Lac du Crachet

de fr

A very pretty little mountain lake full of freshness.

Details

n°35601
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 577 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 577 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,242 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,665 m
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Photos

Such a pretty little lake
The lake
The river at the edge of the trail.
Crachet torrent

Description of the walk

The hike starts in the Crévoux valley in the Embrunais region, 1,000 metres after La Chalp from a car park on the left of the road.

(S/E) In June, at the start of the hike, you will certainly appreciate the beautiful meadow covered with flowers of all kinds; it is magnificent.
The well-marked trail starts at the back of the car park on the right, at an altitude of 1,665 metres.

(1) Continue up a steep slope to an altitude of 2,000 metres.

(2) After crossing a waterfall on the left about 2 km from the start, continue following the Crachet stream on the right.

(3) Leave the path that leads to the Crachet hut on your left and stay on the edge of the stream. Keep going, you have to cross the hill in front of you and climb 120 metres to reach the Crachet lake.

(4) I think you'll find this lake as beautiful as we did. It has beautiful colours and is surrounded by flowers.

Return to the car park via the same route you took on the way there. Take care on the descent, as the slope and stones don't mix well (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,665 m - Parking on the left of the road. Near - Crévoux (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.06 - alt. 1,665 m - Walking on a steep slope
  3. 2 : km 1.73 - alt. 2,039 m - Crachet waterfall
  4. 3 : km 2.23 - alt. 2,097 m - Leave the path on the left. Turn right
  5. 4 : km 3.24 - alt. 2,242 m - Lac du Crachet
  6. S/E : km 6.48 - alt. 1,665 m - Parking on the left of the road

Notes

There are no drinking water sources along the route except perhaps at the lake where water comes out of the ground.

Worth a visit

Those who wish to do so can continue the walk to the Crachet Pass or Lalatcha Lake, at an altitude of 2,800 metres.
Razis waterfall (easy for families).
The Parpaillon Pass.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 40 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
kakie
kakie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that is a bit steep at the beginning.

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Hreisho
Hreisho

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

An easy family hike, just be careful at the start as the first half is quite steep.
However, the only real attraction of this hike is continuing on to the Crachet pass, which gives this outing a real mountain feel. Allow an extra three hours or so.

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quicky2000
quicky2000

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with lots of butterflies, a few marmots and quite a few tadpoles in the lake.
The trail is well marked and easy to follow.
Beautiful views, the lake level was quite low

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User 4042955

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with no difficulty in finding the route.
The first climb is a little steep, but the scenery is breathtaking, which more than makes up for it!
The arrival in the meadow is magnificent at this time of year when everything is green and in bloom!
And the landscape when you reach the lake is sublime! Water flows everywhere, and we were lucky enough to see some chamois 🥰

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Cathy 05
Cathy 05

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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quencez
quencez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful walk with a steep slope at the start, pretty lake and stream at the top

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J.rocci
J.rocci

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Nice trail that climbs alongside a stream. The view of the lake is superb. Lots of places to picnic.

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pioupioumum
pioupioumum

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note that in mid-May this year there was still a lot of snow above 2,000 metres and the entire area above the hut was covered in snow. Although only light showers were forecast at the start of the hike, it hailed at the hut. Make sure you are well equipped.

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Gilportier1961
Gilportier1961

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
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.
The site is breathtakingly beautiful.
The marmots are not very shy and let us take photos without much fear.
The climb is moderately steep, but still gets your calves working. The lake was quite low. We ate alone by the lake.
This hike is a must-do, as the site is magnificent!

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Joelle boutry
Joelle boutry

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike
With magnificent flowers

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nomisimon
nomisimon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike with lovely panoramic views, and on arrival at the lake, beautiful iridescent colours.
The path is very stony, so good shoes are recommended.

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manapani51
manapani51

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 hike surrounded by flowers and a stunning lake

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Anibac
Anibac

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off at 7.30am in the cool morning air, which allowed us to climb in the shade to the chalet. A superb hike, short with the lake and surroundings as a guaranteed reward.
I attempted to continue on to Lalacha but turned back after an hour due to the lack of a marked trail, the heat and the uninviting scree. It's a shame. I'm not sure if it's worth the effort. What do you think?
Coming down around 11:30 a.m., I came across quite a few people, so leave early if you want to enjoy the wilderness and the marmots.
Enjoy your hike!

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manapani51
manapani51

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 hike surrounded by flowers and a stunning lake

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Monzinho
Monzinho

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike! A complete change of scenery. It was pleasant to follow the river once out of the forest. Then the splendid lake. And as a bonus, marmots near the Crachet hut and between the hut and the lake. No difficulty following the route as there is only one path.
A fantastic hike.

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