Lac de Peyre

Lac de Peyre is a small mountain lake sitting at roughly 2,100 metres above sea level in the Bornes-Aravis massif, within the commune of Le Reposoir in Haute-Savoie. It's one of the best-known hiking destinations in this part of the French Alps: a modest but strikingly situated body of water, ringed by rocky summits and reached by a steady stream of walkers every summer.

Where exactly is Lac de Peyre?

The lake sits high in the massif, tucked below Pointe Blanche and flanked by Pointe de Balafrasse, Pointe du Midi and Pointe de Dzérat. The usual starting point is the Col de la Colombière, a mountain pass reachable by car only from roughly June to October or November — outside that window, snow closes the road. The commune of Le Reposoir itself is best known for its former Carthusian monastery, the Chartreuse du Reposoir, but the lake lies well above the monastery valley, higher in the mountains.

What does the hike look like?

From the Col de la Colombière, the walk to the lake covers around 3 km one way and typically takes about an hour and a half of climbing, depending on the exact route chosen. The path crosses open, sun-exposed slopes, rocky and uneven in places, with no shade anywhere along the way — carrying enough water is essential in summer. The payoff is the sight of the lake resting in a rocky hollow, framed by a wide mountain panorama.

What can you see from around the lake?

The viewpoint near Lac de Peyre delivers one of the more rewarding panoramas in the region: the Mont Blanc range on one side, the Aravis and Bornes massifs on the other, and on a clear day the surface of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) in the distance. That view, alongside the lake itself, is what draws hundreds of hikers a day during peak season.

What about wildlife and protection status?

The area around Lac de Peyre falls within the European Natura 2000 network of protected sites. Marmots and ibex are regularly spotted on the surrounding slopes and rocks, and encountering them is a common highlight hikers mention afterward. Vegetation here is sparse and distinctly alpine, shaped by a short growing season and intense sun exposure at this altitude.

When is the best time to go?

The hiking season lines up closely with the period the Col de la Colombière road stays open — roughly June through mid-November, depending on snow conditions. In peak summer the trail can get busy, so an early start is worth planning for anyone hoping for a quieter walk. Some hikers choose to camp overnight near the lake instead, to catch the surrounding peaks at sunrise and sunset.

FAQ

How do you get to Lac de Peyre? Drive up to the Col de la Colombière in the commune of Le Reposoir, where the footpath to the lake begins. The pass road is closed outside the summer-to-autumn season.

How long does the hike take? The climb from the pass usually takes about an hour and a half, covering roughly 3 km one way.

Is the trail difficult? No climbing skills are needed, but the path crosses rocky, sun-exposed slopes with no shade, so good fitness and enough water are important.

What will you see along the way? Besides the lake itself: views of the Mont Blanc, Aravis and Bornes massifs, Lake Geneva on clear days, and wildlife such as marmots and ibex.

Is the lake accessible year-round? No — the access road and the trail are effectively unreachable in winter, when snow closes the Col de la Colombière.