Country:
District:
Starting point at the Col de Bassachaux car park. (accessible by road via "Pré la Joux - Châtel)
(S/E) Head west on a path below the car park towards Col de L'Aup Couti (signposted), which quickly enters the woods and runs along the hillside. When you reach a mountain pasture, continue to a signposted intersection.
(1) Then climb to the right and reach Col de l'Aup Couti. This is an opportunity to make a short detour to a nearby viewpoint.
(2) Continue east on the main trail for about 50 metres. Then turn left and descend on a steep trail towards the Refuge des Tinderets and Aup Couti. At a fork in the descent, take the left fork.
(3) At an intersection, turn left again and enter a wooded area, continuing downhill. Follow the signs for Lac de Plagnes via Refuge des Tinderets. You will reach the refuge, located in a pretty clearing.
(4) Continue on the same path and descend on your left towards Lac de Plagnes. At an intersection, turn right. Follow the path, which heads due north, and join an alpine track. Continue north on the track and complete the gentle descent to a place called Cubourré (large rocks deposited here at the end of the Ice Age).
(5) Then take a path on the left towards Lac des Plagnes (the track continues towards the car park). The path is steep in the undergrowth and passes close to a waterfall. Cross a small bridge below and continue along the path with beautiful views of the lake during the descent.
(6) At the crossroads, follow the path on the left that runs along the western shore of the lake. At the end, turn right, follow the northern shore and continue straight on towards the houses in Les Plagnes and the car park.
(7) Once you reach the road, you can take a short detour to see the Saint-Anne chapel on the left, slightly below. Return to the car park and cross it. Continue along an alpine track called "Chemin rural des Plagnes à Lens".
(8) Follow the main path that branches off to the left, continuing uphill. Stay on the mountain track, ignoring the paths branching off to the sides, and gradually climb up to the Chalets de Lens.
(9) At the fork, turn left and cross the charming hamlet located in the mountain pastures.
(10) At the intersection, continue straight ahead, east then south-east, towards Grands Plans Haut and Col de Bassachaux. The path becomes a little steeper and the elevation gain increases rapidly, requiring sustained effort. Reach a sort of pass with a signposted intersection.
(11) Turn right (south) towards Col de Bassachaux. Follow theGR®5trail, which is slightly sloped, then cross a few peat bogs. Return to the Col de Bassachaux road and follow it to the right until you reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Tourist office
Easy 
Difficult 
