Lac de la Lande

Lac de la Lande is a man-made reservoir in the Vosges mountains, sitting at roughly 1,060 meters above sea level at the foot of the Kastelberg massif, within the municipality of La Bresse. It belongs to a cluster of lakes around La Bresse and Gérardmer — alongside Lac des Corbeaux and Lac de Lispach — and lies inside the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, making it a regular stop on longer lake-hopping hikes through the area.

Is the lake natural?

No. Before the dam, the site held a natural peat bog known as the Faignes de la Lande. Construction started on 1 December 1982, the reservoir went into service on 10 December 1983, and it was formally inaugurated on 29 May 1984. The project drew opposition from environmental groups at the time, since it meant flooding a valuable peat bog ecosystem. As compensation, the municipality of La Bresse pushed for the protection of the Machais peat bog, which was formally classified as a nature reserve in 1988.

How big is the reservoir, and what is it used for?

The dam itself is 70 meters high and 330 meters long. It holds back around 700,000 m³ of water across a surface area of 10.5 hectares, with a maximum depth of 13 meters. A Pelton turbine rated at 2,090 kW sits at the structure. The water serves three purposes: electricity generation, drinking water for part of La Bresse's supply network, and snowmaking for the La Bresse–Hohneck ski resort. That last function explains why locals often talk about the lake in the same breath as the ski slopes, even though the surrounding forest makes it feel far removed from any resort infrastructure.

What is the hiking loop like?

The classic route circles the entire lake, covering about 5 km and taking around 2 hours at a moderate pace. Most hikers start near the Vologne chairlift station, head toward the Piste Bourvil, climb up past the top of the Vologne lift, then descend to the lakeshore. From there the path follows the southern bank, crosses the top of the dam, and closes the loop along a northwestern stretch back to the start. There is some elevation gain along the way, so proper walking shoes are worth having even though the trail itself is not technical.

When is the best time to visit?

May through September is the recommended window, when trails are dry and the vegetation around the reservoir is at its fullest. In winter the surrounding slopes switch over to skiing, tying directly back to the lake's role as a water reserve for the resort's snow cannons.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to walk around Lac de la Lande? The full loop is about 5 km and takes roughly 2 hours at a moderate walking pace.

Is Lac de la Lande a natural lake? No — it is an artificial reservoir put into service in 1983, built over a former peat bog.

What other lakes are nearby? Lac des Corbeaux and Lac de Lispach are both close by in the La Bresse area, and together with Lac de la Lande they form a popular circuit for visitors touring the Vosges lakes.

What is the dam used for? Hydroelectric power (a 2,090 kW Pelton turbine), drinking water for part of La Bresse, and snowmaking for the La Bresse–Hohneck ski area.

Can you swim in the lake? Available sources do not describe an organized swimming area at Lac de la Lande — it is primarily a hiking and scenic destination rather than a bathing lake.