Ok, we have been to many beautiful places here in Switzerland, but when we arrived at the three Lacs de Fenêtre, I was once again surprised at the beauty of Switzerland.
A breathtaking panorama reveals itself at 2500 metres and is worthy of a postcard. Due to its fairly easy accessibility, it is no wonder that families and other mountain-loving people make it their ideal destination for summer hiking.
You do not need to be an advanced hiking enthusiast to reach this beautiful place in the Pays du Saint Bernard region in the canton of Valais. There are many different Swiss hiking trails to access the Lacs de Fenêtre, including an easy family path.
And this is what we did. We knew that we wanted to spend a while at the three lakes, taking pictures and enjoying this beautiful mountain place in the Val Ferret, therefore the easy hiking option was a perfect choice.
How to get to Lacs de Fenêtre the easy way?
Located close to the Grand-St-Bernard Pass and its Hospice the Lacs de Fenêtre are in the Ferret Valley in the Canton of Valais.
If you are not planning to spend some time at the Great Saint Bernard Pass you can also reach Les Lacs de Fenêtre from Ferret which is much lower down than the pass, (see map below). Although, I would recommend you do include some time to also check out the pass. It is the third-highest Swiss mountain pass road and it connects Switzerland and the Valle d’Aosta in Italy.
If you only have one day in the beautiful Pays du St. Bernard Region then definitely get to the pass early, or sleep at the Grand St. Bernard Hospice or lower down at Bourg St. Pierre, at Hotel & Spa Bivouac de Napoleon. This way you will save some time as you are already close by. Enjoy some time by the Col du St. Bernard lake and visit the museum which presents the centuries-old history of the Great Saint Bernard dogs and life at the Hospice. The visit begins with the famous dogs and leads to nature and historical exhibitions.
How to Use This Map Grand St. Bernard in Switzerland: Click HERE to get full map access. Then by clicking the icons on the map you get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account so you will always have it with you when road tripping the Golden Circle in Iceland.
To view it later on, on your phone or computer, simply open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Start your Hike to Lacs de Fenêtre
By the Grand Saint Bernard Hospice follow the signs indicated “Lacs de Fenêtre.” It states 2h but count more when hiking with children and think of all the photo stops. By the way, there are numerous free parking places around the Col du Saint Bernard lake.
You will be hiking the part up to the Col de Fenêtre on the Italian side, therefore make sure you do have some ID with you. Not that I have EVER actually seen someone at the customs house by the Col du Saint Bernard lake, but just in case….
Hiking TIP: As you will be hiking back the same way if you follow our suggested trail, you can shorten the hike if you drive down to the parking area on the Italian side by the farm (see map and photo below. It was here we started our hike).
From here start the ascent to the ridge. The narrow path zigzags up the mountain passing crystal clear mountain streams and beautiful alpine flowers. Depending on the hiking season, there might even still be snow patches along the way.
Snow is always a good excuse to stop, catch your breath and throw a few snowballs at each other.
As you ascend you will see a mix of hiking signs and the Italian ones are the yellow markers. Follow 13A to reach the Lacs de Fenêtre. As you re-enter Switzerland you will see the familiar red-white-red route markers.
Reaching the Ridge at Fenêtre de Ferret
Step back into Switzerland and look one more time down the long Aosta Valley into Italy before a different alpine scene opens up in front of you.
I don’t know all the beautiful mountain peaks we have seen from up there but the truth is, it is absolutely beautiful. France, Italy and Switzerland are all mixed together on your right side whereas the left is purely our beautiful Pays du Saint Bernard in Valais.
As you start your descent to the lakes, you will see in the far distance on your left a tall peak which is Grandes Jorasses and right next to it is Mont Blanc. Impressive right?
Take some time and check out the higher rocky mountain on your right before hiking down to the three lakes. We saw many Alpine Ibex (Steinbock) enjoying the warm summer days. It actually felt more like they are checking us out.
Hiking Tip: If you have older kids in your group and your hiking ability is advanced, you can hike up to the high peak directly from the Great St Bernard Pass reaching the Pointe de Drône. From there follow along the ridge and down to where you are now Fenêtre de Ferret. BUT it involves ladders and chains and is at some points a bit of a scramble. I have seen pictures of the view from the top and it is magnificent as well. We have not done it as we felt the kids were just a year too young to securely negotiate this route.
Hiking down to the Three Lakes – Lacs de Fenêtre
Now is the easy part and nothing but pure happiness all the way down to the three lakes passing some more snowfields, gentians and other beautiful alpine flowers.
We heard that one of the three lakes is shaped like a heart when standing at the right point. As we could already see two of the lakes, we wondered where that third lake was.
It was not much further down the trail, on a small plateau where the third lake finally came into view.
Wow, wow, wow is probably all there is to say.
After your jaw has dropped and you have rubbed your eyes several times, you are now hopefully grateful you have read our family travel blog and have made your way up to Lacs de Fenêtre in the Pays du Saint Bernard region.
Several trails give you the possibility to hike around the three lakes, I strongly suggest checking out each one of them.
Hiking back to the Grand Saint Bernard Pass
There are several options to hike back and some I have already mentioned above, but here they are again. In the photo below where you see the pink arrow, is the ridge to aim for if taking options one or two. It also signifies the border of Switzerland and Italy.
- Hiking Option one. Hike back the same way you have come here. The interactive map is below.
- Hiking Option two. Advanced hiking level needed. When you are back at the ridge Fenêtre de Ferret, head up towards the Pointe du Drône and down to the Col du St Bernard pass from this side. Steep, ladders and chains on the way, good footing needed.
- Hiking Option three. You could hike down the Val Ferret to La Fouly or even further down to Orsières, and take the bus back to the pass. If this would be of interest I suggest leaving your car at La Fouly or Orsières, taking the bus to the Great St. Bernard Pass and starting your hike. This way when you are finished with the hike you will have the car there. We prefer this and whenever possible make sure the car is at the end of our hike. Check out the timetable here
There is nothing more inconvenient when you have to hike towards a strict schedule (bus time) or have to wait at the end for a bus. (Personal opinion though). - Hiking Option four. Do the full Grand Saint Bernard Pass circle. Definitely a hike we will do in the future when the kids are older. The whole area just looked so appealing and I believe it will be a great Swiss hike.
Obviously, this would be the most strenuous trail of the four hiking options.
Hiking Map to Lacs de Fenêtre from Grand St.Bernard Pass
Click HERE to get full map access and more details.
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And here are some other useful Swiss articles for you
- Grison-Flims- Where to find the Best Rheinschlucht viewpoints
- Valais – Hiking to the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge
- Jura & 3 Lakes – Biking Along Lake Neuchâtel
- Epic Summer Road Trip Through Switzerland 2020
- How to Travel Switzerland on a Budget
- Switzerland Itinerary , 7, 10 & 14 Days
- Valais – Autumn Hike along the Bisse de Mont d’Orge
Voilà, I hope you enjoyed virtually hiking with us to the Lacs de Fenêtre from the Grand Saint Bernard Pass.
If I have left anything out, please ask your questions in the comments below and share your experience, so that other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries and stories as well
Note: This trip was in collaboration with the Pays du Saint Bernard Tourism, but as always trips like these are here to test it out for you and our full honest review is presented here in this article. It is an epic hike!
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