Lac des Vaches, Mountain lake in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, France.
The lake lies at the base of Grande Casse peak in the Vanoise massif, presenting clear waters surrounded by Alpine summits and rocky terrain.
The paths surrounding the lake follow the former trade route that connected France and Italy, used by merchants transporting salt and cheese across the Alps.
Stone walls along the trails, renovated between 2004 and 2005, represent traditional mountain construction methods used throughout the French Alps.
During summer months, the Genépi chairlift reduces access time by 90 minutes, with the trail starting from the Fontanettes parking area at 1644 meters.
Stone slabs placed across the water create a path that allows hikers to walk directly through the lake, forming an unconventional mountain crossing.
Location: Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Address: Lac des Vaches, 73710 Pralognan-la-Vanoise, France 73710 Pralognan-la-Vanoise 73710 Pralognan-la-Vanoise
GPS coordinates: 45.39798,6.77644
Latest update: July 2, 2025 12:13
The lakes of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes showcase remarkable geological diversity. The natural glacial lakes such as Bourget and Annecy contrast with the deep volcanic lakes of Pavin and Bouchet. The artificial lakes of Serre-Ponçon and Monteynard complete this hydrographic network. This region includes high-altitude lakes in the Alps and the Massif Central, plains water bodies, and hydropower dam reservoirs.
Vanoise National Park
8.5 km
Grande Casse
4.1 km
Grande Motte
7.4 km
Glaciers de la Vanoise
6.4 km
Aiguille de la Vanoise
439 m
Dent du Villard
8.2 km
Petit mont Blanc
8.4 km
Dôme de Chasseforêt
7.6 km
Grand Bec
3.4 km
Pointe du Dard
3.9 km
Glacier des Grands Couloirs
3.2 km
Grande Casse Glacier
2.4 km
Pointe du Vallonnet
2.5 km
Glacier de la Vuzelle
3 km
La Dent Du Villard
8.4 km
Ruisseau de la Vanoise
4.9 km
Cascade des Poux
7.9 km
Pointe des Chardes
8 km
Pointe de Creux Noir
1.8 km
Pointe de la Vuzelle
4.3 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Pralognan-la-Vanoise
4.7 km
Pointe de Vallaisonnay
7.4 km
Pointe de Pramecou
8.3 km
Chapelle Sainte-Brigitte des Granges
4.8 km
Église Saint-Clair du Bois
7.3 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs du Barioz
4.6 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Grâces de Friburge
6.4 km
Aiguille Noire
8 kmReviews
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