Lac de la Douche from Le Casset

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A classic family hike. Most of the trail is in the forest, sheltered from the sun, except at the end of the trail to reach the lake.
The trail runs alongside the Parc des Écrins and enters it in places. Please note the National Park regulations, in particular the ban on dogs, even on a leash (see the notice at the start of the trail).

Details

n°3254730
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 402 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 402 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,907 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,505 m
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Photos

Lac de la Douche
Lac de la Douche
Larch forest
Glacier tongue

Description of the walk

After Le Monêtier-les-Bains, continue towards the Col du Lautaret and turn left onto the D300 towards Le Casset. Park at the entrance to the village (plenty of parking spaces).

(S/E) Cross the village of Le Casset and reach the bridge over the Guisane. Cross it and continue opposite on the track supporting theGR®54, also mentioned on the signpost. Follow the red and white markings. Continue along the track; it is also possible to cut the bends by taking the paths. Reach the Pont du Clot du Gué.

(1) Take this bridge and then turn left to continue on theGR®54. You will reach a picnic area near the Glacier du Casset torrent.

(2) Stay on theGR® (marked trail) or take the grassy path on the right, keeping to the right bank of the Petit Tabuc torrent. You will reach a stony area.

(3) Continue climbing, taking care as the path becomes increasingly stony. You will reach a flatter section which will take you between some boulders to Lac de la Douche.

(4) Take the same route in reverse to return to the Casset car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,505 m - Village of Casset. Head towards the bridge over the - Guisane (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.28 - alt. 1,566 m - Clot du Gué bridge
  3. 2 : km 2.59 - alt. 1,690 m - Option Gr or path on the right
  4. 3 : km 3.42 - alt. 1,833 m - Very stony section in the forest
  5. 4 : km 3.95 - alt. 1,905 m - Lac de la Douche
  6. S/E : km 8.01 - alt. 1,505 m - Village of Casset

Notes

(4) You can walk around the lake and/or take a break. At the edge of Lac de la Douche, numerous benches have been built using makeshift materials (wood, stones). The lake lies at the foot of a glacier tongue and is fed by the Petit Trabuc torrent.
Depending on the time of day and the season, the lake takes on different colours and reflections. The Col d'Arsine and the mountains are reflected in the lake. The main colour of the lake is a silty blue.
The hike can continue towards the Col d'Arsine and Villar d'Arêne for the more experienced and better equipped.
See here

Worth a visit

You can plan a picnic with or without the children.
There are numerous waterfalls and streams. You can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature if there are not too many people around.
In autumn, the larch trees turn golden.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 34 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 2213522

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

At times, the recorded mileage is underestimated... and there are no problems with areas not covered by satellite

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User 26415041

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Top hike!

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J.rocci
J.rocci

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

Very nice hike. The path is three-quarters shaded and follows a beautiful stream. The lake is truly magnificent, but the downside is the crowds. Lots of people making noise...

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Pat_rando83
Pat_rando83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route along rivers and streams, with lots of raspberries 😋

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Bia
Bia
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful site that is well worth a visit and can be extended

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bertrandbrigitte84
bertrandbrigitte84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Round trip hike along the same path.
Three-quarters of the route is shaded and runs alongside a stream.
It's very pleasant to picnic around the small lake at La Douche.

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tcheuma
tcheuma

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This is a very popular route because the lake is relatively accessible. The hike climbs steadily – exposed to the sun – except for the last kilometre, which is steeper but fortunately in the shade. I did this hike one afternoon when it was 32°C and I must admit that I struggled on the last climb, but I'm not getting any younger... The arrival at the lake is the reward for all our efforts. You have to walk around it to fully appreciate its colour.

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Herbi
Herbi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done in June. Lots of flowers on the trail at this time of year. When you arrive at the lake, you find yourself below the Casset Glacier.

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LETEVE Claudie
LETEVE Claudie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A steady climb all the way to the top. The last kilometre and a half is even tougher. Very rocky. The reward is at the top, where you can picnic by the lake. Some will dip their feet in, but not for long...

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Hugo38500
Hugo38500

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 : Yes

A beautiful hike in the shade of larch trees, ending at a lake with stunning colours.
Please note that this hike is easy to access and therefore extremely popular.

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Evrat
Evrat

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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BG30
BG30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very popular hike to Lac de la Douche. It is definitely worth continuing on to Col d'Arsine. The climb is a little steep after the lake, but not too difficult once you get past the switchbacks. You will be rewarded with magnificent scenery and far fewer people!

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Stephanie44
Stephanie44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, relatively accessible hike, with much of it in the shade of the woods, which is pleasant in hot weather. It climbs steadily throughout, then more steeply in the last section. The arrival at the lake is magical; you have to see it from the other side of the shore to admire its milky blue colour and magnificent panorama.

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Domicha
Domicha

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike to a lovely lake in a stunning mountain and glacier setting: picture-postcard perfect!

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Gounet
Gounet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Plan to leave early in the morning to avoid the large crowds of hikers at this destination, which is only one stop on a very popular high mountain trail.

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