Clapeyto and Col du Néal chalets and lakes

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Long loop to explore the Clapeyto chalets, then climb above to the Terres Blanche ridge where there are several lakes. Return via the Col du Néal and theGR® 5.
Well-marked trails.
Following the closure of the trail that started from the cross-country ski centre, we will start from the small lake at the entrance to the campsite
which is an extra kilometre on the road in summer.
This hike can also be done in winter on snowshoes, starting from theGR® 5 between the cross-country ski trails.

Details

n°1216535
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 845 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 844 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,541 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,831 m
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Photos

trail currently being removed
new trail
Marion Lakes
Lake Marion

Description of the walk

Park just before the small lake near the campsite.

(S/E) Take the path then the trail to the south to join the old trail that started from the cross-country ski trail.

(1) Take this and climb up into the forest. A few easy hairpin bends will take you to the Col du Cros.

(2) At the pass, begin your descent to reach the two chalets at a place called the Small Pass. These chalets are at the crossroads of several trails.

(3) Cross at the same level, staying on the paths on the right to reach the wide track leading to the chalets.

(4) Take it to the left. After two hairpin bends, pass through Drataya and then reach the Clapeyto chalets.

(5) At the last one, take the trail (signposted) and follow it to reach the Col du Pansier pass, below the Terre Blanche ridge. This is the start of the Néal lakes.
.
(6) Pass the Col du Pansier.

(7) Walk along Lac du Cogour and Lac Marion to reach Col de Néal.

(8) Stay on the path heading south-east until you reach a Y-junction.

(9) Take the path on the left. Follow an easy descent to reach the Torrent du Rosey. Follow it, then turn off to reach the small pass chalets.

(3) Ignore the paths you took on the way up and head opposite, going around the Via Ferrata site. Walk along the forest and come out at Pré Premier on the track supporting theGR®5.

(10) Take it on the right and stay on theGR® 5. Follow the torrent, cross the campsite to reach the car park at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,834 m - Car park by the small lake
  2. 1 : km 2.16 - alt. 2,296 m - Col du Cros
  3. 2 : km 3.24 - alt. 2,205 m - Le small pass
  4. 3 : km 3.63 - alt. 2,164 m - Path to the chalets
  5. 4 : km 4.39 - alt. 2,250 m - Last chalets
  6. 5 : km 6.42 - alt. 2,485 m - Col du Pansier (2251m)
  7. 6 : km 6.48 - alt. 2,482 m - Lacs du Cogour
  8. 7 : km 7.29 - alt. 2,504 m - Col de Néal (2509m)
  9. 8 : km 7.66 - alt. 2,541 m - Return trail
  10. 9 : km 11.54 - alt. 2,039 m - Lac Premier GR5
  11. S/E : km 13.05 - alt. 1,834 m

Notes

Water at the chalets.
Good footwear recommended.

Worth a visit

Col de l'Izoard and La Casse Déserte.
Beautiful cross-country ski trails in winter.
Via ferrata in summer.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 17 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Randophil57
Randophil57

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route that is easy to follow and presents no difficulties. The start is a little steep through the forest, but the rest of the hike is magnificent, passing through alpine pastures and the Clapeyto chalets.

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Lebill75
Lebill75

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike. Route as described. No detours necessary. There is water at the Clapeyto chalet. Great day out

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elepage2306
elepage2306

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Unlike other reviews, the route corresponds to the description. Good climb at the start, but spectacular scenery on arrival. You can refill your water bottles when you reach the Clapeyto chalets. Easy descent, sometimes a little off the route described
In summary, a magnificent hike.

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PUBOL
PUBOL

thank you for these useful clarifications

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User 25716017

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Couldn't climb the Col yet, still too much snow, and at the Clapeyto chalets too... Went as far as the Eychaillon chalets. The Gr was washed away and a road suitable for vehicles has been built... On the Le Lauzet side... same thing at the Durance basin, couldn't get to the pass because there was too much snow and it was unstable... And now the sheep are going up, and the dogs too, so with my Pyrenean Shepherd, it's not great! Plus, I'd like to go up with my pack horse.

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PUBOL
PUBOL

thank you for these useful clarifications

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BelineCenoi
BelineCenoi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

You do need to be careful at the start because the initial path is closed.
Two couples passed through there and we caught up with them later before the Col de Cros.
The new path is located after crossing the stream (which was dry at the time) and can be accessed on the right by climbing up a small clearing.

The hike is really beautiful and very popular after passing WP3, leading on to the Chalets.
After passing the Chalets, you clearly gain altitude in a picture-postcard setting.

The lakes are beautiful.

The descent is interesting and once again very beautiful until WP10, after which it becomes monotonous. If I had to do it again, I would not go back over the Col du Cros

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PUBOL
PUBOL

thank you for these details, which will help future hikers visiting the site

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Thierry et Isabelle
Thierry et Isabelle
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike without any particular difficulties, offering beautiful panoramic views, passing through a hamlet of chalets (all closed) and near small lakes. No marmots or chamois were seen on the day of our hike.
The route is quite busy, which may explain this.
We pushed on for an extra 20 minutes' walk to the Col du Lauzon for an additional view .
The route after WP 1 is still closed due to a rockslide (and in my opinion will remain so), but a well-marked detour through the Bois de Cros allows you to reach WP 2 and then the Col du Cros, after which you can continue along the normal route

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pouget yves
pouget yves

Thank you for all these details. Indeed, the trails are changing. Yvon

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PUBOL
PUBOL
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

1st change to the circuit:

in accordance with the information provided on 2 July regarding the rockfall,
we went to point 1
where it says "closed landslide at Col du Cros 20 m" with an arrow to the right, which we followed
in short, there is no point in going to point 1
when you arrive, cross the stream (dry) and continue straight ahead across the meadow,
veering slightly to the left,
pass between the trees,
then immediately turn left onto the small steep path that climbs into the forest
follow it until you rejoin the planned route.

second change to the route:

after point 9 (after the Col de Néal, "return path")
the path was being removed,
machines were in the process of clearing a new path (see photo)
which goes straight ahead on a gentle slope (brown dirt path),
then a few bends (3 or 4) to the right, to descend towards the planned path below

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cecilemarc Lorenc
cecilemarc Lorenc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

simply magnificent.

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Syl P.
Syl P.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

From point 1 to point 2, the route is still blocked due to rockfalls. So we head towards the campsite and follow the suggested detour to reach the Col du Cros. This involves a very steep climb to the pass. Then we rejoin the original route, with no particular problems. There is a beautiful view at the Col du Néal.

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jmdld
jmdld

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful circuit with abundant snow

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tugny44
tugny44

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike. The start of the hike is quite physically demanding, but then it becomes very pleasant and offers beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.
On the way back down, municipal employees are modifying the route of the yellow trail. This differs from the Visorando trail. Follow the route and the Visorando description, which is very well done.
We recommend it.

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