Alpe d'Huez: the Tour des Lacs - from Lac Besson to Lac Carrelet

An easy walk at medium altitude, accessible to most people, around the four lakes: Lac Noir, Lac Besson, Lac Faucille and Lac Carrelet, above Alpe d'Huez. Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Get off the beaten track by passing by Lac Noir and return above Lac Carrelet and Lac Besson!

Details

n°136162

Creation:
24 Jul 2015

Last update:
15 Sep 2025

Last review:
23 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.63 km
Average duration: 2h 10
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 106 m
Descent: - 108 m
Highest point: 2,085 m
Lowest point: 2,013 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Grandes Rousses, Dauphiné
District: Huez (38750)
Start/End: N 45.114929° / E 6.086009°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3335ET, 3335ETR
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Photos

View of the Belledonne massif and Lake Faucille

Stream between Lake Faucille and Lake Carrelet

Description of the walk

Depart from the car park at the end of the Alpe d'Huez lake road, which is followed by the^GR®549trail via the Col du Poutran.

It is best to park at the entrance to the car park, in a parallel parking space, in the direction of departure, which is more convenient on the way back.

Out

(1) First, with all your equipment, walk back up the car park to admire Lac Besson, which is connected to Lac Rond. You will return from your walk via this route.

Return to your vehicle at the start of the car park and take the path that climbs a few metres to your right (2) and leads to Lac Noir. Walk around this lake in an anti-clockwise direction until you reach the footbridge over the spillway to admire the view reflected on the lake.

(3) Partially retrace your steps, heading north-east, and follow the only path available, which will gradually take you back up the moraine towards the^GR®549. There are no particular orientation difficulties at this point, but there are no signposts.

(4) Once you reach the west of Lac Faucille (altitude 2,067 m), you are already halfway through the outward journey.
Follow the^GR®549, turning left at the next fork. The trail descends slightly, passing under Lac Carrelet, and you will arrive at the Alpette ski lifts. Continue by turning right to reach the small restaurant.

Return

(5) Pass in front of the terrace and take the path heading south, which passes above Lac Carrelet. This path is popular with mountain bikers, so be nice when they pass and give them priority.

This path is easier to climb than the outward route. It joins the^GR®549after crossing a rather attractive lakeside area.

For the entire return journey, you can follow the^GR®549without any difficulty in finding your way. However, you have a choice for the tour of Lake Besson.
Before midday, follow the^GR®549in its entirety. If it is later in the afternoon, it is better to go around it clockwise so that you do not have the sun in your face (route chosen on the hike map).

Either way, you will return to the same point at the car park at the end of Lac Besson, which is actually called Lac Rond.

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,077 m
1 : km 0.12 - alt. 2,079 m - Initial view of Lake Besson
2 : km 0.25 - alt. 2,078 m - Take the path on the right towards Lac Noir
3 : km 0.98 - alt. 2,047 m - Footbridge over the spillway, turn back
4 : km 2.04 - alt. 2,064 m - Lac Faucille
5 : km 3.8 - alt. 2,046 m - Bar-restaurant, pass in front of the terrace
S/E : km 6.63 - alt. 2,077 m

Notes

For those who want to walk further, you can set off on foot from Alpe d'Huez at the car park, following the Route des Lacs and then the^GR®549. I find this climb up the road depressing... but on the way back, some people continue on foot, descending towards Alpe d'Huez via the Ravin des Roches and the numerous footpaths.

There is a refreshment bar at the car park at the finish, at Lac Besson, with a friendly atmosphere.

There is another refreshment bar/restaurant after Lac Carrelet, halfway along the route, near the ski lifts (bennes), where there are toilets.

Avoid having lunch on the grass under the cable cars, as they make a lot of noise. Instead, move away onto the path near another lake, taking care not to damage the vegetation!

Sometimes there are clouds in the valley in the morning. In summer, these clouds rise in the form of fog in the afternoon. Be careful, as weather conditions change quickly at altitude, even if the path is easy. Bring warm clothing and/or rain gear in your bag!
Walking shoes. Walking sticks are recommended for comfort, but not essential.
This walk is quite popular in summer, so it is best to start in the morning, around 9:00 a.m. You will be back in Alpe d'Huez by 1:00 p.m.

Worth a visit

Visit Alpe d'Huez.

Just plan to have lunch on the terrace of the Lac Carrelet or Lac Besson refreshment bar.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5

Based on 49 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5

Route interest
4.8 / 5

PapyJPM

23 Sep 2025 at 11:10 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, undemanding route, but the weather is not looking good today. Regards

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yam100907

15 Sep 2025 at 15:07 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There were very few walkers on 11 September, but we were lucky enough to arrive just as the mist was lifting over the lakes, and we were treated to a spectacular view!
No problem following the trail for us! Bring something to cover up with in case of sunshine
Thank you for your work!

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FrancoisAnnie30

11 Sep 2025 at 14:15 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's not always easy to find your way around. Unfortunately, there were a lot of clouds that day

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Jps69

08 Sep 2025 at 16:10 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike that takes us to four lakes, two of which are particularly interesting: Lake Besson and Lake Faucille. These high-altitude lakes are part of the very humid Grandes Rousses plateau, with peat bogs and colours found nowhere else note that we are at an altitude of 2,000 metres, so there are very few trees. On sunny days, be sure to bring a hat.
dogs are welcome.

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rezzouqi

18 Aug 2025 at 09:26 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful and fairly easy hike. Follow the Visiorando trail carefully to avoid steep paths. Please note that in August, there was no parking available. I recommend that hikers visiting in August take the shuttle bus from Alpe d'Huez. It is very busy, but as there are many trails, the crowds are spread out. It's quieter near Lac Faucille.

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User 24648659

28 Jul 2025 at 13:55 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, short and easy route with children.
Busy but not too crowded. Very pretty scenery, especially on the Besson lake side.

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skyppyy38360

28 Jul 2025 at 09:58 7200

Hello,
Regarding the description of the tour that you rated as "average", could you please tell me what improvements you think are needed?
Thank you

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deluret

28 Jul 2025 at 09:39 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

No change

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afaurie

02 Jun 2025 at 10:42 7200

you are absolutely right

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Sophie la Marmotte

02 Jun 2025 at 10:20 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant mini hike that I think is accessible to most people (families with children, people who are not very fit, those who are not used to hiking, etc.). The effort required is incredible compared to the superb view from the lakes. I did this hike at a leisurely pace on Sunday morning before hitting the road again. There are lots of little paths, but they all lead to the same place (just keep going straight ahead!) and the scenery is superb. My only regret is that I only found out about the Lac Blanc higher up at the last minute on the morning of the hike, as I would have really liked to have continued on to see the lake when it thaws! I'll be back!

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ZOUBI38

28 Oct 2024 at 09:50 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We took some stunning photos, the autumn colours are magnificent, a great hike to do again and again.

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never4nr

11 Sep 2024 at 12:05 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short loop with beautiful views of the Belledonne and Taillefer mountains and a glimpse of the Grandes Rousses (view of the Grand Pic de l'Etendard from Lac Carrelet, in my opinion). Thank you for sharing!

On the way back from Lac Carrelet, I recommend following the path that passes above Lac Faucille and descending to Combe de l'Agnelin towards Lac Besson. The trail is very well marked. If you look at the satellite view, you'll see that the main trail naturally leads you to this trail a little higher up. 300 metres south of point 5, just keep going straight and follow the switchbacks to the left for about 100-150 metres. You will cross the peat bogs via numerous footbridges and enjoy a beautiful unobstructed view of the mountains to the west (with the lakes below for taking photos). My GPS watch estimated 7.5 km and 200 m of elevation gain with this change, as well as the passage through the Lac Carrelet peat bog on the way there.

The route and description give the general direction, but the trail can actually pass 25m from the route; just look at the satellite view to see this.

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Perrine Catteau

02 Sep 2024 at 10:37 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike, easy, breathtaking scenery, I recommend it!
However, there are lots of small paths that aren't well marked, so follow the Visorando map!
Walk done at 9:30 a.m. on 6/08, perfect! At 11:30 a.m. there were a lot of people! Not the same feeling of this beautiful nature!

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domidu41

25 Jul 2024 at 21:36 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, easy to follow. The weather was beautiful that day, and although there were quite a few people on the trail, there was enough space for everyone. The lakes are magnificent, and we saw trout.

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GABY et OLIVIER

21 Aug 2023 at 08:50 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Wonderful hike. Not too crowded that day. No difficulty. My dog loved swimming

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.

Author

skyppyy38360
78 Walks

Visorando member

District: Sassenage (38360)

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