Pétarel Lakes via the Col de La Béranne

Date of walk : Oct 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

a magnificent route on a beautiful autumn day.
Very few people out and about on this Friday (only four people seen during the entire circular).
There were few markings until the Col de la Béranne, but the route and path were fairly obvious in the absence of snow
(only one route, so no risk of confusion).
From the Col de Pétarel, there are recent red and yellow markings and very clear signs at changes of direction until you reach the start/finish point at Les Portes.
The route is quite long but without any particular difficulty or vertiginous passages.
A very beautiful hike, best done in good weather.

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Date of walk : Sep 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : Yes

I didn't want to give too much credence to the last review about the appeal of the hike, given the other reviews. It has to be said that the only thing of interest to us was the view overlooking the various lakes. Apart from that:
- The climb is long, steep, physically demanding, with no vegetation cover and no breaks until you reach the pass. There are no technical difficulties, but you have to be prepared to tackle 1,200 metres of elevation gain without enjoying any extraordinary views (there are much better ones in the Ecrins!)
- The descent is hard on the legs: scree in all directions, wet rocks to climb... if you have sensitive knees, we definitely do not recommend it!

As for the route, we measured the same elevation gain but 16km. The hike took 8 hours including breaks, taking advantage of the cool weather in the morning to survive the climb.
In conclusion, a good physical challenge but of little tourist interest (personal opinion).

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Date of walk : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Busy trail : No

The path to Col de Beranne is difficult, with the dry conditions, it disappears and as there are lots of stones, it becomes slippery.
Beautiful view of the Petarel lakes.
Lots of people swimming. These lakes used to be home to salamanders... but there aren't any left... However, there are no signs. Be careful, as some clever people turn the signposts around. Check your app at the crossroads. For us, it was a hike without much enjoyment. Not interesting

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Date of walk : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A magnificent hike in Valgaudemar. I had already done it a few years ago and tried again last March. But with all the snow that fell in the southern Alps this year, and without the right equipment, I had to turn back a little before the Col de la Béranne. The climb to the pass is quite demanding but can be done without any particular difficulty apart from the elevation gain. There is a magnificent view from the pass with the Olan massif opposite and the lakes below. In summer, this hike is quite popular. Most hikers climb up to the lakes without going via the Col de la Béranne. Out of season (and when you're not blocked by snow , you often come across chamois around the lakes.

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Date of walk : Jul 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The climb to the Col de La Béranne is very demanding. In direct sunlight, make sure you bring water! You won't meet anyone else. There are no streams to cross, except for one at the start. The scenery changes with altitude, with rhododendrons coming into view. There are numerous boulders to cross throughout the hike and between the two passes, where you need to follow the cairns carefully. There are lots of rocks. We spotted some chamois! The unnamed lake is dry. At the Col de Pétarel, there is a beautiful view of the lakes with the Olan in the background. The route is busier on the way down as everyone takes it in the opposite direction! The route has been freshly marked on this side. Beautiful Valgaudemar national forest with larch trees. The descent is very long with views of La Chapelle en Valgaudemar through the foliage. There are some sections to climb on the way up (arrival at the Col de La Béranne) and on the way down (handrails).

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Date of walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful route, significant snow under the Pétarel Pass

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Scheduled for late June 2024

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Date of walk : Sep 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Easy start until you reach the bridge ;-) It is important to follow the path that continues from the car park.
The path is very visible (don't head directly to the right into the scree).
There's not much of a break until you climb up to the Col de la Béranne. There are still some rocks, and just before the end, the rocks turn into a slippery driveway :-)
The Col de Pétarel is clearly visible and really not far from the previous pass.
The descent is much more gradual. That's why it's easier to just do a round trip from Andrieux, with a less steep and better distributed elevation gain (but it's not the same hike then ;-) )
Very beautiful lakes and a superb valley!
Definitely worth doing, but I prefer the Lac Bleu and Le Lauzon (see my info and video already posted).

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Date of walk : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike with a climb offering stunning panoramic views before a long descent. The Sebeyras and Pétarel lakes are well worth a visit, but is there anything more beautiful than high-altitude lakes?
This route is not very busy, but it must be during the school holidays, especially in July and August.

(For those looking for the Oulles bridge, it is located between the car park in the hamlet of Les Portes – the official starting point of the hike – and the car park in La Fourronière).

Thank you for this beautiful hike.

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Date of walk : Aug 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The hike is easy to follow; we started from the car park.
The climb to the pass is long and steep, especially towards the end, but the scenery is worth it.
Once you've crossed the pass, it's just a matter of descending to the lakes (we were able to swim there, which was simply magical!) and returning to the car park via other scenic routes.
A beautiful hike!

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Date of walk : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Starting from the village of La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, we easily found the Visorando trailhead. The advantage of not using a vehicle is that it adds some elevation gain. The hike is beautiful from start to finish. The only difficulty is reaching the Col de la Béranne from the last rocky plateau, where the slope is very steep and the ground unstable. The view from the pass is magnificent and the descent to the lakes is superb. Be careful on the balcony sections on the very last part with handrails.

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Date of walk : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This was my fourth hike in ten years to the Lacs de Pétarel, starting from Les Portes, including the Cols de la Béranne and Pétarel...
But I chose a slightly different route, leaving my car at Les Andrieux.
It took me 45 minutes to reach Les Portes. Just after the cemetery in La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, you can take a path which is quite steep but avoids walking on the road.
It took me 3 hours and 15 minutes to get from Les Portes to the Col de la Béranne, including a 20-minute break. The climb is fairly gradual, except for the last part.
At the pass, there are beautiful views of the Grand Ferrand and the Grande Tête de l'Obiou.
The descent took 35 minutes, and I stopped at the large lake for a snack break.
There are views of the Pic Turbat, the Olan and the Cime du Vallon, three peaks over 3,000 metres high.
Return to Les Andrieux in 1 hour 45 minutes, with a long section on a path through the woods, which was very welcome given the intense heat!
As always, this hike is one of my favourites in Valgau.
In total, it took 7 hours and 45 minutes for 6 hours of actual walking. The elevation gain was 1,310 metres over 17 km.

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Date of walk : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We didn't go via the Col de Béranne, but started directly from the first car park. It was a long but beautiful climb, with a long stretch through the forest.
We descended via Pleynet to rejoin the road, a very steep and long descent through the forest.
No particular difficulties.

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Date of walk : Jun 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent hike, long and intense. The descent is particularly long. Access to the Col de la Beranne, in the last 300 metres of elevation gain, is particularly tricky. We started directly from the village of La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, as this is where we were staying.

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Hello,

I wanted to know where the Pont des Oulles is located?
I thought there was only one path leading down from the Col de la Béranne to the lakes.
And indeed, the start is a bit slippery, but nothing too complicated in the end...
So, is the Pont des Oulles on the side of this path?
Next time, I'll do as you did and start from La Chapelle so I don't have to drive up to Les Portes. And I'll return via Les Andrieux to try this alternative route.

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