Lakes of Terre Rouge and Baisse du Druos

An easy round trip hike that allows you to discover a wild area very close to the Isola 2000 ski resort.

During the ascent, you will pass close to the 5 Lacs de Terre Rouge lakes before arriving at the Baisse du Druos, which offers a beautiful view of the many Lacs Supérieurs de Valscura lakes.

Although this route is outside the Mercantour National Park, you may encounter some chamois.

Details

3368070
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.23 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,759 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,755 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,609 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,860 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the end of Rue Adrech de Barris just before a private chalet.

Red and white markings throughout the hike

(S/E) From marker 90a, head towards the Lacs de Terre Rouge and take the path that climbs above the chalet and quickly joins a ski slope.
Turn left to reach marker 91 at the edge of this slope.

(1) Turn right, still heading towards the Lacs de Terre Rouge. Cross a scree slope and then descend towards the Vallon de Terre Rouge, overlooking a peat bog. When you reach the stream, a path climbs up from the right and joins the GR® at marker 91.

(2) Turn left to climb up the valley on the right bank. The slope then levels out and you have to cross the stream via a ford. Then leave the valley to join the path coming from the Col de Mercière at marker 92.

(3) Continue straight ahead towards the Lacs de Terre Rouge. After a short climb up a series of hairpin bends, pass close to the first lake, then the second, then the third, and reach marker 93.

(4) Continue straight ahead towards Baisse du Druos on a path that climbs gently, skirting the largest of the Lacs de Terre Rouge lakes to the north. Continue along this path, then turn right to reach Baisse du Druos. Please note that at the start of the season, there is still quite a lot of snow in this area. Immediately after passing under a rocky outcrop, climb up to the left to avoid walking on the snow on the steepest slopes.

(5) Once at the pass, you will see the Upper Lakes of Valscura on the Italian side and the path leading to Mont Malinvern. On the right are Cime de la Lause and Tête du Claus.

Then turn around and return to the starting point via the same route (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,864 ft - Marker 90a
  2. 1 : mi 0.38 - alt. 7,165 ft - Marker 91
  3. 2 : mi 0.66 - alt. 7,198 ft - Marker 91 at the marker
  4. 3 : mi 1.19 - alt. 7,730 ft - Marker 92
  5. 4 : mi 1.73 - alt. 8,018 ft - Marker 93 - Lacs de Terre Rouge (2452m)
  6. 5 : mi 2.59 - alt. 8,609 ft - Baisse du Druos
  7. S/E : mi 5.23 - alt. 6,860 ft - Marker 90a

Notes

Easy hike.

Be careful of snow at the beginning of the season.

Worth a visit

Numerous lakes, beautiful views and a few chamois.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 23 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 30598661

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A round-trip hike offering a variety of stunning landscapes (forest, mountain pastures, rocky outcrops). The reward before turning back is a view of all the lakes in Italy. On the way back, there’s a beautiful view of the whole of the ISOLA 2000 resort, which had been behind us during the ascent. We got caught in a proper storm, but a sturdy hut just below the first lake provided us with shelter. Our very fit teenagers completed the circular loop (all the way to the view of the Italian lakes from the pass) in 3 hours, whilst we (much less fit parents with knee problems) also took 3 hours, but only to walk as far as the first red lake. As the weather looked threatening, there were few people on the trail and we all thoroughly enjoyed this very well-signposted walk.

Machine-translated

User 17398118
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

One of my favourite hikes!

It’s a good climb up to the lakes, with stunning scenery! Then we stopped for a picnic at the lakes as a reward. After that, it climbs again up to the Italian border, and I found it absolutely breathtaking to be up there with France on the right and Italy on the left.
After that, it’s all the way back down to the car park.

The route is easy to follow and well signposted. It took us about 6 hours; the round trip is a good 10 km.

Machine-translated

Malland
Malland

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

As I was unable to make it to the Baisse du Druos on 14 August due to bad weather, I went back there, this time in glorious weather.
I set off from the base of the slopes, following the ski runs as far as the eagle. Then I took the classic route along the GR52.
After the last Terre Rouge lake, a short climb up to the border and the view over the Italian lakes.
It was very busy up to the Terre Rouge lakes, but much less so after that.

Machine-translated

Malland
Malland
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but only as far as the Terre Rouge lakes due to the increasingly threatening weather, with a bit of rain on the way back down.
A direct route leading to the signpost, starting from Chalet Morano.
Instead of taking the GR52 straight away, I went down to see the Eagle sculpture and so joined the GR52 via the bog, disturbing a snake in the process. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Took the usual route back.
Quite few people about, no doubt because of the weather.

Machine-translated

yelena.grj
yelena.grj

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A really lovely walk – thanks for the description and the route, which are very clear.
It gets quite busy, so don’t hesitate to set off early to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Magnificent views of the Italian lakes at the end of the walk
The terrain isn’t difficult, so it’s suitable for everyone, but do bear in mind that if you’re sensitive to the sun, there aren’t many shaded areas.

Machine-translated

User 30268292

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The description is very well written; it’s hard to go wrong.
It’s best to set off early to avoid the crowds, whom you’ll then come across on the way back down.

Machine-translated

Tek06
Tek06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk that ends at the Druos Pass, which marks the border with Italy and offers a lovely view of the Italian lakes. An interesting little extra that isn’t signposted: the two tunnels that run through the mountain, dug by the Italians to keep an eye on the French side. Just after the pass, the path descends slightly and, on the left, you’ll find the first tunnel, which still has something resembling a door; 10 metres further on is a second one.

Machine-translated

User 29891963

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with stunning views! It’s definitely worth climbing up to the ridge to admire the lakes on the Italian side. If you’re in good physical shape, you can complete the round trip in about 3 hours. I highly recommend it.

Machine-translated

Danouche
Danouche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant hike with varied landscapes, we went as far as the lakes of Valescure (Italy).

Machine-translated

bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with numerous lakes. On the way back, we passed through the Col Mercière. I highly recommend it.

Machine-translated

CARO LM
CARO LM

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The trail begins in the forest, continues through alpine pastures and ends in a rocky landscape! It's really varied! The second point of interest is the large number of lakes that dot the hike to the pass overlooking three large Italian lakes! Yes, you're in Italy!
The return via the same trail allows you to see the Isola 2000 ski area, which was behind you during the ascent.

Machine-translated

User 16664135

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike

Machine-translated

User 14306859

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, easy hike that took us to the still-frozen lake. Magnificent colours. Flowers everywhere on the first part of the route. Highly recommended

Machine-translated

Floriane AC
Floriane AC

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike! Magnificent scenery!
The starting point is easy to find: it is on the left just before the Chalet MARANO spa.

At the moment (12 October 2023), the trail is being redeveloped (before the fork between the Terre Rouge lakes on the left and the Col de Salèse on the right). This does not prevent you from doing the hike.

There is no shade during the hike. Good footwear is recommended.

Machine-translated

gemmavonne
gemmavonne

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful route, but the elevation information provided during the hike is incorrect

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.