Lac du Mont Cenis is a high-altitude region situated on the French-Italian border, characterized by its large artificial lake with turquoise waters and surrounding peaks exceeding 3,000 meters. This alpine environment offers a diverse landscape of mountain pastures, historic fortifications, and challenging ascents. The unique geography provides varied terrain suitable for several sports like road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, touring cycling, and more.
The Lac du Mont Cenis region provides a wide…
110
Routes
4.6
(404)
Average rating
6890
People visited

4.9
(37)
1,704
riders
65.4km
04:03
1,810m
1,810m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

14
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.7
(14)
660
riders
91.0km
05:50
2,740m
2,740m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.2
(10)
343
riders
27.3km
01:44
780m
780m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3.7
(7)
12
hikers
8.30km
03:25
500m
500m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.6
(12)
161
hikers
5.51km
01:37
150m
150m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(13)
102
hikers
9.09km
02:45
300m
300m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(5)
120
hikers
10.7km
03:15
360m
360m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.8
(51)
363
riders
43.3km
04:13
1,190m
1,190m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(23)
123
riders
26.4km
03:17
1,070m
1,070m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.1
(7)
69
riders
30.0km
02:25
830m
830m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(10)
83
riders
32.2km
02:52
680m
680m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
245
runners
16.9km
02:02
360m
360m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

29
runners
21.1km
02:57
1,050m
1,050m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

17
runners
7.55km
00:52
180m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
12
runners
12.8km
01:30
360m
360m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.8
(4)
125
riders
41.3km
04:17
1,180m
1,180m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(6)
242
riders
39.7km
03:05
1,110m
1,110m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

67
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(9)
84
riders
37.2km
02:26
500m
500m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

20
riders
37.8km
03:13
1,140m
1,140m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
76
riders
59.7km
04:24
1,560m
1,560m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

31
riders
40.7km
03:17
730m
730m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

8
hikers
3.17km
01:56
270m
270m
Hard mountaineering route. Great for any fitness level. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(2)
10
hikers
16.6km
05:17
520m
520m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(2)
7
hikers
15.1km
07:23
1,120m
1,120m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

3
hikers
16.1km
07:24
1,330m
1,330m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Lac du Mont Cenis offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Road cycling, Mountain biking, Hiking, Touring cycling, Jogging, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The region features diverse terrain from high alpine peaks to the shores of the artificial lake. More than 10 routes are available, with an average rating of 4.56 out of 5 stars.
The ascent to the Col du Mont Cenis is a renowned road cycling route, with climbs available from both the French and Italian sides. The Italian ascent is approximately 16 miles (25.5 km) long. Routes like the "Lanslebourg – Pyramid Chapel of Mont Cenis" loop are popular. For more details, refer to the Road Cycling Routes around Lac du Mont Cenis guide.
Yes, Lac du Mont Cenis provides a network of mountain biking trails, many utilizing former military tracks. These trails range from easy to difficult and offer high alpine scenery and historic fortifications. Popular options include the "Mont Cenis Dam – Blue lagoon loop" and "Mont Cenis Lake View – Fort de Ronce loop." Explore more in the MTB Trails around Lac du Mont Cenis guide.
The region offers diverse hiking trails for all ability levels, from moderate lake loops to challenging mountain ascents. Hikers can enjoy high-altitude lake views, Alps peaks, and historic fortifications. Popular routes include the "View of Lake Mont Cenis – Fort de Ronce loop" and "Lago del Moncenisio – Lake Mont Cenis loop." For more options, see the Hiking around Lac du Mont Cenis guide.
Yes, Lac du Mont Cenis offers family-friendly options, particularly for hiking. Trails like the "Lago del Moncenisio – Lake Mont Cenis loop" are suitable for various ages. The Family-friendly hikes around Lac du Mont Cenis guide provides specific recommendations.
The most striking natural feature is the Lac du Mont Cenis itself, a large artificial lake with turquoise waters at approximately 6,476 feet (1,974 meters) above sea level. It is surrounded by Alps peaks exceeding 9,800 feet (3,000 meters), including Grand Mont Cenis (11,080 feet / 3,377 meters) and Pointe de Ronce (11,850 feet / 3,612 meters). The region also features vast unspoiled mountain pastures and unique alpine flora.
The Mont Cenis Pass has significant historical importance, evident in numerous fortifications such as Fort de Ronce, Fort du Variselle, Fort de Malamot, and Fort de Pattacreuse. These sites are often accessible via hiking and biking trails. The Pyramid Church near the lake also stands as a notable architectural landmark.
Lac du Mont Cenis is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 60,000 visitors having explored routes in the region. There are 13 routes available, which have received over 6,000 ratings. The average rating for routes in Lac du Mont Cenis is 4.56 out of 5 stars.
Komoot offers several guides for Lac du Mont Cenis, covering various activities. These include guides for Road Cycling Routes, MTB Trails, Hiking, and Family-friendly hikes. There are also guides for Easy hikes and Touring Cycling.
For information regarding the Mont Cenis Pass and Lake, the Val-Cenis Tourist Office can be contacted. Their phone number is 04 79 05 99 06. Information is also available through the Haute Maurienne Vanoise Tourism platforms.
Yes, Lac du Mont Cenis provides easy hiking trails suitable for less strenuous outings. These routes often feature lake views and mountain pastures. Specific recommendations can be found in the Easy hikes around Lac du Mont Cenis guide.
Touring cyclists can explore the high-altitude alpine environment of Lac du Mont Cenis. Routes often feature historical military forts, mountain pastures, and the Mont Cenis Pass. The terrain includes a mix of paved roads and gravel tracks. The Cycling around Lac du Mont Cenis guide offers more details.

