Lacs du Plateau d'Emparis – randonnée depuis les Aymes (Mizoën)
Located on the edge of the Écrins National Park, the plateau offers a magnificent view of the Meije and the surrounding glaciers. It is obviously a paradise for hikers, lovers of the great outdoors and those who want to have a picnic!
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure: Aymes Parking (Mizoën). Altitude 1 m.
Elevation: 1377 m
Round trip duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
Return distance: 20.6 km
Level: Very difficult
Warning: balcony path on certain sections. It may present difficulties for people prone to vertigo.
MAP AND TOPO
– IGN TOP 25 map n°3335 ET (Bourg d'Oisans – Alpe d'Huez)
– OBP map and topo n°3 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trail n° 343 and n° 416 (in part) on the way there then n°359 and again n°343 on the way back. On sale at the Oisans Tourisme tourist offices.
ROUTE
Take the trail starting at the end of the Aymes car park, and continue straight to the hamlet of Clots, following the GR markings (red and white). The trail, which is initially wide and shaded, becomes narrow, balcony-like and open after a few minutes. This entire section has little elevation gain. Following this, you will have the opportunity to make a detour to Lake Lovitel and its discovery trail leading to an orientation table. Shortly after, you will arrive at the Clots refuge, from where you will have a panoramic view of the Meije and the Petrifying Fountain waterfall. To reach the plateau, take the path towards the waterfall. From this point the path becomes steeper (approximately 600 m of elevation gain over 1.6 km). Stay on the path and follow the GR markings until you reach the plateau, where the rest of the trail will continue to climb but less steeply. At the Fay and Mouterres refuges, the trail will gradually descend along the Rif Tort, towards the center of the Emparis plateau. Arriving at the center of the plateau, you will have a 360-degree view of the plateau's Alpine pastures, and their Mongolian steppe feel. In the center of the plateau, take the track on the right (GR54) towards the Souchet pass (2365 m). At the pass, leave the GR54 (which descends towards Chazelet) to climb right into the grassy Combe which leads to the edge of Lake Lérié. Continue right above the lake to reach Lac Noir. From there, an exceptional panorama of the peaks of the Meije and the Râteau opens up before you, with the Rousses massif to the north. From the lake, continue on the path north to reach the center of the plateau. Descend by the route taken on the way there to reach Les Aymes.
TO SEE ON THE ROUTE
– Petrifying Fountain Waterfall
– Fay and Mouterres mountain huts
– Rif Tort Marshes
– Black Lake, Lérié Lake, Crystal Lake
– Alpine pastures
– Panoramas on the Meije and the Écrins
TO SEE NEARBY
– Village of Mizoën
Departure: Aymes Parking (Mizoën). Altitude 1 m.
Elevation: 1377 m
Round trip duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
Return distance: 20.6 km
Level: Very difficult
Warning: balcony path on certain sections. It may present difficulties for people prone to vertigo.
MAP AND TOPO
– IGN TOP 25 map n°3335 ET (Bourg d'Oisans – Alpe d'Huez)
– OBP map and topo n°3 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trail n° 343 and n° 416 (in part) on the way there then n°359 and again n°343 on the way back. On sale at the Oisans Tourisme tourist offices.
ROUTE
Take the trail starting at the end of the Aymes car park, and continue straight to the hamlet of Clots, following the GR markings (red and white). The trail, which is initially wide and shaded, becomes narrow, balcony-like and open after a few minutes. This entire section has little elevation gain. Following this, you will have the opportunity to make a detour to Lake Lovitel and its discovery trail leading to an orientation table. Shortly after, you will arrive at the Clots refuge, from where you will have a panoramic view of the Meije and the Petrifying Fountain waterfall. To reach the plateau, take the path towards the waterfall. From this point the path becomes steeper (approximately 600 m of elevation gain over 1.6 km). Stay on the path and follow the GR markings until you reach the plateau, where the rest of the trail will continue to climb but less steeply. At the Fay and Mouterres refuges, the trail will gradually descend along the Rif Tort, towards the center of the Emparis plateau. Arriving at the center of the plateau, you will have a 360-degree view of the plateau's Alpine pastures, and their Mongolian steppe feel. In the center of the plateau, take the track on the right (GR54) towards the Souchet pass (2365 m). At the pass, leave the GR54 (which descends towards Chazelet) to climb right into the grassy Combe which leads to the edge of Lake Lérié. Continue right above the lake to reach Lac Noir. From there, an exceptional panorama of the peaks of the Meije and the Râteau opens up before you, with the Rousses massif to the north. From the lake, continue on the path north to reach the center of the plateau. Descend by the route taken on the way there to reach Les Aymes.
TO SEE ON THE ROUTE
– Petrifying Fountain Waterfall
– Fay and Mouterres mountain huts
– Rif Tort Marshes
– Black Lake, Lérié Lake, Crystal Lake
– Alpine pastures
– Panoramas on the Meije and the Écrins
TO SEE NEARBY
– Village of Mizoën
