Col de la Cayolle – Lac d’Allos Mountain Hut

A climb to a pass, followed by a descent of roughly the same length, with two beautiful lakes to admire. This walk also gives you the chance to compare the two sides of the mountain, which are quite different.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Autour des Garrets

Details

n°35077599

Creation:
14 Jun 2023

Last update:
22 Aug 2023

Last review:
yesterday

Activity: Walking
Distance: 4.49 mi
Average duration: 3h 05
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 1,204 ft
Descent: - 1,312 ft
Highest point: 8,642 ft
Lowest point: 7,329 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Ubaye Valley, Mercantour
City: Uvernet-Fours (04400)
Start: N 44.263826° / E 6.745398°
End: N 44.237721° / E 6.707029°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3540ET, 3540OT, 3540OTR
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) From the refuge, cross the road and follow the^GR® route you took the previous day to reach the Col de la Cayolle.

(1) Turn right and stay on the^GR® to reach the Col de la Petite Cayolle.

(2) Descend to Lac de la Petite Cayolle, then continue along the path. Further down, you’ll reach the junction with the path leading to Mont Pelat.

(3) Carry on to the left along the^GRP® marked in yellow and red, until you reach another junction at the Pas du Lausson.

(4) Keep to the right, following the signs for Lac d’Allos^, to reach a clearing at the GRP® junction^.

(5) Turn left and, via a virtually flat stretch, reach the lake and the Lac d’Allos Refuge, today’s stop (E).

Waypoints

S : mi 0 - alt. 7,438 ft - Refuge de La Cayolle
1 : mi 0.35 - alt. 7,618 ft - Col de la Cayolle
2 : mi 1.78 - alt. 8,642 ft - Col de la Petite Cayolle
3 : mi 2.6 - alt. 7,976 ft - Junction (Mont Pelat)
4 : mi 3.08 - alt. 7,723 ft - Junction (Pas de Lausson)
5 : mi 3.6 - alt. 7,425 ft - Junction (Mont Pelat and La Laus car park)
E : mi 4.49 - alt. 7,329 ft - Refuge du Lac d'Allos

Notes

No water source or shelter.

To book a place at a mountain hut:
La Cayolle Mountain Hut
Lac d’Allos Mountain Hut

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

From the refuge, you can walk round the lake (1 hour)
(E) Notre-Dame des Monts Chapel, just above the Lac d’Allos Mountain Hut

Reviews and comments

5 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

jocelyne77

yesterday at 18:11 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A really beautiful lake, and the mountain refuge – wow! The welcome, the food and the price: don’t change a thing, because everything’s perfect 👍

Machine-translated

User 26811980

04 Aug 2025 at 22:44 7200

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 : Yes

Machine-translated

Bja

02 Sep 2024 at 17:41 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk which gave us the chance to see lots of marmots on the ascent, as well as chamois at the Col de la Petite Cayolle. It seems they’re often found in this area. We then spotted some ibex on the descent towards the lake.

Machine-translated