Top 14 Lakes around Saint-Bon-Tarentaise

For a relaxing day with family, Lac de la Rosière near Courchevel-Moriond is an excellent choice. It offers a waterside barbecue and picnic area, kayaking, a botanical path, and a treetop adventure trail. While swimming is prohibited, a wooden footbridge allows you to enjoy its turquoise waters. The Plan d'Amont Lake is also a good starting point for day hikes in the Vanoise National Park.

Yes, you can swim in the Courchevel-Le Praz Artificial Lake. Its clear waters are supervised, making it a refreshing spot for a dip. Other lakes, like Lac de la Rosière, prohibit swimming but offer other water-based activities.

Several lakes offer good fishing. Lac de la Rosière is popular for rainbow trout. Tuéda Lake in Méribel is a prime location for fly fishing. The Merlet Lakes are known for Canadian char and Arctic char.

Many lakes are excellent starting points for hikes. The hike to Lake of the Cows is considered relatively easy, with options to shorten it using a cable car or chairlift in summer. Plan d'Amont Lake is also a good starting point for day hikes in the Vanoise National Park. For more options, you can explore various running and MTB trails in the region, such as those found in the Running Trails around Saint-Bon-Tarentaise guide.

Several beautiful lakes are situated within or on the edge of the Vanoise National Park. These include Lake of the Cows, the Merlet Lakes (lower and upper), and Plan d'Amont Lake. The Tuéda Lake is within the Tuéda Nature Reserve, which is part of the preserved alpine ecosystem of the 3 Valleys.

For a more secluded experience, Lac du Petit near Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise reveals itself after about an hour's walk alongside the Saint-Claude torrent, offering a wild and precious rock setting. The Lozières Lakes also offer a cozy and picturesque setting, often with marmots roaming nearby.

The alpine environment around these lakes is rich in wildlife. You can often spot marmots, particularly around Lac du Lou and Lake of the Cows. The Tuéda Nature Reserve, home to Tuéda Lake, provides an immersive experience into the preserved alpine ecosystem, offering opportunities to observe various species.

Yes, there is a mountain refuge near Lac du Lou. Additionally, the Refuge des lacs Merlet is located at an altitude of 2,417 meters on the shores of the Merlet lakes, offering an intimate atmosphere and a place to stay or pitch a tent by reservation.

Lake of the Cows (Lac des Vaches) is unique for its path of flat stones that allows visitors to cross it. It's a very beautiful lake surrounded by peaks, located at 2,318 meters above sea level, offering great views and a chance to see marmots.

Around the Courchevel-Le Praz Artificial Lake, you can fish, swim in its clear, supervised waters, or stroll along picturesque trails that offer breathtaking views of the Alpine mountains. Its green shores also provide a peaceful place for relaxation.

Plan d'Amont Lake, nestled at the foot of several peaks over 3,000 meters, serves as an excellent starting point for day hikes or longer treks into the Vanoise National Park. From Lake of the Cows, other mountain lakes and the Col de la Vanoise Hut are accessible within a 45-minute walk.

Tuéda Lake, located within the Tuéda Nature Reserve, is special for its stunning landscapes reminiscent of the Canadian Far North. It's a prime location for fly fishing and offers beautiful views. The Maison de la Réserve Naturelle du Plan de Tuéda nearby provides an immersive experience into the preserved alpine ecosystem.