Lakes Morgon and Laussets at the start of the Camp des Fourches

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A beautiful, accessible hike starting from Camp des Fourches. You will cross the Salso Moreno sinkholes to discover the superb lakes of Morgon and Laussets.
You are in the Mercantour National Park, where there are regulations to be observed, with fines of up to €1,500 for non-compliance. See practical information.

Details

n°25362084
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.03 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 628 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 626 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,445 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,075 m
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Photos

Laussets Lakes
2nd Shepherd's Hut
1st Shepherd's Hut
Beacon 41

Description of the walk

Park at the Camp des Fourches car park on the Col de la Bonnette road.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, take the path towards Col des Fourches.

(1) At marker 41, descend towards Col de Pouriac,GR®5- 56, and cross Ravin de Cougnas.

(2) Continue on theGR® trail in a north-easterly direction and cross the Ravin de la Tour.

(3) Turn right and pass the first shepherd's hut (on your left).

(4) Continue towards marker 37.

(5) Leave theGR® and turn right towards Vallon de la Cabane. The path is well marked but no longer signposted. Head east.

(6) Pass a second shepherd's hut on your right and follow the stream that flows down from the lakes.

(7) The path becomes steeper over a 100-metre climb; some sections are unstable and require caution.

(8) At the top, you will come out onto the plateau and see the Morgon Lakes. Turn right and walk a few metres.

(9) Turn right and follow the path towards the Laussets Lakes.

(10) Walk around the lake anti-clockwise and take the time to admire the scenery.
Retrace your steps back to the Morgon Lakes.

(9) Turn right to walk around the lake.

(8) Take the same route back to the Camp des Fourches car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,266 m - Parking - Camp des Fourches
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 2,262 m - Beacon 41
  3. 2 : km 0.72 - alt. 2,197 m - Fording the river - Salso Moreno
  4. 3 : km 1.36 - alt. 2,077 m - Ravin de la Tour
  5. 4 : km 1.62 - alt. 2,087 m - First shepherd's hut
  6. 5 : km 1.92 - alt. 2,097 m - Beacon 37
  7. 6 : km 2.97 - alt. 2,174 m - Second shepherd's hut on your right
  8. 7 : km 4.03 - alt. 2,334 m - Start of the technical steep climb
  9. 8 : km 4.5 - alt. 2,429 m - Morgon Plateau - Lacs de Morgon
  10. 9 : km 4.55 - alt. 2,429 m - Fork in the road towards the - Lacs Laussets
  11. 10 : km 5.58 - alt. 2,400 m - Circular des - Lacs Laussets
  12. S/E : km 11.03 - alt. 2,266 m - Parking - Camp des Fourches

Notes

Mercantour National Park regulations, full details can be found at this link:
- Between (9) and (10), you are in an area of major flora sensitivity or in very fragile wetlands. Please respect the regulations.
- Bivouacking and camping: only permitted more than an hour's walk from road access points and park boundaries, between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. It is forbidden to spend the night in your vehicle in a car park or at the side of the road in the heart of the Mercantour National Park.
- dogs are prohibited, even on a leash
- fires are prohibited in the heart of the park and also in the Alpes Maritimes department
by prefectural decree.
- parking may be prohibited at the start of certain hikes due to the risk of
torrential lava flows and rockfalls.

During the hot season, remember to bring enough water, because although you will cross streams, it is not advisable to drink from them due to the large number of sheep grazing in the area.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Sophie 04
Sophie 04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done today, magnificent scenery. When you are at Lake Morgon, don't hesitate to climb up to your left to see many other small lakes.

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User 22392140
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good app, accurate and very helpful during my trip to Morgon and Lausset lakes.
A superb hike in the heart of a beautiful mountain cirque with numerous lakes.

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alain92400
alain92400

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wonderful tour, thank you!

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Bernard Caromel
Bernard Caromel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The most beautiful hike of our week's holiday! The first descent is a bit tough on the legs and the climb back up is a bit long, but it's really worth it.

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Sandysan
Sandysan

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Alone in the world!!!!

Hiking in beautiful surroundings. It's impossible to go wrong on this route.
You can extend the hike on either side and see more lakes.
lots of marmots...

Be careful, there's no shade...

Best to do this in spring.
The climb back up in the heat is tough

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User 14427393

An exceptional walk, the route is magnificent, but why can't it be found on the app?

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Brigitte2674
Brigitte2674

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Interesting route, not very busy, saw a chamois

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JLouisA
JLouisA

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

More snow on the last section, adapting the exit before the lake
Few animals

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MikeBart
MikeBart

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful place.
Unique landscape.

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natcis
natcis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike on Saturday. These lakes are definitely worth the effort, especially with the final steep climb back, but it was truly magnificent!!!!! A few marmots

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Didier Alexandre
Didier Alexandre

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, but with several difficult, even dizzying climbs. Not suitable for trainers.

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bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with marmot lakes, to be repeated in spring for more greenery, flowers and water in the lakes.

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Bernard amann
Bernard amann

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. The last steep climb to reach the cars can be discouraging, but it takes about half an hour at a leisurely pace. Lots of animals along the route.

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patricktrannoy72
patricktrannoy72

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Date of hike: 20 July 2023
Lost at point 5. In fact, this point is the starting point for two GR trails. You have to take the one on the right for about 300 metres before finding the correct starting point.
Our mistake was due to the fact that there is a third path that branches off to the right at this same crossroads. This path actually leads to the white cross. (Turn around at this point to return to point 5)

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Laurence du Béal
Laurence du Béal

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The hike through the Salso Moreno and Cabane valleys is very pleasant. The arrival at the Morgon lakes is well deserved (passing through a small glacial barrier). Wandering between the different lakes is enjoyable.
The only downside is the final 200m climb to return to the Col des Fourches!

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