Hike to Wild Lakes in the French Alps

Yes, the swims are indeed quite cold! The water temperature can get as low as 3 degrees in the lakes early in the season, rising to a maximum of around 6 degrees at the height of summer. This is very cold water swimming, so the swims are more like a cold water dip challenge rather than a proper swim covering some distance. It’s all about cooling down and refreshing yourself after a hike, and having a fun new perspective on these beautiful alpine lakes while the mountains reflect off the water around you. The swims will last 5-10 minutes, with guides assisting with suitable entry and exit points of the lakes as well as overseeing the swims and ensuring you don't stay in too long. Cold water immersion is increasingly understood to achieve a range of health benefits, and the tingly skin feeling as you warm up while sipping a hot drink in the mountain hut makes for a great way to end an epic French Alps hike each day.

The swims are optional. Feel free to pull up a pew and simply be entertained by those who do take the plunge at each lake. That said, we are big believers in the camaraderie that comes from a bunch of great people swimming in cold water together in a wild landscape, so we encourage you to test your limits and see how well you can get on with the chilly waters.

Yes there will be a place to leave excess luggage at the hotel.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.