Lac de Derborence, Lake in Valais, Switzerland
Lac de Derborence is a lake in Valais, Switzerland, set at an elevation of about 4,900 feet (1,500 meters). It lies in a valley framed by steep rock walls and woods, with water that stays cold even in summer.
The lake formed in 1749 when a massive rockfall from the surrounding cliffs blocked the valley and dammed the stream. That event buried several farms and changed the shape of the land, and the lake has remained ever since.
The name Derborence comes from a local word for a high pasture, and the lake sits in a landscape that has long been used for summer grazing. Walkers often stop at the small stone hut near the water, a reminder of how people have used this valley for generations.
The lake is reached by a road that winds up from the valley floor, with parking near the shore and paths that circle part of the water. Wear sturdy shoes, as some trails are rocky and can be slippery after rain.
The forest around the lake grew on the rubble of the 1749 rockfall and has been left mostly untouched, so dead trees still stand among the living ones. This makes it a place where you can see how nature recovers after a major event.
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