

Just five minutes later, we reached the summit of La Corbetta (1,401m). At the top, there’s a picnic table and an incredible panoramic view, stretching from Dent de Lys to the Dents du Midi and Grammont. The winter light was stunning!

The Fun Descent

The way down was pure fun—we ran down the hill, with Gaia slipping and hanging from my arm every now and then. The path leads down through the alpage, then follows a road for a short section.

Before entering the forest, the trail cuts left off the road, winding through a series of wooden bridges—likely designed to avoid muddy patches in summer. After about 30 minutes from the summit, we rejoined the starting path, and five minutes later, we were back at the Auberge.

To celebrate the adventure, we treated ourselves to a hot chocolate and pear cake—the perfect ending to a beautiful family winter hike.

Final Thoughts

This short hike is ideal for families, even in winter, as long as the snow isn’t too deep. It’s an easy and rewarding route, offering stunning views without much effort. Gaia handled it brilliantly, and the descent was a real highlight.

Location: Lac des Joncs, 1619 Châtel-Saint-Denis, Switzerland

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