Lac des Adus loop

This short loop takes you past Lac des Adus, then continues a little further towards Pointe des Adus and returns via theGR®52.
Mainly in the forest, it is very pleasant in hot weather, especially as you can swim in the lake.

Details

132263
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 575 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 566 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,234 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,681 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park (marker 434), just before the information signs, take the path that descends southwards towards the stream.

Cross the stream via the footbridge, then follow the yellow trail on the right, which climbs gently through the forest. A sign indicates "Lac des Adus 1 h 45".

(1) At marker 396, head straight towards the refuge;

(2) Pass it and stay on the left-hand path at marker 395. The lake is not far away. Go around the lake on the left and take the path on the right after the large rock.
Caution: there is another trail marked in yellow that turns left just before the large rock in the lake and climbs up to the pass.
Do not take this trail; continue on the trail.

(3) Pass the ruins and continue climbing. At the intersection at marker 437, take the path that descends to the right.

(4) At an altitude of 2120 metres, look out for a small path on the right in the valley, which is a shortcut to signpost 435.

You are now on theGR®52. Follow it along the dry stream bed to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,683 m - Car park - Path down to the stream
  2. 1 : km 2.46 - alt. 2,104 m - Go straight towards the refuge
  3. 2 : km 2.61 - alt. 2,102 m - Refuge des Adus
  4. 3 : km 3.45 - alt. 2,148 m - Ruins
  5. 4 : km 5.06 - alt. 2,108 m - Trail to watch out for
  6. S/E : km 8.13 - alt. 1,688 m - Starting car park

Notes

Access: From Saint-Martin-Vésubie, continue to Boréon, then turn left onto the Col de Salèse road.
Park in the second car park (signpost 434).

Be aware that there are a lot of mosquitoes around the lake, so remember to bring insect repellent!

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Swimming is possible in the lake, so bring your swimsuit on hot days!

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 38 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 20378196

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The trail is unclear in the last quarter, we find ourselves back on the road and have to try to find our way back along the river several times

Machine-translated

User 6650615

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Perfect hike for a day. Quite a steep climb at the beginning. The explanations are very clear

Machine-translated

Sophie Garcia
Sophie Garcia

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Absolutely stunning! The autumn colours, the yellow larch trees...
And arriving at this emerald green lake...
The entire hike is truly magnificent and the weather was splendid. A must-do 👍
The only downside was that it was a bit crowded around the lake...

Machine-translated

bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike in the shade on both the ascent and descent in the Salèse valley. No problem getting back to the car park.

Machine-translated

Sarahpatch
Sarahpatch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The daughter on the circuit is a bit more complex to follow but very enjoyable!

Machine-translated

ScalaP-65
ScalaP-65

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

"You are now on the GR®52. Follow it along the dry stream bed to the car park (S/E)." Please note that the path is closed due to damage caused by Storm Alex but can be used safely.

Machine-translated

Nathjm
Nathjm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with the opportunity to swim when you reach the lake. A shaded forest trail. Not very busy. Don't take the short detour to the second lake on the left. It's small and not worth seeing.

Machine-translated

AniaSh
AniaSh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful route. I would recommend not shortening it and going to the Col de Salèse to make a round trip to Lac Nègre.
The return journey from Col de Salèse to the car park is the least interesting part of the hike, except for the river during the last 15 minutes of the trail.

Machine-translated

pierre30900
pierre30900

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, beautiful scenery in the hills, not very busy for a day in August.
However:
- very steep at the start: allow 1½ hours for the climb.
- i would strongly advise against taking children under the age of 13, as the path on the way up is really dangerous for them!
- "Go around the lake on the left and take the path on the left that goes up to the ruins": I confirm the other messages, take the RIGHT after the rock and not the left.
- the very last trail after marker 435 is normally closed (August 2021), so you have to follow the road, but this makes the route a little longer. We took the trail anyway; there are some fallen trees, but it's doable.

Machine-translated

Sticot
Sticot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful little loop that presents no difficulty.
Photos ht tps://www.instagram.com/p/CHKIVi8AHlj/

Machine-translated

fred100867
fred100867

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb up to the lake is very steep but is shaded by trees, which is really nice. The lake itself isn't very interesting in my opinion; it's quite small and was almost dry, but we enjoyed having lunch there anyway and took a few photos with the reflection of the adus on the lake.
For me, the highlight of this walk is the view of the opposite peaks and the valley, which is really beautiful!
In short, a really nice walk to do.

Machine-translated

m30
m30

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Beautiful hike, the climb up to the refuge is very steep
but the return trip is easy.

Machine-translated

Papiluc06
Papiluc06

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did the route in the opposite direction to the map provided by Visorando. The reason for this was that the suggested route takes you to the lake more quickly. However, by going via the Salese Pass first, you arrive just in time for an aperitif. You can then take your time over lunch and go for a swim in the lake.
The descent is quite long and rocky. Watch out for roots.
This route, rated as moderate, still requires good equipment and training. It is very well signposted, like most of the routes in the Mercantour.

Machine-translated

YanClot
YanClot

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We preferred to do this hike in the opposite direction.
There were a lot of people (end of lockdown...)
No mosquitoes at the lake...

Machine-translated

Nath B1.
Nath B1.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike!!!
I did the loop in the opposite direction because I preferred a gradual climb, and I didn't take the path mentioned at point (4) because it was too steep to climb, which allowed me to enjoy beautiful views of the valley that descends towards Mollières.
A very beautiful route with a multitude of flowers: rhododendrons, of course, but also wild pansies, orchids... and the very rare martagon lily.
The route is mostly shaded, except between the lake and (4) where it is more exposed.
On the way back (between (1) and the footbridge), I was lucky enough to see a squirrel, which, as I was alone and therefore not making any noise, paid no attention to me and continued on its way, rummaging around on the ground in search of food. A magical moment.
Thank you for this lovely discovery.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

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