Lac de Brouffier via Combe Oursière

Access to Lac de Brouffier via the route with the least elevation gain.

Details

1572129
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.90 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 502 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 502 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,155 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,681 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Coming from Alpe du Grand Serre, stay on the Poursolet road for a few kilometres and park in the car park on the left after the memorial to avalanche victims, which can be seen on the right-hand side of the road.

(S/E) Retrace your steps along the road and, at the monument, start the climb up Combe Oursière on the left.
After 300 m, the path turns right into the woods and eventually emerges onto a patch of ground covered with juniper and blueberry bushes.

(1) At the crossroads, go straight ahead. The path on the right is reserved for the return journey.

(2) Take the path on the right, which leads to the hut and Lac de Brouffier, slightly below. This path roughly follows the contour line and descends slightly towards the end to the lake.

(3) At Lac de Brouffier, after a break and a few photos, return by the same route to the first crossroads.

(1) Take the path on the left to descend towards Chênevier. Join Chemin Bégoud.

(4) Take it to the right and, after a good hundred metres, take the path on the right marked Combe Oursière. The path joins the Combe Oursière at about the level of the war memorial.
Turn left onto the short stretch of road to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,681 m - Combe Oursière car park
  2. 1 : km 0.9 - alt. 1,936 m - First junction
  3. 2 : km 1.66 - alt. 2,141 m - Second Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.59 - alt. 2,113 m - Brouffier Lake
  5. 4 : km 4.86 - alt. 1,749 m - Chemin Bégoud
  6. S/E : km 5.9 - alt. 1,681 m - Combe Oursière car park

Notes

There is no water source apart from the lake!
The slope in Combe Oursière is quite steep.
Combe Oursière is shaded and the path can be a little slippery in autumn or in wet weather.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

In (2), it is possible to continue to Pas de la Mine and beyond.
Throughout the hike (at least in the open sections), there are beautiful views of the Chartreuse and Vercors mountains, roughly from Dent de Crolles in the north to Grand Veymont in the south-west.
Closer by, there are also views of Chamrousse to the north and Alpe du Grand Serre, Perrolier and Tabor to the west
A path allows you to walk around the lake.
The trails are very well signposted with comprehensive information boards at each junction. An example to follow!

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Wingardium
Wingardium

Thank you, Marie, for clarifying that. I have corrected the description accordingly.

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Mariefrez
Mariefrez

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We did this hike but started from a lower point: the start was marked by a path leading off to the right of the road at a hairpin bend, which we thought was the start described.
In fact, the description of this hike should explain that you need to stay on the Poursolet road for a few kilometres and find the car park on the left below the stele that can be seen on the right of the road.
Otherwise, it's a beautiful hike to Le Broufier. Beautiful view of the peaks on the way back. The climb via our route through Les Fontenettes is steep and rocky

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Flopy 58
Flopy 58

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 : Yes

A lovely walk if you don't mind the steep climb at the start. We followed the route but, on reflection, I wonder if there's any point in climbing the steep slope instead of taking the path back down.
Lots of blueberries. 😋
Of course, you're rewarded with magnificent views

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stendhal
stendhal

here are three walks that my wife and I have done, and our initial observations are that we lack practice with the site, with pre-recording a route, stopping the search, etc. In short, nothing unusual for beginners. It's a reassuring aid when trying out a new route.

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sempervivum
sempervivum

Please note that the D114E (Poursollet road) is closed from mid-November to the end of May

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Franck Boileau
Franck Boileau

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Excellent hike despite a mistake at the beginning (taking the return route instead of the outward route), which had no consequences. Easy terrain and clearly marked landmarks. Brouffier hut currently undergoing renovation.

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martagon38
martagon38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike rewarded (after the challenging climb up Combe Oursière) with a spectacular view of the Vercors.
Perfect weather and the russet colours of the blueberry bushes – what more could you ask for?
Just on the signs for the descent via number 4, there is no mention of the Bégoud path, but the route can be found.
Thank you for this beautiful walk.

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