Lac d'Estaing

Lac d'Estaing is a mountain lake in the Hautes-Pyrénées situated at roughly 1,163 meters (3,815 feet) elevation and covers about 0.086 square kilometers. The water is bordered by steep rocky slopes and reaches depths exceeding 130 meters (426 feet) in places.

This lake has served as a vital water source for Pyrenean shepherds over many centuries as they tended their flocks in the high mountains. The water flows into the Gave de Labat de Bun river system, which shaped the region's landscape and water management.

The lake sits along the GR10 long-distance trail, making it a familiar stop for hikers crossing the Pyrenees. You will encounter walkers and climbers passing through regularly as they move between the surrounding peaks.

A campground beside the lake offers tent and caravan spaces during the summer months with direct trails to surrounding hiking routes. The best time to visit is from June through September when mountain pathways are most accessible.

The lake shelters a population of little grebes, small water birds that nest along the protected mountain shoreline. These elusive birds produce distinctive calls in the early morning hours that echo across the water.