Lac de l'Eychauda via the Pas de l'Âne and the Col des Grangettes

Date of walk : Aug 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice hike.
Be sure to hike in the direction indicated, as the trail is not great on the climb up to the Col des Grangettes (doing it on the descent is therefore a very bad idea).
The trail is not very busy until the Col des Grangettes, but becomes much busier from there on, although it is still very reasonable.

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Date of walk : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful hike, which we would definitely rank among our top three trails.
The first kilometre is almost flat, allowing you to warm up gently. We set off early in the morning, so the climb to point 2 (Col de l'Eychauda) was easy, in the shade, accompanied by the sound of sheep bells as they descended.
The climb to the Pas de l'Âne is fairly easy, although some sections are quite steep. The descent from the Pas de l'Âne is slightly technical, but not particularly difficult in dry weather. The climb to the Col des Grangettes is more demanding, however: you need to watch where you put your feet, as some stones can come loose. However, a handrail on the last few hairpin bends makes the climb safer. The arrival at the pass is rewarded with a superb view of the Lac de l'Eychauda.
The first few metres of the descent are a little technical – less so than on the other side, but they still require caution. The rest of the trail to the lake is more pleasant and offers beautiful views of the glacier. At the lake, the wind blows strongly, so it is advisable to bring a windbreaker. The descent from the lake to the car park is then easy.
While the climb to the Col de l'Eychauda is relatively quiet, there are significantly more people at the Pas de l'Âne and especially at the Col des Grangettes.
The car park at the start of the hike is large enough to accommodate hikers without any difficulty.
We confirm that it is strongly recommended to do the loop in the direction indicated by the author. Although there is a handrail, the descent from the Col des Grangettes to the Pas de l'Âne seems much more difficult. However, it is not impossible, as we came across a few hikers there.

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Date of walk : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Quite a long hike, 5½ to 6 hours at a good pace, in a varied setting including mountain pastures, ski slopes and rocks
A very beautiful walk with a magnificent view of the lake.
The passage to reach the Col des Grangettes is equipped with cables that make access easier, but caution is advised for those who are not experienced. The route remains tricky from the Pas de L'âne to the lake.

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Date of walk : Jul 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : Yes

Arriving at the Col des Grangettes via the resort put me off the idea. There didn't seem to be much point in hiking among the ski slopes and ski lifts, and considering the rockfalls on the Crête des Grangettes, climbing the pass didn't seem very safe. Thanks for mentioning "steep and rugged"! According to a hiker, without the handrail, it's impossible to climb!
So we decided to go straight to the lake, which had thawed, and then to the pass. The view is superb, but there's not much room to enjoy it as it's very crowded!
Watch out for the patous after the car park!

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Date of walk : Jul 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Good evening

I did this route today. The section through the ski area isn't too bad: just look up and enjoy the beautiful mountains!
The Col des Grangettes is definitely better in this direction. I find it safer. The view of the lake from the pass is magnificent. A really beautiful hike. The descent to Chambran is a bit long. Thanks to the person who posted the hike.
Have a great summer.

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Date of walk : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike in a spectacular mountain landscape. The climb is continuous but fairly gentle. The arrival at the resort is a little disappointing compared to the start of the hike, and until you reach the Pas de l'Âne, the route is not particularly interesting.
Please note: after the Pas de l'Âne, you are facing north and it is cold, with slightly icy snow in October over a distance of about 500 metres. This made access to the Col des Grangettes and the crossing "tricky", although it is well secured by cables. Bring walking sticks and good shoes.

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Date of walk : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful hike with a magnificent view of Lake Eychauda from the Col des Grangettes. Access to the Col des Grangettes from the well-equipped Pas de l'Äne is not recommended for children under 10-12 years old.

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Date of walk : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant hike at the start of the season, as the lake may still be partially frozen!
The final climb can be a little difficult, but it's not impossible.

There are few people on the way up and a few more on the way down.

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Date of walk : Jul 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hello everyone,
Thanks for this great route description. I hardly saw anyone until the Col des Grangettes. From the lake to the end point, there were lots of people heading up towards the lake.
The hike was done in beautiful weather. There was still a lot of snow in the Montagnolle valley.
The descent from the Pas de l'Ane and the ascent of the Col des Grangettes were difficult.
The lake is starting to thaw, it was magnificent!
Many marmots honoured me with their company.
A very beautiful hike, highly recommended!

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Date of walk : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We gained direct access to the lake on 10 October. It was ideal, as the weather was good and there were few people around at that time of year, although we did meet a few hikers

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Date of walk : Sep 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful walk, very well tracked thanks to my smartwatch, onto which I was able to download the route using the app. The walk is quite physically demanding but enjoyable. However, I would recommend doing it very early in the morning.

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Date of walk : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent hike, the route is easy to follow (especially using the GPX track, which is perfect!).
The climb to the Col des Grangettes is tricky but safe thanks to the cable.

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Date of walk : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful hike enjoyed by the whole family (two older teenagers)
Physically demanding
No particular technical difficulties apart from the final pass, which was particularly well secured with cables.

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Date of walk : Jun 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike in the heart of the Écrins National Park. The first part of the climb to the Col d'Eychauda is very pleasant.

Then the landscape loses some of its interest once you pass the pass and reach the top of the Col des Grangettes, where it consists mainly of rocky scree. Progress is slow with 15kg rucksacks on your back due to the unstable and slippery ground, with stones that you can imagine rolling easily under your feet if you're not careful. Nothing insurmountable, we hear, but it's something to bear in mind for our friends who are travelling.

The final part of the climb up the Col des Grangettes with the chains is challenging but less monotonous, and I must admit that I really enjoyed it. The view of the lake from the top of the pass is breathtaking and more than rewards the effort. The descent is uneventful and the landscape is stunning.

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Date of walk : Jul 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent hike in the Ecrins National Park. An absolutely incredible lake. Be careful on the scree slope just after the Col des Grangettes, though, as it's quite steep and the stones roll under your feet. We kept looking down to make sure there was no one below us. I highly recommend this hike, as well as others in this national park: https://hikesandtravels.com/parc-nationa...

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