Lac Blanc de Belledonne from Chenevrey via Le Pleynet

de fr

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
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Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.67 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,245 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4,245 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,234 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,989 ft
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Description of the walk

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

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

(1) Turn left and continue climbing until you reach a junction of various paths.

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

(3) Turn right and continue climbing. A little further on, walk over flat rocks beneath a small waterfall. And finally, Lac Blanc comes into view – your efforts are rewarded!

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

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,989 ft - Chenevrey car park
  2. 1 : mi 1.3 - alt. 4,964 ft - Turn left at the fork
  3. 2 : mi 1.68 - alt. 5,499 ft - Footbridge - Vorz (ruisseau) - Affluent de l'Isère
  4. 3 : mi 2.01 - alt. 6,145 ft - Junction with the path to the refuge
  5. 4 : mi 2.84 - alt. 7,231 ft - Lac Blanc (Belledonne)
  6. S/E : mi 5.67 - alt. 2,989 ft - Chenevrey car park

Notes

There is running water almost everywhere. With water purification tablets and/or a filter, you can reduce the amount of water you carry if necessary.
There are no difficulties other than the elevation gain; there are no tricky sections in summer.

Worth a visit

An alternative route is possible on the way out: turn off at the footbridge (2) and take theGR®® on the left to climb to the Refuge Jean Collet, then retrace your steps a little way and take the path leading to Lac Blanc, which joins the path ascending via the Ravin des Excellences; or, on the return journey, head up to the refuge instead of descending via the ravine.
This will add to the walking time and involve a little extra 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 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 29307794

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Passed the Jean COLLET refuge on the way up; the path was less steep, but the ascent to the refuge was narrow and lined with rockfalls, plus a long traverse and descent to rejoin the Lac Blanc path, with a few sections that were rather tricky and exposed.
A challenging hike, not only because of the elevation gain but also because the path is often very steep, with a dirt surface covered in small stones that make your feet slip.
There are also a few sections where you’re a bit exposed (a cable near the start where the path overlooks a torrent).
Towards the start, two trees block the path; one is too high to climb over, so you have to crawl underneath on all fours.
A third of the way up, on a gently sloping section, the path is diverted due to a large number of fallen trees (probably caused by a major avalanche), but the IGN map hasn’t been updated yet, so follow the path that goes round to the right, marked with yellow markers.
When you reach the lake, it’s stunning: the colour of the lake, the peaks all around, plus views of waterfalls on the way up.
Definitely worth doing, even if it’s difficult and ‘quite a challenge’.

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User 28396521

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike I did on my own one Wednesday. This starting point does indeed take you past some beautiful waterfalls, but adds to both the ascent and descent. More challenging on the way down. Slippery. Do remember to bring walking poles. A very lovely hike with no technical difficulties – you just need stamina and to be used to walking on scree. Both the ascent and descent. I returned via the mountain hut for a coffee break. Nice. Magnificent lake. I decided not to go all the way to the glacier because the snowdrifts were a bit of a deterrent and I didn’t have time to wait. A shame. A very lovely walk. Thanks
Took 7 hours 30 minutes. 14 km. 59 years old 😊

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User 22406516

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike ending at the magnificent Lac Blanc.
The route instructions were very clear and easy to follow

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User 24722477

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike… Lac Blanc is ‘thawing’ – it’s absolutely stunning. No particular difficulties, apart from the elevation gain, which is quite significant all the same… the stones on the way down require a bit more care… for the ‘seniors’ 😉

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User 18096225

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note: a landslide has blocked the path; you’ll need to step over fallen trees and, most importantly, find your way! Otherwise, everything’s fine.

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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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