Lac de Graveirette

Lac de Graveirette is a small glacial lake sitting at roughly 2,240 meters above sea level in the Mercantour massif, within the commune of Valdeblore in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It lies inside Mercantour National Park, close to the Franco-Italian border and near the Col de Salèse. The area is home to several high-altitude lakes, including the nearby Lac Nègre and Lac Scluos, but Graveirette has a look and feel very much its own.

What does the lake look like?

Graveirette is tiny by regional standards, covering roughly one hectare of surface area. Unlike the bare, rocky shoreline of neighboring Lac Nègre, its banks are lined with larch trees and grassy meadows, giving the spot a softer, more welcoming atmosphere. The water itself is notably clear, with a green to emerald tint that hikers often single out as one of the prettiest in the area.

How do you get to Lac de Graveirette?

Several hiking routes lead to the lake. A common approach starts from the parking area near Col de Salèse, from which the lake is about 6 kilometers away, typically a 1.5 to 2 hour walk one way. A longer loop option begins at Le Boréon, near Saint-Martin-Vésubie, climbing over the Col de Salèse itself; depending on the exact route chosen, this version runs somewhere between 12 and 14 kilometers with several hundred meters of elevation gain, and takes roughly 5 to 6 hours round trip. Many hikers combine the visit with the neighboring lakes — Lac Nègre or the small tarns of the Frémamorte valley — turning it into a full day out among the high lakes of the Mercantour.

Who is this hike suitable for?

The walk to Graveirette is demanding in terms of distance and elevation gain but technically straightforward, with no climbing gear required. Given the altitude, the best window for a visit is summer into early autumn, once the trail has cleared of snow. Weather in this part of the Alpes-Maritimes can shift quickly, so an early start and rain gear are worth packing regardless of the season.

What's along the way?

The surroundings are classic high Mercantour scenery: open meadows, rocky ridgelines, and stands of larch. Mercantour National Park is known for its wildlife, and the Graveirette–Col de Salèse area is a reasonable spot to see marmots and chamois, sometimes alongside ibex higher up the slopes. Compared with the busier Lac Nègre, Graveirette tends to stay quieter, appealing to hikers looking for a calmer high-mountain stop.

Can you fish in the lake?

Yes. The lake is stocked with trout and is popular with fly fishers. It falls under the management of the local Moyenne Tinée fishing association (AAPPMA), so anyone planning to fish should check current rules and pick up the required fishing permit beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to reach Lac de Graveirette? It depends on the route: about 1.5 to 2 hours one way from the Col de Salèse parking area, or roughly 5 to 6 hours round trip on the longer loop starting at Le Boréon.

Can you swim in the lake? At around 2,240 meters, the water stays cold year-round, so it isn't a typical swimming spot — visitors mainly come for the scenery, fishing, and hiking.

How does Graveirette compare to Lac Nègre? Lac Nègre has a starker, rockier shoreline, while Graveirette is ringed by larches and green meadows, giving it a noticeably softer landscape.

Is the trail suitable for beginners? The shorter approach from Col de Salèse suits reasonably fit hikers with some experience; the longer loop via Le Boréon calls for better stamina given its distance and elevation gain.