Lac de la Vogealle

Lac de la Vogealle sits at 2,001 metres above sea level inside the Cirque de Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, one of the most dramatic natural amphitheatres in the French Alps, in the Haute-Savoie commune of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. The lake rests below the Dents Blanches range, whose summits climb to roughly 2,700 metres and are mirrored on calm days in the still water below. Its surface area shifts through the seasons, swelling with snowmelt in late spring and shrinking as summer wears on. Two glaciers, the Prazon and the Ruan, flank the basin alongside the rocky peak of Tenneverge, giving the setting a raw, high-mountain feel despite sitting fairly close to a marked trail.

How do you get there?

The starting point is the village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, reached via the D907 road toward the famous Fer-à-Cheval rock amphitheatre. Cars are left in the parking areas beyond the hamlet of Nambride. During summer, driving past Nambride requires a small toll, collected during daytime hours, that goes toward maintaining trails and facilities inside the nature reserve.

Which trail should you take?

Two routes lead up from the car park. The first climbs via the Pas du Borêt, an exposed path with sections above steep drops, fitted with handrails, and best avoided in rain or fog. The second, roughly an hour longer, runs through Fond de la Combe and a spot known as Bout du Monde; it is technically easier and suits hikers who prefer solid ground underfoot over airy ledges. Either way, reaching the refuge from the car park typically takes about three hours and fifteen minutes.

What is waiting at the lake?

Just below the lake, at about 1,902 metres, stands the Refuge de la Vogealle, a mountain hut with roughly sixty beds, open from mid-June to the end of September. It serves as a natural stopover for food, rest, or an overnight stay, and for many visitors it is the goal of a long day trip in its own right. From the refuge, a short climb — steep at first, then nearly level — leads to the lake in around twenty minutes. The reward is a sheet of still water framed by the Dents Blanches and their glaciers, set against green alpine pasture in summer and sometimes dusted with early snow once autumn arrives.

Who is this hike suited for?

This is a full-day outing for hikers with solid stamina and experience walking several hours on mountain terrain. The Pas du Borêt option demands a good head for heights and steady footing, so the longer, gentler loop through Fond de la Combe is the safer choice in poor weather. An early start, plenty of water, and a close eye on the forecast are all worth planning for, since conditions inside the Fer-à-Cheval cirque can change quickly, especially in the afternoon.

FAQ

How high is Lac de la Vogealle? The lake sits at 2,001 metres above sea level, a short climb above the Refuge de la Vogealle.

How long does the hike take? From the Nambride car park to the refuge is about 3 hours 15 minutes; the lake itself is another 20 minutes beyond the hut.

Is the trail difficult? The Pas du Borêt route is exposed and fitted with handrails, requiring careful footing; the alternative via Fond de la Combe is technically easier but around an hour longer.

When is the best time to visit? The hiking season runs roughly from June to September, matching the opening dates of the Refuge de la Vogealle, which makes it possible to split the trip over two days.

Can you stay overnight near the lake? There is no lodging right at the lake, but the Refuge de la Vogealle, about 20 minutes below it, offers dormitory beds from mid-June through the end of September.