Lac dets Plagnous

Lac dets Plagnous is a tiny lake above Lac d'Isaby. A little more difficult to access than the latter, it is neglected by hikers. However, it is very pleasant and makes you want to stay on its banks for a while.

Details

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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.39 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 176 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 172 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,729 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,608 m

Description of the walk

Climb up to the Hautacam ski resort. At the Col de Tramassel, large car park, take the track on the right, heading south-west, which leads to the Courade de Mauscasau (car park), and continue along the track that branches off to the left until you reach the Col de Moulata car park. This last section of the track is in poor condition. Drive very slowly. For low-clearance vehicles, it is best to park either at the Col de Tramassel car park or at Courade de Maucasau. In both cases, this will add to the length of the hike: 3.2 km or 2 km there and back.

(S/E) At the end of the Moulata car park, take the slightly downhill path on the right (signposted). This path leads to Lac de Bassias via the Hourquette d'Ouscouaou. Follow it until the junction that leads to the latter.

(1) Take the path that descends to the right until you reach the path that leads to the Cabane de Picourlet.

(2) Leave the path that descends to Lac d'Isaby on your right and continue left on the trail that leads to the Cabane de Picourlet.

(3) Follow the well-marked trail that leaves after the hut, heading south, then sloping south-east. The path, which is still well marked, arrives at Lac dets Plagnous.

(4) After a well-deserved break, return to the car park by following the same path in reverse (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,671 m - Moulata car park
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 1,675 m - Fork leading to Lac de Bassias
  3. 2 : km 1.93 - alt. 1,609 m - Fork in the path. Option towards the - Lac d'Isaby
  4. 3 : km 2.42 - alt. 1,621 m - Cabane de Picourlet
  5. 4 : km 3.69 - alt. 1,728 m - Lac dets Plagnous
  6. S/E : km 7.39 - alt. 1,671 m - Moulata car park

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 15501378

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 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 and fairly easy walk. The final climb up to the lake is a little steep but not very difficult.
The paths are not always well marked, but visibility is excellent, so you can follow your eyes without risk of getting lost.

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rickrox33
rickrox33

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is rated 'easy', but I would say it is more 'moderate', because beyond the Picourlet hut, the trail climbs steeply (mostly over rocks) on very narrow paths along often steep slopes, and the route ends with a long, almost continuous climb back to the car park where we started.
As for the junction leading to the Picourlet hut, we obviously missed it and ended up at Lac d'Isaby (which we had planned to do on the way back from Lac Dets Plagnous!). Rather than turning back, we decided to head straight for the hut on the hillside (a 40-metre climb in a few minutes, which was tough before tackling the final climb of the outward route!).
As for the small Lac Dets Plagnous, its deep jade waters, populated in early October by thousands of tadpoles, are a jewel in a mineral setting bordered by summer pastures where a few sheep and lambs still graze.
A beautiful little spot, authentic, wild and uncrowded, away from the "tourist magnets" that we like to avoid...

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Pumpkin
Pumpkin

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very busy until Lake Isaby, then no one else. The fork between the two trails is not marked and the trail is poorly marked at the beginning, so we almost missed it. After that, there is no risk of getting lost. The last climb is quite steep but the lake is beautiful and allows you to avoid the crowds at Isaby

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Pierredb
Pierredb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very few people with a very low sky, but just high enough to see the mountain pastures, sorry, the surrounding summer pastures (Savoyard reflexes).
Nice to see the heather in bloom, makes a change.
An easy hike with a tiny lake hidden away at the end. We did the hike in the late afternoon and got back at 8pm at the end of July.

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Zoomy
Zoomy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike leading to a very pretty lake, lots of animals in summer.
A very pleasant walk.

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