Lac de la Cula via the circular trail

From Névache, in summer, take the shuttle bus up the upper valley. Get off at the Fontcouverte car park, on the banks of the Clarée.

(S) Follow the road down to Névache and cross the bridge over the Clarée.

(1) Immediately after, turn left at an acute angle onto a track towards the Refuge de Ricou. Head north and climb up some fairly steep slopes in places. This will take you to the Refuge de Rigou. Continue past it for a few dozen metres until you reach a fork.

(2) Turn right and continue climbing. Follow the numerous hairpin bends until you reach a crossroads.

(3) Take the hairpin bend to the left onto the Chemin de Ronde (ignore the path opposite that leads to Lac Laramon). Follow the Chemin de Ronde steadily uphill and cross a few streams.

(4) Ignore a path on the right and take a series of left-right-left turns. Continue north until you reach a footbridge over the Torrent de la Cula (very nice view of the valley).

(5) Just before the footbridge, take a path on the right that climbs alongside the stream. Higher up, bear right and move away from the stream. You will soon reach Lac de la Cula.

(6) Descend via the same path to the footbridge.

(5) Take the footbridge and turn left immediately. At the fork that appears immediately, turn left (southwest). Descend along or across a few streams. You will come out at the Laval car park. Cross the road and find the shuttle bus stop on the other side (E).

To return to Névache, take the shuttle bus.