Lac de Bethmale, Mountain lake in Bethmale, France
The artificial pond stretches across three basins surrounded by beech trees at an elevation of 1074 meters in the central Pyrenees mountains.
The name Bethmale originates from Gascon language, combining 'beth' meaning beautiful and 'malh' referring to rocky mountain formations in the region.
Fishermen gather at this location from May to October to catch brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook salmon in the first category waters.
A wooden deck extends along the water's edge, making the lake accessible for visitors with reduced mobility and families with strollers.
The water contains specific algae that create an emerald green color, reflecting the dense forest and mountains on its mirror-like surface.
Location: Bethmale
Elevation above the sea: 1,074 m
Part of: Forêt domaniale de Bethmale
Address: Lac de Bethmale, 09800 Bethmale, France
GPS coordinates: 42.86080,1.08389
Latest update: July 1, 2025 15:14
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.
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