Col de la Ponsonnière walks

A beautiful, challenging hike that takes you around the Cerces Massif, from lake to lake... There are a few tricky sections for those who are afraid of heights

This legendary summit offers spectacular views of the Écrins mountains dominated by La Barre and La Meije, Goléon, the Aiguilles d'Arves, Mont Blanc, Viso, Queyras and the Swiss Valais, where Liskamm and Monte Rosa rise up. It is also a popular area for ibex.

From Plan Lachat, a circular takes you over three passes (La Ponsonnière, Cerces and Rochilles) and past five lakes (Ponsonnière, Grand Lac, Cerces, Grand Ban and Rond). The view of Lautaret and the Aiguilles d'Arves is splendid, and the rocks of Pic de la Moulinière and Pointe des Cerces are impressive.

Variation on the round trip hike: Le Grand Lac and Lac de la Ponsonnière allow for a circular route with a passage through a chimney, but this limits access to those with a minimum of mountain experience. A breathtaking, panoramic view of the Écrins Massif: Mont Pelvoux, Barre des Écrins, Pic de Neige Cordier, La Meije, Le Rateau and more.

This hike takes you on a lovely tour of several lakes in the Cerces massif. Most of the route is above 2,000 metres in altitude.

This 4-day circular bivouac is for experienced hikers. It does, of course, follow sections of marked trails (GR®,GRP®), but the nature of the terrain when off-trail requires extreme caution (rock falls) and a solid knowledge of navigation, especially in unpredictable weather. The daily summit climb is obviously dependent on your equipment (crampons?), weather conditions (snowfields?) and your physical fitness.

First day of a 4-day circular starting from the Laval car park in the Upper Clarée Valley. As with the other parts of this circular, this route is intended for experienced hikers who are accustomed to high mountains.