Pointe des Mossettes – The Best View in the Portes du Soleil
Pointe des Mossettes sits right on the border of France and Switzerland and undoubtedly has one of the best views in the Alps. At 2277 metres above sea level, it is the highest accessible point in the Portes du Soleil.
Needless to say with that sort of altitude, and the incredible landscape that surrounds the peak, it’s a simply sensational place to visit. Add in the fact that the summit is easily accessible via chair lift and it becomes the perfect destination for a day out in the mountains.
How to Get to Pointe des Mossettes from Morzine
Pointe des Mossettes is easily accessible from Morzine and you can get there using a couple of different routes. We’ve broken it down into two easy steps with multiple options for you!
Step One: Morzine to Les Lindarets
The final part of the route requires you to hike from the village of Les Lindarets (otherwise known as the goat village) to the Mossettes chairlift. However, in order to make it to that departure point in Les Lindarets, you need to either drive from Morzine or catch a lift up the mountain from Ardent.
The two main ways to access Les Lindarets in summer:
1. Ardent Gondola Lift
The first way to reach Les Lindarets is by driving to a gondola lift. Make your way from Morzine by car or bus (line M is free from Morzine to Ardent) to the parking area at the bottom of the Ardent Gondola – this is only 15 minutes from Morzine town centre. From here you can simply hop into a gondola and enjoy the scenic journey up the mountain. Sit back, relax and take in the views from the telecabin.
There’s plenty of space in the carpark to leave your car in Ardent and this option requires much less effort than driving up the windy road to Les Lindarets.
2. Drive from Morzine
Instead of driving to and parking in Ardent, the second option is to drive all the way to Les Lindarets from Morzine. During the summer the shorter route to Les Lindarets, which goes past Lake Montriond, is only one-way (going down). This rule is in place from the 1st of July to 31st of August between 10am & 5pm and it means you have to go up to les Lindarets via a longer, windier route. This road follows the main road to Avoriaz – which you can see here.
Step Two: Les Lindarets to Pointes des Mossettes
Once you arrive in Les Lindarets, it’s time for you to park up (if you chose to drive) and continue on foot to the Mossettes chairlift.
Take the track that heads directly up the valley from the carpark. This will take you up to the base station of the Mossettes chairlift. The walk is consistently uphill, but at a gentle gradient so it is very much manageable. You will reach a split in the path where you’ll see a sign for the lift and a waterfall pointing you down the right hand fork.
The walk from the carpark in Les Lindarets to the lift is 1.5kms and doable in about half an hour. When you reach the lift station it’s worth walking just a few hundred metres past it to the wonderful Cascade des Brochaux.
Once you’ve taken in the waterfall it’s time to jump on the Mossettes chairlift, which will effortlessly whisk you up to the top of the mountain. The chairlift ride is incredibly scenic and peaceful. As you glide high up above the valley you will exit the chairlift mere metres away from the summit.
Once you get off the chairlift you may be surprised that the best view is still yet to come. You will need to walk for a final 5 more minutes up the track in front of the chairlift. Then, before you know it, you will encounter the most breathtaking 360 degree views, which will make you feel as though you’re on top of the world!
What To Do At Pointe des Mossettes
The first thing to do when you get off the lift is simply to breathe and take in one of the best views in the Alps. The incredible thing about the summit is how it offers you 360 degree views of the whole mountain range. Don’t forget to take the little track up the grassy rise in front of the lift station so you don’t miss out on the highest point with the best lookout.
From here you can look across two countries, Switzerland in front of you and France behind you. Ahead of you you will see the impressive Dents du Midi mountain range, with their imposing rock faces, spanning across the Swiss landscape. On a clear day it is even possible to see Lake Geneva if you turn around!
Pointe des Mossettes is the perfect spot for a high altitude picnic or, if you’re after some refreshments, the Cookie Cafe is on hand to cater for your needs. With a range of food and drink available, what could be better than some light lunch overlooking one of the best views in the Alps.
What to Do on Your Way Back from Pointe des Mossettes
If you want to add in some extra activities to your day trip then you are in luck.
Visit the Goat Village
As we mentioned earlier, in the middle of your journey to Pointe des Mossettes you will come past Les Lindarets, the alpine village famous for its healthy population of mountain goats. Whether you took the gondola from ardent or drove from Morzine, you can stroll 5 minutes down the road from the lift and find yourself surrounded by pastures filled with curious goats!
This summer Les Lindarets has even started running a small road train service that will take you to the wonderful sites. This is a perfect activity for younger children or those who have difficulty walking and the village also has plenty of cafes and restaurants to stop in.
Visit Lake Montriond
Another excellent addition to any day trip in the Portes du Soleil is a trip to lake Montriond. Again, whether you have caught the Gondola from Ardent or driven from Morzine you will pass the lake on your way home. You can also reach it via the free line M bus from the bottom of the Gondola station OR you can even get those extra steps in and take a pleasant 30 minute stroll down to the lake.
There are loads of wonderful activities you can take part in on and around the water and we’ve put them into a handy guide of things to do at lake Montriond for you to check out!
The Perfect Place to Stay in Morzine
If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay to explore Pointe des Mossettes and all that Morzine has to offer, then why not take a look at The Farmhouse. Our boutique hotel is located right at the heart of the village and is one of the oldest buildings in Morzine.
We offer a unique hotel experience and strive to make your stay as special as the landscape that surrounds us.
