The most beautiful hiking trails around a lake in France

In summer, hiking becomes the must-do activity. And what could be better than discovering a lake and relaxing on its shores after exploring the surrounding trails for several hours. Today, hundreds of lakes, both natural and man-made, are found across France. To help you choose the right itinerary, we have selected five of the most beautiful lake hikes in France.

Day hikes

Lac Blanc

Located in Haute-Savoie, in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, the Lac Blanc offers a stunning view of the Chamonix valley and in particular the Aiguilles de Chamonix. To reach this high-altitude lake, several trails are available to hikers. The ascent takes between 1h45 and 2h30, depending on whether or not you take the cable car. The highlight of this hike: a constant view of Mont-Blanc on the way up to the lake.

© Victoria KAREL

Lac d'Allos

Accessible to all, the Lac d'Allos is the largest natural high-altitude lake in Europe. Located in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, it peaks at an altitude of 2,230 metres. Three routes allow hikers to reach the Lac d'Allos, with the circuit taking either 1h30 (from the Laus car park), 4h30 (from the Cluite car park), or 6h00 (from the village of Allos). Once at this magnificent glacial lake, you can walk around it in about an hour.

Lac Gentau

Lac Gentau is one of the most impressive of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Indeed, this natural high-altitude lake sits at the foot of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau and offers a stunning view of this mountain. The intermediate-level trail can be completed in a day, in approximately 5 to 6 hours of walking return. The most adventurous hikers can stop to sleep in a mountain hut or bivouac on site, in order to complete the Tour des Lacs d'Ayous over several days.

Multi-day hikes

©Rowan Cumming on Unsplash

The Tour des Lacs du Néouvielle

If you want to explore numerous lakes on a three-day hiking trip in the Hautes-Pyrénées, the Tour des Lacs du Néouvielle is the route for you. This 42 km trekking circuit is split into three stages, with two nights in a mountain hut or bivvy. Typically, hikers spend the first night at Lac d'Oregon and the second at Campana de Cloutou. In total, this hiking route takes in no fewer than 20 of the 70 lakes found within the Néouvielle National Nature Reserve. A route well worth doing!

The Tour du Lauvitel

Finally, the Tour du Lauvitel is a trekking trip of three to four days in the Écrins massif, in Isère. While the hike up to Lac du Lauvitel is very popular in summer, the multi-day circuit is far less so. After discovering the largest lake in the Écrins massif, hikers can head to Lac de Plan Vianney, Lac Labarre, and Lac de la Muzelle. It is important to book mountain huts in advance to secure a spot and make the most of this beautiful approximately 30 km hike. In France, the large number of lakes gives hikers — both beginners and experienced — the chance to discover the local flora and fauna. Generally located at high altitude, these lakes often offer an impressive panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. All the more reason to head out on the hiking trails this summer.