Lakes of Sebeyras - Le Lauvet

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

From the Lower Lake at Sebeyras, rejoin the path.
To do this, follow the stream (see photo), heading south, and climb the stony hillock.
At the Upper Lake (see photo), change direction slightly (south-west) to head towards the GRP® path on the right through a scree slope.

(1) Turn left onto the GRP® Tour du Vieux Chaillol path (marked in yellow and red) towards the Col de Pétarel.

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

(3) At the Cabane Pastorale, on a flat stretch where the path is barely visible (see photo), veer to the right and follow the switchbacks.
Walk for 1.5 km and you will enter the ÉcrinsNational Park (see practical information).

(4) After passing above around twenty beehives, at the next junction there are few signposts: it is difficult to spot the GRP®; head slightly to the left and take the path between the stone ruins (see photo).
Once you’ve passed through them, head back towards Ubac.

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

(6) At the end of the gravel track, turn left onto a local road, cross the bridge and then, at the Cross-Country Ski Centre, 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: you will be walking for 1 km alongside a narrow departmental road, so take care.

(8) In the village, walk past the church and the town hall, then, at the three-way junction, turn right onto Rue des Durandes.
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 you; there is a red gate. There are no signs indicating private property, and there is no padlock: open the gate and take the path behind it.
As the path is rarely used and the markings are barely visible, at the next junctions, always take the path on the right that leads uphill.

(10) At the Salette shepherd’s hut, turn right at the next junction towards the Six Cabanes.

(11) Walk through the ruins to rejoin a faint path running along a ledge amongst the rhododendrons. Although the yellow markings are sparse, the track is visible (see photo).
The path climbs via a few hairpin bends, then changes direction to head off across the slope towards the Col Menoux.
The route over the Col de Menoux does not go via the actual pass, but above it (see photo).

(12) After negotiating a few more hairpin bends, emerge from the grass and head towards a cairn (north-east) to cross the scree slope and reach the foot of the pass (see photo).

Please note, this section (13) is difficult: there are a few slightly exposed sections (see photo), not recommended for those with a fear of heights. You’ll need to use your hands for a few metres, with plenty of handholds; it requires a bit of commitment and effort (no ropes required). There’s a 15- to 30-minute climb without any signposting.

(13) After crossing the scree slope, head for the southern ridge of the pass (heading east) and look out for the path leading to it.
Follow a few switchbacks, then climb the ridge to the right (see photo) via a steep section (see photo).
On the ridge, head left for about ten metres, then join the traverse path on the right (see photo).
Stay on the path then wind your way up the steep slope of the pass, keeping a northerly bearing on the grassy flank of the pass.
Over the final few metres, the path is clearly visible right up to the ridge of Col Menoux (see photo).

Please note that this section, from (14) to (E), is not signposted: it takes about 45 minutes; there are no particular difficulties to report, but a good sense of direction is required.

(14) As you cross the pass, head down a few metres to the right to reach the pass sign.
Then begin a steep descent along a faintly marked path (see photo); there may be a few cairns and yellow markings.
Once at the bottom, on the grassy strip, continue straight ahead across the grass towards the hollow of the valley (see photo).

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

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

(17) You’ll come back onto the winding path and head towards a hollow between the hills.
In the hollow, cross a small scree slope to reach the Étang du Lauvet, 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