Émosson Dam travel Guide
Hidden gem; Émosson dam
02-06-2023 © Doris Leone
Online Hike & Bike Guide
Just near Chamonix in France, but just over the border in Switzerland, you will find the stunning Émosson Dam, also known as the Barrage d’Emosson. This is the second-largest dam in Switzerland, and the water behind the highest dam sits at an impressive 2,225 meters. Three massive dams hold back the water, creating a breathtaking lake. The height difference of the dam is utilized to generate energy, and the water can be used as drinking water too. Have a look at my Émosson dam travel guide!
Three dams
The three dams are: Barberine, Vieux-Émosson, and Émosson. The latter two are actually located in Switzerland near the Émosson Dam, while Barberine is in France, close to Vallorcine.
Barberine, dating back to the 1920s, takes its name from a torrent that borders Lake Émosson.
Vieux-Émosson Dam, this one is obviously smaller than the Émosson Dam and was built in the 1950s.
Émosson Dam, is the newest and largest, was opened in 1972.
Getting there?
By car
Basically, there is a free car park near the Émosson Dam with plenty of spaces available, so I would say that this is the easiest option. You can also find a restaurant where you can take a break. The views of the mountains and the dam from here are absolutely stunning, so take your time and enjoy a nice cup of coffee.
By train
Furthermore, you could take the Mont Blanc Express to Le Châtelard. From there, you can take the VerticAlp Emosson (cable car). However, please note that it may occasionally be closed, so it is not the most reliable option. If it is closed, you could consider hiking, but be prepared for a journey of about three hours to the Émosson dam.
By bike
Lastly, if you are a fanatic cyclist and have trained well, this is a fantastic route. You can ride on a paved road all the way to Vieux-Émosson.
Hike or bike your way up
Evidently, you can make the journey entirely on foot. The route starts at the Émosson Dam, the first dam you will encounter. Firstly, the beginning of the route is a paved road of about 5 kilometres, so you can also ride your bike along it. Cars are not allowed here, but hey, who needs them anyway if you are about to hike or bike? The paved road is a steep ascent with sharp hairpin bends. Once you reach the second dam, Vieux-Émosson, the path continues on foot, and from here, you will find various hiking trails and mountain routes.
In the footsteps of dinosaurs
Besides the magnificent dams, you can also discover the history of the Alps here. It may not be what you would expect, but after the second dam, you will follow a path where you can still find dinosaur footprints. These footprints were first discovered in 1976, several years after the construction of the last dam. I am talking about roughly 250 million years ago, during the Triassic period, when the first dinosaurs emerged. They also found fossils of alligators and remains of palm trees.
The path towards the footprints is along a moderately steep trail that ultimately takes about 2.5 hours from the reservoir. The entire round trip, including breaks, takes approximately 7 hours. Clear signs along the way will guide you on the route.
The best time to visit in this Émosson dam travel guide
The best time to visit is after July. Before that, the path to the dinosaur footprints may be covered in snow, making it inaccessible. In the summer, the path is passable, but be cautious as the trails can still be quite slippery.
