Lac de Roy, Glacial lake in Haute-Savoie, France.
Lac de Roy is a glacial lake in the French Alps situated at approximately 1,665 meters elevation. The water sits nestled between peaks and provides hikers with a tranquil destination to rest and take in the surroundings.
The lake was carved by glacial ice during the last ice age thousands of years ago, leaving behind this mountain depression filled with meltwater. The landscape around it continues to show the marks of these ancient forces.
The name Roy, also borne by the Chalets de Roy southeast of the lake, likely comes from the old French roie or roye, from Latin riga or Gaulish rica, meaning a furrow of ploughed land. In summer cows graze the shores, and their milk goes to the fruitière of Mieussy to make cheeses including Raclette.
The hike to the lake starts from Col de la Ramaz and takes about two hours climbing upward with well-marked trails. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and expect mountain terrain, especially during colder months.
The lake surface freezes from October to May, and in January the ice can reach 80 cm thick. Beneath it, winter water is inversely stratified: surface water near 0 °C while the bottom stays at 4 °C. The name Roy, also borne by the Chalets de Roy southeast of the lake, likely derives from old French roie, a furrow.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,722 contributors worldwide.
