Former Malpasset dam and Lac de l'Avellan

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The visit to the old dam is well worth it.
Three quarters of the hike is on a trail and the remaining quarter is on a small path.
The lake is muddy and not very full!
The forest you pass through is beautiful, but the noise from the motorway for three quarters of the hike detracts from the appeal of this hike.

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Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The directions for the two circuits are very unclear

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Date of your route : Mar 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike two days after heavy rain and couldn't get through the Reyran ford. So I didn't go to the dam. Note that at point 7, to descend from the lake to the Avellan valley, the start of the trail isn't very visible. It seems to me that it's more to the right as you climb.
Apparently, walking around the lake is no longer prohibited.
Otherwise, it was a very pleasant hike, and it must be nice to picnic by the lake when the weather is good.

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Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

-the route to see the dam is very interesting and worth doing at the end of the hike
-at the start of the hike towards the lake, we turned left (mistake), but this allowed us to see the Roman aqueduct in Fréjus (a shame it isn't signposted)
-the small path down to the lake (strictly for pedestrians) is very steep, uneven and therefore dangerous. It may be better to continue on the track
-the path to return to the Avellan valley is not very visible
-the Avellan valley is superb, but unfortunately there is no water in the Avellan, just a few puddles from time to time
- the hike is at least 13 km with a total elevation gain of almost 400 m

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Date of your route : May 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

There is a striking contrast between these long, endless, charmless tracks and the magnificent, wild Avellan valley, which requires a little effort in places.
For more experienced hikers, there are small paths that climb more directly and avoid some of the tracks.
Nowadays, the lake is of no interest as it is practically dry and its water is greenish. It's sad to see it like this. There are no signs prohibiting access or even mentioning any work being carried out.
Take the opportunity to see the remains of the Malpasset dam. Either from below, as described here, or by taking the track that climbs to the left to reach a viewpoint overlooking the dam.

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Date of your route : Mar 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

So today I did this route and there were no negative points to note
- the route is a forest road and close to the noise of the motorway.
- the path down to the lake is steep and dangerous
- There are no signs on the ground, which isn't great
- Allow for a 400-metre elevation gain rather than the 300 metres advertised. The same goes for the distance, which is more like 15 kilometres according to an app we had and how tired we were!
- The area around the lake is off-limits according to a comment on the hike, but there are no signs or notices on site!
- Apart from the cork oaks, the vegetation isn't great, I've seen much better!

In short, I'm a long-time hiker, but I don't understand the hype for this hike, which is nothing special... There are much better ones elsewhere and they're easier... In short, I didn't like it at all!

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Date of your route : Mar 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone,
I am familiar with this route and wanted to revisit it with a group to discover its many attractions. However, after checking with the O.N.F. a few days ago, I learned that the area around Lake Avelan is completely closed due to instability in the dyke. Studies are underway, but the work has not yet begun and is likely to take a long time. It is therefore best to avoid this area.
I wanted to share this information to prevent any hikers from getting trapped there.

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Date of your route : Mar 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with varied scenery, but our enjoyment was partly spoiled by the deafening noise from the A8 motorway (hence our average rating).
Not recommended when the wind is blowing.
Only the upper part of the very wild Avellan valley is free from this noise pollution: the sound of engines is replaced by the soothing sound of flowing water!
We found the steep path on the left of the track that leads down to Lake Avellan, after hesitating with another one... It would be useful to point out that this path is marked by a sign saying "sentier strictement réservé aux piétons" (path strictly reserved for pedestrians) and that it starts just before a cistern.
We also made a mistake at the beginning by continuing instead of turning right near the second ford for a few metres (misled by the Apie d'Amic sign)... which allowed us to see a beautiful Roman aqueduct, which deserves to be mentioned in the information sheet!
We did the loop before going to see the Malpasset site, which we thought was preferable. Its memory is now well preserved thanks to information panels that honestly explain the human errors that caused this tragedy.

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Date of your route : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike.
Avoid in very hot weather as there is very little shade
Please note that the car park under the motorway bridge is not accessible (works on the ford; park along the road before the ford).
It is best to start the hike straight away and finish at the old Malpasset dam so that you have time to read the information boards.
A short detour is possible: walk around Lake Avelan (easy), about 2.5 km, to discover beautiful vegetation, weeping willows, flowering water lilies, etc.
Papy Dino

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Date of your route : Jan 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The route is easy overall, but take care at level 5 to ensure you take the small path described. We also walked around Lake Avellan, which takes half an hour, then had a picnic by this pretty little lake. To return, be sure not to take the ford, but cross the river on the rocks to take the path opposite. The walk along the river for about 150 metres may be daunting for those who are afraid of heights, but there is no danger. On the way back, to avoid retracing our steps between points 3 and 2, we turned left at point 3 to rejoin the path we had taken on the way there towards point 4. At the hairpin bend, we turned right onto the track, then a little further on, we took a tiny path on the right to arrive back at the starting point. It's a pleasant route and avoids retracing your steps. We visited the dam on the way back. A very pleasant hike.
Aline

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Date of your route : Jan 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Please note that the ford on the Réjean river before reaching the car park at the foot of the motorway has been washed away by recent Mediterranean storms
You will need to cross on foot. It is a little tricky but doable, and park upstream where spaces are limited

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Date of your route : Oct 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely hike with varied landscapes.
I completed the lake loop before heading to the luggage drop-off point.
The little path that leaves from the lake is extremely difficult to find. I stumbled upon it by chance while climbing out of the stream bed as I was turning back, because the descent is magnificent.

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Date of your route : Sep 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very good - accessible for families

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Date of your route : Dec 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Be careful when approaching hill 306, as a path appears to descend to the left of the track. Do not take this path; instead, continue climbing along the GR until you reach a rectangular sign indicating "Strictly for pedestrians" on the left of the GR. The small path begins to descend to the left after this sign.

To find the return path that descends into the Avellan valley, follow the lake to the last picnic table.
You will be above a concrete ford where the lake overflows to form a stream. Do not cross the ford, but cross the stream 20 metres downstream from the ford. Climb the narrow path on the rocks on the right bank of the stream.
If you look carefully, you will see a small blue mark at the start of this path.

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Date of your route : Dec 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very good route, quite physically demanding in the first half but very varied due to the different types of trails and landscapes. The start of the Vallon de l'Avellan trail from Lac de l'Avellan is barely marked and could do with better signposting. It's a shame that there is noise pollution on the first part of the route due to the proximity of the motorway.

To avoid crossing wet fords at this time of year, you can take the Auriaque trail at the start and join the Esquine trail.

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