Lac Laramon - Lac du Serpent

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A classic of the upper Clarée Valley with a magnificent panorama of the Cerces and Ecrins massifs.

Details

n°143697
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.66 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,044 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,044 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,143 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,099 ft
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Photos

Clarée Valley
SNAKE LAKE
SNAKE LAKE
view of lakes laramon and serpent

Description of the walk

Return to the car park opposite the Fontcouverte campsite, about 3.5 km after Névache.

(S/E) From the car park opposite the Fontcouverte campsite, take the road towards Névache, cross the Clarée and continue for 50 metres.

(1) Take the path on the left towards the Refuge de Ricou. Climb up to the Refuge du Ricou via the wide path.

(2) Once you have passed the refuge, take the path on the right that winds upwards. Join a path and walk a few steps to turn left to the first lake, Lac Laramon.

(3) Continue along the trail that passes to the left of the lake towards the Col du Grand Cros to reach the second lake, Lac du Serpent. Continue along the lake for a while to enjoy the views.

(4) Return by the same route.

On the way back, don't forget to stop at the small but charming Sainte-Marie Chapel, located on the side of the road near the Chalets de Foncouverte.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,099 ft - Foncouverte car park - Clarée (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.12 - alt. 6,112 ft - On the left after the bridge - Look on the right > - Cascade de Fontcouverte
  3. 2 : mi 1.13 - alt. 6,932 ft - Refuge du Ricou
  4. 3 : mi 2.17 - alt. 7,740 ft - Lac Laramon
  5. 4 : mi 2.64 - alt. 8,048 ft - Lac du Serpent
  6. S/E : mi 5.66 - alt. 6,099 ft - Foncouverte car park

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 71 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
BERNHART Paulette
BERNHART Paulette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is best tackled at the start or end of the season as it is exposed to the sun

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riri45
riri45

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent views of the Écrins massif (the Barre des Écrins and La Meije), as well as of Lake Laramon below Lake du Serpent.

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User 17046002

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent view of the Écrins.

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User 5612826

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very accessible hike with an elevation gain of around 600 m, starting from La Frutière and ending at Lac du Serpent. A magnificent view of the Ecrins massif from the top. Splendid 🥰

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osiris130
osiris130 ★

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, accessible walk featuring two beautiful lakes. Don’t hesitate to head round Lac du Serpent (on the left) to enjoy the view of the Écrins.

On the way back, stop for a snack at the charming Refuge du Ricou and try their homemade desserts!

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J-D
J-D

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We went in the middle of August with our 7-year-old grandson
Quite busy, but manageable.
A surprising arrival at Lac de Laramon
A short break at the mountain hut on the way down is a must

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User 25535447

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note: in July and August, motorists must park well before Nevache. There is an initial free shuttle bus, but to get to the start of the hike you then have to take another shuttle bus. €12 per adult. Unacceptable.
So we set off on foot from Nevache. It’s a disgrace that you have to pay to enjoy the mountains.

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User 16275120

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short walk featuring two lovely lakes and a superb panoramic view.
I thought there’d be fewer people as it was a weekday and before the school holidays… But it seems this valley draws the crowds. We managed to snag one of the last parking spaces (at Foncouverte) when we arrived at 9.00 am.
The next day, a little further on at the Laval mountain hut, the car park was full :-/

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User 29547854

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb, very accessible hike!

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morgensonne
morgensonne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent!

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BRUNO1
BRUNO1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful landscapes, magnificent lakes.
A very popular hike in summer. It's almost like a boulevard along the lakeside.

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isabelle5891
isabelle5891

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

I left before 8 a.m. to enjoy the quiet journey. These two lakes are worth the climb, and the view is magnificent.

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rabinovitch
rabinovitch

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful lake route. I recommend it.

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bergen38
bergen38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful lakes
shuttles a bit expensive

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Abg
Abg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful panoramic views. The downside in August: far too many people, making it less enjoyable on the trail and also at the lakeside due to the noise.

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