Around Lac Luitel

A pleasant, easy walk through the Lac Luitel Nature Reserve and towards the Pic de l’Œilly along lovely forest tracks in the Belledone Forest.

Details

n°13911601

Creation:
25 Aug 2021

Last update:
13 Sep 2022

Last review:
20 Jun 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 4.54 mi
Average duration: 2h 55
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 925 ft
Descent: - 912 ft
Highest point: 5,023 ft
Lowest point: 4,121 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Belledonne, Dauphiné
City: Séchilienne (38220)
Start/End: N 45.086834° / E 5.847517°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3335OT, 3335OTR
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Photos

The nature reserve centre and the ‘Mal-aimés’ sculpture

The footbridge over the Lac Luitel peat bog

Description of the walk

From the D111 at Chamrousse via Le Prémol, take the D113 towards La Séchilienne and Lac Luitel. Park in the car park just after the Maison du Parc.

(S/E) Head north towards the Maison du Parc (1,262 m). Keep to the left, heading towards Lac Luitel.

(1) Continue left onto the Chemin Forestier Vernet (^GR® 549), which climbs gently. Take in the views of Lac Luitel and the Chamrousse and Taillefer massifs.

(2) Ignore the path on the right and carry on along the Chemin Vernet until you reach the junction for the Pic de l’Œilly.

(3) Ignore the path on the left – which will be your return route – and carry on straight ahead to the Barraque Pagnot (1380 m).

(4) Leave the^GR® 549 and turn left towards the south-east. At the next Fork in the road, take the path on the right which climbs through the forest. Keep to the right. After a steep climb, you’ll reach a flat, open area near an electricity pylon. This is the Col de Poussebœuf.

(5) Turn left towards the north, heading for the Pic de l’Œilly, signposted by a wooden sign. The path climbs steadily then takes a circular route to the left before reaching the summit (1,547 m).

(6) The path then descends to rejoin the Chemin Vernet (^GR® 549).

(3) Turn right and retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there.

(2) Leave the Chemin Vernet and turn left towards Lac Luitel. Cross a small bridge and follow the path that runs alongside the road.

(7) Cross the road and head towards the peat bog opposite. Cross the Lac Luitel nature reserve along the specially constructed boardwalks. Admire the beauty of the landscape. Return to the road, turn left and head back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,144 ft - Maison du Parc car park
1 : mi 0.27 - alt. 4,199 ft - Turn left towards Chemin Vernet
2 : mi 0.34 - alt. 4,222 ft - Junction of the circular loop - Lac Luitel
3 : mi 0.95 - alt. 4,442 ft - Pic de L’Œilly junction
4 : mi 1.7 - alt. 4,518 ft - Barraque Pagnot
5 : mi 2 - alt. 4,751 ft - Col de Poussebœuf
6 : mi 2.53 - alt. 4,997 ft - Pic de l’Œilly
7 : mi 4.07 - alt. 4,150 ft - Crossing the road
S/E : mi 4.54 - alt. 4,144 ft - Maison du Parc car park

Notes

Make sure you have a map of the route as there are areas with no mobile coverage

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5

Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5

Route interest
4.3 / 5

Mélanie D

20 Jun 2026 at 18:06 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, shaded walk, ideal for hot weather. We did it with two children aged 2 and 8 (3½ hours’ actual walking time). There are two quite steep sections, but otherwise it’s mainly a gently sloping track.
There aren’t many views, as you’re in the forest, but the peace and quiet, the birdsong and the scent of the forest make for a lovely experience. We had a picnic at point 4 near the hut – it was ideal.

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User 10336186

23 Jun 2025 at 09:06 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

No major difficulties. Stage 5 is not accessible; you need to take the path on the left, marked with a red sign a little further back.
A very pleasant walk in warm weather as it’s shaded.
There’s a lovely view at the start (lake, Chamrousse, valley…), whilst the rest of the route is through woodland.

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Hibiscussafi

17 Jul 2023 at 22:49 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice little route to do in hot weather

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muccardi

11 Sep 2022 at 17:23 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very shaded walk with little sunshine in the morning, no doubt ideal for hot weather. For the most part, it’s a wide forest track, though today there were numerous sections where the earth and stones had recently been turned over (presumably due to timber hauling). There are only a few clear views. We completed the route in 2 hours 45 minutes without pushing ourselves, as the gradient is generally gentle apart from two steeper climbs of a few hundred metres. Setting off at 8.00 am, we came across very few people – mainly mushroom pickers at this time of year. All in all, this is a pleasant and relaxing walk.

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