Emparis Plateau Circuit

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This is a route best enjoyed in a group of hikers or with your family, as the elevation gain is relatively low. However, it is a walk that will allow you to admire the scenery and walk along the edge of the crevasse. Be careful though, you are in the mountains and there are no safety barriers, so caution is advised. Discover edelweiss, marmots and gentian flowers and enjoy the immensely beautiful landscape!
For the more adventurous, you can start from the village of Besse on theGR®54to arrive at the same starting point.
Message from the moderator: You are in a sensitive natural area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).

Details

n°433712
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.63 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 338 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 343 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,455 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,189 m
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Photos

Lake Lerié

Description of the walk

Start from the car park near the Favre chalet, taking the forest tracks from Besse.

(S/E) When you leave the car park, take theGR®54on the right and follow the path. Pass the first two crossroads and continue on theGR®54. Leave one path on the left and another on the right.

(1) When you reach the complex crossroads below the ford, take the middle path at the three-way junction. This path is theGR®50-GR®54. Continue along it, passing a path on your right, to reach the Col du Souchet.

(2) Take the next path, keeping to the right, to reach the Plateau d'Emparis and Lac Lérié.

(3) Pass in front of Lac Lérié, where the path loops and climbs back up. Go around it on the left. Continue on the same path, leave the path on the right and continue on the path. You will arrive at Lac Noir.

(4) Go around it on the left and continue until you reach Lac Cristallin, located slightly to the left.

(5) Continue north-west, keeping to the right, to quickly reach the first crossroads.

(1) Return to theGR®54on the left; this is the second path, the first being theGR®50-GR®54C. This is the path to follow to return to the car park near the Favre chalet (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,243 m - Parking is available near the Favre chalet
  2. 1 : km 1.39 - alt. 2,190 m - Crossroads below the ford towards the - Plateau d'Emparis
  3. 2 : km 3.18 - alt. 2,356 m - Col de Souchet
  4. 3 : km 4.49 - alt. 2,376 m - Lac Lérié (2450m)
  5. 4 : km 5.19 - alt. 2,436 m - Lac Noir (2435m)
  6. 5 : km 6.22 - alt. 2,360 m - Crystal Lake
  7. S/E : km 8.63 - alt. 2,243 m - Parking is available near the Favre chalet

Notes

To protect the local flora and fauna, swimming is prohibited, fires are prohibited, all rubbish must be collected (even biodegradable items) and dogs must be kept on a leash.

This is a mountain hike, and although the route is not difficult, all necessary safety precautions should be taken.
Wear appropriate footwear, as the paths can be stony in places.
Bring plenty of water.
You will be climbing to a high altitude, so bring warm clothing in case you stop for a long time.
There are no shelters nearby along the route.

Worth a visit

Fauna and flora.
Mountain landscapes.
The valleys and crevasses.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 52 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
alainmartin77
alainmartin77

Hello
Before setting off, it is advisable to study the maps carefully to avoid disappointment.
No worries, there's always next time
@lain

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User 19647861

We wanted to set off from Le Chazelet to climb up to the Lac Noir and Lac Lérié lakes. As the hiking time wasn't indicated on the signs, we set off at around midday, thinking we'd get there in two hours. Unfortunately, we had to retrace our steps without seeing the lakes. We were so disappointed.

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User 22379732

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The pastoral road leading to the car park is long and runs along the side of a mountain, so it is best to have a 4x4 vehicle. It is difficult to pass other vehicles and there are times when you must stop to allow others to pass.
However, the hike with views of the glaciers is magnificent!

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User 27131330

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. Magnificent scenery.

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alainmartin77
alainmartin77
• Edited:

Hello and thank you for the vehicle safety advice.
Have a good trip
@lain

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User 17643860

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike accessible to all. Be sure to go clockwise for a gentle, gradual climb, as the descent after the last lake (Lac Cristallin, which was dry when we were there) is a little steep.
Quite busy but the scenery is breathtaking and well worth the effort.
Please note that access via the hairpin bends to the car park at the start of the plateau is limited to vehicles less than 1.90m high - there is a height restriction gate at the bottom before the climb.

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GB69
GB69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike from Besse (4½ hour climb). However, the track was open to cars (please note that it is difficult to pass other vehicles in some places).

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Ann38
Ann38

Hello,
I tried this hike 15 days ago (mid-May) but access via Besse was not possible. The small road from the small campsite to the start of the hike was closed. Do you know why? Is the road crumbling or still covered in snow? Do you have any information? The tourist office in Besse is also closed, so we didn't get any information. Going up on foot would add 3 hours to the walk, so I had to fall back on the Lauvitel lake (crowded with people).
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Anne

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LN38
LN38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A very nice walk. Very easy as you start on the plateau, the panorama is magnificent. However, walking on the plateau is less interesting.

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Gonzalez alain
Gonzalez alain

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice and an extraordinary view

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MORIN MICHEL
MORIN MICHEL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk with an extraordinary view
I recommend it

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Christophe360
Christophe360

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A great easy hike with a fabulous 360° panorama, accessible for families but sometimes crowded.

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Poulet Hubert
Poulet Hubert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike. It's a shame the heatwave scorched the mountain pastures. From there you can see the retreat of the glaciers in the Ecrins massif.

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drgonzo
drgonzo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent location and an easy hike. Great views and a few marmots keeping an eye on us along the way.

The 9km access track is not too rough and any vehicle can get through as long as you drive slowly (we were in a 208).
The only 'difficulty' will be managing any crossings if a vehicle comes up in front, as it's very narrow.

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mattfle
mattfle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
This path is difficult to access by car over the last 3/4 km (very narrow dirt road). Take this into account if you are afraid of heights...
Once on the plateau, there are several paths, and the loop is very easy to access without being dangerous for a family.
It's a good walk with a view of the various glaciers, which is quite nice and not too strenuous.
The route is easy.
We'll definitely be doing it again at the start of the May/June season, the colours must be magnificent!

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