Lac des Cordes circuit

A remarkable circuit in the famous Fonts de Cervières valley, with a magnificent lake at the foot of the Pic de Rochebrune cirque.

Details

n°9063

Creation:
11 Aug 2012

Last update:
07 Aug 2023

Last review:
22 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 8.79 km
Average duration: 4h 20
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 640 m
Descent: - 639 m
Highest point: 2,596 m
Lowest point: 1,956 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Queyras, Dauphiné
District: Cervières (05100)
Start/End: N 44.855009° / E 6.799682°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3536OT, 3536OTR
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Photos

Lac des Cordes in front of Pic de Rochebrune

Description of the walk

From Briançon, take the Col d'Izoard road. At Cervières, turn left onto the Fonts de Cervières road (signposted). Continue along this asphalt road. Park in the car park in the hamlet of La Bourgea.

(S/E) Start with a short descent to the footbridge, then follow the^{GR® (} red and white) and^PR® (yellow) markings. Climb quickly through the forest, where a few hairpin bends lead to a cable-assisted section, which is completely safe.

(1) At the top, the slope levels out and the forest gives way to mountain pastures. After a few hairpin bends, you will reach a crossroads.

(2) Take the left-hand path (leaving the old path on your right) and follow a few tight hairpin bends to reach Lac des Cordes.

(3) Stay on the left side of the lake and take the^GR® trail, which quickly leads to Lac des Marsailles (now a puddle) and then to the pass of the same name.

(4) Begin the very easy descent, which is rocky at first but then becomes more alpine. Reach the^GR®58, which leads to the Col de Péas on the right.

(5) Turn left to reach the hamlet of Les Fonts.

(6) Cross the Cervereytte at the exit on the footbridge and follow the left bank of this torrent to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,956 m - La Bourgea car park
1 : km 0.82 - alt. 2,144 m - Cabled passage
2 : km 1.49 - alt. 2,305 m - Crossroads of the old trail
3 : km 2.16 - alt. 2,449 m - Lac des Cordes
4 : km 3.11 - alt. 2,594 m - Col des Marsailles (2602m)
5 : km 5.38 - alt. 2,180 m - GR58 crossroads - Cerveyrette (rivière)
6 : km 6.96 - alt. 2,043 m - Les Fonts - Refuge des Fonts de Cervières
S/E : km 8.79 - alt. 1,957 m - La Bourgea car park

Notes

There is no water along the route except for the fountain at Les Fonts.
A bench awaits hikers at the lake's spillway.
There are also two refreshment stands, one at Les Fonts and one at La Taque, a hamlet in La Bourgea.

Worth a visit

An easy but remarkable circuit in a magnificent setting. The Lac des Cordes is located in the cirque formed by the peaks above it. To the right is the Turge de la Suffie, in the centre is the Escalinade, and to the left is the Grand Pic de Rochebrune. The rocky walls give it the feel of a high mountain, while the most intrepid hikers swim in the lake.
However, in summer, there are large crowds of hikers here.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5

Based on 68 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5

Route interest
4.9 / 5

User 7496346

22 Sep 2025 at 20:51 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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Zicdoudou

22 Sep 2025 at 09:00 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route that starts in the woods and climbs steadily to Lac des Cordes
Encountered a flock of sheep and three sheepdogs; you have to stay calm and let the flock pass
My dog was on a leash, so there was no problem
The section with the cables does not pose any particular problems
The views of the surrounding mountains are magical
There is a spectacular cairn near Lac des Cordes
There is another small lake to the right of the lake. It is not on the GR trail but is worth a visit
Return to the GR to the pass at 2,605 m. The descent is easy
In season, I recommend having lunch at the Refuge des Fonts, booking in advance if you want to try their famous leg of lamb with gratin dauphinois
I recommend parking at the refuge, which is 1 km from the indicated starting point, and starting the hike by following the stream to the starting point. You will then finish the hike at the Refuge des Fonts
Enjoy your walk!

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regis.rollin

23 Aug 2025 at 23:36 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, as described, with stunning views of Lac des Cordes and Lac des Maïts. A quick note about the section with the cables: it is indeed safe. The handrail is very secure, but for those who are not used to walking in the mountains, it can be tricky as there is not much footing.

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User 18066159

21 Aug 2025 at 15:16 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 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 hike with the family at the end of July.
There was little shade along the route, but the altitude and slight breeze made it more pleasant.
There is no shade at all at the lake, so avoid this hike during hot weather.
River crossing at point "4" in the description: for those who like to dip their feet in the water, it's always nice and VERY refreshing

The few kilometres between the refreshment bar (much appreciated) at point 6 and the car park are less pleasant but the path is flat and shaded. This section is necessary to complete the loop.

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User 1063150

17 Aug 2025 at 20:58 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, a few people but not too many for mid-August.
The climb through the forest starts quickly.
The short section with ropes is not particularly difficult.

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15 Jun 2025 at 15:54 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, done during the peak flowering season. The landscapes are absolutely magnificent. Very few people around at this time of year. The marmots let you approach them, except when some inconsiderate hikers let their dogs run wild... The path between Lac des Cordes and the pass is more difficult to follow. You need to follow the red and white markers on the ground and adapt a little before the pass, where there are still some snowy patches. Definitely worth doing.
Note: the section with the cable is only about 30 metres long and is very easy to cross at your own pace thanks to the handrail.

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bernardino

04 Nov 2024 at 16:15 3600

Hello and thank you for your comment. In fact, you've said it all: it's really in autumn that hikers calmly enjoy this area. In summer, some days it's a real procession. You've also made an interesting choice in going to the Col de Péas, the border between the Briançonnais and Queyras regions.
I wish you all the best for the future and hope you enjoy the fine weather.

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Pasnog

04 Nov 2024 at 15:49 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At the time we did this hike, there weren't many people, but I imagine it must be very popular in summer, and rightly so, because it's a very pretty hike with a steady climb through the woods and a magnificent finish at the Cordes lake. We pushed on to the Col de Péas before heading back down to Les Fonds (another hour's climb).

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isabelle5891

12 Aug 2024 at 14:09 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for this varied and spectacular route. It's a shame that there are campers near the Cordes lake. Lac des Maits is very pretty too.
I wouldn't say, however, that the cabled section is without any difficulty, but it was frequented on this Sunday morning in August, except for the part between Les Fonts and Le Bourgeat.

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flopicano

12 Aug 2024 at 13:37 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely loop, pleasant route.
Beautiful flowers, perhaps thanks to the slightly late spring this year.

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Laurence et Manuel

09 Aug 2024 at 09:14 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very nice walk in different environments with beautiful panoramas.
Steady, steep ascent. The ropes are easy to climb, even if you're sensitive to vertigo (which I am). Can be done with children used to walking.
The return journey takes longer through the mountain pastures and valley floor.

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mb300d85

03 Aug 2024 at 17:14 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An absolutely magnificent circuit. This year's heavy rains have even put some water back into the Lac des Marsailles
In August, don't hesitate to get up early to enjoy the lake before the crowds arrive (I only met 3 people at the lake before 9am). As well as sun cream, it's a good idea to bring insect repellent: if you don't, be prepared for a feast of flies and horseflies every time you open your mouth.

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nomisimon

15 Jul 2024 at 08:14 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very nice loop with a beautiful lake to discover.
A patou accompanied us part of the way.

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RPodor

04 Jul 2024 at 16:32 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A superb hike, with torrents, flowers and beautiful views on the way up, with a magnificent blue lake to discover (almost) at the top. We chose to climb to the Col de Chaude Maison, which was still covered in snow at this time of year. On the way back down, after the Col des Marsailles, we were accompanied the whole way by dozens of marmots and their young.

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emmanuelsanchez27670

03 Jul 2024 at 20:31 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike with magnificent scenery and no major difficulties.

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