How to get by car to Girotte Lake in Savoie?
France, europe
13 km
1,753 m
hard
Year-round
# Lac de la Girotte: A High-Alpine Adventure
Perched at a stunning 1,753 meters (5,751 feet) above sea level in France's Savoie department, Lac de la Girotte is a turquoise gem tucked away in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The lake itself is absolutely gorgeous—those milky-blue waters are fed by glacial melt from Tré la Tête Glacier through 13 kilometers of tunnels, giving it that distinctive cloudy appearance. With a dramatic depth of 134 meters, it's a fishing spot that's definitely worth visiting if you're up for the challenge.
Getting there, though? That's half the adventure. Built back in the 1940s, the road to the lake is pure unpaved, dirt terrain—narrow, white-knuckle stuff. It's closed to regular cars and basically becomes impassable once winter rolls around, so timing is everything.
The climb is legitimately intense. Starting from Parking de Belleville, you're looking at a 5.5-kilometer slog uphill with 516 meters of elevation gain. The average gradient hits 9.38%, but the real kicker? Some sections ramp up to a bone-jarring 26.8%. Your engine will definitely earn its paycheck on this one.
But here's what makes it worth it: the views are absolutely phenomenal. The drive winds through the Hauteluce Valley with breathtaking scenery at every turn, and once you reach the dam, you're treated to panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks with Mont Blanc standing sentinel in the distance.
Fair warning though—this isn't a family Sunday drive. The site can be sketchy, so it's not recommended for young kids.
Where is it?
How to get by car to Girotte Lake in Savoie? is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 47.0523, 1.5079
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,753 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.0523, 1.5079
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