Le Lac des Quirlies – randonnée depuis le Perron (Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans)
A challenging, superb, and varied hike. Discover the youngest lake in Oisans with waterfalls, mountain pastures, and glaciers! All with a panoramic view of the peaks of the Grand Sauvage, the Plateau d'Emparis, the Aiguilles d'Arves, and the Meije.
The Lac des Quirlies, at an altitude of 2566 metres, appeared around the 1950s, following the retreat of the Quirlies glacier. It is the youngest of the mountain lakes in Oisans.
Its milky appearance comes from fine clay particles contained in its waters which give a captivating and mysterious impression.
In spring, it is still possible to see the glacier plunging into the waters of the lake, offering an incredible natural spectacle.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure: hamlet of Perrons at Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans (1 m)
Ascent: 1 m
Round trip duration: 4 hours there and 2 hours 55 minutes back
Return distance: 14 km
Level: difficult (for experienced hikers), with an aerial passage, river crossings without a bridge and part of the path which is between rocky chaos and scree.
MAP AND TOPO
TOP 25 Map No. 3335 ET – Bourg d'Oisans, Alpe d'Huez, Grandes Rousses, Sept Laux (Alps)
OBP map n°3 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trail n°332 and 334
ROUTE
The first part of the hike begins in the mountain pastures. Very quickly and without difficulty, you will arrive at a cirque formed by waterfalls called the “cascades du Pont Ferrand” (the one on the left comes from the Pisserote stream, the one on the right from the Ferrand torrent). The sublime and powerful setting of the hike is then launched!
A first steep climb in the slate quarry, a little exposed but quick (around 15 minutes), will allow you to follow the Ferrand waterfall and reach its summit.
The rise of the glacial waters of the Ferrand then begins on a 4 km hilly path. The valley gradually reveals itself, and ends up opening onto green and flowery mountain pastures, contrasted by the high peaks (often snow-capped) of the Grandes Rousses massif on one side, and an imposing schist ridge on the other, the Échine de Praouat. The climb is gradual, pleasant and punctuated by small streams that join the Ferrand.
It is at the place called Chalet des Quirlies that the route becomes very engaging. You will need to allow 2 hours to climb 2,2 km (530 D+). Needless to say, it will not be easy. The first part of this climb is in the mountain pastures. As you gain height, you will be able to admire the beauty of the Ferrand torrent and its tributaries which have been carving out the valley for centuries, with the impression that the latter flows into the Écrins.
When you have reached the top of the waterfall, one last part awaits you. Here, the scenery changes completely: everything becomes mineral! You have reached the high mountain. You will find your way through a rocky chaos that follows the watercourse descending directly from the lake. You will have to make a final effort, short but intense, because you still have 300 m of positive elevation gain to climb over 500 m.
This time, the lake with milky blue waters is in front of you, held back by a granite moraine and surrounded by high glaciers. Let yourself be enchanted by this natural spectacle, both magnificent and mysterious.
Then, turn around and admire the view. From here you can see the Arves and its needles which seem to dance on the pastures, the Meije, of course, and all the rest of the Écrins and its glaciers.
The return is by the same path and you will be facing the panorama mentioned on the line above! Be careful on the descent, especially in the scree slopes, with rocks that can move, and the crossings of slate quarries which are very slippery.
TO SEE ON THE COURSE
– Pont Ferrand and its waterfalls
– Malatres and Quirlies glaciers and its median moraine
– Echine de Praouat (shale ridge)
TO SEE NEARBY
– The villages of Clavans-le-Bas and Clavans-le-Haut
– The hamlet of Perron and its house leaning against a rock
- The col de Sarenne
Its milky appearance comes from fine clay particles contained in its waters which give a captivating and mysterious impression.
In spring, it is still possible to see the glacier plunging into the waters of the lake, offering an incredible natural spectacle.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure: hamlet of Perrons at Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans (1 m)
Ascent: 1 m
Round trip duration: 4 hours there and 2 hours 55 minutes back
Return distance: 14 km
Level: difficult (for experienced hikers), with an aerial passage, river crossings without a bridge and part of the path which is between rocky chaos and scree.
MAP AND TOPO
TOP 25 Map No. 3335 ET – Bourg d'Oisans, Alpe d'Huez, Grandes Rousses, Sept Laux (Alps)
OBP map n°3 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trail n°332 and 334
ROUTE
The first part of the hike begins in the mountain pastures. Very quickly and without difficulty, you will arrive at a cirque formed by waterfalls called the “cascades du Pont Ferrand” (the one on the left comes from the Pisserote stream, the one on the right from the Ferrand torrent). The sublime and powerful setting of the hike is then launched!
A first steep climb in the slate quarry, a little exposed but quick (around 15 minutes), will allow you to follow the Ferrand waterfall and reach its summit.
The rise of the glacial waters of the Ferrand then begins on a 4 km hilly path. The valley gradually reveals itself, and ends up opening onto green and flowery mountain pastures, contrasted by the high peaks (often snow-capped) of the Grandes Rousses massif on one side, and an imposing schist ridge on the other, the Échine de Praouat. The climb is gradual, pleasant and punctuated by small streams that join the Ferrand.
It is at the place called Chalet des Quirlies that the route becomes very engaging. You will need to allow 2 hours to climb 2,2 km (530 D+). Needless to say, it will not be easy. The first part of this climb is in the mountain pastures. As you gain height, you will be able to admire the beauty of the Ferrand torrent and its tributaries which have been carving out the valley for centuries, with the impression that the latter flows into the Écrins.
When you have reached the top of the waterfall, one last part awaits you. Here, the scenery changes completely: everything becomes mineral! You have reached the high mountain. You will find your way through a rocky chaos that follows the watercourse descending directly from the lake. You will have to make a final effort, short but intense, because you still have 300 m of positive elevation gain to climb over 500 m.
This time, the lake with milky blue waters is in front of you, held back by a granite moraine and surrounded by high glaciers. Let yourself be enchanted by this natural spectacle, both magnificent and mysterious.
Then, turn around and admire the view. From here you can see the Arves and its needles which seem to dance on the pastures, the Meije, of course, and all the rest of the Écrins and its glaciers.
The return is by the same path and you will be facing the panorama mentioned on the line above! Be careful on the descent, especially in the scree slopes, with rocks that can move, and the crossings of slate quarries which are very slippery.
TO SEE ON THE COURSE
– Pont Ferrand and its waterfalls
– Malatres and Quirlies glaciers and its median moraine
– Echine de Praouat (shale ridge)
TO SEE NEARBY
– The villages of Clavans-le-Bas and Clavans-le-Haut
– The hamlet of Perron and its house leaning against a rock
- The col de Sarenne
