Schwarzsee Lake
Scenic alpine lake with adjacent ski and hiking trails
Alpine lake in Fribourg near Gruyères, Schwarzsee serves hikers and families for swimming, boating and mountain walks, with cable‑car access in season.
Schwarzsee at a Glance#
About Schwarzsee#
Schwarzsee, also called Lac Noir in French, is a small alpine lake and tourist locality in the Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. The lake lies in a compact mountain basin and is a noted local destination for walking and seasonal recreation.
The site combines a lakeshore settlement with marked hiking trails into the surrounding Prealps, and offers year-round access for short walks and family outings. In summer the lake is used for swimming and lakeside leisure; in winter the area is visited for snow activities when conditions permit.
The lake and its adjacent village developed as a local tourism centre serving day visitors from the Fribourg region and beyond. Facilities are concentrated close to the water and trailheads provide access to ridges and viewpoints nearby.
Schwarzsee sits in the foothills south of the city of Fribourg in the Prealps, within the Canton of Fribourg. The site is reached by road from Fribourg and from neighbouring mountain villages.
- Dual name and recreational use: Also known by its French name Lac Noir, the lake sits in a Prealpine setting and is a popular local recreation area for swimming and walking.
- Elevation and access: The lake lies at roughly 1,046 metres above sea level and is surrounded by marked trails and short mountain routes suitable for families.
What to See#
- The lake: The lake itself is a small mountain basin known as Lac Noir in French, set within a local tourist settlement offering trails and lakeside facilities.
- Lakeside village: A compact village and visitor centre on the lakeshore that provides accommodation, restaurants and trailheads into the surrounding Prealps.
How to Get to Schwarzsee#
Schwarzsee is accessible by regional roads from Fribourg and other towns in the canton. There is a small cable car from Kandersteg/nearby valley points in some seasons; consult local tourist information for the precise access and seasonal services.
Tips for Visiting Schwarzsee#
- Walk the ring path around the lake early in the morning to avoid the small day-trip crowds from nearby tourist hubs.
- If visiting in winter, bring ice-grip crampons - the trails can be deceptively slippery when frost sets in.
- Sample the local fondue options in nearby towns; the area is popular with both hikers and gastronomes.
Best Time to Visit Schwarzsee#
Best visited summer for lakeside activities and winter for a snowbound atmosphere.
Weather & Climate near Schwarzsee#
Schwarzsee's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1297 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -6° - 1° | -6° | 95 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -5° - 3° | -5° | 102 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -3° - 6° | -2° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 2.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 0° - 9° | 2° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.7 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 4° - 15° | 8° | 115 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.8h |
| June | Good | 7° - 18° | 12° | 137 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 124 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Good | 9° - 20° | 15° | 122 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.3 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.0h |
| September | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 97 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.3 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 6° | 101 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -2° - 5° | -1° | 110 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -4° - 2° | -4° | 113 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |