The Col des Sept Laux from Rivier d'Allemont

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, but demanding due to the steep slope up to the peatland. The terrain is steep, with several scree slopes. The reward for your efforts is the beauty of the lakes that follow one after another above the plateau, on the path leading to the Col des Sept Laux, and the remarkable wildlife, including ibex, birds of prey, marmots and small mammals (ermine, etc.).
The return trip along the same route is very tedious and even tricky at times. Avoid this hike in bad weather

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Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

No problem finding the start and parking your car at the side of the small road. The start is quite steep for about 100 metres, then it levels out nicely on a zigzag path. We did the climb in the morning in the shade, which was very pleasant in summer, but the return trip at the end of the day in full sun at over 30 degrees was very hot! The route is very easy at the top along the lakes, and it's wonderful to be able to see these magnificent lakes and their surroundings. There was a flock of sheep at the top, and I found myself face to face with a huge Patou sheep that barked at me and even sniffed my calves, but it all ended well! The route around the lakes was very easy, so I went all the way to Lake Cottepens. An excellent day, I highly recommend this hike

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Date of your route : Oct 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Sunday hike for experienced walkers.
Estimated at 4 hours 45 minutes with reasonable breaks, I think that's about right. I reached the pass in about 2 hours, but then I pushed on to the last lake where I spent a good hour admiring the pyramid and the white rock from their best angles. Walking time 5 hours 5 minutes round trip to this point, not counting the long break. Departure at 11:30 a.m. to catch the good weather window.
My timing may be misleading for regular walkers because I descend more slowly than I ascend (yeah, there's a reason, but that's not the point, ha ha). If it helps anyone with their timing, I do 600m+ per hour uphill.

Excellent markings, as almost everywhere in the Alps, haha.
Yes, it's steep until the first puddle before the lakes. But it's okay, it zigzags so it's a breeze.

I say experienced walkers because, if you go in foggy weather, be careful not to lose your bearings, even though you'd have to be really inattentive to get lost here, but still, there are a few places where falling is a bit dangerous.

It's a splendid place, which I found to be very busy for mid-October.
Fortunately, most people were very friendly, but unfortunately others were not so friendly (I have an idea where you could stick your Bluetooth speaker, but you're not going to like it).

Once you get past that kind of annoyance, encountering ibex just a few metres away is such a joy.
And the sea of clouds on the north side once you reach the last lake, yum. Watching the mountain breathe, the clouds rising and then falling. While you're in an area of almost perfect weather. Yum.

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Date of your route : Sep 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning scenery, but the starting point is difficult to find without directions. There is no car park at the starting point, but we left our vehicle on the road at the cul-de-sac.
The climb to the summit is very steep and not easy; there are no flat sections except at the top. Some sections are not at all straightforward, so be sure to follow the trail (or the markings, when there are any, lol).
Bliss at the top, with beautiful scenery and lakes that are well worth the effort!
We only came across five people near the pass, but otherwise there was no one else around.
Chamois are often seen at the end and beginning of the day.
Be careful on the descent if the weather is not favourable, as it can be quite slippery.

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Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with a good elevation gain. By setting off early, we were able to encounter some chamois.

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Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A two-day hike with bivouacking, pushing on to the 7 Laux refuge under bright sunshine.
It's true that the first part is quite steep, but what a joy it is to arrive at the first lake. The view is breathtaking! We ignore the pylons and other EDF structures and revel in the magnificent landscapes as we wander across a rocky plateau dotted with touches of greenery and a multitude of lakes, each more stunning than the last.
The next day, we return to the starting point via Lake Ratoune and Lake Blanc. Setting off at dawn, during the climb to the lakes we are able to enjoy a spectacular panorama in the early morning light. The passage is located after Lake Motte, to the south-east on the left, and is marked by cairns. At times, we had to feel our way a little, as other cairns pointed in different directions... but it didn't matter, because as soon as we climbed a little higher, we were treated to a dreamlike setting!
The description of this route was very useful in helping me find the starting point. Without it, I would have had difficulty reaching the Cascade des 7 Laux. Thank you very much!

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