The Queyset reservoir

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A short round-trip walk to the Queyset reservoir. Two tables are available around the reservoir for a picnic break. The short but steep climb through the forest should not be underestimated.

Details

n°55440193
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.90 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,526 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,539 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,466 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,032 ft
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Photos

The Queyset reservoir
The Queyset reservoir
View of Mont Grange
The Sou le Va hut

Description of the walk

From the centre of the village of Châtel, drive towards Pré la Joux. Park in car park no. 5, at the side of the road, just before the Pré la Joux chairlift station.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the Drance and take thefirst pathon the left, towards the recycling centre. Continue along this path, skirting the recycling centre at the bottom, until you reach the signposts.

(1) Turn right towards “Sous le Va”. The path climbs very steeply through the forest.

(2) When you reach a clearing, head up past the Sous le Va hut until you reach a track.

(3) Turn right towards “Tête de la Bille” and continue along this track to the reservoir.

(4) Walk round the reservoir. There are two picnic tables available. Head back down to the car park by following the route in reverse to the one you took on the way up (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,170 ft - Pré la Joux chairlift car park - Dranse d'Abondance (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.76 - alt. 4,121 ft - Signposts
  3. 2 : mi 1.16 - alt. 4,879 ft - Sou le Va Clearing
  4. 3 : mi 1.31 - alt. 5,039 ft - Queyset Reservoir Trail
  5. 4 : mi 2.32 - alt. 5,463 ft - Retenue du Queyset
  6. S/E : mi 4.9 - alt. 4,170 ft - Car park at the Pré les Joux chairlift

Notes

(1) The climb through the forest is very steep. To avoid slipping, the use of walking poles is recommended, especially for the descent,

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
saverne67th
saverne67th

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We did this hike on the 47th Belle de Dimanche.
To avoid going back and forth on the same route with the very steep descent, after going around the reservoir, we pushed on to the Chalets de Plaine Dranse and came back down the path that passes under the Pierre Longue chairlift to return to the starting point.
A nice hike, but a bit steep at the beginning and not that interesting in the end if you're only interested in the reservoir.

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User 18955737

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, peaceful hike, which nevertheless starts with a very steep climb after the waste disposal site. But it's worth it once you reach the ridge and the Queyset reservoir.
No problems with the signposting or the information provided by Visorando. At the start, the passage under the waste disposal site may be blocked by a fire put in place by the town hall. For us, on 9 June 2025, the fire was not lit.
We made our way back via Plaine Dranse (a slightly longer route...).

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Gilles13
Gilles13
• Edited:

Hello Meuh Meuh
This path (signposted as the ‘Dranse riverside route’) starts at Pré La Joux and goes as far as Abondance.
Having checked, you’re right. The section from Pré La Joux to the signposts (as described in my itinerary) is temporarily closed.
Sorry....

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Meuh meuh
Meuh meuh

Except that this access is prohibited and closed

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Gilles13
Gilles13
• Edited:

Hello Meuh Meuh
The start point is actually very easy to find. Take the first path on the left after the Dranse bridge, heading towards the recycling centre, which is signposted.

Machine-translated

Meuh meuh
Meuh meuh

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start of the walk is very poorly signposted. We’re still trying to find the start!!

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Gilles13
Gilles13

Thank you for your positive feedback.

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Christian 55
Christian 55

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 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 walk, particularly in summer, as most of the ascent takes place in the forest (and therefore in the shade).

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