Chavillon and Bellety lakes

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A beautiful hike offering views of the Rois Mages massif and Mont Thabor, with most of the climb taking place in the forest.

Details

n°352008
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.04 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 731 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 731 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,289 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,606 m
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Photos

Lake Bellety
The Three Wise Men
Chavillon Lake

Description of the walk

The hike starts from the Chapelle des Âmes chapel in the hamlet of Sallé (small car park available).

(S/E) Take the path between the houses and climb up the trail near the ski lift. Join the forest track (GR®5and 57 trail).

(1) Take this path to the forest chalet (passing near flood protection structures).

(2) From the chalet, take the path that winds up through the forest (towards Col des Thures). Join the forest path again, then leave it when you cross the stream. Continue climbing to pass near the Cheminée de Fée.

(3) After this, turn left at the intersection and finish the climb to reach the mountain pasture.

(4) Continue through the mountain pasture (gentle climb), cross theGR®5Bbefore passing close to the Thures shepherd's hut.

(5) Continue along this pleasant path through the mountain pasture to reach Lac Chavillon.

(6) Turn left onto various paths and begin the climb to Lac Bellety.

(7) Return via a path to Lac Chavillon and take the same route as on the way up to reach theGR®5Bcrossroads.

(5) Take theGR®5Bopposite, cross over the scree to find a fork in the paths.

(8) Leave theGR® by taking the path that descends to the right. Follow the path down through the trees to reach another junction.

(9) Turn left and continue downhill to the stream. Cross the stream and rejoin the forest path you took on the way up.

(1) Take it on the left to return to the car park via the same route you took on the way there (S/E).

NB: You can also return via the forest track.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,606 m - Ames car park
  2. 1 : km 0.71 - alt. 1,670 m - Forest track
  3. 2 : km 1.45 - alt. 1,743 m - Forest chalet
  4. 3 : km 2.5 - alt. 1,898 m - Fairy chimney intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.1 - alt. 2,058 m - Alpine pasture
  6. 5 : km 3.43 - alt. 2,072 m - GR5B crossroads
  7. 6 : km 5.02 - alt. 2,193 m - Lake Chavillon - Lac Chavillon
  8. 7 : km 5.63 - alt. 2,289 m - Lake Bellety - Lac Bellety
  9. 8 : km 8.29 - alt. 2,126 m - Downhill path
  10. 9 : km 9.54 - alt. 1,837 m - Trail junction
  11. S/E : km 11.04 - alt. 1,606 m - Ames car park

Notes

Water source near the shepherd's hut.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Kerficel
Kerficel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Lovely walk in October with beautiful colours

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oryx381
oryx381

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

route followed from point 1619 m in Roubion (left bank of the Roubion torrent) which passes above the Cheminée de Fée and then joins the GR5 and the Col des Thures, return via the GR5 (right bank), beautiful view of Lake Chavillon on Mont Thabor, Lake Bellety is of less interest (ascent and descent within sight)

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gokyo44
gokyo44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk; we missed a turn at the start but found the trail again a little further on, near the chalet. The strong north wind blowing that day meant we spent less time at the top, but I will happily return to this valley.

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louchaertderuy
louchaertderuy

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Access to Bellety Lake is not signposted, but the lake is well worth the detour.

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VALADE M
VALADE M

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Perfect recording

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ceromphi
ceromphi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We parked in the car park of the ski lift in Roubion.
It was a beautiful hike in the sunshine, as described, but not very well marked, although this is the case everywhere in the Clarée Valley once you leave the GR trail. The hike is not particularly difficult.
Due to the lack of signposting, you have to search a little to find the path to Lake Bellety from Lake Chavillon. It's a shame that the path isn't properly signposted, as this would prevent the ubiquitous trampling...

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Edithm
Edithm

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk along a well-marked, pleasant trail, starting under the trees and then continuing through the mountain pastures. We didn't see any parking at the Chapelle des Âmes. It's best to park in the first car park on the right when you arrive in Roubion and walk up the road towards the holiday centre, which you go around to reach the GR.

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Clarovie
Clarovie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike... be careful if the Rubion river is flowing fast, as you have to cross the stream twice.
Both lakes are magnificent. Bellety was mostly frozen over and it was very beautiful...
Can you tell me what the markers at the edge of Lake Bellety represent?

Thank you for this beautiful route.

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jjlarribal
jjlarribal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2020
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. We started from the Col de l'Échelle, which is a bit shorter than starting from Roubion, but it's also nice. On the way back, you can take a detour (semi-circular) via the bottom of the Aiguille Rouge by taking one of the two dotted paths.

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LERCHER
LERCHER

Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
A hike I did almost four years ago in glorious sunshine.

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migar
migar

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Despite a turbulent week, the weather is good today. A pleasant climb with beautiful fairy chimneys to see. A very friendly "Demoiselle". The climb is a little steep after that, but once you reach the chalet, it's pleasant.
Beautiful view of Lake Chavillon. Short climb to reach Bellety. The weather is starting to turn. A rather special monument (less explicit than the stele at the first lake).
A slightly rapid descent to the chalet. Then we take the GR5. We miss the fork, so we take a little detour (not very long). In fact, the gypsum scree is quite crumbly and the path had to be redone to avoid being too close to the edge. It must be a recurring problem given the erosion.
On the descent, it was a real disaster. Many trees were broken or uprooted. We felt sorry for them. Heavy snowfall while the ground was still unfrozen was apparently the cause. The ONF is doing a good job of clearing it up.
A beautiful walk, thanks to Lercher.

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Chantal08
Chantal08

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Pleasant climb through the forest, leading to a flower-filled mountain pasture (early July). No water at the shepherd's hut. Pretty Lake Chavillon, Lake Bellety smaller but quieter. Descent near scree, path sometimes blocked by fallen trees. Good timing.

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Lena07
Lena07
• Edited:

not done

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