Lac Verdet near the Col de la Bonette

de fr

A short and easy family walk when passing through the Col de la Bonette by car.

Details

n°2614640
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.35 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 413 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 410 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,304 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7,890 ft
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Photos

lac du Verdet
Commanding view
The Green Lake
Outcropping springs

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park on the left as you head downhill, after passing the pass and the old Restefond barracks.

(S/E) A track closed off by a chain and a yellow sign marks the start of this short walk. Then follow the clearly visible path; you’ll reach a marshy area after crossing several small streams.

(1) Keep to the right on the path to reach Lac Verdet quickly.

(2) Continue for about a hundred metres before returning via the same route. You can take the path on the right to reach the junction you passed on the way out (see map).

(1) Follow the same route as on the way out to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 7,890 ft - Restefond car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.73 - alt. 8,012 ft - Crossroads of the streams
  3. 2 : mi 1.05 - alt. 8,228 ft - Lac Verdet (Vallée de l'Ubaye)
  4. S/E : mi 2.35 - alt. 7,894 ft - Restefond car park

Worth a visit

A steeper, narrower path on the left; the route to the lake is the same.
There are springs bubbling up at the surface and, when we were there, a flock of sheep.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 17 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely little walk – we went as far as the Col de Touréis to enjoy the view.

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hora
hora

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An enjoyable walk for those looking for an easy stroll (with the family).

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Papiluc06
Papiluc06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very easy walk there and back to the lake. Ideal for a family day out with children, followed by a picnic by the lake.

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Hervé74
Hervé74

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk, starting near the Col de Restefond, just below the Col de la Bonnette, following an alpine road for most of the way before joining a more pleasant path.
A lovely little lake.
I just used the GPS track, which is no surprise.

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Remi Gravey
Remi Gravey

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike with an easy extension to the pass offering superb views

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Jojo06300
Jojo06300

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A beautiful spot high up in the mountains, easy to get to. Be aware of sheep herds and watch out for local dialect. Keep your distance from the herd

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DEBELLY
DEBELLY

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The scenery was stunning, as we had beautiful weather and perfect visibility. We even saw marmots
We'll definitely be back on our next holiday.

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Sarrade
Sarrade

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 : No

An easy and pleasant hike. You can easily continue on to the Tourreis Pass and the Ventebren Pass and back. The view is breathtaking, especially after the pass. It's like being in another world! Very few people in this area.

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reginedelempdes
reginedelempdes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very pleasant short hike to stretch your legs and see a pretty little mountain lake 2 km from the road. You can extend this hike to get a view from a little higher up.
This place is great for a picnic

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pons21805
pons21805

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easily accessible outing, Lake Lac du Verdet is magnificent, and you should climb up to Pas Toureis for a fantastic view.

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isagdc
isagdc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with easy access to the lake. I continued on to the Pas de la Toureis, but the terrain is more slippery and not suitable for those prone to vertigo

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PHILNOSAN
PHILNOSAN
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A family outing, of course, in the middle of August. When we arrived at the lake, we were far from alone... the lake isn't very big either. But there's a lovely view of the mountains from the road leading to it.

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jeff.thibaud
jeff.thibaud

Glad I suggested a nice walk 😊

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Boris_06
Boris_06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you very much for this lovely, accessible family walk/hike at altitude!
We saw several marmots above the lake during lunch, which was a nice bonus.
We then climbed up to Pas de Touréis via a very well-marked path, but one that can be a little slippery without hiking boots. Superb view of Lake Verdet from Pas de Touréis.

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jeff.thibaud
jeff.thibaud

Thanks for the review 😊

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.