Lac de Gers

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This is a fairly short, easy walk. The mountain pasture and lake are magnificent, but the access path, which is sometimes quite muddy, is mainly in the forest and offers few views.

Details

n°298334
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 462 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 468 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,542 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,121 m
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Photos

Lake Gers hike
The landscape
Lac de Gers
The Alpine pasture

Description of the walk

Access: Reach Samoens via the D907, then head towards Samoens 1600 and the Plateau des Saix. Shortly after the hamlet of "La Plaigne", take a small road towards Lédedian and continue to the end.

(S/E) The walk starts from the Pont de Lédédian.
Head south-east along a wide path that climbs into the forest. It quickly branches off to the north-east and climbs quite steeply at times. After about half an hour's walk, near a chalet, you will come to theGR® 96 coming from Samoens.

(1) Take this trail to the right, heading south. Continue through the forest, unfortunately with few views. The slopes are much less steep and you will even descend quite often.
(2) We spotted a chamois on this section. Continue and ignore the paths branching off to the left.

(3) You will reach the mountain pasture after about 1.5 hours. Here, the landscape becomes very beautiful. Leave a path on your left and you will soon reach the chalets and then Lac de Gers (4), a superb mountain lake.

Return via the same route to reach the Pont de Lédédian (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,130 m - Pont de Lédedian car park
  2. 1 : km 1.39 - alt. 1,331 m - Take the GR 96
  3. 2 : km 3 - alt. 1,444 m - Encounter with a chamois
  4. 3 : km 4.85 - alt. 1,507 m - The Alpine pasture
  5. 4 : km 6.29 - alt. 1,542 m - Lac de Gers
  6. S/E : km 12.81 - alt. 1,130 m - Pont de Lédedian car park

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 37 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
patrick55
patrick55

The route follows a single track, which can be a bit tedious. Once you leave the forest, it starts to get interesting.
The arrival at Lake Gers alone makes this hike worthwhile.

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Randolbsc
Randolbsc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The journey is a bit long, but the destination is magnificent. The lake and mountains are superb, and the sun is shining

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allauch
allauch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

chalet and lake in the Gers region
huge boletus mushrooms

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LaMiaDoRé
LaMiaDoRé

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Strawberries and raspberries on the embankments along the track! A real treat!

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User 3837854

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike that is also accessible to children, although the steady climb may seem long to them (12 km round trip). The trail is easy to follow. It is a mountain road accessible by 4x4.
The climb is very shaded but becomes gentler as you approach the end of the wooded area, ending on a plateau of mountain pastures. The refuge is at the end of the trail. It is also a very good restaurant with reasonable prices and excellent service.
The walk around the lake offers some beautiful views.
In winter, the climb can also be done on snowshoes.

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glieres74
glieres74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Great
lots of people

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dchaigne
dchaigne

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very welcoming refuge on Lake Gers.

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keith martel
keith martel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Pretty mountain lake

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User 6102310

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Uninteresting route
Road accessible by car to the lake.
On arrival at the lake, there were lots of fishermen.
But the lake is pretty, with a small café at the refuge where we were warmly welcomed.

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bebert38
bebert38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike began on a foggy day with lots of clouds ,a slightly steep climb at the start, followed by a gentle path with beautiful views of Sixt and Samoens .Little by little, the sun broke through the clouds
and we finally saw the mountains. Once we arrived, Lake Gers was peaceful with a refuge bar and restaurant offering dishes. Don't hesitate to walk around the lake. The lake is magnificent.

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jfk74
jfk74
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start is on a forest road with a relatively steep climb lasting 50 minutes, but it's in the shade so no problems there.
There are beautiful views of the Giffre Valley and the lake, which is very nice.
It's a bit busy today, but it is 11 August!
A great way to get some fresh air.

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idbernard68
idbernard68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with no difficulties.
Several areas have been deforested, so the route now offers beautiful views of the Giffre Valley, contrary to the description.
The lake is magnificent and the welcome at the refuge was really friendly. We were offered coffee because we were the first customers of the day.

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St Cyr
St Cyr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off in the rain, but were rewarded on arrival with the sun coming out at midday for a few hours, revealing the beauty of the lake and pastures. We even saw some chamois!
We will also remember the very warm welcome we received at the lake refuge.

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smashdc
smashdc
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A forest track leads down to the valley, but there are numerous panoramic views of Sixt and the surrounding villages. And the views are superb!
A very beautiful hike! On the way back, you also have the mountains in front of you.
Definitely worth doing. The bridge was almost unusable, so it was risky. Avoid taking your car to the lake LOL
It's a hike (and the track isn't very wide)!

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randonnee76
randonnee76

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Wide road suitable for vehicles. Watch out for lots of bicycles.
Arrive early to find a parking space.
Easy hike.

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