Col and Lac des Thures from Névache

In Névache in summer, the trails are very busy, especially those leading to the beautiful Lac des Thures, which is more accurately called Lac de Chavillon, but as it is located right at the Col des Thures, it is easier to associate it with this name.

Details

37831800
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 614 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 613 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,194 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,586 m

Description of the walk

Park in one of the large car parks at the entrance to Névache, in the Roubion district.

(S/E) Turn right onto the uphill street, pass in front of the large house belonging to the town of Vitrolles, and then rejoin a wide track at the footbridge over the Roubion.

(1) Turn left onto the path, cross the meadows and join the forest track. You will come to a car park, then continue straight ahead on the track. When you reach the old footbridge over the Torrent des Liches, turn left then right, cross the stream and you will arrive at the Cabane Forestière des Combes.

(2) Continue left on the path and, via an easy climb, reach and then ford the Roubion. Continue, pass in front of the Cheminée de Fée and immediately afterwards you will come to a crossroads.

(3) Climb to the left and follow the red and white markings ofthe GR®5. Continue climbing and, after a few hairpin bends, you will reach theGR®57crossroads in the mountain pasture.

(4) Continue on this sharedGR® trail and walk alongside the Cabane Pastorale des Thures. Continue into the Vallon des Thures and, via a very easy uphill path, reach the lake with two names, Thures and Chavillon.

(5) Then begin the descent along the same path but in the opposite direction, until you reach the Cheminée de Fée crossroads.

(3) Turn left onto theGR®5and, following this path overlooking the left bank of the Torrent du Roubion, reach a crossroads with a signpost.

(6) Keep to the right, continue downhill and, after a few hairpin bends, you will reach the Roubion. Stay on the left bank and then take the wide footbridge on the right to return to the original crossroads.

(1) Turn left and retrace your steps to return to the Roubion car park at the entrance to Névache (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,591 m - Roubion car park
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 1,618 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.65 - alt. 1,748 m - Cabane des Combes
  4. 3 : km 2.49 - alt. 1,885 m - Cheminée de Fée
  5. 4 : km 3.36 - alt. 2,081 m - GR57 crossroads
  6. 5 : km 4.88 - alt. 2,193 m - Lac Chavillon
  7. 6 : km 8.58 - alt. 1,840 m - Crossroads sign
  8. S/E : km 10.32 - alt. 1,586 m - Roubion car park - Clarée (rivière)

Notes

Note: on the IGN map, before it was updated, theGR®5is mentioned between (1) and (3) on the right bank of the Roubion. It is unmarked on the ground following the collapse of the footbridge over the Torrent des Liches below the Cabane des Combes. It was therefore decided to move it to the path between (3) and (1) but on the left bank of the Roubion. This path is marked in white and redGR® colours on the ground, but not yet on the map.
Following the route as described to avoid crossing the Torrent des Liches at the old footbridge, which is difficult to access, there is a well-marked trail that allows you to easily cross the torrent higher up to reach the Cabane des Combes.

Worth a visit

(3) The Cheminée de Fée or Demoiselle delle Fatte dominates the trail and is very similar to those found in the Col d'Izoard at the famous Casse Déserte.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 4133759

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting parish-specific loop through varied landscapes.
Magnificent view of the mountain cirque upon arrival at the Col des Thures, then all along the valley to the lake, which is quite dry in August
A very busy route, which is understandable given its appeal and the possibility of arriving from the narrow valley. Lots of dogs too!

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13Provence
13Provence

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with no technical difficulties, partly through forest before reaching the beautiful mountain pastures. We encountered two friendly donkeys, but unfortunately the lake was full of algae at the end of August. Beautiful views, particularly of Mont Thabor. We did the loop in reverse.

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bernard951
bernard951

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike under cover until reaching the plateau, where a large meadow opens up and ends at a small lake overlooking the descent into the narrow valley where we had our picnic. We completed the route via two excellent itineraries.

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jean-luc.michel
jean-luc.michel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is not very busy from the start. However, the lakes are very popular because there is another access point from, I think, another valley.

But the route is well worth it. Be careful, on the way back there is a detour to avoid a rockfall just after the hut.

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bernard951
bernard951

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant trail, partly through the forest, with views of the fairy chimneys and a beautiful panorama once you reach the lake.

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paccoud isabelle
paccoud isabelle
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk that we hadn't planned on doing but was well worth the detour. We did the circular loop backwards and we were glad we did. There was a little snow to get to the end, especially at the bottom of the plateau, but the frozen lake and Mount Thabort in the background were a beautiful reward for the eyes.

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Helene102
Helene102

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike without technical difficulty. The route is well shaded (except for the section between points 4 and 5), which is appreciated when it is very hot. At the end of August, the flow of the Roubion and the level of Lake Chavillon were very low.

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