Lacs Robert from Le Recoin

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From Le Recoin, there are easy routes to visit the Robert Lakes. This description deviates slightly from the most commonly used trails, particularly from the Brèche Sud to reach Lac des Pourettes.

Details

n°2293415
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.95 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,867 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,850 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,693 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,449 ft
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Photos

Thaw of Lake Robert
Breaches arriving at Roberts Lakes

Description of the walk

Parking: Chamrousse resort, Recoin district, Place de Belledonnes.

(S/E) From the car park, head north for about 100 metres towards the signposts, continue right on theGR® 549 towards Lacs Robert and reach an intersection.

(1) Leave theGR® for an ascent to the left, towards the Aiguille.

(2) Pass the 1815m point and descend the other side towards a ski slope.

(3) Cross the slope to rejoin the path towards Lac des Pourettes. After a stretch through the forest, you will reach the small Lac des Pourettes.

(4) Pass the lake on the right to begin an ascent through a jumble of boulders, reaching Brèche Robert Nord.

(5) Go around the main lake on the eastern shore, then pass a shelter and reach an intersection.

(6) Leave the path that climbs to Col des Lessines here and follow the southern shore of the lake to Brèche Robert Sud.

(7) Leave theGR® trail to the left towards Lac du Vallon and take a path that crosses a chaotic boulder field (unconventional markings), with a few downhill sections that must be negotiated with caution. This will take you to Lac des Pourettes.

(4) Turn left and retrace your steps.

(3) Then climb up the ski slope to Col de la Balme.

(8) Take theGR® 549 westwards.

(1) Descend to Le Recoin (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,449 ft - Le Recoin car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.34 - alt. 5,807 ft - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : mi 0.43 - alt. 5,948 ft - Col de l'Aiguille (1815m)
  4. 3 : mi 0.65 - alt. 5,794 ft - Ski slope
  5. 4 : mi 1.51 - alt. 5,906 ft - Lac des Pourettes
  6. 5 : mi 2.13 - alt. 6,693 ft - Brêche Nord
  7. 6 : mi 2.49 - alt. 6,555 ft - Intersection - Lacs Robert
  8. 7 : mi 2.84 - alt. 6,604 ft - Brêche Sud
  9. 8 : mi 4.32 - alt. 5,984 ft - Col de la Balme (1825m)
  10. S/E : mi 4.95 - alt. 5,456 ft - Le Recoin car park

Notes

Between (4) and (5), there is a sustained climb.

From (7), it is possible to stay on theGR® for a less strenuous descent.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A snowshoe hike to make the most of the last of the snow, as the ski resort was closed. There was no one else on the trail, though there was plenty of fog... Lac des Pourettes, shrouded in mist, had a mysterious atmosphere. The climb up the northern pass wasn’t straightforward as there were no tracks from other hikers, though a few markers were visible. The sight of the lakes thawing is spectacular. Given the weather and the treacherous conditions with their small snow bridges, I returned via the same pass. I’ll happily do this route again this summer, in better conditions!

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Laurent54
Laurent54

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike through the northern pass; the southern pass is less interesting

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User 22827161

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful hike.

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User 22827161

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful hike

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Coco64200
Coco64200
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Be warned, the outward journey is difficult because it's rocky, but it's doable. However, the return journey is very, very difficult and hard to follow the trail. I won't be doing it again.

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Lesvannas
Lesvannas

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Overall, it's a good app, but the geolocation needs improvement because sometimes we find ourselves off course even though we're following the arrow on the route.

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bobine63
bobine63

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk in good weather. Return via the GR trail from point 7 (better signposted).

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zym948
zym948

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike, but the dreadful weather conditions obscured our view of the lake from the northern breach.
Crossing this pass is quite difficult in bad weather.
The entire trail is transformed into a river from Lake Pourettes.
Best done in good weather.

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desprez
desprez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2020
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 done at sunset (perfect light). Be warned if you don't like rocks, it's not very easy going. Otherwise, perfect.

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Kulik
Kulik
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very nice hike. The return via the southern pass is a bit difficult at first.

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