Rivers and lakes: Mountain Lakes

The unique Macun lake plateau lies high up between Zernez and Lavin. There, 23 mountain lakes of various sizes lie like dark pearls scattered across the plateau. This is a particularly magical place and a real highlight of the Swiss National Park.

Lago Nero and Lago Bianco provide visitors with striking spectacles of colour in both summer and winter.

Above Les Mosses, Lake Lioson is bordered by the imposing peaks of the Vaud Alps. Take a moment to enjoy the idyllic scenery and the emerald green water of the lake. There's a good reason why Lake Lioson is known as the pearl of the Alpine lakes.

The oldest game preserve still in existence. It owes its name to its milky blue colour: a karst (limestone) lake with genuine glacier waters.

The eyes of the beautiful maiden who died of a broken heart were deep blue. The Blue Lake is also deep blue, in eternal memory of the love of the maiden, which persists beyond death. The small Blausee, steeped in legend, is located in the midst of a small nature park.

The vacation region around the Black Lake and in the Eastern Freiburg Pre-Alps (Voralpen) is well-known for its authenticity and its wild, romantic natural landscape, which includes the dark appearance of the Black Lake and the Brecca Abyss, an Alpine valley formed by glaciers.

Though there are many mountain lakes at higher altitudes, Lake Sils is the only one with daily scheduled passenger boats in summer that carry tourists and hikers from Sils Maria to Maloja via Chastè, Plaun da Lej and Isola. This is Europe's highest passenger boat service.

At an altitude of 2,757 metres, this mountain lake sits below the Matterhorn at the foot of the Gorner Ridge in Zermatt. The lake is best known for its mirror surface, which reflects the beautiful Matterhorn. This is a popular spot that’s easily accessible thanks to its location right next to the middle station of the Gornergrat mountain railway, which is a vantage point offering spectacular views.

Lej Nair is a well-kept secret. Usually, you’ll only have to share the little mountain lake in Lower Engadine with a few locals. Quiet and – as the name suggests – dark, it is located on an upland moor above Tarasp.

Swimming, relaxing and sunbathing: It is not surprising that the name 'See der Mittagsruhe’ cannot be translated easily (approximation: “Lake of mid-day rest”). Not only water lovers consider the idyllic landscape around Lake Cauma to be a paradise.

Idyllic Lake Bannalp lies above the Engelberg Valley. The alp of the same name can be reached by cable car from Oberrickenbach and is irresistible to summiteers, families with children and people searching for relaxation.

Lake Arnen is known as the “Pearl of the Saanenland”. The name suits: framed by the wild woods of the Tschärzis valley, the lake sparkles like a piece of jewellery.

The Lai Barnagn in Savognin is a bathing lake not unlike those in the picture books. The crystal-clear water makes for summer refreshment and fun for all the family.

The Golzernsee lake is located in the rugged Maderaner Valley and beckons for a refreshing dip in the water when the weather is warm.

The view from the Blausee to the nearby Valais four-thousand-metre peaks (Weisshorn, Matterhorn and Dom) is breathtaking!

The lake in the Louwene Valley that makes up the Lake Lauenen system are home to moorland meadows, reeds, clumps of heather and groups of dark fir trees.

Lake Oeschinen, which lies above Kandersteg, is a pristine mountain lake, fed by the glacial brooks of the three-thousand-meter peaks of Blüemlisalp, Oeschinenhorn, Fründenhorn and Doldenhorn. People who love to swim, nature lovers and hikers can really enjoy themselves here.

Lake Leisee, situated below the Sunnega, offers a place for young and old to recuperate, relax, sunbathe, cool down, play and grill.

Idyllic Lake Seelisberg nestles in a hollow at the foot of Niederbauen mountain, at an altitude of 738m.

This beautiful lake is situated 962 metres above sea level in the heart of the Poschiavo Valley, surrounded by mountains. The lake is a natural reservoir in the middle of the Poschiavino river. Its calm and clear surface reflects the surrounding mountains just like a mirror.

Two huge landslides in the 18th century led to the formation of the lake in the Lizerne valley, near Ardon in Valais. The eponymous valley is a nature reserve with a pristine beauty that fascinates geologists, botanists and nature lovers alike.

At an altitude of 2,537m, this mountain lake provides the perfect photo backdrop, with direct views of the magnificent Matterhorn. On a clear, calm day, the lake is also renowned as a “mirror lake”, when the Matterhorn is perfectly reflected in the surface of the lake.

One of the most beautiful spots in Switzerland.

A famous mountain lake near the Grindelwald First, 2,265m above sea level. This is a “mirror lake” which reflects the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn and the Grindelwald glacier on the lake surface. Because of its beauty, Lake Bachalp is also known as the “Jewel of the Alps”.

Lake Staz is located at 1,809 metres above sea level. It is nestled in the Stazerwald forest between St. Moritz and Pontresina. In summer, it is known as a bathing resort because of the crystal-clear water that flows down from the glaciers of the Bernina Alps and because of its pleasant temperature.

This heart-shaped lake is located at 2,214 metres above sea level. It nestles in the mountain range that extends from the San Bernardino Pass, an Alpine pass that connects Graubünden with Ticino, between the Calanca and Mesolcina valleys.

This popular bathing lake in Graubünden is 1,800 metres above sea level, and it features a small but lovely beach.

A little paradise in the Vaud Alps: tucked away in a basin on the south-facing slope of La Palette, the crystal clear waters of Lake Retaud reflect blue sky and dark fir trees.