Lac de Souliers from Brunissard

de fr

This is a pleasantly varied circular hike thanks to a climb mainly through forest, the lake and its surroundings, the rocky atmosphere of the Casse Déserte and the unusual return route along the bed of the Torrent de l'Izoard.
This lake is very popular in July and August because it is easily accessible from the Col d'Izoard road, but this route allows you to enjoy most of the hike in peace and quiet.

Details

n°356101
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 730 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 731 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,490 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,765 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

The Izoard torrent
The breakage serves
Lac de Souliers

Description of the walk

Head to the village of Brunissard on the Col d'Izoard road, on the Queyras side (D902).
Park your vehicle in the car park on the right-hand side of the road as you climb towards the pass, near a chapel.

(S/E) At the signpost for "Brunissard Le ravin 1770m" at the top of the car park, take the tarmac road towards Col du Tronchet 3.6km. You will soon reach the signpost for "Serre La Marthou 1810m".

(1) Turn right and continue to Les Aiguillettes.

(2) Cross the Torrent des Aiguillettes, continue through the forest and you will find another sign at Torrent de Grimaud. This is the signpost for "La Combe au Loup 1970m".

(3) Continue climbing towards Col du Tronchet 2.1km. Join theGR®58at the signpost for "Le Pouït 2220m".

(4) Turn right and continue to a new crossroads where you will find the signpost for "Sous le Col du Tronchet 2300m".

(5) Leave theGR® and turn left towards Lac de Souliers 1.8 km to reach another crossroads.

(6) Turn right and you will soon reach Lac des Souliers.

(7) Take the same path back to the previous crossroads.

(6) Continue along the path opposite and follow a pleasant descent to reach the Casse Déserte car park.

(8) Cross the road and follow the sign pointing towards Brunissard. Reach the bed of the Torrent de l'Izoard (dry in summer unless there has been recent rainfall).

(9) Continue along the path on the left bank, which crosses to the right bank and then back to the left bank before reaching the sign for "La Draye 1830m" and, shortly afterwards, the Col d'Izoard road.

(10) Descend along the edge of the road towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,766 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.32 - alt. 1,805 m - Directional sign
  3. 2 : km 1 - alt. 1,860 m - Les Aiguillettes
  4. 3 : km 1.84 - alt. 1,952 m - Directional sign
  5. 4 : km 3.21 - alt. 2,221 m - GR58
  6. 5 : km 3.69 - alt. 2,307 m - Directional sign
  7. 6 : km 4.36 - alt. 2,334 m - Directional sign
  8. 7 : km 5.44 - alt. 2,488 m - Lac de Soulier
  9. 8 : km 7.9 - alt. 2,208 m - Route du Col d'Izoard, near La Casse Déserte
  10. 9 : km 8.54 - alt. 2,078 m - Bed of the Torrent de l'Izoard
  11. 10 : km 10.19 - alt. 1,824 m - Route du Col d'Izoard
  12. S/E : km 10.76 - alt. 1,765 m - Car park

Notes

Standard hiking equipment.
Take enough water with you as, to my knowledge, there are no water sources along the route.

Worth a visit

For the more adventurous, while the others are taking a nap at the lake, there is the option of a round trip to Côte Belle or the Crêtes du Tronchet to look out over the lake. Trails visible from the lake.

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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
armelle thibout
armelle thibout

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route in autonomous mode with few people at this time of year

Machine-translated

Christine_aix
Christine_aix

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this trail. We didn't meet anyone on the first part of the route (until we left the forest) or on the last part (along the stream)
The lake was obviously very busy, but you can picnic in peace facing the rocky cliffs if you continue a little to the right of the lake.
The last part was very surprising and allowed us to see the different geological strata that overlap in this area. The path didn't seem difficult to us because the ground was very dry and our shoes gripped well.
Thank you for this route description.

Machine-translated

monal
monal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No problem.

Machine-translated

PatSal52
PatSal52

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike. The signposting at the start of the hike, at Les Aiguillettes, is poor. Be sure to take the path on the right. No problems until you reach the lake. From point 6 onwards, we started to meet people coming from the deserted hut (1½ hour climb).
At the lake, you can climb up to the Tronchet ridge for a better view of the Viso. The return trip via the Izoard torrent is a delightful mix of minerals and vegetation.

Machine-translated

Cocagne
Cocagne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The first part from Brunissard is shaded and very quiet, then the world comes from the deserted quarry where the return to the stream is less pleasant and in full sun. Perfect signposting

Machine-translated

nomisimon
nomisimon

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 : No

The climb through the forest is very pleasant in the shade when it is hot. Once you reach the fork in the path towards the lake, there are lots of hikers, and with good reason: the lake is stunning.
On the way back, we didn't enjoy the descent along the dry, very rocky stream.

Machine-translated

sadded
sadded

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike... with contrasting numbers of visitors!
The climb up to the Tronchet Pass is very pleasant and shaded.
The arrival at the lake is like a procession to and from the car park at La Casse. (August!!)
No regrets: the views are splendid.
The final stretch from the car park to Brunissard is peaceful and beautiful along the stream.
Next time, we'll try the climb via the Col Tronchet and arrive at the lake from the south.

Machine-translated

joubarde
joubarde

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, peaceful hike with few people that day up to the pass, but many more once you reach the trail coming from the deserted quarry! And after this intersection, on the promontory on the right, there are a few edelweiss flowers! A nice lake with a few people, as it is easily accessible via the other trail...

Machine-translated

fanfanjac
fanfanjac

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike through Brunissard, not very busy, varied landscapes, forest, mountain pastures before joining a balcony trail that leads to the main trail coming from the Col de l'Isoard road, which is very busy. The description is very good, easy to follow. The trail is steeper when you leave the forest, with lots of switchbacks to ease the climb. Magnificent views of the other peaks, the lake is very beautiful! Too many people, which is a shame, some people were too noisy! We came back down via the La Casse Déserte trail (you have to cross the Isoard road). Long descent through trees, then very quickly you find yourself in a rocky landscape, which is very hot as you are following a dry stream. Magnificent! Take plenty of water (it's hotter this year). No difficulties apart from the length of the hike. A circular to do!

Machine-translated

Briancon1
Briancon1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike through varied landscapes: forests, mountain pastures, rocky terrain. It is possible to extend the hike with an additional 100m of elevation gain on the Tronchet ridges. If anyone does not know who to call to return a camera found at the lake on the signpost, they can post a message in the discussion forum, and I will thank them accordingly.

Machine-translated

Choucha robert
Choucha robert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very good hike done on 10-09-2020. I recommend it. Superb view

Machine-translated

RGLLUX8354
RGLLUX8354

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

On snowshoes, fairly steep climb through the forest, with small switchbacks after Les Aiguillettes between points 3 and 4 on the Visorando route.
As it was very windy, we had a picnic just before point 4, avoiding continuing on to Col Tronchet and then Lac Souliers. As crossing from point 6 to 8 was too risky at the end of the season, we turned back without regret. The landscape to the north-west, around point 4, is sublime.

Machine-translated

randoSéné
randoSéné

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a pleasant walk with a return trip through the deserted quarry, which is surprising due to the mineral nature of the route along the riverbed.
a lovely route

Machine-translated

ELSAHBEL
ELSAHBEL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Machine-translated

01rando
01rando

Good evening,
Thank you for your comments.
In my notes taken on site during the survey, I clearly wrote "the ravine" and not "the ruin". I don't understand how I could have made this mistake. Anything is possible. The next time I visit the area, which won't be very soon, I will be sure to check and correct the description if necessary.
Best regards from a fellow hiker

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The Col Tronchet route

Visorando member
↔6.46 km ↗+612 m ↘-610 m ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Arvieux (Hautes-Alpes)
Starting from Brunissard, access to a pass on theGR®58, Tour du Queyras.

Walking Pic des Esparges Fines

Visorando member
Le Pic des Esparges Fines
↔17.51 km ↗+1,149 m ↘-1,151 m ◔8h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Arvieux (Hautes-Alpes)
A superb circular starting from Brunissard, which takes you to Pic des Esparges Fines after a gradual climb. This is followed by a passage past several lakes, ending at the Chalets de Clapeyto, nestled in a haven of peace. The return via the Col du Cros and the descent into the woods of the same name complete this magnificent walk.

Walking The Lac de Roue circular loop starting from La Chalp

Visorando member
Le Lac de Roue en boucle au départ de la Chalp
↔10.10 km ↗+335 m ↘-335 m ◔3h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Arvieux (Hautes-Alpes)
A short, easy circular loop that climbs to Lac de Roue via a path through the hamlet of Les Maisons. The return journey is via a forest road.

Walking Clapeyto and Col du Néal chalets and lakes

Visorando member
Chalets de Clapeyto et Col du Néal et ses lacs
↔13.05 km ↗+845 m ↘-844 m ◔6h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Arvieux (Hautes-Alpes)
Long loop to explore the Clapeyto chalets, then climb above to the Terres Blanche ridge where there are several lakes. Return via the Col du Néal and theGR® 5. Well-marked trails. Following the closure of the trail that started from the cross-country ski centre, we will start from the small lake at the entrance to the campsite which is an extra kilometre on the road in summer. This hike can also be done in winter on snowshoes, starting from theGR® 5 between the cross-country ski trails.

Walking Lac de Souliers - Crête du Tronchet

Visorando member
Lac de Souliers - Crête du Tronchet
↔5.65 km ↗+340 m ↘-340 m ◔2h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Arvieux (Hautes-Alpes)
There is a pretty little lake at an altitude of 2,500 metres and a beautiful view of the Queyras massif from the Tronchet ridge.

Walking The summit of Côte Belle Ouest

Visorando member
Le Sommet de Côte Belle Ouest
↔10.27 km ↗+939 m ↘-939 m ◔5h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Arvieux (Hautes-Alpes)
If you want to overlook the famous Casse Déserte, known to all cycling enthusiasts and especially fans of the Tour de France, this is the place to go.

Walking The walk of the four lakes and a few beautiful ponds

Visorando member
La balade des quatre lacs et de quelques belles mares
↔11.63 km ↗+739 m ↘-739 m ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Arvieux (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful, varied route with no difficulty, allowing you to discover several high-altitude lakes in stunning scenery.

Walking Pic de Beaudouis

Visorando member
Pic de Beaudouis
↔8.19 km ↗+941 m ↘-940 m ◔5h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Arvieux (Hautes-Alpes)
Hike to a little-visited peak in Queyras offering a 360° panorama of unrivalled beauty.

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.