Lakes of Sebeyras - Le Lauvet

(S) Please note, this section is off-trail: it takes between 5 and 10 minutes, is not difficult, but you do need to be able to find your way.

From the lower Sebeyras Lake, rejoin the trail.
To reach the Upper Sebeyras Lake, follow the stream (see photo), heading south and climbing the rocky hill.
At the upper lake (see photo), change course slightly (south-west) to head towards the GRP® trail on the right in a scree slope.

(1) Take the GRP® Tour du Vieux Chaillol trail (yellow and red markings) on the left towards the Col de Pétarel.

(2) At the Col de Pétarel, stay on the GRP® and descend towards Ubac via a steep passage (see photo).

(3) At the Cabane Pastorale, on a flat section where the trail is not very visible (see photo), veer right and take the switchbacks.
Walk for 1.5 km and you will enter the ÉcrinsNational Park (see practical information).

(4) After passing about twenty beehives, at the next crossroads there are few signs: it is difficult to spot the GRP®, so turn left and take the path between the stone ruins (see photo).
After crossing them, head back towards Ubac.

(5) At Pont de la Scie, leave the GRP® and continue straight on the gravel road towards Ubac.

(6) At the end of the gravel road, turn left onto a local road, cross the bridge and then, at the Foyer de Ski de Fond, turn right towards "CD16". The local road joins the D16.

(7) Cross the bridge and, on the D985a, turn left towards Saint-Maurice.
Please note that you will be walking for 1 km alongside a narrow country road, so take care.

(8) In the village, walk past the church and town hall, then turn right onto Rue des Durandes at the three-way junction.
Walk up this street and follow the yellow markings (which are faded and not always visible) towards Les Six Cabanes.

(9) At the end of Rue des Durandes, the path is opposite, marked by a red gate. There is no mention of private property and no padlock: open the gate and take the path behind it.
As the path is little used and the tracks are not very visible, at the next crossroads, always take the path on the right that goes uphill.

(10) At the Salette shepherd's hut, take the next right turn towards Les Six Cabanes.

(11) Cross the ruins to pick up a discreet path that winds through the rhododendrons. Although there are few yellow markings, the trail is visible (see photo).
The trail climbs a few switchbacks, then changes direction to head towards Col Menoux.
The Col de Menoux is not crossed at the actual pass, but above it (see photo).

(12) After negotiating more hairpin bends, leave the grassy area and head towards a cairn (north-east) to cross the scree and reach the foot of the pass (see photo).

Be careful, this section (13) is difficult: there are a few slightly exposed passages (see photo), not recommended for those who are afraid of heights. You will need to use your hands for a few metres with numerous handholds, a little commitment and effort (no rope necessary), there is a 15 to 30 minute climb without markings.

(13) After crossing the scree, head for the southern ridge of the pass (east) and find the path that leads there.
Make a few switchbacks and then climb the ridge on the right (see photo) via a steep passage (see photo).
On the ridge, climb up to the left for about ten metres, then join the crossing path on the right (see photo).
Stay on the path and then climb the steep slope of the pass, keeping north on the grassy side of the pass.
On the last few metres, the path is clearly visible up to the Col Menoux ridge (see photo).

Please note that this section, from (14) to (E), is not marked: it takes about 45 minutes, there are no particular difficulties to report, but good orientation is necessary.

(14) At the pass, descend a few metres to the right to reach the pass sign.
Then begin a steady descent along a faint path (see photo), marked by a few cairns and yellow markings.
Once you reach the bottom, on the grassy strip, continue straight ahead on the grass towards the hollow of the valley (see photo).

(15) At the scree, head due north until you reach a wide grassy strip (see photo).

(16) Once you reach the grassy strip, change direction to the north-west and stay to the right of the scree.
Then continue down this grassy strip towards the bottom of the valley (see photo).

(17) You will find the winding path again and head towards a hollow between the hills.
At the hollow, cross a small scree slope to reach the Étang du Lauvet lake, which is on your right (E).

Please note: this route crosses the Écrins National Park, see: park regulations.

Information about the route:

• The ideal time to hike is from July to September. Outside this period, there is late snow (Col de Pétarel / Col de Menoux).
• Time taken by the author of the hike: 9 hours 40 minutes (with a 15 kg rucksack).
• Frequency of use: low.
• There is good mobile phone coverage from the Cabane de la Béranne (3) to the 6 Cabanes (11).

Accommodation:

(S) Bivouac on a grassy plateau near the lower Sebeyras lake (no mobile phone coverage).

(E) Bivouac near Lauvet (please note that there are only 2 to 3 tent pitches). The trail is very quiet, so this shouldn't be a problem (no mobile phone reception).

Or at the Cabane de Malentraz, down the path to the next stage (allow 45 minutes to an hour from Lauvet).

Water nearby:

• km 6.20 - Source des Doux
• km 6.94 - Prentiq torrent
• km 11.14 - Fountain
• km 16.01 - Stream