The best lakes for hiking in the European mountain ranges

Lakes in the Alps

Lac d’Allos in Mercantour Park

This magnificent lake, suspended at an altitude of 2,230 meters, is located at the heart of the Mercantour National Park (in the Alpes-de-Haut-Provence department), is shaded by Mont Pelat (3,052 meters high), and is endowed with an amazing ecosystem (plants). and mountain animals).

Lake Valgaudemar, les Hautes-Alpes

This wild valley cuts a deep indentation in the south of the massif des Ecrins mountain range, leads to some remote villages and provides many paths for hiking or alpine races known only to a few. The “small” Lauzon (at 2,000 meters) hike is one of the easiest.

Lake Blanc, Chamonix

This lake is a great place to photograph, nesting in the hollow of the massif des Aiguilles Rouges, at an altitude of 2,350 meters, and offering an exceptional balcony overlooking Mont-Blanc just opposite. This site is classified as a “nature reserve” and is visited by many hikers, but it is not missed at all.

Lakes of Vanoise (Lacs de la Vanoise), in the province of Savoy

This park is the first historically French national park (created in 1963) and extends over a vast area of mountainous heights, and is home to thousands of mountain antelopes and ibex. A seasoned hiker must come across a herd of these gentle ‘nimble’ animals, not too far away (but beware of harassing them), on his way to one of the Hundred Lakes of Record in Vanoise Park.

Lake Anterne

Lake Antern is located in the Arve-Giffre mountain (which became known as the “Grand Massif” skiing), which adorns the picturesque mountain pastures and rocky peaks (the area is a nature reserve), in the north of the state of Mont-Blanc (Pays du Mont) -Blanc). The lake is located at an altitude of “only” 2,060 meters, but a long walk is required at a very steep ridge (3 hours uphill to go) because the road starts at a lower elevation. But the reward is well worth the effort.

Lakes In the Pyrenees

Lake Gaube

This large and beautiful lake is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters and can be reached by chair lift, but it is also worth some effort on foot, as the location to get to the lake is fantastic in itself.

Lakes of Mount Neuville (massif de Néouvielle)

This picturesque part of the Pyrenees is a nature reserve interspersed with a series of beautiful natural lakes or reservoir lakes.