Lakes Égorgéou and Baricle from Échalp

Deep in the Queyras, at the end of the road that climbs up the Guil, you can easily walk up to these beautiful lakes, set in this glacial valley, with Égorgéou flanked by its little brother Baricle.

Details

4490407
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 786 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 787 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,421 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,697 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Guillestre, take the road that runs alongside the Guil river and passes through the villages of Château-Queyras, Ville-Vieille, Aiguilles, Abriès and Ristolas, until you reach the hamlet of L'Échalp. Park in the large car park by the river.

(S/E) Return to the bridge and cross the Guil. Find the junction ofthe GRP® Tour du Pain de Sucre and theGR®58Tour du Queyras. Take it on the left and follow the red and white markings. You will reach an alpine pasture at the Chalet de la Médille.

(1) Continue on theGR® trail, alternating between open and forest passages, to reach Lac Égorgéou.

(2) Walk up the left bank to the end of the lake. Continue on theGR® to reach the wetland upstream of the lake.

(3) Cross the glacis upstream of the lake and its peat bogs and cross to the right bank. Walk along the rocky cliff to the right bank of the lake and climb up to the right to reach Lac Baricle.

(4) Find the path that heads north-west, pass close to the small lake and then descend towards the northern end of Lac Égorgéou.

(2) After fording the lake's outlet, the Torrent de Bouchouse, retrace your steps up the path and return to the car park on the banks of the Guil (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,700 m - Parking at the edge of the - Guil (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.83 - alt. 1,972 m - Opposite the Chalet de la Médille
  3. 2 : km 4.74 - alt. 2,400 m - Northern end of the - Lac Egorgéou
  4. 3 : km 5.59 - alt. 2,412 m - Crossing the glacis upstream of the lake
  5. 4 : km 6.35 - alt. 2,417 m - At the edge of the - Lac Baricle
  6. S/E : km 11.47 - alt. 1,700 m - Return to car park

Notes

Although this route does not present any particular difficulties, it is still a mountain route, and it is essential to wear appropriate footwear. The use of walking poles is recommended.
Similarly, it is advisable to bring warm clothing, even in summer, as the weather can change very quickly in the mountains, especially as you will be climbing to an altitude of over 700 metres.

Worth a visit

We are on theGR® 58 trail, which continues towards Lac Foréant and, beyond that, towards Col Agnel. This hike can be extended to Col Agnel, where there is a spacious and modern refuge.

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

4.9 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Christine_aix
Christine_aix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike.
It is no longer possible to reach Lake Baricle via the indicated path, but it is still worth going around the protected area to see the ruined stone shelters, then returning to cross the gorge at the exit and climb up to the small lake.
We saw lots of edelweiss flowers.

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stjo
stjo

@Chanal115 At 80 years old, that's great, well done! But almost anything is possible at our age, you just need the willpower and to take your time. Slow and steady wins the race. That way, in ten years' time, you'll be able to say, "It was a bit long for us at 90."

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Chanal115
Chanal115

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike, a bit long for us80-year-olds https://www.visorando.com/images/smileys...

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Véronique10
Véronique10

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A magnificent hike, quite physically demanding. Please note that you cannot walk around the small lakes because a wire fence has been installed to prevent pedestrians from entering. You just need to make a short detour to return to the trail. We continued on to Lake Foréant (allow an additional hour and 15 minutes round trip from Lake Egorgéou), and it was well worth the effort.

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suzie0405
suzie0405

This route is listed under the name Lake Foreant via the old pass.

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suzie0405
suzie0405
• Edited:

No, I left from L'Echalp like you, but I climbed up to Lake Foreant and saw the snow-covered Col Vieux in the distance.
I did it a few years ago, starting from the Agnel refuge. It's not difficult, and there's much less elevation gain.

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stjo
stjo

@suzie0405 Did you go through the Vieux Pass? So you came from the Agnel Pass or the Agnel Refuge?
If so, it's not the same route I described, but it's an access point I'd like to try too.
It would be great if you could post a description of it on Visorando.

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suzie0405
suzie0405

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We reached Lake Baticle by wading through ankle-deep water, but we didn't regret it, because up there we saw a group of ibexes and witnessed some small fights, horn against horn.
It was a beautiful hike, and the Vieux Pass was still covered in snow.

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BelineCenoi
BelineCenoi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

A beautiful trip through the larch trees.
A single trail, so it's impossible to get lost.
A pretty mountain trail alternating between woodland and clearings offering beautiful views of the Viso.
Unfortunately, it was a stormy day, and a very heavy squall arrived at the lake, preventing us from fully enjoying the beauty of the place.

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haddad-parfait
haddad-parfait

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful route with exceptional views and a trip down memory lane, as we had done this route more than 20 years ago. We thoroughly enjoyed it

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francoisedesert
francoisedesert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

route taken during the first week of July 2024; no risk of getting lost; there is only one path; flocks of sheep with sheepdogs... to reach the upper lake, we had to take off our shoes to cross the icy water at the end of Lake Égorgéou. As a result, we were alone at Lake Baricle... what bliss.

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stjo
stjo
• Edited:

@stefaix Ah, but that's not the same hike at all then!
As an ancient Chinese sage once said, "It's not the destination that matters, it's the journey."
This hike is not limited to the two lakes it leads to, it is a whole journey, both on the way there and on the way back, where, if you are observant, you don't see and experience things from the same angle.
On the other hand, it would be really nice if you could publish your hike from the Agnel Pass to the two lakes on this same website. I would personally enjoy reading it, especially since I plan to do the same route one day. So I look forward to reading your future description.
Best regards.
stjo

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stefaix
stefaix

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Taken from the Agnel Pass.

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HBFAM
HBFAM

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Absolutely magnificent!!! A gale-force wind at the top. Lots of people.
The circular is no longer possible.

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Pchretien
Pchretien

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful outing with lovely lakes.
Not technical

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