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Bassin des Esserts

Lake

Contributors:

6

Our Rating

Above Average

The Bassin des Esserts is a man-made water reservoir built in 1971 to hold the water coming from Val Ferret. This water is then used for the hydro power generation.  Technically, this is not a mountain lake and naturally it is not as beautiful as the natural lakes that will find all around Chamonix. It is very spectacular though and has great views and beautiful pastures all around the reservoir. The reservoir is absolutely massive can hold up to 220,000 cubic meters of water or the equivalent of 60 olympic sized swimming pools.


The Basin des Esserts lies in Switzerland right across the border near the Tete de Balme lift station. The easiest access is by taking the trail up from Vallorcine towards the spectacular Les Saix Blancs viewing point and from there continue onward towards the Tete de Balme chair lift. You can cross the border there and then its only a few hundred meters before you reach the reservoir.


Nearest town to this point of interest

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

Altitude of this point of interest

Altitude

1519m

Capacity for this point of interest
Accommodation Type
Phone number for this point of interest
Website for this point of interest

Capacity

Accommodation

Phone

Website

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Linked Trails & Points of Interest

These are the trails and points of interests linked to this lake.

Vallorcine to Finhaut Loop

7

Our Rating

Good

Loop Trail:

View on Map

A long discovery loop trail between Vallorcine and Finhaut visiting 3 waterfalls, a spectacular view point and a number of other points of interest along the way

Trail Length

Length

20.13km

When is the best time to go on this trail

When to Go

End May - Mid Oct

How long does it take to hike this trail

Hiking Time

6.0 - 9.0 Hours

Elevation gain and loss for this trail

Elevation +

+1381m / -1381m

How old do kids have to be to go on this trail

Kids

15+ Years old

How long does it take to run this trail

Running Time

3.0 - 4.5 Hours

The technical difficulty level of this trail

Technical Difficulty

Moderate (3/5)

Are dogs allowed on this trail

Dogs

Dogs Allowed

Nearest Town to this Trail

Nearest Town

Chamonix

Les Saix Blancs

10

Nearest Town

The Best

Cross

Wooden cross mounted at an amazing view point over Vallorcine

Nearest town to this point of interest

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

The altitude of this point of interest

Altitude

1660m

View on Map
Vallorcine

7

Nearest Town

Good

Town

Quieter and more rural town at the nort-eastern end of the Chamonix Valley

Nearest town to this point of interest

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

The altitude of this point of interest

Altitude

1263m

View on Map
Barberine

8

Nearest Town

Very Good

Hamlet

Tiny Hamet with a charming little Museum near the border with Switzerland

Nearest town to this point of interest

Nearest Town

Vallorcine

The altitude of this point of interest

Altitude

1163m

View on Map

Location & Map

Below you will the location of this point of interest on the map. You can click the button to show the nearby trails and points of interests that are listed above on the same map. Another option is to visit our complete interactive map that shows everything that is listed on our website.

Longitude:

6.9574

Latitude:

46.0483

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