Randonnée sans voiture 2 jours & 1 nuit – Les lacs de la Muzelle et du Lauvitel
Discovering two magnificent lakes and a complete nature reserve closely studied by scientists.
The night can be spent at the Muzelle refuge (reservation required).
Itinerary with public transport proposed by Alpes Là.
The night can be spent at the Muzelle refuge (reservation required).
Itinerary with public transport proposed by Alpes Là.
Please note: this site is located in the heart of a French National Park and is subject to specific regulations. It is an exceptional space which as such is subject to specific regulations. We invite you to adopt good reflexes during your visit in order to protect these riches.
Departure: Bourg d’Arud Camping (954 m) – 1 h 10 (2 km, D+ 321 m, D- 12 m)
From the stop, cross the Bourg d'Arud by the D530 (direction south-east). Cross the bridge over the Vénéon and turn right to cross the hamlet of Alleau and its washhouse fountain. Then follow the GR54® path rising quickly into the forest to reach a characteristic ruin.
1) Ruine du Pleynet (1249 m) – 3 h (4.4 km, D+ 900 m, D- 30 m)
Follow the path along the Pisse torrent, adorned with beautiful waterfalls. At the Chapeau Roux waterfall, the path crosses the torrent by a footbridge, then continue by steep bends until reaching a flat area formed by a peat bog. Five hundred meters later, discover the refuge and the Muzelle lake in its glacial cirque where tongues of the glacier still remain
suspended.
2) Refuge de la Muzelle (2130 m) – 1 hour 30 minutes (2.4 km, D+ 413 m)
Follow the path to the edge of the lake until you cross a footbridge (2102 m). Turn due west for the route leading to the Col du Vallon, which winds among the rocks (cairns) then climbs a steep, more bare slope in switchbacks.
3) Col du Vallon (2531 m) – 1 h 45 (4.3 km, D+ 37 m, D- 1 m)
Descend the pass on the northwest side by the path. At around 1750 m, the path turns north to cross a ravine (a tricky passage on a rocky slab). After a short climb, descend by a few bends to reach the north shore of Lake Lauvitel. To the south of the lake, a complete nature reserve prohibits the presence of humans.
4) Lac du Lauvitel – Les Selles (1501m) – 50 min (2.4 km, D- 484 m)
Go down to Pont des Balmes by the northern path, towards La Danchère via Les Selles, taking a beautiful paved path and remarkably well-maintained low walls.
5) Les Balmes (1010 m) – 30 min (1.8 km, D- 185 m)
Cross the bridge to join the GR54® and continue down to the Hameau des Gauchoirs. At the chapel, turn right to take the path along the Vénéon torrent to the Ougiers road bridge. Cross it to join the departmental road and the bus stop.
Return: The Ougiers, Les 2 Alpes (850 m)
Departure: Bourg d’Arud Camping (954 m) – 1 h 10 (2 km, D+ 321 m, D- 12 m)
From the stop, cross the Bourg d'Arud by the D530 (direction south-east). Cross the bridge over the Vénéon and turn right to cross the hamlet of Alleau and its washhouse fountain. Then follow the GR54® path rising quickly into the forest to reach a characteristic ruin.
1) Ruine du Pleynet (1249 m) – 3 h (4.4 km, D+ 900 m, D- 30 m)
Follow the path along the Pisse torrent, adorned with beautiful waterfalls. At the Chapeau Roux waterfall, the path crosses the torrent by a footbridge, then continue by steep bends until reaching a flat area formed by a peat bog. Five hundred meters later, discover the refuge and the Muzelle lake in its glacial cirque where tongues of the glacier still remain
suspended.
2) Refuge de la Muzelle (2130 m) – 1 hour 30 minutes (2.4 km, D+ 413 m)
Follow the path to the edge of the lake until you cross a footbridge (2102 m). Turn due west for the route leading to the Col du Vallon, which winds among the rocks (cairns) then climbs a steep, more bare slope in switchbacks.
3) Col du Vallon (2531 m) – 1 h 45 (4.3 km, D+ 37 m, D- 1 m)
Descend the pass on the northwest side by the path. At around 1750 m, the path turns north to cross a ravine (a tricky passage on a rocky slab). After a short climb, descend by a few bends to reach the north shore of Lake Lauvitel. To the south of the lake, a complete nature reserve prohibits the presence of humans.
4) Lac du Lauvitel – Les Selles (1501m) – 50 min (2.4 km, D- 484 m)
Go down to Pont des Balmes by the northern path, towards La Danchère via Les Selles, taking a beautiful paved path and remarkably well-maintained low walls.
5) Les Balmes (1010 m) – 30 min (1.8 km, D- 185 m)
Cross the bridge to join the GR54® and continue down to the Hameau des Gauchoirs. At the chapel, turn right to take the path along the Vénéon torrent to the Ougiers road bridge. Cross it to join the departmental road and the bus stop.
Return: The Ougiers, Les 2 Alpes (850 m)
