The walk of the four lakes and a few beautiful ponds

A beautiful, varied route with no difficulty, allowing you to discover several high-altitude lakes in stunning scenery.

Details

1415968
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.63 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 739 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 739 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,515 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,958 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Arvieux, take the D902 towards Col d'Izoard until you reach the hamlet of Brunissard. At the entrance to the hamlet, take the small road on the left that follows theGR®5towards Pré Premier. After the campsite, park your car in the large car park at Pré des Vaches.

(S/E) From the car park, head west following the red and white markings ofthe GR®5. Follow the track that joins the Torrent de la Rivière at Pré Premier.

(1) At Pré Premier, you will find directions on signs. Head west, continuing to follow the GR® markings. The trail winds its way up to a first hamlet, L'Eychaillon.

(2) Leave theGR®5, which climbs towards the Col des Ayes, and head towards Lac Néal, first west and then due south. Cross the hamlet via the wide path.

(3) Turn right onto the path that climbs upwards, which is roughly concreted at this point, towards Chalets de Clapeyto.
You will arrive at Clapeyto, where chalets are scattered across a green valley. Cross the valley and follow the yellow signs for "Lac Néal". The path is clear and climbs gently towards the lakes.

(4) When you reach the Lacs de Cogour, continue along the path.

(5) When you reach the Lacs de la Favière, the trail continues straight on towards the Col de Néal,

(6) Lac Néal is located below. You can easily reach it by taking the path on the right that leads down to it.

Return via the same route to get back to the (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,960 m - Parking at Pré des Vaches.
  2. 1 : km 0.59 - alt. 2,047 m - Directions from Pré Premier
  3. 2 : km 1.47 - alt. 2,138 m - Direction Lac Neal
  4. 3 : km 2.14 - alt. 2,203 m - Turn right onto the concrete path
  5. 4 : km 5.24 - alt. 2,485 m - Lacs du Cogour
  6. 5 : km 5.91 - alt. 2,515 m - Lac de la Favière
  7. 6 : km 6.17 - alt. 2,449 m - Lac de Néal
  8. S/E : km 11.63 - alt. 1,958 m - Parking at Pré des Vaches.

Notes

Standard mountain hiking equipment, water.

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 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
JUSSY
JUSSY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely autumn walk, not many people.

Machine-translated

Serge.BertainaDubois
Serge.BertainaDubois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hiking!
Marmot country!
Magnificent landscapes
Not too difficult

Machine-translated

Véronique10
Véronique10

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with no major difficulties, unobstructed views and small, well-ventilated trails that are not rocky. A very pleasant and pretty walk through two small, lively hamlets. I highly recommend it!

Machine-translated

camillou38
camillou38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We set off at 8:30 a.m. on 1 November and hardly met anyone on the way up. But there were lots of people coming down, including mountain bikers who were digging up the muddy paths at this time of year. The trail is very easy to follow and the various panoramic views are each more beautiful than the last. We pushed on to the Col du Lauzon to admire the view of Mont Viso.

Machine-translated

Loique45
Loique45

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning mountain pastures.
Chalets undergoing restoration and peaks surrounded by small mountain lakes in a very pretty setting.
We were able to admire the curiosity of the marmots as we headed to a lake further away from the trail at the end of the route.
Take it slowly to gain their trust and keep a certain distance so you can observe them properly.
It's a shame we didn't have a little sunshine to bring out the colours..
But it was a very beautiful hike, and don't hesitate to take a stroll at the end of the route to admire the whole scene as you stray from the trail 😉👍

Machine-translated

bebert38
bebert38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant, well-marked hike. Mountain lakes are always a very relaxing destination. The climb is steady (track then good path).

Machine-translated

Galinett
Galinett

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Wonderful hike, well marked. The directions are very clear. Thank you so much!!!!!

Machine-translated

coqsigrue
coqsigrue

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

now, it is nicer to climb up via the Col du Gros (full of magnificent azaleas in early July) and descend via the Col de Lauzon (also passing by Lake Lauzon)
the first option avoids passing by the campsite, and the second option allows you to make a circular route and rejoin the GR54 trail, which juts out above Le Coin

Machine-translated

Thierry Repellin
Thierry Repellin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. From the top of the lakes, it is also possible to continue towards the Lauzon Pass and then towards the Esparges Fines ridge. Both of these points offer stunning panoramic views. Allow an extra hour without any elevation gain.

Machine-translated

tebon
tebon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike that is not to be missed.
The climb is steady (track then good path).
We came back down via the paths used by another hike ("Chalets de Clapeyto and Col du Néal and its lakes"). It's beautiful but there are a few steep and slippery sections...

Machine-translated

dede53
dede53

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike. You can leave the trail and avoid the sun on the climb to the chalets by taking the small pass indicated on the left at the large plateau after a 20-minute climb. Thank you

Machine-translated

patrist
patrist

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

the names of the different lakes encountered along the route are missing; that's a shame

Machine-translated

mdajl
mdajl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant, well-marked hike. Mountain lakes are always a very relaxing destination.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.