Lake Achard and the Arselle Plateau

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A beautiful hike that will take you through the forest of the Arselle cross-country skiing plateau to Lake Achard. The view of the surrounding mountains is breathtaking.
03/01/2024: Change of starting point.

Details

n°4802550
Creation:
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  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.64 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 3 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 293 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 293 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,942 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,646 m
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Photos

The Robert Lakes
View of the surrounding mountains
View of the foothills of the Vercors and Mont Aiguille
Start of the walk

Description of the walk

Depart from the car park on the Bachat Bouloud road opposite the Skiset shop,

(S/E) Cross the road and, opposite the Skiset shop on the left, take the tarmac path straight ahead for about 50 metres, which then turns into a dirt track.

(1) Ignore the path on the right that goes behind the buildings and continue straight ahead on the path opposite, which descends slightly.

(2) At the clearing, turn left onto the track that enters the forest, sometimes crossing or running parallel to the cross-country ski trails, avoiding walking on the tracks so as not to damage them. Continue straight ahead.

(3) Turn right: the track starts behind the tree and begins to climb. Beautiful scenery all along the way will make it easier for you to reach Lake Achard.

(4) Facing the lake, continue to the left, following signpost no. 4.

(5) Keep to the right and head west then south-west to reach an open space.

(6) Do not continue to the Arselle chairlift, but turn left. Cross a track further on, continue straight ahead to reach a bend near a house.

(7) Turn left twice to follow the path parallel to the road. Turn right to follow the curve of the road and descend straight ahead to return to the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,708 m - Car park opposite Skiset
  2. 1 : km 0.09 - alt. 1,695 m - Intersection of paths
  3. 2 : km 0.36 - alt. 1,650 m - Cross-country ski trail
  4. 3 : km 1.4 - alt. 1,720 m - Track crossing and start of the climb
  5. 4 : km 2.6 - alt. 1,917 m - Lac Achard - Lac Achard (Belledonne)
  6. 5 : km 2.93 - alt. 1,914 m - Turn right at the junction.
  7. 6 : km 4.07 - alt. 1,844 m - Edge
  8. 7 : km 5.05 - alt. 1,750 m - Fork in the road
  9. S/E : km 5.64 - alt. 1,708 m - Car park opposite Skiset

Notes

Lake Achard and Arselle Plateau

Traffic outside the paths and duckboards is strictly prohibited on the ENS of the Arselle bog and Lake Achard (APPB No. 2003-09182 and ENS municipal decree).
Arselle bog: APPB, Natura 2000, listed site and ENS (sensitive natural area)
Dogs must be kept on a leash / fishing is prohibited on the lakes / camping, fires, tree cutting and picking are prohibited / camping is prohibited from 1 May to 30 October.
There are wintering areas for the black grouse.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
M13I9C3H8
M13I9C3H8

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant route with a steady climb, although sometimes steep. Enjoyable return via L'Arcelle.

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gali69
gali69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route completed on a hot day (37°C in Grenoble). The climb takes place in the woods, where it is relatively cool. There are a few steep sections, which is why I recommend doing the route in the direction described. The arrival at Lac Achard is always a delight. Picnic in the cool shade of a pine grove. A little crowded on this Saturday in August, but there's plenty of room. The descent is easy with beautiful views of the Taillefer and Vercors mountains and the peaks of the Matheysine.
Thanks to the author of the route.

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helenaSB
helenaSB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 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 with Lake Achard at its centre, a wonderful reward! The route follows a trail that is slightly less frequented than some sections, which makes it very pleasant. However, the trail is quite rocky, so be careful if it has rained recently!

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Stmaurille
Stmaurille

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A great experience for this hike, which regularly leaves the yellow-marked trail where there were lots of people. This allows you to be on a less frequented path with more shade. A very good experience 😍

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sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Snowshoe variant starting from Bachat Bouloud to the Col des Lessines (beautiful view of Lake Robert, even though it was frozen). Lots of tracks in the snow, you have to find the right one... Very popular with ski hikers.

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shanti38
shanti38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Short family hike to avoid at weekends

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JuKaWi
JuKaWi

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk. We finished with an ice cream at La Salinière on the Arselle plateau. Very enjoyable!

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FIFICB
FIFICB

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike that can be enjoyed even in the height of summer, as it is at altitude and mostly shaded. The lake is well preserved and protected by boundaries around sensitive areas.
Ideal for families as it is not very long and offers beautiful views.
I recommend starting from the Arselle plateau, where there is parking along the roadside.

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J38
J38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Fairly steep climb on stage 3 in the forest (limited views but shaded path) and a beautiful reward at the end. On the way back, follow the route carefully to return to the starting point; the left fork at the bottom is not very visible, so rely on the map.

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berarde
berarde

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Snowshoe hike.
Some steep sections were difficult to navigate despite the snowshoes, as they were covered with hard snow and ice.
Unfortunately, the lake was frozen and covered with snow, which detracted somewhat from the charm of the outing.
Still a very beautiful walk, to be repeated in summer.

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