
Lac du Lou
France, europe
3.6 km
2,059 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a hidden gem for you: Lac du Lou, a stunning mountain lake nestled high in the French Alps at a cool 2,059 meters (6,755 feet)! You'll find it tucked away in the Savoie department, inside the gorgeous Vanoise National Park.
Now, fair warning: the road to get there is a bit of a beast. It's a gravel track, so I'd highly recommend having a 4x4 vehicle to tackle the 3.6 km climb from the D117 road. Trust me, you'll want the extra grip! Oh, and plan your trip carefully – this road is usually snowed in from October to June.
But the reward is SO worth it! Picture this: crystal-clear lake, surrounded by towering peaks, and a charming mountain refuge called Refuge du lac du Lou waiting for you at the top. There's even a parking lot up there (score!). Get ready for views that will absolutely blow your mind!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,059 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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