Lac de Rabuons

Lac de Rabuons is a high-altitude lake in the municipality of Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, deep inside the Mercantour National Park in the Alpes-Maritimes department. Sitting at roughly 2,500 meters, it's the largest lake in the whole department, framed by the bare, rocky terrain typical of the Haute Tinée valley, with the approach trail delivering wide views over the surrounding peaks.

How do you get there?

The hike starts in Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée and climbs more than 1,500 meters over a round trip of roughly 21 kilometers. Most hikers set aside 7.5 to 8 hours of walking, treating it as a full day out — or splitting it with an overnight stay at the lake. After about three hours of climbing, the trail reaches the well-known Chemin de l'Énergie, a flat stretch running for a couple of kilometers past a disused power station, originally cut into the rock by EDF workers. From there it's roughly one more hour of climbing to reach the lakeside refuge.

What makes this lake different?

Lac de Rabuons isn't fully natural in its current form. Between 1938 and 1939, the original lake was enlarged by carving a water intake into the rock, intended to feed a hydroelectric plant. That power station was never actually built, but the intake itself was installed and is still in use today — EDF draws on it to supply hydroelectric production in the Tinée valley, with a major refurbishment carried out in 2013 and 2014. This is also the story behind the Chemin de l'Énergie: a trail with two tunnels and a scenic balcony section, originally used by the workers who built the intake.

What will you find once you're there?

On the lakeshore stands the Refuge de Rabuons, where you can stop for a midday meal (typically served between noon and 2 p.m.) or book a night with dinner and breakfast included — a practical option if you'd rather spread the effort over two days or catch the lake at sunrise and sunset. The surrounding landscape is stark and mineral, with bare slopes and rock outcrops replacing vegetation, characteristic of Mercantour's high-altitude zone.

When is the best time to go?

June through September is the best window, once the trail is clear of snow and the full route can be walked safely in a day. Earlier in the season, the upper sections can still hold snow, making the climb longer and more demanding.

FAQ

How high up is Lac de Rabuons? The lake sits at around 2,500 meters, inside the Mercantour National Park.

How long does it take to reach the lake? The full round trip from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée is about 21 kilometers and 7.5 to 8 hours of walking, with around 1,500 meters of elevation gain.

Can you stay overnight at the lake? Yes — the Refuge de Rabuons offers meals as well as overnight stays with dinner and breakfast.

Is Lac de Rabuons a natural or artificial lake? It began as a natural lake and was enlarged between 1938 and 1939 with a water intake for hydroelectric use, which EDF still operates today.