The most beautiful lakes around Les Gets

The village of Les Gets, perched at 1,172 m altitude in Haute-Savoie, provides access to around ten natural lakes scattered among forests and alpine pastures. From the Lac des Écoles, a five-minute walk from the centre, to the Lac de Joux Plane reached after a hike at nearly 1,700 m, each body of water reveals a different side of the mountains. Here are the finest lakes around Les Gets, with tips to enjoy them year-round.

Lac des Écoles, the heart of summer in Les Gets

Walk down the Route du Lac, five minutes from the village centre, and you will quickly see why the Lac des Écoles sets the rhythm of summer in Les Gets. Fed by the Turche mountain stream at 1,240 m altitude, this lake becomes the gathering point for local families as soon as late June arrives.

The water reaches a surprisingly pleasant 22°C in July and August, warm enough for long swims in a mountain setting. Lifeguards supervise the bathing area through to the end of August, while children gravitate towards the Wibit water park, where inflatable structures, a trampoline and a water slide sit right on the lake.

Along the shore, days unfold effortlessly. A morning on a pedalo or stand-up paddleboard, a picnic in the shade at noon, then an afternoon stroll along the lakeside paths that climb towards Mont Chéry or the Loex plateau, linking up with hiking trails higher up. The Chalet du Lac restaurant serves lunch overlooking the water for those who prefer a table to a blanket.

When winter arrives, the lake freezes and the whole area takes on a different character. The free shuttle serving the commune's hamlets keeps running, and the car park stays open year-round. Summer or winter, the Lac des Écoles is not an excursion for residents of Les Gets, it is simply the village's natural extension.

Browse our seasonal rentals in Les Gets to make the most of the Lac des Écoles during your stay. And if you find yourself dreaming of a home just five minutes from the lake, we invite you to explore our properties currently for sale in Les Gets.

Lac de Montriond, the valley's largest natural lake

Fifteen minutes by car from Les Gets, the landscape shifts entirely. The Lac de Montriond stretches 1,320 m long and 253 m wide, 33 hectares of emerald-green water at 1,072 m altitude, framed by the cliffs of the Roc d'Enfer. It ranks among the largest natural mountain lakes in Haute-Savoie and is arguably the most photographed landscape in the Portes du Soleil. The commune of Montriond owes much of its identity to this lake.

From July to August, a lifeguard-supervised swimming area welcomes families on a large grassy beach with free access. Water temperatures range from 18 to 22°C at the peak of summer. Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards can be hired directly on the shore, and a 3 km trail, almost flat, loops around the lake at a pace suited to pushchairs and mountain bikes alike.

At the southern end of the path, the Auberge du Bout du Lac (3,896 Route du Lac) is worth the trip in its own right. Holding the Maître Restaurateur distinction, it serves mountain cuisine showcasing produce from the valley. Booking during high season is strongly recommended, as the waterside tables go quickly.

No car needed from Morzine. A free shuttle runs from the village to the lake and on to the Ardent gondola, making it easy to combine a swim with other summer activities in the same day. Winter transforms the scenery without diminishing it. The lake freezes solid, the trails disappear under snow, and snowshoers take over from kayakers along the banks.

If this setting, just fifteen minutes from Les Gets, draws visitors back season after season, it also draws property buyers. Montriond remains one of the quieter areas in the Portes du Soleil, with prices still more accessible than Morzine or Avoriaz. Browse our properties for sale in Montriond to explore opportunities in this area, or try our seasonal rentals in Montriond to enjoy the setting for a stay.

Lac de Joux Plane, an altitude reward

This one has to be earned. The Lac de Joux Plane sits at 1,691 m altitude, at the foot of the famous pass made legendary by the Tour de France. From Les Gets, the hike covers roughly 12 km return with 675 m of elevation gain, a four-to-five-hour walk. The trail crosses alpine pastures and spruce forests before opening onto a rocky cirque where the lake appears, ringed by ridgelines.

Swimming is not permitted here (unsupervised altitude lake), but the panorama justifies every metre of climb. On clear days, the view stretches to the Mont-Blanc massif on one side and the Dents du Midi on the Swiss side on the other. Those who want more can press on to the Pointe de la Bourgeoise or the Pointe d'Angolon (2,090 m), both reachable from the lake's surroundings.

For those who prefer to shorten the walk, the pass road (open May to October depending on snowfall) leads by car to a large car park at the top. A restaurant there serves as a refuelling stop in summer. But the real draw is the silence, the emptiness, and that particular light of high-altitude lakes that attracts photographers and trail runners from well beyond the region.

The hidden lakes around Les Gets

Beyond the three main lakes, the mountains around Les Gets conceal more discreet bodies of water, accessible only on foot. The Lac de la Caseille is reached via trails climbing from the Loex plateau, through a Natura 2000 area of meadows, peat bogs and spruce forests. It forms part of a Portes du Soleil hiking circuit linking several lakes in a single day.

On the Swiss side, the Lac Vert des Crosets (1,980 m) is reached by chairlift or on foot from the Col des Portes du Soleil. Closer to the village, the Lac de la Mouille can be reached on snowshoes in winter from the Chavannes gondola (2.5 km, around 1 h 30 return). Both lakes round out the network for those who like to venture off the beaten path.

Beyond the walk itself, these smaller lakes are refuges of alpine biodiversity. Chamois and marmots come to drink at their shores, and the damp banks harbour plant species that do not grow at lower altitudes. These are the spots regulars end up preferring to the main lakes, precisely because they never meet anyone there.

Enjoying the lakes in the Portes du Soleil

Between the lakes, the hiking trails, summer tobogganing and winter sports, there is always something to do in Les Gets and across the Portes du Soleil whatever the season. Visitors know it well, every stay always feels a little too short.

Whether you are looking to stay or settle in the Portes du Soleil, we invite you to browse all our seasonal rentals and properties for sale across the most sought-after resorts and villages. Feel free to contact our BARNES Portes du Soleil agencies for more information.