Col de l'Encombrette via Lac d'Allos

This hike, completed in early June, was invigorating. The snow, still very much present, gives way to nature awakening. Flora and fauna are in full swing. These sites are located in the Mercantour National Park. For the benefit of all, please respect the regulations and guidelines posted.
You are in the Mercantour National Park, where there are regulations to be observed, with fines of up to €1,500 for non-compliance. See practical information.

Details

n°35190519

Creation:
17 Jun 2023

Last update:
18 Jan 2024

Last review:
28 Jul 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 9.16 km
Average duration: 3h 40
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 363 m
Descent: - 362 m
Highest point: 2,459 m
Lowest point: 2,110 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Mercantour
City: Allos (04260)
Start/End: N 44.24485° / E 6.69769°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3540ET, 3540OT, 3540OTR
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Description of the walk

Park in the Claus car park (paying during the season). Check with the Allos tourist office beforehand.
Most of the route follows the^GR® de Pays: Tour du Haut Verdon, marked in yellow and red.

(S/E) Head south on the discovery trail, passing the Maison Forestière du Laus. Take a wide circular turn to reach the GRP® crossroads^.

(1) Turn left to quickly reach Lac d'Allos.

(2) Walk along the lake on the right to reach a crossroads at the confluence of the Ravin de la Source stream, just before the southern end of the lake.

(3) Leave the lake by taking an off-trail path through somewhat surprised wildlife to reach the Haut Verdon^GRP® again.

(4) Take it to the left and continue towards the Col de l'Encombrette. Due to the presence of snow, the hike ended at a cairn at the foot of this pass.

(5) Descend to the previous crossroads.

(4) Continue opposite on the^GRP® to reach the initial crossroads.

(1) Retrace your steps in the opposite direction to easily find the Laus car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,110 m - Laus car park
1 : km 1.47 - alt. 2,242 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
2 : km 2.18 - alt. 2,232 m - Lac d'Allos
3 : km 3.57 - alt. 2,234 m - Ravin de la Source, start of the off-trail section
4 : km 4.8 - alt. 2,383 m - GRP Haut Verdon Tour
5 : km 5.48 - alt. 2,459 m - Cairn below the Col de l'Encombrette (2,527 m)
S/E : km 9.16 - alt. 2,112 m - Laus car park

Notes

Mercantour National Park regulations, full details at this link:
- Bivouacking and camping: only permitted more than an hour's walk from road access points and park boundaries, between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. It is forbidden to spend the night in your vehicle in a car park or at the side of the road in the heart of the Mercantour National Park.
- Dogs are prohibited, even if kept on a leash.
- Fires are prohibited in the heart of the park and also in the Alpes Maritimes department
by prefectural decree.
- Parking may be prohibited at the start of certain hikes due to the risk of
torrential lava flows and rockfalls.
No water source. The last (second) shoulder, just below the summit of Roche Cline, is very steep, so pace yourself.

Please note that access to the car park is via a single-lane road with height restrictions and limited space.
Please note that there is no mobile phone coverage from the Cluitre car park and throughout the hike.
There is a refuge, water source, rest area and restaurant at Lac d'Allos. There are no other water sources along the route or at the car parks.
There is an information board at the start of the road in Allos.
As there are large rocky sections, high-top hiking boots are strongly recommended.
The walk from the car park to the lake is easy if you are wearing suitable footwear.

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

Coeur du Parc national du Mercantour - more information

Worth a visit

(2) Lac d'Allos refuge

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.8 / 5

lolottekeke

28 Jul 2025 at 09:49 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with a magnificent view once you reach the top of Lake Allos.
The signs along the route led us to hike in the opposite direction to the description on the website... it's no problem to do the circular hike in either direction
A must-do
It was early in the season, so it was quiet and there weren't too many people.

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Pat 06

28 Jun 2024 at 14:35 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

It's a very nice route that we did during the week, which allowed us to avoid the overcrowded car park at Laus below Lake Allos. The arrival at the lake via the discovery trail is magnificent, with its stunning blue waters and snow-capped peaks. There is still a lot of snow this year, and we had to cross several snowfields that hid the trail. There was also plenty of water in the streams and torrents along the route.

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Jacq.

16 Sep 2023 at 15:34 7200

Hike on 30 July.
Arrival at the lake car park at 5.30 p.m., so free parking.
Evening hike with picnic and return by headlamp. The children were delighted.
Reliability of the description: ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route: ★★★★★ Very good
Interest of the hiking route: ★★★★☆ Very good. In the evening, we saw lots of marmots and chamois.
Busy route: Not many people in the evening

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gegemft

15 Sep 2023 at 19:53 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike under glorious sunshine. Please note that it is best to reserve your parking space at Laus online before you arrive. I didn't do this and ended up waiting 45 minutes at the Guilde car park before a car left and I could take its place. This route is ideal for warming up before tackling Mont Pelat. The colours are magnificent, especially in the evening when the mountains are reflected in the lake. The welcome at the Allos refuge is friendly, the only problem is that at this time of year there are a lot of wasps and flies. We had a good meal and even had seconds. The bedding isn't top of the range but it's adequate. I'll be coming back to the area to discover more new places.

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Jacq.

10 Aug 2023 at 12:06 7200

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

Hike done in the late afternoon with children who enjoy walking. Lots of marmots and even chamois. Picnic and return at the end of the trail by headlamp. Magical for the children.

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RANDISA

31 Jul 2023 at 22:20 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. The off-trail section is easy to follow thanks to the Visorando app.

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