Lac Autier

de fr

This round trip will give you a 600m elevation gain in 4 hours and allow you to enjoy this magnificent lake.
Moderator's addition on 22/07/2021: Please note! Access to the lake is now impossible due to damage caused by Storm Alex. See the reviews at the bottom of this page

Details

n°638218
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.59 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 586 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 586 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,270 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,684 m
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Photos

Lac Autier
Gordolasque Valley
Lac Autier
view of Lake Autier

Description of the walk

Departure from the Pont du Countet car park in Belvédère.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the track that runs along the Gordolasque on the right bank heading north, pass a shelter and continue to the next fork.

At marker 413, continue straight ahead for a little over 50 metres.

(1) Cross to the right via the wooden footbridge, then climb north-east for a few hundred metres until you reach marker 414.

(2) At marker 414, turn right towards the small stream and descend a little before crossing it.
Follow the path heading south-east, then north-east. When the path is not clear, several cairns will help you find your way.

(3) When you get close to the stream at the bottom of the valley, follow the yellow markings towards the northeast to cross it. Walk for a few more minutes until you reach Lac Autier.

(4) You can walk around the lake
Turn around and stop just before marker 414 and the stream.

(5) Turn left onto a path that passes through Les Gravières. Cross the bridge over the Gordolasque and arrive at the Pont du Countet car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,684 m - Parking - Pont du Countet
  2. 1 : km 1.38 - alt. 1,786 m - Passerelle de la - Gordolasque
  3. 2 : km 1.52 - alt. 1,834 m - Beacon 414
  4. 3 : km 2.59 - alt. 2,103 m - Vallon du Lac Autier
  5. 4 : km 3.21 - alt. 2,265 m - Lac Autier
  6. 5 : km 4.85 - alt. 1,821 m - Turn left before the stream
  7. S/E : km 6.59 - alt. 1,684 m - Pont du Countet car park

Notes

- Be careful of snow at the beginning of the season!
- Please note: the duration of 3 hours 15 minutes is based on an automatic distance/speed calculation with a speed of 3.5 km/h. Allow 4 hours for someone who walks well and 5 hours if there are children or elderly people.

During hot weather, the climb can be done in the shade... by leaving early enough (~7:30 a.m. at the park gate), you will also be the first ones there and may enjoy the climb without encountering anyone else.

If you have an extra hour and a half, you can join theGR®52to descend on the Refuge Nice side: Tour de la Tête du Lac Autier

Worth a visit

Lac Autier.
View of the highest peaks of the Mercantour (Gélas, Malédie).
Abundant wildlife.
Belle and Sebastian's cabin (1965 film).

 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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 50 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Corbelli
Corbelli

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Taken in early November, on a weekday, with few people on the trail. However, it was still just as magical... an explosion of autumn colours and a lake already partially frozen... what a reward! The clear sky further highlighted these magnificent colours, punctuated by a few tame chamois. We encountered a few patches of ice on the last steep slope, but nothing too serious.

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chicofm
chicofm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Steep but magnificent. At the end of September, the first snows made the lake and peaks look impressive.

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User 9356392

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 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, starting off gently along the Gordolasque river, then climbing steeply up to the lake. The return via the gravel pits is not essential; we found the right bank more pleasant (Belle et Sébastien hut). Done in August in high season in the middle of the morning, there were few people on the trail.

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Soso30320
Soso30320

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike that we had already done on our way to the Nice refuge. This time, it was an equally enjoyable round trip. The view of the mountains surrounding us throughout the climb is spectacular.
For a Sunday in July, we came across quite a few people, but it was far from being a motorway!

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User 11192386

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hiking without shade once you're on the trail leading up to the lake. The elevation gain is almost all at once.
There are streams, so bring a water filter if you have one.
The cairns mentioned in the description are almost gone, but the path is still fairly easy to follow.

Very nice hike 🥰

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Miss-Lutti
Miss-Lutti

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2024
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 where you can encounter many animals. We saw ibex, chamois, and a herd of sheep and goats. It is very pretty and fairly easy to follow. We only lost the trail when crossing the waterfall, but we quickly found it again with the app. Be aware that it is longer than indicated.

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Jean-François Cousin
Jean-François Cousin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike is magnificent. The climb is relatively difficult for someone of my age (69). However, I was rewarded at the summit when we arrived at Lake Autier, as we saw seven beautiful chamois several times... it was splendid!
The descent is also demanding on the knees!
In short, it took me twice as long as expected!

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eb91
eb91

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A beautiful walk with a herd of chamois before arriving at the lake.
However, it is quite physically demanding with some steep steps in places!
The route is relatively easy to follow even without the signs.

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dominiqueschemann
dominiqueschemann

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

1) No need to cross
2) there are no more cairns
3) the yellow markings have been erased in many places
4) the route around the lake is complicated
5) the walking time does not correspond to the fairly steep climb

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ponpone
ponpone

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, since they rebuilt the stone steps, I find that these steps (in height) are a little more difficult to climb, but it's still a very beautiful hike with lots of chamois that aren't very shy at the lake

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cyril Oddoz
cyril Oddoz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike

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alexvéro06600
alexvéro06600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on 11 August: very busy trail in the morning and afternoon.
There were four of us, including our seven-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
very difficult for children: very steep climbs.
the result: a 6-hour hike, 3 hours uphill and 3 hours downhill! Avoid going there with children, unless they're tough!

otherwise, it's magical, even enchanting!
it's a feast for the eyes!
For those who swim: avoid it, you'll bring diseases to the creatures living in the lakes!

The nice thing is that there are no dogs! And everyone says hello!!!
see you soon!

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Casteljaloux
Casteljaloux

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A slightly difficult hike, but above all unusually hot weather

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nicolettesalvatore@gmail.com
nicolettesalvatore@gmail.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A little paradise surrounded by flora and fauna...much loved
Lots of water, the stream had overflowed onto parts of the path
Cairns here and there

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Kiwi06
Kiwi06

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike, close to water (river & streams, waterfalls, lake).
With the sun shining, the lake was a beautiful blue.
We arrived at the car park at 10 a.m. and had to find a spot along the road leading to it

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