The Pointe des Cerces

Near the Grand Galibier, another stunning peak in the Cerces massif offering an exceptional 360° panorama of the Ecrins, the Thabor, the Aiguilles d’Arves, Mont Blanc, the Viso, etc.
A summit that has to be earned but is well worth the detour.
An absolutely magnificent hike with a surprise at the summit that invites contemplation.

Details

n°46519

Creation:
24 Dec 2013

Last update:
18 May 2026

Last review:
08 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 8.82 mi
Average duration: 7h 35
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 4,003 ft
Descent: - 3,993 ft
Highest point: 10,121 ft
Lowest point: 6,437 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Cerces, Vallée de la Maurienne, Dauphiné
City: Valloire (73450)
Start/End: N 45.09025° / E 6.435479°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3435ET, 3435ETR, 3535OT, 3535OTR
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Description of the walk

Coming from Briançon, on the descent from the Col du Galibier, park in the car park on the right after a large hairpin bend at Plan Lachat. From Valloire, this car park is located on the climb up to the pass, before the hairpin bend on the left.

(S/E) Head up the military track towards Camp des Rochilles (south-southeast).

(1) At the first fork, leave the track and take the path on the left. Follow this path to Camp des Rochilles

(2) Cross the Col de la Paré and head towards the Col des Rochilles.

(3) Go round Lac du Grand Ban on the left until you reach its far end. Turn right then pass between Lac du Grand Ban and Lac Rond.

(4) Follow the^GR®®57southwards towards the Col des Cerces.

(5) At the pass and the signpost, take the well-marked mountain path on the left leading towards Pointe des Cerces. Follow it up to the summit.

(6) Head back down the path in the opposite direction to the Col des Cerces.

(5) At the pass, turn left onto the^GR®®57towards Lac des Cerces.

(7) From the lake, leave the^GR®® and turn right onto the path that runs alongside the Ruisseau des Cerces (north-north-west). Follow this path to rejoin the military track at Les Mottets.

(8) Follow it down north-north-west to Plan Lachat (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,437 ft - Plan Lachat car park. Near the - Valloirette (rivière)
1 : mi 0.59 - alt. 6,749 ft - Crossroads: track, path
2 : mi 1.68 - alt. 7,881 ft - Col de la Pare (2405m)
3 : mi 2.35 - alt. 8,179 ft - Col des Rochilles (2491m)
4 : mi 2.79 - alt. 8,133 ft - Trail junction, GR57
5 : mi 3.14 - alt. 8,445 ft - Col des Cerces
6 : mi 4.38 - alt. 10,121 ft - Summit - Pointe des Cerces
7 : mi 6.36 - alt. 7,877 ft - GR57 junction, path - Lac des Cerces
8 : mi 7.57 - alt. 7,031 ft - Trail junction
S/E : mi 8.82 - alt. 6,437 ft - Plan Lachat car park

Notes

I have made a video showing the route and the key points along the way.
In the warmer months, telescopic walking poles are sufficient as the snowfield is virtually non-existent.
At this time of year, the route remains a standard hike.
There is a section near a scree slope. Wearing a helmet—often overlooked by hikers—is essential for safety.
Early in the season (May, June): best avoided by hikers.
This hike turns into a snow trek (requiring ice axes, crampons and a rope).
A snowfield may persist until August. Go round it on the left.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5

Based on 26 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Sophie la Marmotte

08 Oct 2025 at 19:49 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wonderful!

We did the hike in early September, during the week, to try to avoid the crowds. Mission accomplished: we were alone at the summit! We only met a few people along the way.

As I'm afraid of heights, I was apprehensive about this hike, having read everything and its opposite about it: in the end, I found it manageable and didn't experience any moments of "stress".

The first part of the hike requires moderate effort, but the final part, starting from the scree, is much more demanding! It's a steep climb! But nothing insurmountable, and above all: the reward at the summit is incredible!

Return via Lac des Cerces. To really enjoy it if you've never been around the Cerces lakes before, I think you need to plan to spend the day there

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JeromeRando

30 Aug 2025 at 03:08 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike that reaches an altitude of 3,000 metres.
Once you've passed the lakes, you leave the 'easy' paths behind and the most technical part begins, climbing towards the Pointe des Cercles.
There is a significant elevation gain on this less frequented section, but it is not particularly difficult for holidaymakers who are used to hiking in the high mountains.

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rabinovitch

12 Aug 2025 at 12:01 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
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 breathtaking views from the summit. I highly recommend it.

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Britanicus100

11 Aug 2025 at 11:44 7200

You're welcome, it's my pleasure to share the mountains through my guidebooks and my YouTube channel, "Randonnées montagnardes" (Mountain Hikes)

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frondas

11 Aug 2025 at 09:10 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

A very beautiful hike on Thursday, 7 August, with ideal weather.

As other comments have already mentioned, the final climb (and the descent on the way back) is really challenging, but the view... what a treat!

A very beautiful hike, thank you for sharing the route.

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CHMARIN

11 Aug 2025 at 08:43 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Very beautiful hike

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le Jo

17 Sep 2024 at 19:41 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful loop in the Cerces.
No particular difficulties except perhaps the final climb: steep gradient over a short distance.
The view from the summit is magnificent....
A hike not to be missed!

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Sandrandonneuse

02 Sep 2024 at 13:49 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Departure from the Lachat car park. Climb in the suggested direction to Lac Grand Ban. Fork off towards Pointe des Cerces, following the direction of Col des Cerces. Then take the path on the left when you reach the pass. The directions and path are well signposted. The first part is easy, with views of the lake and various mountain ranges (magnificent). Upon reaching the scree, the path becomes much more challenging. The difficulty lies in the nature of the terrain, the steepness of the slope and the elevation gain over a short distance.
But what a sight when you arrive! Views of the lakes: the Cerces on one side and the long, round lake on the other. A mineral landscape: just perfect 🤩.
The descent is much more challenging for the same reasons. For me, walking sticks were essential. Return to the pass and descent to the lake, where there are lots of people. This lake is very accessible from this side. The descent to the Plan Lachat car park is easier on the knees.
A magnificent hike that I highly recommend.
You can also do it over two days with a night at the Drayeres refuge. Day 2: head towards the Col des Muandes and return to the pass via the lakes: Rond and Muandes. Descend to the refuge, then return to the Lac du Grand Ban, Col des Cerces, Lac des Cerces and the Plan Lachat car park.

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Nini_La_Randonneuse

12 Aug 2024 at 12:12 7200 • Edited: 12 Aug 2024 at 13:51 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A truly unforgettable and exceptional hike that is well worth the effort as it is very long.
The distance from the Plan Lachat car park to the start of the hike should not be underestimated as it is quite far.
The Lac des Cerces is sublime but very popular with families. It is even more beautiful when viewed from above.
During our ascent to this magical place, there was still a lot of snow and crampons were a great help.
The Pointe des Cerces hike is not really advertised so as not to encourage reckless people without proper hiking boots to venture into this vast, exposed area, which is very steep and prone to rock falls.
Those who wish to push themselves will not be disappointed by this marvel, which, upon our arrival, made the quote take on its full meaning.

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celilou74

10 Oct 2023 at 08:38 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike

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Britanicus100

21 Aug 2023 at 22:45 7200 • Edited: 10 Oct 2023 at 13:16 7200

Thank you for submitting your reviews.
Yes, you need to be in reasonably good physical condition, which means practising a sport regularly. It is also important not to start the tour until you have had at least four days to acclimatise to the altitude.

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setolivier

21 Aug 2023 at 15:03 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike that requires minimal physical fitness and appropriate equipment (walking shoes) – especially for the climb to the summit. The route is easy to follow and the suggested direction is perfectly suited

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Salyen

28 Jul 2023 at 17:32 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done at the end of July. It took me 7 hours and 10 minutes, including photo breaks and meals. The first part is easy, passing between two lakes where you can see marmots, then climbing up to the first pass where you take a path that is a little less well marked but the trail is fairly obvious. The last part to the summit is very steep, frozen in the morning and then a bit muddy as the hours go by. You can easily avoid the snow on the left. The view from the summit is superb. The number of people there is relative. There were 4-5 people with me at the summit, but I came across 10-12 on the way down.
It should be noted that in two or three places, you may need to use your hands, and there is a slightly exposed section where you need a head for heights.

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Melquiond bernard

05 Nov 2022 at 18:24 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Completed on 23/08/2022 in beautiful weather. Superb 360° panorama
No major difficulties except for the slope in the last section
A must-do

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Britanicus100

10 Oct 2022 at 11:08 7200

Thank you for posting your review of this hike.
Personally, I downloaded the map of France once and for all from Visorando, so I always know where I am in relation to the route of each hike on the IGN map.

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Author

Britanicus100
94 Walks

Visorando Member

City: Briançon (05100)

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