Lac des Babarottes

Lac des Babarottes is a small mountain lake sitting at 2,413 metres above sea level in the commune of Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France. It lies inside Mercantour National Park, in a side branch of the upper Tinée valley (Haute-Tinée), right next to the better-known Lacs de Vens group. The water surface covers roughly 1.93 hectares, making it one of the smaller lakes in this corner of the massif.

How do you reach the lake?

Lac des Babarottes is accessible on foot only, and most hikers start from the Vens car park, following a marked trail that climbs into the side valley.

Starting from the Vens car park

From the car park, the lake sits about 9 km away, and the walk takes between 2 hours 15 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes one way. A variant known as the "Pas des Pêcheurs" offers a shortcut that trims some time off the standard approach.

Starting from the Vens refuge

A much shorter option begins at the Refuge de Vens, from which the lake is only around 1.5 km away — about 40 to 50 minutes of walking. This stretch is often recommended as an easy add-on for hikers already staying at the refuge while exploring the surrounding lakes.

The Babarottes ridge and surroundings

Above the lake rises the Crête des Babarottes, a ridge reaching roughly 2,506 metres. Climbing onto the ridge, or continuing to nearby summits such as the Cime des Babarottes and the neighbouring Cime de Fourchas, opens up views over the Tinée valley and, in the distance, the Auron ski resort. Because of this position, the lake works both as a destination in its own right and as a waypoint on longer routes heading into the higher part of the massif.

Its place among the Haute-Tinée lakes

Lac des Babarottes sits along several well-known loop routes that link the lakes of the upper Tinée valley. Multi-day itineraries commonly pass Lac Petrus and Lac Fer before reaching Babarottes, then continue up to the Lacs de Vens and on toward the Aiguilles de Tortisse. Positioned between the lower lakes and the higher Vens group, Babarottes functions as a natural staging point on two- or three-day hikes that overnight at the refuge.

Fishing

The lake falls under the management of the local angling association, AAPPMA Haute-Tinée. Spinning tackle reportedly gets good results here, although the lake is no longer regularly restocked with fingerlings, so the fish population is largely self-sustaining. Anyone planning to fish should check current local rules and closed seasons that apply to Mercantour's waters before heading out.

FAQ

How high up is Lac des Babarottes? The lake lies at an altitude of 2,413 metres.

How big is the lake? Its surface area is about 1.93 hectares — a small alpine lake.

How long does it take to reach the lake? Roughly 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes from the Vens car park, or just 40 to 50 minutes from the Vens refuge.

Can you fish here? Yes. The lake is managed by AAPPMA Haute-Tinée, and casting/spinning tends to work well, though restocking has stopped.

Are there other lakes nearby worth visiting? Yes — within the same commune of Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée you'll also find Lac Petrus, Lac Fer, and the Lacs de Vens group, all commonly combined with Babarottes on a single loop hike.

Which map covers this area? The IGN sheet "Haute Tinée 1" (3639 OT) covers the lake and surrounding terrain.