Lac des Audannes

Lac des Audannes is a small high-alpine lake in the commune of Ayent, in the Swiss canton of Valais. It sits above the resort of Anzère, beneath the Wildhorn massif, at roughly 2,450 metres above sea level and covers around 8 to 9 hectares. Walkers come for the bare rock, open pastures and quiet that you find far from any road.

Where is Lac des Audannes?

The lake lies in the Bernese Alps side of Valais, high above the Rhône valley and the Anzère ski area. Scree slopes and ridges rise toward the Wildhorn (3,246 m). Don't confuse it with Lac des Autannes in the Moiry valley (Val d'Anniviers), which is a different lake altogether.

How do you get to Lac des Audannes?

Most visitors start at Pas de Maimbré, reached by gondola from Anzère. From the top station a mountain trail leads to the lake and on to the hut. The popular loop via the lake and Cabane des Audannes returns to Anzère: about 16.6 km, roughly 630 m of climbing and close to 5 hours 45 minutes on foot.

Longer approaches start from Les Rousses or from Lake Tseuzier and are rated hard. The lake is also on the Tour du Wildhorn, where the stage from Col des Eaux Froides descends past the water toward the hut.

What is there to see?

Cabane des Audannes stands above the lake at about 2,508 m. It serves as the base for climbers heading up the Wildhorn and as a handy rest stop for hikers. The basin is ringed by rock, so the setting shows off the character of the high Valais Alps well.

If you have less time, a gentler target lies nearby: Lac du Luché at about 2,264 m. From the Pas de Maimbré gondola summit it is a 1.5 km out-and-back walk of about 45 minutes with 120 m of ascent.

When should you go?

Plan high-mountain routes for summer and early autumn, once the snow has left the trails. Check the gondola schedule from Anzère and current conditions before setting out, since weather changes fast at this altitude. The area also hosts the Trail des Audannes, a 25 km mountain race that starts in Anzère and heads toward the hut.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to Lac des Audannes? No. It is reached on foot; the shortest approach starts with the gondola from Anzère to Pas de Maimbré.

How long does the hike take? The full loop from Pas de Maimbré via the lake and the hut takes around 5 hours 45 minutes. The shorter walk to nearby Lac du Luché takes about 45 minutes.

Is there a hut at the lake? Yes, Cabane des Audannes at about 2,508 m, overlooking the lake. It is the starting point for Wildhorn ascents.

Is it the same as Lac des Autannes? No. Lac des Autannes is in the Moiry valley. Lac des Audannes lies above Anzère in the commune of Ayent.