Lac d'Estom, Glacial lake in Hautes-Pyrénées, France.
Lac d'Estom spans 6.7 hectares at an elevation of 1,804 meters, surrounded by the peaks of the French Pyrenees mountain range.
The lake has drawn explorers and mountaineers since the late 19th century when the Pyrenees became a destination for early tourism.
Local shepherds maintain traditional pastoral practices around the lake, grazing their herds during the summer months in the mountain pastures.
The hike to reach the lake requires a 4-hour trek along marked trails starting from La Fruitière parking area.
The lake water maintains such clarity that visitors can observe the lake bottom at depths reaching 18 meters throughout the year.
Location: Hautes-Pyrénées
Elevation above the sea: 1,804 m
Address: Lac d'Estom, 65110 Cauterets, France 65110 Cauterets
GPS coordinates: 42.80640,-0.09972
Latest update: November 29, 2025 17:09
Occitanie hosts a wide variety of lakes spread between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. Natural lakes mainly occupy high-altitude zones in the Pyrenees, where glacial erosion has carved out cirques and basins now filled with water. Lake Oô, located at 4,950 feet (1,507 meters) altitude, receives water from a 984-foot (300-meter) waterfall descending from Lake Espingo. The Bastan lakes form a series of three linked water bodies between 7,217 and 8,202 feet (2,200 and 2,500 meters) near Barèges, while Lake Bethmale, at 3,498 feet (1,065 meters) in Couserans, is surrounded by beech forests. Artificial lakes in the region serve various functions, including water storage, hydroelectric power, and recreational activities. Lake Salagou, created in 1969 in Herault, stands out for its distinctive geological setting: red rocks rich in iron give the landscape a reddish-brown hue. Lake Pareloup, covering about 3,485 acres (1,410 hectares) in Aveyron, is one of the largest reservoirs in the area. Lake Saint-Ferréol, built in the 17th century at the foot of the Black Mountain, supplies the Canal du Midi and demonstrates historic hydraulic engineering. These lakes offer opportunities for hiking, sailing, and windsurfing, especially at Lake Ganguise where the wind blows roughly 300 days per year.
Vignemale
5.3 km
Pont d'Espagne
6 km
Pyrénées National Park
6.6 km
Glacier d'Ossoue
5.1 km
Petit Vignemale
4.6 km
Oulettes de Gaube Glacier
4.4 km
Pic d'Ardiden
4 km
Pointe Chausenque
5.1 km
Cerbillona
5.8 km
Pic central
5.7 km
Cirque du Marcadau
8.3 km
Piton Carré
5.2 km
Petit Vignemale Glacier
4.9 km
Great Peak of Tapou
5.7 km
Pic de Barbe de Bouc
4.1 km
Pic du Milieu
5.8 km
Pic de Cestrède
2.4 km
Pic de Chanchou
3.5 km
Montferrat Glacier
5.6 km
Aiguille Supérieure du Clot de la Hount
5.7 km
Aiguille SW de Cerbillona
6.1 km
Circ de Marcadau
7.9 km
Aiguille Inférieure du Clot de la Hount
5.5 km
Épaule Chausenque
4.9 km
Monument Alphonse Meillon
6.1 km
Église Notre-Dame de Cauterets
9.1 km
Chapelle Saint-Roch de Pragnères
9.2 km
Chapelle du Marcadau de Cauteret
8 kmReviews
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