Lac des Vaches, Mountain lake in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, France.
Lac des Vaches sits at the base of Grande Casse peak in the Vanoise massif with clear water and steep rocky slopes on all sides. The lake is framed by high Alpine summits and has a dark blue-green color that shifts throughout the day.
The trails around the lake follow an old trade route that linked France and Italy across the Alps for many centuries. Merchants carrying salt and cheese moved back and forth along this passage as a major connection between regions.
The stone walls along the hiking routes show traditional Alpine construction methods built by hand over centuries. They are woven into the landscape and tell the story of how people have lived and worked in the mountains.
During summer, the Genépi chairlift considerably shortens the journey time and starts from the Fontanettes parking area at 1644 meters. The trails are well marked but require sure footing and proper mountain gear.
Flat stone slabs placed in the water form an unusual path that lets hikers walk directly through the lake. This stone passage is one of the defining features of the place and offers a rare experience of crossing through water on foot.
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