Fairy-tale autumn reflections at Lago Saoseo, in the Swiss Val Viola. Surrounded by larch and fir woods and a ring of peaks, Lago Saoseo is among the most beautiful lakes in the Alps.
Few other natural monuments match alpine lakes for poetry. Seen from their shores, they mirror the surrounding peaks, especially on windless days. Seen from above, they reveal their turquoise depths.
From remote little alpine lakes to colossal dams from the 1920s and 1930s, this section contains a selection of hikes to some of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps.
Good to know about alpine lakes
The lakes on this page have very different origins, and knowing them helps you read the landscape. Many are basins scoured by glaciers and dammed by moraines; others, like Lago di Antrona, were born of a landslide, in this case that of 27 July 1642, which blocked the stream and buried part of the village; others again are artificial reservoirs, and Lago di Antrona itself has been used as a hydroelectric reservoir since 1926. Then there are lakes that stand at the start of an entire river, like the Lägh dal Lunghin, regarded as the source of the Inn, which flows on through the Danube to the Black Sea.
In reservoirs the water level can change quickly as the power stations operate, and the steep banks of mud and debris are less stable than they look, so swimming there is discouraged or forbidden and the signs are worth heeding. In natural high-altitude lakes the water stays cold even in August, and a swim calls for caution, never alone and never straight after a long climb in the sun. In every case soap and sun cream stay on the shore, because in waters so poor in nutrients even small amounts leave their mark.
The hikes
By our rating, highest first. Browse them as photographs, as a list with all the numbers or on the map.
PiedmontRifugio Valasco, Rifugio Questa and the military mule tracks of ValscuraIn the upper Valle Gesso: remarkable military roads, the crystal-clear lakes of Valscura and Claus, and two historic mountain huts.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 20km
- Ascent
- 1,020m
- Rating
- 9/10
SwitzerlandLago di Saoseo and Lago Viola in the Val di CampoTwo gems of lakes in a valley dotted with alpine pastures. At its best between October and November.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 550m
- Rating
- 9/10
SwitzerlandThe balcony path from Silvaplana to the Maloja PassAn easy balcony path dominated by breathtaking views of Lake Sils and Lake Silvaplana, with the Bernina and the peaks of the Bregaglia in the background.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:00h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 470m
- Rating
- 8/10
SwitzerlandLago Lunghin and Piz LunghinA lake, a peak and a pass, all sharing a breathtaking view over the Bernina group and the Lago di Sils.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:30h
- Distance
- 16km
- Ascent
- 1,030m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValchiavennaThe Lago Bianco loop on the Pian dei CavalliOn the balcony of the Valle Spluga: from Starleggia to the Pian dei Cavalli, the Lago Bianco and Monte Bardan.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 4:00h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 830m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValchiavennaRifugio Bertacchi at Lago d'EmetTo Lago d'Emet, an almost perfectly circular little lake overlooking the Valle Spluga.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:00h
- Distance
- 11km
- Ascent
- 990m
- Rating
- 8/10
Aosta ValleyTo Rifugio Barbustel, in the heart of the Monte Avic Natural ParkCrystal-clear lakes and larch woods with a North American feel, in under 3 hours of walking.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 4:30h
- Distance
- 9.6km
- Ascent
- 700m
- Rating
- 8/10
Aosta ValleyThe Monte Avic 10-lake loop (2 days)10 lakes, 3 mountain huts and a 3000-metre peak. A long 27km loop in the Monte Avic Natural Park, almost entirely in stern alpine terrain between 2000 and 3000 metres.- Grade
- E+
- Time
- 12:00h
- Distance
- 27km
- Ascent
- 1,710m
- Rating
- 8/10
Aosta ValleyLakes, glaciers and waterfalls in the Valle del RutorA hike to Rifugio Deffeyes past the Rutor Falls, face to face with the Rutor Glacier.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 7:30h
- Distance
- 20km
- Ascent
- 1,070m
- Rating
- 8/10
ValtellinaLoop of Rifugio Benigni and the Trona and Zancone lakesA long route in the upper Val Gerola, taking in a mountain hut, 4 lakes and a few ibex.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 970m
- Rating
- 8/10
PiedmontThe Valle Antrona loop: Lago Antrona and Lago di CampliccioliA short hike around the lakes of Antrona and Campliccioli, in the lower Valle Antrona.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 3:00h
- Distance
- 10km
- Ascent
- 400m
- Rating
- 7/10
SwitzerlandLago di Cama in the Val di CamaA small Alpine lake set in an amphitheatre of peaks.- Grade
- T
- Time
- 6:00h
- Distance
- 13km
- Ascent
- 940m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValchiavennaTour from Lago del Truzzo to Alpe LendineA long loop that takes in all the most magical spots of the remote Valle del Drogo, a side valley of the Valle Spluga.- Grade
- EE
- Time
- 7:00h
- Distance
- 17km
- Ascent
- 1,190m
- Rating
- 7/10
Valtellina · SwitzerlandLago Vago, the blue pearl of LivignoA short hike to Lago Vago, a Caribbean-looking tarn so blue it seems fake.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 3:00h
- Distance
- 6km
- Ascent
- 520m
- Rating
- 7/10
ValtellinaRifugio Bignami and the Marson Glacier Trail at the FellariaIn the upper Valmalenco, face to face with the Fellaria Glacier.- Grade
- E
- Time
- 5:30h
- Distance
- 15km
- Ascent
- 670m
- Rating
- 7/10
Questions
The answers come from the hike pages listed here.
Which one is the best, in your view?
Rifugio Valasco, Rifugio Questa and the military mule tracks of Valscura and Lago di Saoseo and Lago Viola in the Val di Campo, all rated 9 out of 10.
Which one is the easiest?
The Valle Antrona loop: Lago Antrona and Lago di Campliccioli: grade T, 3:00 hours of walking and 400 metres of ascent.
How long do these hikes take?
From 3:00 to 12:00 hours of walking, with ascents between 400 and 1,710 metres.
More guides
Other lists that share some of these hikes.
