Lake L'Oule at the start of Artigusse

This route is a must-see. A family walk, you can choose to go from (3) to (4) along the mountainside, but if you are prone to vertigo, it is better to avoid this route and walk near the lake instead.
This is a pastoral area where pets are not allowed.

Details

3834415
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 446 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 441 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,020 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,590 m

Description of the walk

Park in the Cabane d'Artigusse car park.

(S/E) Cross the Neste de Couplan stream using the wide track that leads to the foot of the Lac de l'Oule dam. Take the path on the left to reach the western dam wall.

(1) Take the path that runs along the right bank of the lake, continue along it and join theGR®10marked in red and white. Follow it until you reach the northern end of the lake at the Cabane de la Lude.

(2) Keep right on theGR® trail, which climbs above the lake. You will reach a new crossroads at a large rock.

(3) Leave theGR® and continue straight ahead on the path overlooking the lake.
Please note: this path is on the side of a slope and may be difficult for those who are prone to vertigo. For these individuals, it is advisable to leave theGR® at Cabane de la Lude and take the path on the left bank of the lake.
Reach a trail junction at a hairpin bend at the Corne Blanque ski lift.

(4) Turn right 180° onto the path that runs alongside the Ruisseau de Merlans and zigzag between fields and woods to reach the lake again.

(5) Turn left, walk along the lake and head for the Chalet-Refuge de l'Oule.

(6) Take the same path you took at the start to return to the Cabane d'Artigusse car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,590 m - Car park at the Cabane d'Artigusse. Cross the - Neste de Couplan (rivière) - Affluent de la Neste
  2. 1 : km 2.4 - alt. 1,810 m - Lac de l'Oule
  3. 2 : km 4.31 - alt. 1,828 m - La Lude hut
  4. 3 : km 5.31 - alt. 1,950 m - Large rock crossroads
  5. 4 : km 6.89 - alt. 2,020 m - Corne Blanque ski lift
  6. 5 : km 8.32 - alt. 1,821 m - Lac de l'Oule
  7. 6 : km 8.71 - alt. 1,814 m - Refuge de l'Oule
  8. S/E : km 11.29 - alt. 1,590 m - Car park at the Cabane d'Artigusse

Notes

Be sure to bring your hiking gear and plenty of water

Worth a visit

Along the way, Lake L'Oule.
Hydroelectric dam.
Mountain pines.
Panoramic view of the Néouville peaks.
Marmots.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 11674543

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We enjoyed this hike. We couldn't do the whole route because the trail was closed (there's a sign explaining that it's only open at certain times), but we crossed the dam to get back to where we started, which was fine.

Machine-translated

celine974r
celine974r

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A short hike to warm up is ideal. My only complaint is that the parking fee isn't specified, and I think €7 is a lot for a gravel car park and an unkempt toilet.

Machine-translated

Mary1811
Mary1811

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike that is accessible to most people. Definitely worth doing!

Machine-translated

Op31
Op31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike without too much difficulty, a slight climb in the first few kilometres and then again after crossing the lake on the hillside, with a lovely view.

Machine-translated

daving
daving

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

family hike in very pleasant dry weather, no difficulties, tour of the lake (currently under construction) very enjoyable

Machine-translated

JLM40
JLM40

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy outing, suitable for all levels. Great for warming up for subsequent outings

Machine-translated

Flol
Flol
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Seasonal closure of the D929 road during winter, preventing access to the Artigusse hut car park by car; access on foot takes 1½ hours along 6 km of less attractive tarmac road, parking at the Néouvielle relay car park. Information visible on the map but missing from the practical information section.

Machine-translated

=lapin
=lapin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely day, lovely walk, good meal at the Oule mountain refuge

Machine-translated

fougerey
fougerey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route was very busy at the start until the fork to the left before point 1, where the Lac de l'Oule sign indicates the path to the refuge, i.e. the path taken on the descent.
Otherwise, between points 1 and 6, it was not very busy.
There are beautiful views and peaceful spots to stop around the lake, and we didn't really see any vertiginous passages between 3 and 4.
Going as far as point 4 is not particularly interesting. You can easily cut across before that.

Machine-translated

danielfr40
danielfr40

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant hike on easy terrain
Do not go as far as point 4; you can cut across well before that at a pastoral sign
At point 3, I preferred to add a return trip to the Col de Bassinet via the lakes and the Bastan refuge
Elevation
+200 for the first lake
+100 for the refuge
+200 for the pass
Attractive
Thank you

Machine-translated

MAX5X
MAX5X

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb, but a bit crowded!

Machine-translated

spawn31
spawn31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

top notch! Perfect, spot on!

Machine-translated

lesendetsois
lesendetsois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely family hike, very popular at this time of year, so the car park fills up quickly.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.