Lacs Merlet

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The climb to the refuge from Courchevel was very disappointing because there are roads everywhere and the last car park is very close to the almost flat balcony path that leads to the lake
The return trip downhill, although long, was very pleasant because it was wild, with no lifts and no roads
The refuge is small and the keeper very welcoming. There was an unexpected storm and he managed to take care of all the tourists, who were a little distraught

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Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route wasn't too obvious at first, but after that it was a very pleasant walk with beautiful views and pretty lakes. A very beautiful hike with the added bonus of marmots that weren't too wild, magnificent landscapes with views of Mont Blanc and the Vanoise glaciers. Highly recommended

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Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in reverse. Started in the Avals Valley. Saw marmots after the Grand Plan refuge when we left the trail to climb a slightly rocky path.
The lakes are magnificent, with a preference for the upper lake
A little less interesting on the descent between the Col de la Platta and Mont Bel-Air. Road and chairlifts. The area was prettier before the work (hike done in 2010!). Fortunately, the walk through the woods after Mont Bel-Air is pleasant

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Date of your route : Jun 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with marmots as an added bonus. We stopped at the first lake because it was impossible to follow the submerged path.

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Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

great

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Date of your route : Jul 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route wasn't very clear at first, but after that it was a very pleasant walk with beautiful views and pretty lakes. Highly recommended!

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Hello,
No, there are no difficult passages for people prone to vertigo, which I am

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Date of your route : Jul 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on 2 and 3 July 2022
We followed the route in reverse with a detour to see Lake Pêtre and Lake Chanrouge. We went in reverse to avoid the visual pollution of the ski lifts on the way back (I find that you see them less on the way down than on the way up).
No particular difficulties, just a slightly rough descent at the end of our route, but it wasn't very long.
We spent the night at the Grand Plan refuge. We received a very warm welcome, with a collection of slippers provided to make us feel at home. We ate very well and slept very well in very comfortable beds. Thank you to our hosts, who were very welcoming.
There were lots of marmots along the route, impossible to miss them!

We enjoyed the climb (point D->12->11->10), and this route is a beautiful hike, but if I do this hike again, I will park the car at the top of the Pyramide ski lift (near point 4 on the map) to reach the refuge and set off on all the passes that are accessible from there. This would allow us to enjoy the landscapes and sublime views of the surrounding glaciers even more and avoid the ascent and descent, which are not particularly interesting.
Enjoy the hike!

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Date of your route : Oct 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The "loop" means you have to walk back along the ski slopes, which is a little less enjoyable than the outward journey, but the view is still incredible! The best thing about this route is that we saw more marmots than hikers along the way! Please note that at this time of year, the Merlet Lakes refuge is closed if you want to stop for a drink (however, it is of course open to hikers who decide to spend the night there)

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Date of your route : Aug 25, 2021
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! Magnificent scenery, a bit long and difficult for intermediate hikers like me, but the challenge is worth it and the reward at the end... Stop for a Mont Blanc beer at the little refuge near the first lake, then continue on to the second lake, which is truly magnificent, with superb colours and remnants of ice on the surface
You'll see lots of marmots!
GOOD SHOES AND WALKING STICKS RECOMMENDED

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Date of your route : Jul 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, we slept at the Lac du Merlet refuge and extended the loop by going via Lac du Pêtre, which adds just under an hour, but it's well worth it!

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Hello,
I would like to know if there are any exposed passages as I suffer from vertigo.
Thank you

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Date of your route : Oct 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The description of the route is very useful for the first part on the ski slopes, as you need to keep track of the ski lifts (there are many intersecting roads suitable for vehicles)
A magnificent hike with views of Mont Blanc and the Vanoise glaciers. You absolutely must visit the upper lake. A truly beautiful site. The return via the Grand Plan refuge and the Vallée des Avals is quite long but allows you to complete a loop

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Date of your route : Oct 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Part of the climb is done by car, which is barely feasible, but if you go very slowly, it's manageable.
A beautiful hike, but the lower lake is very low, making it a little less attractive.
Not many people at this time of year, very pretty Merlet Lakes refuge.
The climb under the ski lifts is the weak point, but after that it's a very beautiful and easy hike.

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Date of your route : Aug 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did the hike but parked at the Ariondaz hill lake (Courchevel 1650).
To do this, drive to Courchevel 1650, follow the tarmac road that passes through the chalets and at the end of this road, follow the 4x4 track that goes up to the Ariondaz chalet. At the chalet, take the track that goes up to the right towards the top of the ski lift. Be careful, these are 4x4 tracks, so it's bumpy but you can get there!
Going up by car avoids a gruelling climb through the ski lifts on a track that serves no purpose other than to tire you out unnecessarily!

Return on foot by the same route (round trip from the lakes to the hill lake, approximately 8 km round trip)

Otherwise, it's a magnificent hike with splendid scenery. The small lakes are set in majestic surroundings, especially the second one. There are lots of marmots and not too many people
Easy hike, no difficulty, can be done with children without any problems

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