Lacs du Col Bas

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The Col Bas is reached without any significant difficulty. It is a gradual climb to a pass offering breathtaking views of Provence, stretching as far as Mont Ventoux on a clear day, the Écrins and the Ubaye. The Massif de la Blanche is a must-see panoramic vista. The route continues through the Vallon du Loup, forming a large and beautiful cirque, where you’ll discover some stunning lakes, some of which may be dry depending on the time of year. An accessible, varied and magnificent hike.

Details

n°92233755
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.34 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,391 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,368 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,162 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,201 ft
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Description of the walk

Pass through the village of Saint-Jean-Montclar and follow the D207. 1 km from Seyne, turn left towards the hamlet of Saint-Pons. There, you will find signs for the track leading to the Col Bas car park. This track is about 3 km long but is in good condition.

(S/E) Go to the end of the car park and head right to rejoin the track. Cross it and continue to the right, climbing gently diagonally.

(1) Take the small shortcut on the left to join a narrower path, which you should follow, turning left again. Reach Col Bas.

(2) Continue in the same direction.

(3) Head left and reach a crossroads (elevation 2117m).

(4) Head straight ahead, pass under the Lacs chairlift, then turn left to go round Lac Noir, skirting it on the left.

(5) Continue eastwards towards Lac du Milieu and reach a junction directly below the Dormillouse ski lift.

(6) Head to the right, follow the ski lift departure point and continue, passing under the Lacs chairlift.

(7) Take the hairpin bend to the right and return to the junction you passed on the way up.

(4) Turn left and follow the ascent route in the opposite direction to return to Col Bas and descend to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,201 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.51 - alt. 6,437 ft - Junction
  3. 2 : mi 0.85 - alt. 6,906 ft - Col Bas
  4. 3 : mi 1.06 - alt. 6,919 ft - Three-way junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.62 - alt. 6,939 ft - Circular Lakes junction
  6. 5 : mi 2.67 - alt. 6,991 ft - Lac Noir
  7. 6 : mi 2.9 - alt. 6,791 ft - Dormillouse ski lift
  8. 7 : mi 3.26 - alt. 6,647 ft - Junction, turn right
  9. S/E : mi 5.34 - alt. 6,201 ft - Car park

Notes

A gradual climb to a pass offering breathtaking views of Provence.

Worth a visit

Breathtaking views of Provence, including Mont Ventoux on a clear day, the Écrins and Ubaye ranges, and the Massif de la Blanche.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
yves04
yves04
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

From point 6, instead of going straight on, we recommend you continue towards the middle lake.
This is the lake well worth exploring. A path allows you to walk easily round it (along the way, you can admire the view of the Ubaye and its mountains). You will then find yourself at the Dormillouse ski lift hut, where you’ll rejoin the original route.
The return to the car park from the Col Bas can be done via the track (this adds about 1 km to the walk). This allows you to take in the scenery at a leisurely pace (this Thursday, for example, we had a clear view of the Grand Ferrand). Walking round the middle lake and heading back down via the track made for an 11 km walk with an elevation gain of around 420 m.

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Other walks in the area

Walking Dormillouse loop via the Col Bas and Lac Noir

Visorando Member
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This lovely, easy walk will take you to a very alpine setting in just a few dozen minutes from the car park. The climb to Lac Noir is gentle and the scenery is very pleasant. You then reach Dormillouse at 2,505 metres, the highest point of the walk, after a steep but easy climb. There is a splendid view from the fort at the summit and the return journey is via the spectacular military path overlooking the Blanche valley.

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Walking Col Saint-Jean - Montclar - Discovery trail

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↔2.71 mi ↗+371 ft ↘-351 ft ◔1h 35 ▲Easy
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Visorando Member
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