Lac des Béraudes, Alpine lake in Hautes-Alpes, France.
Lac des Béraudes is an alpine lake occupying a natural basin at 2,504 meters (8,215 feet) in the upper Clarée Valley. The water sits encircled by steep mountain walls and the vegetation typical of high elevation terrain.
Glaciers shaped this lake through erosion during ice ages, carving a deep basin held by a natural rock barrier of calcschist and Neocretaceous marble. This geological formation has remained stable since those ancient times.
French mountain guides have mapped and documented specific hiking routes to this lake, passing knowledge through generations of alpine enthusiasts.
Hikers can reach the lake via a marked trail from the Laval parking area during the season from June to October. The hike takes about three hours and requires proper mountain equipment for alpine conditions.
The southern shore displays small rock glaciers and red marl layers that reveal the geological structure of the Cerces massif. These mineral deposits create changing water colors depending on light and season.
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