Lac de Terres Plaines from the Col de Restefond road

A round trip to this high-altitude lake located in a cirque at the foot of the Chevalier (2,886 m). The trail overlooks the Terres Plaines valley and its endless shades of green.

Details

1336466
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.71 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 498 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 498 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,413 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,915 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is on the Col de la Bonette-Restefond road, 10 km after the junction with the D900 at Jausiers and 450 m downstream from the "Halte 2000" restaurant.
A few parking spaces are available along the road.

Yellow signposts

(S/E) Leave the road and take the track located downstream. This quickly forms a fork: continue on the right-hand branch and cross the stream.

(1) At the next fork, turn right again. The path continues in more or less regular switchbacks and then passes between ruins. As you approach the Séa ravine, the slope becomes gentler and a path heading south-west becomes visible.

(2) Take the path on the left that climbs up the slope in the meadow and passes along the ridge of the Combe des Mottes. Continue along the ledge at the foot of the Pelounière and the Tête Dure. The path then joins the bed of the Terres Plaines stream, which you should cross at the ford. In front of you is a steep climb over large rocks.

(3) Follow the path that climbs up the rocks, following the markings carefully. At the flat section, continue towards a small pond. The path then runs alongside the stream and leads to the Lac de Terres Plaines.

(4) Follow the same route as on the way up to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,915 m - Parking along the road downstream from the restaurant
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 1,919 m - Fork in the path, right
  3. 2 : km 1.39 - alt. 2,079 m - Ravin de la Séa
  4. 3 : km 4.45 - alt. 2,311 m - Fording the Terres Plaines stream
  5. 4 : km 5.35 - alt. 2,412 m - Lac de Terres Plaines
  6. S/E : km 10.71 - alt. 1,915 m - Parking along the road

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 7470234

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with magnificent scenery. When the shepherd saw us coming, he gathered his flock together so that we wouldn't have to go around them. We thanked him with a friendly wave, and his sheepdogs remained calm. As for the lake, it's wonderful. Not too crowded, but that's normal given that it's the end of the summer season. We'll definitely be back for a third time.

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gerard06440
gerard06440

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

pleasant stroll

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User 24848357

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, with an encounter with a herd accompanied by friendly sheepdogs and shepherds, marmots and chamois (at least, I believe so), beautiful landscapes and a lovely lake at the end. There are some fairly steep climbs, however, which should be taken into account. I recommend it.

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User 3566744

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with the added bonus of the lake at the top of the summit.
Thanks for sharing.

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randobelix
randobelix

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

nice hike... a bit challenging --- disastrous descent in a storm with hail...

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Misterbird
Misterbird

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that my comments do not concern the work of the author of this itinerary.
There are so many other more interesting hikes in the area, so I'm giving it 3 stars.
The landscape is pretty, with green, rounded mountains contrasting with the sharp, rocky peaks near the Larche Pass.
The existing path has been laid out in a straight line without any knowledge of environmental regulations, which will lead to the degradation of the mountain in the medium term.
Making a direct path over a ridge when the terrain allows for switchbacks is nonsense.
At point 3, the slope becomes steep, the path climbs without winding, and is already very degraded. The terrain would allow for two or three large switchbacks without difficulty, which I did on the way back to test it out.
At the lake, there is nowhere to shelter from the sun.
In conclusion, if I go back to the lake, I will take a different route, as suggested by some comments from other hikers.

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foxy26
foxy26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 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 hike, but with three short, steep slopes. The path could have been more winding. A beautiful lake at the end and a few marmots along the way.

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DUN
DUN
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views and no particular difficulties. We set off around 10 a.m. for a pleasant picnic by the lake.
It's a shame that the hike is a round trip, but there isn't much choice 😉

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chguilleminot
chguilleminot

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful hike among flowers, ending at a lovely lake

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alain94visorando
alain94visorando

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Spectacular views, beautiful lake that is well worth the effort.

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patcool
patcool

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike enhanced by flower beds. The elevation gain is steep at the start of the hike, but then the balcony path offers magnificent views.
On the day of our outing, there was a lot of water to wade through, which was not easy, and there was still quite a bit of snow, but on the way back we were able to have some fun sliding down the slopes.
When we arrived at the lake, we were treated to a beautiful natural spectacle with the surrounding mountains.

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BelineCenoi
BelineCenoi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A round trip hike on the same trail, so very easy to follow.

Most of the elevation gain is at the beginning, then it's easier until the final push to reach this pretty little lake.
The views are exceptional from start to finish (views of the road to the pass and then of the surrounding peaks with a small valley on your right as you climb).
A few marmots add to the fun on this beautiful July day.

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raymond2A
raymond2A
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

well-defined route, reasonable walking time. It took me 3 hours and 35 minutes, but I'm a fast walker, so it's no problem for leisurely hikers. This wild lake is well worth the effort, with chamois to greet you on the way. It might be worth mentioning that 75% of the elevation gain is in the first 30 minutes, so be prepared for a good workout!

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83Isa
83Isa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely high-altitude route with a beautiful, peaceful lake at the end. I didn't really understand the instructions for the climb above the lake, but I went for it anyway and it was worth it because, as well as the view of the lake, you can see all the mountains around it, which you can't see when you're near the lake. I came back down the easier route at the back, which ends upstream, along the stream that flows down to the lake. Thanks for this outing!

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Marc heur
Marc heur
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. The elevation gain is quite steep from the start until you reach the halfway point between points 1 and 2. After that, it gets easier. Only the last climb before reaching the lake is quite steep. We found it more difficult on the way down, as it was steep and slippery.
Apart from that, the views are magnificent throughout the hike.

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