mountain lakes
High elevation waters
Mountain lakes are bodies of water found at high elevations, typically formed by glacial activity, snowmelt, or natural damming.
They tend to be cold, clear, and relatively small compared to lowland lakes.
The term evokes pristine wilderness scenery: We hiked up to the mountain lakes above the tree line.
Also called alpine lakes or tarns when occupying glacial cirques.
- high altitudeGreat distance upward
- moraineGlacier-deposited debris pile
- cirqueGlacier-carved mountain basin
- alpine meadowsHigh-elevation mountain grasslands
- hiking trailsRecreational walking routes outdoors
waterfalls · tarn · valley · glacier · glacial melt · watershed · snowmelt · fishing · fish stocking · pristine · mirror reflection · camping · trout · endemic species · spiritual sites · hiking · ice cover · folklore
- Alpine CultureAlps, alpine meadows, alpine huts, alpine villages, alphorn
- Alpine SceneryMont Blanc, Matterhorn, Swiss Alps, Dolomites, alpine landscapes
- mountain wildernesspeaks, valleys, ridges, meadows, alpine meadows
- Swimming Watersswimming hole, swimming holes, swimming beach, natural pool, lagoons
- Alpine Mountainsalpine meadows, glacial valleys, glacial lakes, high peaks, ridgelines
- Alpine NatureAlps, alpine meadow, chamois, marmot, edelweiss
water body type
mountain lakesocean
Massive saltwater body
oceans · seas · sea · open ocean · mountain streams