There’s something magical about floating through mountain air in a gondola, watching the landscape transform beneath you as crystalline alpine lakes come into view. These pristine mountain waters, nestled in some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes, offer an escape that feels worlds away from everyday life yet remains surprisingly accessible.
Here are 17 of the world’s most spectacular mountain lakes, each reached only by gondola. They offer a unique blend of natural beauty and unforgettable experiences.
Lake Oeschinen, Switzerland
One of the most beautiful and most impressive mountain lakes can be reached by gondola from Kandersteg. Lake Oeschinen sits at 5,515 feet above sea level and serves as the western gateway to the Jungfrau Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage site.
The modern eight-seater gondola replaced the old two-seater chairlift that had operated for 60 years, making the journey more comfortable while preserving the breathtaking views of the Doldenhorn and surrounding peaks. Once you arrive at the upper station, it’s just a 25-minute stroll to reach this glacial gem.
Lac Blanc, France
In the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, the Lac Blanc circuit is a beautiful course with a view of Mont Blanc. This pristine alpine lake sits at 7,651 feet and can be accessed via the Flégère gondola and Index chairlift system in Chamonix.
The journey offers spectacular views across the valley to Mont Blanc, and the lake itself provides one of the most iconic photo opportunities in the Alps. The contrast between the white limestone peaks and the deep blue waters creates a scene that seems almost too perfect to be real.
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Lacs des Chéserys, France
Discover this string of little lakes in the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve, below Lac Blanc and facing Mont Blanc. Less famous than their neighbor, Lac Blanc, these lakes offer a quieter alternative with equally stunning views.
The series of small alpine pools creates a cascading effect down the mountainside, with each lake reflecting the Mont Blanc massif from a slightly different angle. Access is via the same Flégère-Index gondola system that serves Lac Blanc.
Bachalpsee, Switzerland
The Bachalpsee lake is a beautiful alpine lake in the mountains high above the Grindelwald village. Located at 7,431 feet above sea level, this glacial lake is one of Switzerland’s most photographed destinations.
The Grindelwald First gondola takes you within an hour’s easy walk of the lake, where you’ll find two connected bodies of water surrounded by green pastures and wildflowers. The reflections of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and Finsteraarhorn in the still waters create an optical illusion that makes these distant peaks appear almost within reach.
Seealpsee, Switzerland
Seealpsee is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland. It can be found in the Alpstein region of Appenzell. This mountain lake sits in a dramatic cirque surrounded by the impressive Alpstein peaks, including the towering Säntis.
The Ebenalp cable car provides access to hiking trails that lead down to the lake, where traditional Swiss alpine culture thrives with mountain dairies producing award-winning cheeses. The lake is particularly popular for its rowboat rentals and excellent swimming opportunities during the summer months.
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Trübsee, Switzerland
Lake Trübsee is easily accessible by gondola from the town of Engelberg, which is located at the base of Mount Titlis. Situated at 5,905 feet above sea level, this turquoise mountain lake serves as both a natural wonder and a reservoir.
The Titlis gondola system delivers visitors directly to the lake in just 23 minutes from Engelberg valley. Trübsee serves as the starting point for the famous Four Lakes Trail and offers excellent family-friendly activities, including a large playground, treasure hunt trails, and free rowboat rentals.
Engstlensee, Switzerland
The Four Lake Trail starts in Engelberg, where you ride a cable car up to Trübsee Lake. Then a chair lift to Jochpass, where you start the hike. Engstlensee is one of the jewels of the Engelberg Four Lakes Trail, accessible via the Jochpass chairlift system.
This pristine alpine lake sits in a valley surrounded by dramatic limestone peaks and serves as a crucial stop along one of Switzerland’s most spectacular high-altitude hikes. The lake’s crystal-clear waters reflect the surrounding mountains, creating mirror-like images that change throughout the day.
Tannensee, Switzerland
Part of the renowned Four Lakes Trail network, Tannensee is accessible via the Melchsee-Frutt gondola system. This alpine lake sits in a beautiful mountain valley and offers visitors a peaceful retreat surrounded by rolling meadows and dramatic peaks.
The lake is particularly popular among families due to its easy accessibility and the variety of hiking trails that radiate from its shores. The nearby Berggasthaus Tannalp restaurant provides traditional Swiss mountain cuisine with spectacular lake views.
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Melchsee, Switzerland
The trail passes Engstlensee and Tannensee lakes, ending at Melchsee lake. Then, you can descend by cable car to Stöckalp and catch a bus back to your starting point. Melchsee represents the culmination of the Four Lakes Trail, accessible via the Melchsee-Frutt gondola system.
This expansive mountain lake complex includes several connected bodies of water that create a stunning alpine landscape at 6,070 feet above sea level. The area offers extensive hiking trails and picnic areas, and the option to continue by cable car or explore the surrounding peaks on foot.
Lago Federa, Italy
The Croda da Lago loop trail has an easy first half to Lake Federa and a rough rock-hopping finish in the Croda da Lago-Formin-Cernera group of the Dolomites. This pristine alpine lake sits in the Croda da Lago group of the Dolomites, accessible via cable car systems in the Cortina d’Ampezzo area.
The lake offers a more secluded experience compared to its famous neighbors, with crystal-clear waters reflecting the distinctive Dolomite peaks that have made this region a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Lago Sorapiss, Italy
On the moderate trail to the lake of Lago Sorapiss, people with a fear of heights may be concerned by several narrow ledges along cliffs, which others like me find exciting. This dramatic turquoise lake sits at 6,243 feet in the Sorapiss Range of the Dolomites. Nearby gondola systems enhance access and bring visitors into the heart of this spectacular mountain group.
The lake’s unique turquoise color comes from glacial sediments, creating an otherworldly appearance that contrasts beautifully with the stark limestone peaks surrounding it.
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Lakes of Piani, Italy
The Upper two Lakes of Piani (Bödenseen / Laghi dei Piani) lie under the peak of Paternkofel (Monte Paterno). These alpine lakes sit in the shadow of the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks) in the Dolomites.
The lakes are accessible via gondola systems that serve the Three Peaks region, offering visitors spectacular views of these iconic limestone towers that have become symbols of the Dolomites. The area provides excellent hiking opportunities with well-marked trails connecting the various lakes and peaks.
Holt Lakes, Canada
You are traversing the entirety of the Dogtooth Mountain Range, so the elevation gain and loss are substantial. Please note that there is no access to water for the first 10km or so of the traverse.
You will know when you have done your final climb along the Dogtooth Range as views of Holt Lakes appear in the valley below. Located in British Columbia’s Dogtooth Mountain Range near Golden, these remote alpine lakes are accessible via the gondola systems that serve the region’s extensive backcountry.
The lakes sit in a pristine valley surrounded by glaciated peaks and offer excellent opportunities for wilderness camping and photography.
Symphony Lake, Canada
The view of Cheakamus Lake and the mountains in Garibaldi Provincial Park from the High Note Trail. This turquoise alpine lake is one of the highlights of Whistler’s High Note Trail, accessible via the Peak 2 Peak Gondola system.
Symphony Lake sits at high elevation in Whistler’s alpine zone, surrounded by glaciated peaks and meadows that burst with wildflowers during the short summer season. The lake’s brilliant blue color comes from glacial sediments, creating a stunning contrast with the surrounding snow-capped peaks.
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Harmony Lake, Canada
Once you have climbed up to Harmony Ridge, you take one small dip down to Harmony Lake. Part of Whistler’s spectacular High Note Trail system, Harmony Lake represents the perfect conclusion to one of Canada’s most scenic gondola-accessed hikes.
The lake sits in a beautiful alpine bowl surrounded by peaks that define the Sea-to-Sky region. Access is via Whistler’s world-renowned gondola system, which provides spectacular views throughout the journey to the alpine zone.
Russet Lake, Canada
Russet Lake is gorgeous, and the trip along the Musical Bumps goes through beautiful meadows along a ridge crest. This pristine wilderness lake is accessible via Whistler’s gondola system as part of the Musical Bumps traverse.
Russet Lake sits in one of the most remote and beautiful settings accessible by gondola in North America, surrounded by glaciated peaks and alpine meadows. The lake is particularly popular among backpackers as it offers excellent camping opportunities in the heart of Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Alpine Lakes Near Lake Louise, Canada
The Lake Louise Summer Gondola is famous for being one of the best places in the Canadian Rockies to safely view grizzly bears, black bears, lynx, moose, mountain goats, elk, and deer, along with many other fascinating species of wildlife. The Lake Louise area offers access to numerous unnamed alpine lakes via the resort’s gondola system.
These high-altitude lakes sit at elevations above 6,850 feet and provide visitors with spectacular views of the Victoria Glacier and surrounding peaks in Banff National Park. The gondola ride itself offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, making it one of the premier mountain lake experiences in the Canadian Rockies.
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Mountain Lakes Connected Through Time
These 17 spectacular mountain lakes represent more than just beautiful destinations—they’re windows into the dynamic relationship between human ingenuity and natural preservation. From the engineering marvels of Swiss gondola systems that have been refined over decades to the cutting-edge Peak 2 Peak Gondola in Whistler, these aerial lifts have transformed how we access and appreciate high-altitude wilderness.
These lakes continue to inspire conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that future generations will be able to ride the cables skyward and discover the magic of mountain waters reflecting the infinite sky.
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