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Lac des Plagnes
Lac des Plagnes is a mountain walk near Abondance, Haute-Savoie. It scores 75 out of 100 for off-lead dog walking (Not for off-lead).
| Off the lead? | No: dogs must be on a lead |
|---|---|
| Where | Mountain walk near Abondance, Haute-Savoie |
| Size | About 700 acres (284 ha) |
| Water for a swim | There's a lake, but dogs are asked to keep out of the water. |
| Parking | There are 3 car parks on or near it. |
| Livestock | At some times of year |
| Shade | 39% woodland |
| Suggested loop | 3.2 miles, about 100 minutes |
What it's like
Walks from the car park, with 15 miles of paths within about a mile and a half. It starts at 1,200 m and climbs to about 1,553 m. There's a lake, but dogs are asked to keep out of the water. It's a mix of woodland and open ground. A public road runs through it, so take care near the road. There are 3 car parks on or near it.
Dogs
Official pages say dogs must be on a lead here to protect wildlife. In France a dog counts as straying if it's out of earshot or more than 100 m from you.
You're responsible for your dog. Before you let it off the lead, read the signs at the entrance, look out for livestock and roads, and make sure it will come back when called.
Watch out for
- Now: It's hunting season (September to February). Driven shoots (battues) take place in the woods: look for "Chasse en cours" signs, keep your dog close, and a hi-vis vest helps.
- From 15 April to 30 June, French law says dogs in woods and forests must be on a lead whenever they're off the main forest tracks.
- From June to September cattle and sheep graze the high pastures, and flocks may be guarded by big white dogs (patous). Put your dog on a lead and go round them.
- Now: Paths above about 1,500 m can be snowy or icy from November to May. This walk goes up to about 1,553 m.
- Mountain rivers are cold and fast, and can rise quickly after storms or when dams release water. Keep your dog out of strong currents.
- Cattle or sheep graze here at some times of year. Put your dog on a lead near them.
- Municipal order 179/2025 reportedly bans swimming, including for animals; fishing zone
Parking
- Lac des Plagnes · Directions
- Car park · Directions
- Car park · free · Directions
Suggested loop
A 3.2-mile loop from Lac des Plagnes with about 250 m of climbing , about 100 minutes at a dog's pace. About 880 m of it is on lanes or drives that cars use.
Shown dashed on the map above. Drawn by computer from OpenStreetMap paths. We haven't walked it: paths can be missing, private, closed or overgrown.
Huts, cafés and restaurants
- Bar du Lac Chez Remy · Restaurant · · 0.1 mi from the car park · Directions
- Chez Roland · Restaurant · · 0.1 mi from the car park · Directions
- Refuge des Tinderets · Mountain hut · · 0.7 mi from the car park · Directions
From OpenStreetMap. Dog policies only show where someone has mapped them, and they change. Run one of these? Get listed
Questions
Can dogs go off the lead at Lac des Plagnes?
Official pages say dogs must be on a lead here to protect wildlife. In France a dog counts as straying if it's out of earshot or more than 100 m from you.
Is there parking at Lac des Plagnes?
There are 3 car parks on or near it.
Can dogs swim at Lac des Plagnes?
There's a lake, but dogs are asked to keep out of the water.
Are there cows or sheep at Lac des Plagnes?
At some times of year cattle or sheep graze here. Put your dog on a lead near them.
How long is a walk at Lac des Plagnes?
Our suggested loop is about 3.2 miles (5.1 km) from Lac des Plagnes and takes about 100 minutes at a dog's pace, with about 250 m of climbing.
Where this comes from
Dogs must be on a lead at the lake (fishing area and wildlife). The route on to Tavaneuse crosses alpine pastures, also on a lead. Swimming ban for dogs comes from a secondary summary of the municipal order.
Researched online in November 2026. Nobody from Find Dog Walks has checked this place in person. Mud and shade are estimated from geology and woodland maps.
Something wrong? Open it on the map and use "Report a problem with this page", or email [email protected].