The Pointe des Cerces

Near the Grand Galibier, another beautiful peak in the Cerces massif with an exceptional 360° panorama of the Ecrins, the Thabor, the Aiguilles d'Arves, Mont Blanc, the Viso, etc.
A summit that takes effort to reach but is definitely worth the detour.
An absolutely magnificent hike with a surprise at the summit that encourages meditation.

Details

n°46519

Creation:
24 Dec 2013

Last update:
17 Oct 2025

Last review:
08 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 14.20 km
Average duration: 7h 35
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,220 m
Descent: - 1,217 m
Highest point: 3,085 m
Lowest point: 1,962 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Cerces, Vallée de la Maurienne, Dauphiné
District: 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) Go up the military track towards the Camp des Rochilles (south-south-east).

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

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

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

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

(5) At the pass and the sign, take the well-marked mountain trail on the left that leads to Pointe des Cerces. Follow it up to the summit.

(6) Descend the trail 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 take the path on the right that runs alongside the Cerces stream (north-northwest). Follow this path to rejoin the military track at Les Mottets.

(8) Follow it downhill north-northwest to Plan Lachat (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,962 m - Parking at Plan Lachat. Near the - Valloirette (rivière)
1 : km 0.95 - alt. 2,057 m - Trail junction, path
2 : km 2.7 - alt. 2,402 m - Col de la Pare (2405m)
3 : km 3.78 - alt. 2,493 m - Col des Rochilles (2491m)
4 : km 4.49 - alt. 2,479 m - Trail junction, GR57
5 : km 5.06 - alt. 2,574 m - Col des Cerces
6 : km 7.05 - alt. 3,085 m - Summit - Pointe des Cerces
7 : km 10.24 - alt. 2,401 m - GR57 crossroads, trail - Lac des Cerces
8 : km 12.18 - alt. 2,143 m - Trail junction, track
S/E : km 14.2 - alt. 1,962 m - Parking Plan Lachat

Notes

I made a video showing the route and the key points along the way.
In the summer, telescopic walking sticks are sufficient as there is almost no snow.
At this time of year, the hike remains within the scope of a hike.
There is a passage near a scree slope. Wearing a helmet, which is often forgotten by hikers, is a safety precaution.
At the beginning of the season (May, June): avoid this route if you are a hiker.
This hike turns into a snow climb (with ice axes, crampons and ropes).
Snow can remain until August. Go around 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

District: Briançon (05100)

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