Lac Blanc de Belledonne from Chenevrey via Le Pleynet

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A very beautiful hike, difficult due to the elevation gain on the way there and back, which leaves no time to rest and leads to a fabulous lake.

Details

n°12401626
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,294 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,294 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,205 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 911 m
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Description of the walk

Go to the Chenevrey car park from Saint-Mury-Monteymont, then the Gorge.

(S/E) Take the path that climbs steeply from the start towards Pleynet. Pass Pleynet and reach a fork.

(1) Turn left and continue climbing until you reach a crossroads with several paths.

(2) Cross the footbridge, join and cut across theGR® 738. Head straight ahead towards Ravin des Excellences, where the slope becomes even steeper. Join the path coming from Refuge Jean Collet.

(3) Turn right and continue climbing. A little further on, walk over flat stones under a small waterfall. Finally, Lac Blanc comes into view, rewarding your efforts!

(4) From the lake, return along the same path in the opposite direction to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 911 m - Chenevrey car park
  2. 1 : km 2.09 - alt. 1,513 m - Fork to the left
  3. 2 : km 2.7 - alt. 1,676 m - Footbridge
  4. 3 : km 3.23 - alt. 1,873 m - Junction with the refuge trail
  5. 4 : km 4.57 - alt. 2,204 m - Lac Blanc (Belledonne)
  6. S/E : km 9.13 - alt. 911 m - Chenevrey car park

Notes

There is running water almost everywhere. With tablets and/or a filter, you can reduce the amount of water you need to carry if necessary.
No difficulties other than the incline, no tricky sections in summer.

Worth a visit

An alternative route is possible on the way up, by turning off at the footbridge (2) and taking theGR® on the left to climb up to the Refuge Jean Collet, then backtracking a little and taking the path that leads to Lac Blanc and crosses the path that climbs up via the Ravin des Excellences or on the way back when climbing up to the refuge instead of descending via the ravine.
This will add time and a little elevation gain.

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 1105492
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

The first part from Chenevrey along the torrent is quite long and climbs quite steeply, without much interest.
On the way there, I opted for a variation from the footbridge (2) via the Jean Collet refuge, rather than climbing directly up the Ravine des Excellences. This lengthens the hike but offers other views.

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snoopette21
snoopette21

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very pleasant hike

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Claraazimut
Claraazimut

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I did this hike with my dog. The elevation gain on the way there and back makes it very difficult. The arrival at the lake is well deserved but definitely worth it! Along the way, you can admire the waterfalls in the distance.
We passed a herd of sheep and goats, but the shepherdess was there and the herding dogs were clearly used to it.

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jprohel
jprohel

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 : No

Superb hike. Steep ascent and descent, but arriving at the lake makes all the effort worthwhile.
Be careful, the descent is still steep (especially for the knees).

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P@trick
P@trick

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike. The climb (and descent) are indeed difficult because they are very steep. The view at the top rewards the effort. We also encountered a herd of ibex near the lake.

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