Montagnon Lake

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, magnificent landscapes!! We left on Saturday morning, starting the hike around 8 a.m.
We completely forgot to book parking, which is done via the Aydius town hall website, and it was full when we realised. A shuttle bus was available on two Saturdays in July and two Saturdays in August, so we called the number provided to book it.
If you do the same, be careful: the shuttle dropped us off before the hike car park and the driver told us how to find the hike trail, which was very complicated. We had to cross a forest and a stream, and without GPS it was very difficult to find our way. I didn't understand why the shuttle didn't drop us off at the car park, but I strongly advise you to continue along the road as the car park is easily accessible, just a 10-minute walk away.

Otherwise, it was a great hike. We saw lots of animals. The start is quite a climb but not technically difficult, and you go along different types of paths, which is really nice! We didn't see many people, but not too few either!

(No horseflies to report on our side.)

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Date of your route : Jul 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

During the summer, remember to book your parking space online for free to avoid overcrowding. We saw many cars with fines on their windscreen..
The hike is splendid and the view from the top is even more so.
We are regular walkers, but we still found it difficult, although it is doable.
In the end, what bothered us the most were the horseflies from start to finish! It was impossible to stop to rest without getting bitten, which was exhausting. We shared this opinion with many other walkers. So, a word of advice: take insect repellent or wear long clothes (which I realise is difficult in the middle of summer...).
Otherwise, we recommend this hike, which offers truly magnificent views

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

: Please note that you must have a parking permit issued by the town hall to park in the car park.
This must be displayed on the windscreen, otherwise you will be fined.

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Date of your route : Aug 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good hike, high up, climbing almost all the way. Although relatively low at this time of year, the lake lives up to its reputation. Excellent view as soon as you leave the forest, with numerous herds of cows and horses.

There are various trails at the end if you feel like extending your hike.

As indicated, the car park on the forest road after Aydus is not accessible to traffic. Park 2 km before and add another hundred metres of elevation gain.

Be careful though, it's bumpy! There is no shade once you leave the forest after the first kilometre. The route is very busy with many campers, but that doesn't stop you from taking a dip in the lake.

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Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that the hike starts 2 km before the point indicated on the map, so you should allow for an extra 4 km in total. The hike is very beautiful but very difficult due to the steep gradient from the start and throughout. It is only shaded at the start and then completely exposed for the rest of the hike, so you need to bring water and don't hesitate to refill at the Cure det Cam hut as the end is steep with a beautiful scree slope. The result is worth the effort, but don't take this hike lightly. I saw people climbing without proper footwear and without water. I don't know if they made it across the scree, but it's very dangerous in any case. There were lots of people around the lake who had camped there. You have to climb high to see the heart-shaped lake.

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Date of your route : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

⚠️The departure point is in a car park located 2 km before the departure point indicated on Visorando, as there is a barrier.
The first 2 km are therefore a bonus and not very difficult as it is a track suitable for vehicles. We pass 1.5 km of forest, which is a little steep at the beginning. At 4.5 km, there is the first water point with horses that drank with us. Then there are 2.4 km left and we start to hear marmots whistling (the last 600 m are very difficult). The lake is not very busy, so it's great and we didn't hesitate to take a swim 🙂.

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Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike starting at dawn in the cool air. The first quarter is shaded by forest, then there is no shade at all.
There is indeed a water source at the Cure det Cam hut. The last few hundred metres are the hardest: scree slopes followed by a steep incline (sometimes requiring the use of one hand). On this hike, every step is an ascent (very little elevation loss), but the lake is well worth the effort. Seen today: 4 chamois, 2 marmots (you have to look hard) and dozens of horses.

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Date of your route : Jul 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Physical route: there are some uphill sections, which you will find again on the way back!
The magnificent Montagnon lake is well worth the effort!
However, I was bothered by horseflies, especially in the woods.
This is a hike that should be done without hesitation, but with a minimum of preparation!

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Superb hike. Physically demanding as it climbs steadily without any flat sections, but no technical difficulties except for a scree slope. The effort is rewarded by the magnificent scenery.

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Date of your route : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

We started from AYDIUS and the climb is steep right from the start. The climb is long with no real flat sections to catch your breath, but the view at the top is worth the effort. We're not particularly athletic, but we still managed to do it. Don't underestimate the difficulty, though. You do need to be in reasonably good shape, especially for certain parts that are a bit difficult at the end. The descent is also quite difficult and reminds you of the effort you put in on the way up. You definitely need a very good pair of shoes, and walking sticks are also recommended.

We didn't encounter many other people given the time of year, which was nice.

There is only one source of water along the route.

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Date of your route : Oct 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I agree with the previous comments. Starting from Aydius, the climb is tough and the section over the scree slope is tricky when you're tired towards the end. But the reward is at the top! The descent is also difficult and really hurts your legs. In my opinion, you need to be in good physical condition and have a good pair of shoes.

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Date of your route : Sep 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike ending at a magnificent heart-shaped lake. The climb is quite steep at first, then more gradual, ending with a very steep and rocky section. Those who are a little out of breath should take their time. The weather was beautiful that day, with vultures accompanying us on the final climb. The climb took 3 hours and 10 minutes, with an elevation gain of 1,047 metres according to the GPS. You can climb to the peak if time and weather permit. The 2-hour descent is quite tiring, but you recover quickly. We started our hike by driving from Aydius to the Barca car park with permission to pass through the barrier. Otherwise, park at the barrier.

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Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The climb is tough, but arriving at the lake is pure bliss – it's worth the effort.
Be careful on the last part over the rocks, which is very slippery going up and down.
This is my third time here. I went once from Cauteret, but that's longer, and twice from AYDIUS, which is shorter but steeper, with not much flat ground.
This hike can be done with your pet. 🥰
Don't forget your walking sticks ☺️☺️

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but definitely not easy... you have to work for the view!
I agree with the other comments: it's more difficult than average, especially because of the rocky section at the end, which is very slippery and steep. And it takes 6½ hours to complete the entire hike.
There is only one source of water on the route: near the hut. Make sure you take at least 2 litres per person (especially if it's hot). What's more, once you leave the forest, there is very little shade!
For the return trip, the alternative route (avoiding the same path between points 3 and 4) is no longer possible. The path is closed due to the risk of rockfalls.

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