Sebeyras Lakes – Les Prés de Lauplat

(S) Please note: this section is off-trail. It takes between 5 and 10 minutes, presents no technical difficulties, but requires a good sense of direction (GPS app recommended).
From the Lower Lake of Sebeyras, rejoin the main path. To do this, follow the stream (see photo), heading south, and climb the stony hillock. At the Upper Lake, change direction towards the west to head for the GRP® path on the right, located in a false pass.

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

(2) At the Col de Pétarel, leave the GRP® and take the path on the left towards La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar via the Col de la Béranne (markings faded).
The path is barely visible (see photo): it starts on the ridge and then continues on the right-hand bank along a gently rising, seemingly level stretch. After the Col de la Béranne, begin a long descent (~1,100 m of elevation loss) towards the valley floor.

(3) At the very bottom of the valley, near the stream, take the path on the right towards L’Aup and continue along a gently ascending stretch.

(4) At the next junction, change direction and take the path on the left towards Navette, cross the stream via a bridge and continue through the forest. The next fork is at the foot of the Buchardet waterfall.

(5) From there, take a short detour to the right to get a closer look (5 minutes; ~150 m away). Then resume the route opposite, heading towards Navette.

(6) Once you reach the hamlet of Navette (a single house with a fountain), head towards Le Chapeau on the right. Pass to the right of the chapel, then continue along the path, heading east. The climb is long (~760 m elevation gain to the finish).

(7) At the next signposted junction, near the Cascade de la Buffe stream, leave the original path and take the path on the right (south), following the signs for ‘Le Chapeau’; the path climbs more steeply and becomes less visible.

(8) Cross an old, narrow stream channel (see photo); there are no particular difficulties, but take care in wet weather. Some tall grass may obscure the path towards the end of the route, but the route remains traceable (the path veers eastwards). At the end of the hairpin bends, which have become sandier, you’ll reach a grassy plateau; the landscape opens up to reveal a spring and a shepherd’s hut at the Prés de Lauplat (E).

Please note: this route passes through the Écrins National Park; see: Park regulations.
Whilst camping is prohibited within the core zone of the national park, wild camping is permitted under certain conditions: between 7 pm and 9 am, at least one hour’s walk from road access points or the boundaries of the core zone (marked by small blue, white and red flags), and in accordance with the regulations (no fires, no littering, no noise pollution).

Information on the route:

• The best time to visit is from July to September.
• Time taken by the hiker: 6 hours (carrying a 13 kg rucksack).
• Trail traffic: moderate.
• There is no mobile phone coverage at the finish.

Accommodation:

(S) Bivouac at the Lower Lake of Sebeyras (no mobile phone coverage).
(E) Bivouac at Les Prés de Lauplat, not far from a shepherd’s hut (no mobile phone coverage).
Grazing from 30 June to 15 July and from¹ September to 30 September (indicative dates).

Water nearby:

• km 0.0 – (S) Seyberas Lakes
• km 6.4 – Charanlie torrent
• km 7.3 – Navette torrent
• km 7.9 – (5) Bucharet Waterfall
• km 9.2 - (6) Navette Spring
• km 12.2 – (E) Lauze de Lauplat spring