Lake Faudon and the summit of Saint-Philippe, seen from the small pass of Collet d’Ancelle

From the Col de Manse, take the D14 towards La Rochette. At the junction with the D292, take the small pass on the left to reach the hamlet. Park at the junction of Rue de la Chapelle and Chemin des Jardins.

(S/E) Follow the Chemin des Jardins, heading south-east, to leave the hamlet. The tarmac soon gives way to a dirt track which leads to a large crossroads.

(1) Take the Faudon forest track opposite, still heading south-east, towards Clot Loubine.

(2) Turn left to continue along the forest track, heading north, towards Faudon.

(3) Head uphill to the left and leave the main track for a footpath, heading north-east towards Lac de Faudon.

(4) Go round the lake on the right (north shore) and continue towards Béal Trouble, heading north-west. Pass a spring with three metal drinking troughs and join a path coming from the right (Crête des Auréous).

(5) Carry on straight ahead, heading north-west, then follow the path on the right to climb through the grass towards the small pass known as Coulon du Château. Note that it is possible here to take a short detour to the ruins of the village of Faudon by taking the path on the left before heading back up to the right towards Coulon du Château.
At the junction, head left up towards the small pass, heading north-west towards Saint-Philippe via Coulon du Château and Les Dents.

(6) Take the path on the left to continue along the PR® (yellow markings), heading west towards Saint-Philippe. The path crosses a small, rocky section (Les Dents, 1,670 m) where you may occasionally need to use your hands for support, but it presents no major difficulty.
Continue along the well-marked path, heading south-west, to climb the rocky ridge (avoiding the large boulders as best you can) andreach the summit (a cross on a cairn). Enjoy the 360° panorama!

(7) Descend alongthe ridge line, which is sometimes winding, heading north-west, skirting around vegetation and rocks.

(8) Turn left, heading west, to follow the edge of the forest and reach the alpine meadows. At the junction (altitude 1,605 m),take the PR® to the right, heading north-west, for about 50 m until you reach another junction.

(9) Turn left, heading south-west, to leave the PR®.Follow the main path between the forest on the right and the meadow running along the ridge. This becomes a track, with several drovers' roads allowing you to wind your way down through the grass and trees. After a wide bend to the south-west, you’ll reach a crossroads.

(10) Head down the meadow opposite, heading south-west then south, towards the hamlet of Le Collet. Reach the first houses, then follow Rue de la Chapelle to the junction with Chemin du Pra du Bez.

(11) Turn right, heading south-west, to continue down Rue de la Chapelle and reach the small car park (S/E).

Please note: parking at Collet d’Ancelle is not guaranteed (limited spaces).

There are no drinking water points along the route. There is a tapped spring with drinking troughs above the lake (water quality not tested). No shelter available.

The charming little lake at Faudon is the ideal spot for a break or a picnic.
However, this valley is a sensitive wetland: please stay on the paths and respect the flora and fauna. This peat bog is adorned with flowers of every colour: orchids, broomrape and cottongrass.

The path through the rocks to reach the summit of Saint-Philippe is rather surprising and charming.

This walk is best enjoyed in dry, clear weather to make the most of the panoramic views.

Shops, restaurants and accommodation are available in Ancelle.

Lake Faudon, nestled in a peaceful, verdant valley, is a little treasure trove of Alpine biodiversity. Legend has it that some young people, having shown disrespect to God, were swallowed up by its silty waters, from which a spring of black, unhealthy water is said to gush forth.
Today, this protected site is home to remarkable wildlife, such as the midwife toad and the Alpine newt, as well as flora adapted to wetland environments, including the musk orchid. Formed at the end of the Ice Age, the lake also provides an opportunity to study plant history through its sediments.

Nearby, the ruins of the village of Faudon bear witness to an ancient settlement dating back to Antiquity (around 400 to 600 BC). Although all that remains today are piles of stones in the grass, the site was home to more than 400 people in the Middle Ages! Destroyed several times by fire, notably in 1210, it was gradually abandoned in favour of the present-day site of Ancelle.
Although the suggested route does not pass directly through the village, it is possible to make a short detour there from the north-west of the lake (5).

The northern slopes of the Croix Saint-Philippe feature geological formations known as the ‘Faudon lenses’. These are marine fossils, notably nummulites, bearing witness to a time when the region was covered by the sea. Other fossils are also visible there (gastropods, bivalves, echinoderms, cnidarians).

The medieval fort of Saint-Philippe, marked by a cairn cross and an IGN boundary stone, occupies a strategic position.This promontory has been home to several watchtowers, including a Roman signal tower, which was reinforced in the 11th century. Itis thought to have been destroyed in the 13th century.
The summit offers a remarkable 360° panoramic view of the surrounding valleys.

See also https://mairieancelle.fr/culture-et-patrimoine/site-de-faudon/