L'Étang Bleu

Superb hike, everything is beautiful!
The work is finished, so you can now do the whole circuit. There are still a few tree trunks and dead branches, but it's clean.
I followed the advice and did the circuit in reverse. Of course, it's very steep, but it must be even more difficult going downhill. Good equipment recommended. It's still difficult, but not dangerous at this time of year.
Don't forget to turn around, it's beautiful on both sides and, contrary to what you might think from looking at the map, there are some very beautiful views in the wooded area between 2 and 3. The Cirque d'Embans is magnificent.
The circuit seems well known (so I noted "very busy"), but today it was very quiet. The rhododendrons were at the end of their flowering season.
Thanks to the Tourist Office.

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We had to do the round trip via the cirque because the other side was closed for forestry work (indicated on the signs at the start of the loop).

The ascent via the cirque is steep but well signposted and fairly regular. The descent (via the same side) is a little tricky, but not dangerous, but you need to take your time.

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A wonderful tour to do, with beautiful autumn colours and sunshine!
No snow in early November. Very little traffic (only two pairs of hikers).
Start at the cirque before the Etang Bleu (don't choose the "easiest" route as the slope is steep with lots of stones on the way down).
For the forest section, follow the tracks carefully - you can't stray off the path if you're careful.
I was on my own for this hike, so I didn't have any walking sticks, but I did wear suitable shoes.
A nice lunch break in front of the blue pond, an incredible panorama! (Make sure you bring a good woollen jacket, as it was a bit windy and starting to get chilly).
A loop with breaks completed in 5? hours at a moderate pace. Don't forget to set off early, as it gets dark earlier at this time of year
I recommend it!

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We hiked in early autumn - no snow and changing weather with sunshine and passing clouds.
With 2 children (6 years old who walks quite well) and 4 years old (carried all the way in a hiking baby carrier). Above all, you have to do it in the opposite direction to the one indicated on the spot (and therefore not follow the "easier route", which seems illogical) and therefore start by the Cirque before the Etang - otherwise, the descent is too steep and dangerous, whereas in the upward direction, it's largely doable (if there's NO SNOW) if you take your time.
We had ba^tons and real hiking boots.
It was a wonderful hike, though, with the autumn colours and light. Only a few hikers we passed. AT THE TOP!

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Magnificent tour to be done in dry weather only. I pushed on to the Col de la Couillaute, where the view is magnificent but there was already quite a bit of snow so I had to be careful. The descent into the Embans cirque is quite challenging and in places perilous, with loose stones and water running everywhere. Don't forget good boots!

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This hike is best done outside the summer season, as it is very busy. There are plenty of watering holes, a very pleasant way to cool off.
A very decent climb from the start to the pond, but what a reward!
No chance of regretting it. There are several lakes to discover and you can continue on to the Pic des 3 Seigneurs (from 1800m to 2100m) ❤️
The Embans cirque is magnificent, but you'll need good hiking boots as the descent is steep and, above all, loose.

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Very nice walk, very well signposted, but be careful on the wet, rocky descent - you need to be well shod.

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A very nice walk! It's done in the direction indicated and is easy to follow. The climb is a little steep (almost 800 m) but not difficult and well worth it when you reach the pond. It was sunny and warm, so it was great to have a dip before the return journey. However, being a beginner, we found the descent to the cirque a little tricky. The views are magnificent though! At the end, we were attacked by a horde of giant mosquitoes, so beware.

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Nice route with no major difficulties

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It was a superb hike and a slightly apprehensive way of getting my (rusty) legs back in shape, but in the end it gave me a new lease of life so that I could set off again as soon as possible to tackle these beloved mountains! We really enjoyed doing the ascent in the direction indicated in the description, as it was steady, rolling and, above all, cool and shady on a fairly hot July day. Magic light in the beech forest! We saw the orri well camouflaged with moss. Not too many people at the pond, picnic and a swim (cool water but very affordable). Lots of flowers. Still delighted with the direction of the loop on the descent, where you always have to be very careful anyway. The tricky section is best negotiated with at least one stick (and hiking boots, of course!). And the view of the Embans cirque all the way down to the forest is a feast for the eyes. The markings are quite adequate and we came across an agent who was in the process of repainting and adding to them (especially between the Etang Bleu and the Etang Long, from where there are lots of little tracks outside the loop).

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A very pretty and interesting circuit, but you need to be well shod as the climb through the undergrowth is tough, 800m of ascent. At the top there's a magnificent lake and the descent is rocky and technical, so you'll need poles.

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At this time of year, reaching the Lac Bleu and swimming in it is excellent.

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Very nice walk, we went up through the undergrowth, there was still snow when we got to the pond and we went down through the technical cirque because there was a lot of snow.

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Do it in the direction of the lakes and the cirque. Magnificent colours in autumn.

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A very nice hike in early autumn, with a description that was entirely accurate.
I can confirm that the climb is quite steep in the undergrowth, but quite doable if you take your time and are careful not to slip, as the ground was damp when I went there.
The superb finish at the blue pond is just the right thing to relax your muscles and regain your strength.
As for the descent, which is admittedly technical and may seem dangerous to some, with good support and vigilance it goes very well.
Despite a cloudy sky from time to time, I recommend this walk for the charm and tranquillity of the lake.

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