Lac de la Ponsonnière – Refuge des Drayères

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This second, slightly easier stage takes us past four magnificent lakes: Lac des Cerces, Lac du Grand Ban, Lac Rond and Lac de la Clarée

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Camping de Fontcouverte - Lac de Ponsonnière - Refuge des Drayères

Details

n°3158157
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.88 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 640 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,909 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,579 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7,133 ft
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Photos

Lac du Grand Ban
Lac du Grand Ban

Description of the walk

(S) Set off from Lac de la Ponsonnière.
Staying on theGR®57, marked in red and white, begin the first short ascent to reach the Col de la Ponsonnière quickly.

(1) Stay on theGR®57straight ahead and begin an easy descent that ends at the Lac des Cerces junction.

(2) Leave theGR®57for a moment to walk past Lac des Cerces. Return to theGR®57and begin another ascent. Reach the Col des Cerces and continue on to a crossroads of paths.

(3) Turn left to walk around the two lakes, the Grand Ban and then the Rond. Join theGR® at the far end of Lac Rond. Follow thisGR® to the left and you’ll soon reach Lac de la Clarée.

(4) Complete the descent by following the River Clarée.

(5), head to the Refuge des Drayères (E), today’s destination.

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 8,432 ft - Lac de la Ponsonnière
  2. 1 : mi 0.42 - alt. 8,579 ft - Col de la Ponsonnière
  3. 2 : mi 1.73 - alt. 7,953 ft - Junction towards Lac des Cerces
  4. 3 : mi 2.88 - alt. 8,333 ft - Crossroads. Keep to the left.
  5. 4 : mi 4.32 - alt. 7,986 ft - Source de la Clarée - Lac de la Clarée
  6. 5 : mi 5.37 - alt. 7,428 ft - Clarée (rivière)
  7. E : mi 5.88 - alt. 7,136 ft - Refuge des Drayères

Notes

(E) Water point

Worth a visit

(E) Refuge des Drayères: here you have two options:
- either pitch your tent,
- or take the opportunity to rest in one of the dormitories.
In any case, I’d recommend having dinner at the refuge...

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

4.5 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
feydib
feydib

There are several ways to get to Lake Ponssonière, but only on foot 😅. As for the hike to the Drayere refuge, it's beautiful and fairly easy because it's short and downhill. On a three-day trek with three children, it was quite pleasant and relaxing.
I hope you enjoy your hike and thank you for editing your comment.

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User 10988731
• Edited:

Yes, I had read that, but I found it strange that the hike was classified as a short hike when it is not possible to do it without doing the others.
I've edited my comment and still plan to go.

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feydib
feydib

Hello,
You only need to read the title to see that this walk is the second stage of the route (first sentence!) with a small box below it setting out the three stages...
I think you’re being rather harsh on a walk that you simply haven’t done, merely because you overlooked the description.
I hope you have a lovely holiday all the same in this beautiful region of the Clarée Valley.

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User 10988731
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike looks very beautiful, especially since the view from the Col de la Ponsonnière is magnificent, but it is only one stage of a longer hike. I was looking for a half-day hike and this one is listed as such, but in reality you have to do the other stages to get there, so the description is a little confusing, even though the stages are specified later on. The Lac de la Ponsonnière is not accessible from the road.

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feydib
feydib

Thanks, Matok, for the information about the refuge. It has indeed changed, as I used to pitch my tent at the foot of the refuge and have dinner there… It’s a shame that’s no longer possible.

Machine-translated

matock
matock

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The descent through the valley from the source of the Clarée is absolutely magnificent. With its torrents, waterfalls and peat bogs, the landscape is unique.
There is one slight downside, however. A new prefectural decree prohibits camping within a 500-metre radius of the Drayères refuge. Don’t count on eating there or ordering a packed lunch for the next day either; they now reserve these services for their half-board guests. It’s no longer a refuge but a hotel! (and with the prices to match). Just carry on and camp further away, out of sight of the refuge. Opt for the lower right bank, which will be quieter (even if it means walking 500 metres uphill the next day), or head straight up the climb towards Lac Rond.

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